Apple Event Highlights: iPhone 13 series, Apple Watch Series 7, and new iPads announced

Apple had its big event for the fall titled California Streaming wherein we got to witness the announcement of the iPhone 13 series (ft. iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max), Apple Watch Series 7, and new iPads. We have got a torrent of leaks leading up to today’s event revealing bits and pieces about these devices. So, let’s see if they are as we visualized them in our minds.

Starting off with —

Apple iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini

• iPhone 13 looks a lot like the iPhone 12 but with 20% smaller notch up front. It still houses the TrueDepth camera system, although it is reengineered to fit in this space.
• The display on both the iPhone 13 and 13 mini is now 28% brighter. It is also Super Retina XDR with 1200 nits peak brightness.
• The device is protected by ceramic shield on the front and IP68 water resistance on the whole body.
• Inside, the iPhone 13 series finds space for a bigger battery and A15 Bionic SoC. Before we get to the processor, know that the battery on iPhone 13 Mini can deliver up to 1.5 hours more endurance compared to 12 mini, while the iPhone 13 can last up to 2.5 hours longer than iPhone 12. These new iPhones are also compatible with MagSafe for charging.
• A15 Bionic is a hexacore chipset based on a 5nm architecture and comprises of nearly 15 billion transistors, 2 performance and 4 efficiency CPU cores. Apple brags this is up to 50% faster than its major competition.
• Well, not just CPU improvements, the GPU also rocks up to 30% faster graphics compared to its rivals. There is also a new 16-core Neural Engine capable of 15.8 trillion ops per sec.
• Moving to its cameras, Apple employs two 12MP sensors on the 13 and 13 Mini but with improved ISP. The second camera is an ultrawide snapper armed with the sensor-shift technology actually borrowed from the iPhone 12 Pro.
• As rumored, this time the iPhone 13 series also gets Portrait Blur videos, but Apple calls it rack focus in cinematic mode. So, now you can shoot videos with blurred backgrounds thanks to rapidly changing depth of focus. In case you are wondering, yes, the recording is done in Dolby Vision HDR format.
• There is 5G support of course.
• And as standard affair, Apple underlines the attention to privacy on the new iPhones with features like on-device Siri, Intelligent Tracking Prevention improvements, and Mail Privacy Prevention. These should come as part of iOS 15.
• iPhone 13 also supports new cases in materials such as leather, silicone, and clear TPU in multiple colors. You can also choose the new MagSafe wallet with Find My support too.
• Last but not least, the price of iPhone 13 mini continues to start at $699, while the iPhone 13 will start off at $799. Notably, the starting variants begin with the double the storage at 128GB this time around. You can always spend more for the 512GB option.

Apple iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max

• Being Pro, the device enjoys Apple’s custom finish that is said to be resistant to abrasion and corrosion. You can pick it in graphite, gold, silver, and new sierra blue paints.
• The face is now ProMotion which means it supports adaptive refresh rate switching from 10–120Hz based on your finger whilst scrolling and onscreen elements.
• It also shares features and stuff like 20% smaller TrueDepth camera system, Ceramic shield protection, IP68 resistance, magsafe support, A15 Bionic SoC, among other things.
• Even though the CPU is similar to the regular 13 models, the GPU on Pros have 5 cores compared to 4 cores on the regulars.
• The battery life also gets a boost. iPhone 13 Pro is said to last longer by 1.5 hours than 12 Pro, whilst the 13 Pro Max can drive up to 2.5 hours more than 12 Pro Max.
• The Pros also present new camera system featuring all-new 77mm telephoto lens (with up to 3x optical zoom), along with the main lens and an ultrawide lens. iPhones also get another Android camera feature ie., macro photography within a range of up to 2cm. All of these sensors support Night mode.
• The cinematic mode also lets you choose focus later. Then there is Smart HDR with photographic profiles, ProRes 4K30 recording, and Macro slo-mo videos.
• iPhone 13 Pro is still priced at a starting price of $999, while the iPhone 13 Pro Max begins at $1099. Again another rumored thing happens to be true which is the new 1TB option. Pre-orders for the Pro models kick off from Friday, and they should hit the stores from September 24.

Apple Watch Series 7

• Series 7 gets the biggest ever screen on a Apple Watch. That is almost 20% larger surface area compared to the precursor while the borders have gotten 40% thinner at mere 1.7mm.
• Not just bigger, the screen is up to 70% brighter.
• You can customize the fascia with newer watch faces custom made for Series 7.
• Apple also boasts the durability of the Series 7 with the use of “crack-resistant front crystal”, IP6X dust resistant rating, and WR50 water resistance.
• It is also more enduring in battery terms viz. 18-hour runtime. It also comes backed by a 33% faster charging speeds. Apple quotes a zero to 80% should only take about 45 mins.
• Now there are multiple build variants too. You can get the Aluminum model in midnight, starlight, green, blue, red colors. Similarly, the staintless steel models also come in varied colors. As for bands, you can either buy new color variants or swap in a current band lying around in your house as Series 7 is compatible with all existing bands.
• Apple Watch Series 7 will be available later this fall starting at $399. Meanwhile, Series 3 still sticks around at $199 and SE at $279, if you want something even more affordable.

Apple iPad (2021)

• The new Apple iPad (2021) runs on A13 Bionic SoC, which claims to be 3x faster than the best selling Chromebook and 6x faster than the best selling Android tablet. Compared to its predecessor, it is said to be 20% faster performance in CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine.
• The iPad 2021 also gets improved ISP, a 12MP (122º ultrawide) selfie camera with Center Stage. In supported apps like FaceTime, Zoom, and more, Center Stage detects people and moves the frame to follow them.
• iPad 2021 also gets True Tone display, which manages color temperature to match the ambiance. The machine also supports prevailing accessories including 1st gen Apple Pencil.
• The software is iPadOS 15.
• Finally, the thing starts at $329 (for the 64GB storage model) and will be available from next week, although orders begin today.

Apple iPad Mini (2021)

• iPad Mini has been refreshed with a thin and light form factor along with fresh colors like purple, pink, starlight, space gray.
• On the front, there is a 8.3 inch display with ‘Wide color’, ‘antireflective’, and 500 nits of brightness. The front camera is a 12MP ultra wide lens with Center Stage.
• Flipping to the back, there is a 12MP sensor with support for True Tone flash, improved ISP with Smart HDR, and 4K video recording.
• For biometrics, there is Touch ID incorporated into the power button.
• Coming to performance, Apple claims a 40% leap in CPU performance, while GPU gains a 80% jump. There is also a 2x faster neural engine with capabilities such as real-time translation.
• And interestingly enough, the iPad Mini comes with a USB-C instead of lightning port.
• iPad Mini also supports 5G, enhanced stereo speaker system while in landscape, and accessories like new slim Smart Folio covers, 2nd-gen Apple Pencil with magnetic attachability to the side of the Mini.
• You can grab the iPad Mini off the shelves for a starting price of $499 from next week. Meanwhile, orders do start today.

India Pricing

• iPhone 13 Mini 128GB: ₹69,900; 256GB- ₹79,900; 512GB- ₹99,900
• iPhone 13 128GB: ₹79,900; 256GB- ₹89,900; 512GB- ₹1,09,900
• iPhone 13 Pro 128GB: ₹1,19,990
• iPhone 13 Pro Max 128GB: ₹1,29,900
• iOS 15, iPad OS 15, and WatchOS 8 will be available from Sep 20.
• iPad starts at Rs. 30,900 while the Mini starts at Rs. 46,900.