Apple unveils new iPhone 15, Apple Watches; phones to come with USB-C charging port

Apple unveiled the new iPhone 15 series, Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 on Wednesday (Sep 13) at the Apple Event 2023.

Upgrades and improvements have been made to the upcoming models in terms of technology and design, including the use of USB-C charging compatibility for all iPhone 15 models.

The newest iPhone 15 is Apple’s “huge leap forward”, with it boasting an “industry-first” colour-infused back glass, optical zoom features and a new contoured edge in its design.

In comparison to the phone’s predecessor iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, the upcoming models are similar in display sizes – the iPhone 15 being 6.1 inches while the iPhone 15 Plus is 6.7 inches – and their use of the Super Retina XDR display.

What sets the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus apart from their predecessors is not just the range in colours, but also the upgraded HDR (High Dynamic Range) brightness feature.

According to Apple, the HDR brightness now reaches up to 1600 nits in standard conditions, and up to 2000 nits when out in a sunny outdoor environment. Its peak HDR outdoor brightness is twice as bright as the previous generation’s, thus allowing photos and videos to look their best.

When using the iPhone camera, users can enjoy a 48MP main camera with a 24MP “super-high-resolution” default setting and three optical-quality zoom levels – 0.5x, 1x and 2x – under the 2x Telephoto option.

These camera features come alongside the Ultra Wide camera, the True Depth front camera, a zero shutter lag, improved low-light performance, and auto-captured depth information that allows users to take portrait shots without switching to Portrait mode.

These new phones have also let go of their iconic lightning chargers and adopted the USB-C charging instead. Vice President of Apple’s iPhone marketing Kaiann Drance shared that this decision was made due to the USB-C cable becoming a “universally accepted standard”.

In making the switch to USB-C charging, the new iPhone models follow along with other Apple products like the newer MacBooks and iPads.

The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus is equipped with the A16 bionic chip that runs and streams mobile games smoothly. The models also feature iOS 17, which provides users with updated Messages, Live Voicemail and AirDrop capabilities.

Similar to the iPhone 14, both models will support the eSIM. The Dynamic Island notch feature – which displays various notifications, alerts and display outputs – will also be available.

Pricing for the iPhone 15 starts at S$1,299, and the iPhone 15 Plus starts at S$1,449.

Pre-orders for the new phone models will start at 8pm on Friday (Sep 15). Both models will officially launch in Singapore on Sep 22.

The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max share the same sizes as the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus respectively.

This new line of Pro and Pro Max phones are made with aerospace-grade titanium, which makes them the first of its kind and the lightest of all iPhone Pro’s.

Just like the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max have built-in USB-C charging and the Dynamic Island feature. 

Unlike previous models though, the new Pro and Pro Max models no longer have the single-function switch on the side of the phones. Instead, the switch is replaced by an Action button.

The Action button provides users with easier access to the camera, flashlight, Voice Memos, Focus modes, Translate and other accessibility options and shortcuts.

The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max is powered by A17 Pro, which hosts an upgraded GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) that increases the phones’ performance and energy efficiency, as well as hardware-accelerated ray tracing that offers users smoother graphics when gaming.

When it comes to its camera, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are both packed with the 48 megapixels main camera and Telephoto options. The latter, however, comes with Apple’s improved stabilisation system.

A new log encoding option is made available on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, making it the first smartphone to support the global standard Academy Colour Encoding System.

The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max is also powered by iOS 17 and supports eSIM.

Pricing for the iPhone 15 Pro starts at S$1,649, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at S$1,999.

Pre-orders for the new phone models will start at 8pm on Friday (Sep 15). Both models will officially launch in Singapore on Sep 22.

The Apple Watch Series 9 comes with the new S9 SiP (System in Package), which increases a variety of the watch’s functions such as its brightness and Siri. It also adds new ones like a double tap feature and access to users’ log health data.

To enable the double-tap feature, users should tap their watch hand’s index finger and thumb together twice. The watch would automatically turn on without its display screen being touched.

As the double-tap feature is utilised as a primary button, it can be used for common actions like stopping a timer, playing or pausing music, or even to answer or end a phone call.

With the new and improved S9 SiP, the Apple Watch Series 9’s display brightness can be increased up to 2,000 nits – double that of Series 8. It can also be lowered down to one nit.

On the Apple Watch Series 9, users can access and log health data using Siri. These requests can be made without Wi-Fi or cellular networks.

When fully-charged, the Apple Watch Series 9 has a battery life of 18 hours.

It is also run on watchOS 10, which updates the watch’s Bluetooth connectivity, Live Activity and sensors.

Accompanying the Apple Watch Series 9 is the new Apple Watch SE. This new line of Apple Watches are priced more affordably and comes with features like activity tracking, fall detection and crash detection.

Pricing for the Apple Watch Series 9 starts at S$599 for an aluminium case and S$1,049 for a stainless steel case, while the Apple Watch SE starts at S$379.

Orders for the new watches are now open. Both will officially launch in stores on Sep 22.

For a more rugged-looking Apple Watch, users may vie for the new Apple Watch Ultra 2.

According to Apple, this watch was designed specifically “for extremes”. It is preferable for those that partake in water sports or high altitude climbing as it comes with a Depth app that logs each session accurately.

Alongside the Oceanic+ app, users can log and view their sessions, heart rates, ascent speeds and more right in their watches.

Just like the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch SE, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is powered by the S9 SiP and is powered by watchOS 10.

It comes in three different straps – Alpine Loop for outdoor adventure, Ocean Band for water sports and recreational diving, and Trail Loop for all workouts.

Pricing for the Apple Watch Ultra 2 starts at S$1,199. It can be ordered online from Sep 13, and will be available in stores from Sep 22.