Last week was a huge one for Apple with a plethora of exciting new products, so let’s break down everything Apple launched today.
iPhone 18 Pro
The first major new product that Apple announced was the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. While the design remains largely similar to their predecessors, the iPhone 18 Pro models made several refinements internally. First, the iPhone 18 Pro features the groundbreaking A20 Pro chip, which is Apple’s first 2nm chip made for the iPhone, and for the first time, this chip features a Dual Neural Engine just like the M6 chip that was announced on the Mac mini late last month.
With more performance, the iPhone needs to sustain that performance for longer, so the iPhone 18 Pro comes with the next-generation vapor chamber that’s three times as large as before. Along with the N1 chip, Apple also introduced the C2 modem*, which allowed for faster AI-performance when connecting to cellular networks and faster upload speeds as well.
*The C2 modem appears in the smaller Pro model; however, the larger Pro Max still uses a Qualcomm modem, but only in the U.S. Other worldwide variants for the Pro Max feature the C2 modem.
But the biggest improvements lie in both the camera and battery departments. For the first time, the main wide sensor now features variable aperture, giving iPhone photographers even more flexibility in controlling how much light goes into the sensor to take even more creative shots. Both models receive a big boost in battery life, with the 18 Pro getting up to 36 hours of video playback (compared to 33 hours on the 17 Pro), and the 18 Pro Max receiving the longest battery life ever on iPhone with up to 45 hours of video playback (up from 39 hours on the 17 Pro Max).
Apple also righted all the wrongs with the iPhone 17 Pro. First, we finally got a true black color, and along with the classic silver color, the new colors we now have are Glacier and Burgundy. Plus, the glass panels on the iPhone 18 Pro closely match the aluminum finish, giving a more seamless look.
The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, and the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299. Both models start with 256GB of storage, and they can be configured with up to 2TB.
Apple Watch Series 12 / Apple Watch Ultra 4
The Apple Watch is essential to the iPhone; Apple continues to raise the bar again with this year’s Watch models. Both the Apple Watch Series 12 and the Apple Watch Ultra 4 feature the S11 chip, which now features 4GB of RAM to allow for improved performance on Siri AI and other AI-related features such as Audio Intelligence. As the Apple Watch continues to be a health-focused device, one new feature is the improved RVM heart-rate sensor, which allows the Watch to detect heart rate at an even higher sample rate. Other new features include a readiness score as well as Audio Intelligence. There are several new finishes (in addition to some of the existing ones) for the Apple Watch Series 12, with the return of ceramic since the Series 5:
- Aluminum: Space Gray; NEW – Black, Dark Bronze, and Light Gold
- Titanium: Natural Titanium; NEW – Radiant Gold
- Ceramic: NEW – Pearl White and Navy Blue
Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 continue to start at $399 and $799, respectively, although the larger-sized aluminum models now start at $449 (vs. $429 on the predecessor).
AirPods 5
The AirPods 5 is truly a remarkable iteration that improves upon the iconic open-ear design, and it finally makes Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) standard on both of its models. This means that every model in the AirPods lineup has ANC. The AirPods 5 brings the similar (if not the same) open-ear design that users come to know and love, and other core features like dust, sweat, and water resistance at the same starting price of $129. The second model continues to feature the Wireless Charging Case (compatible with Qi-wireless chargers and Apple Watch chargers), but this time, this model even provides longer battery life as well as on-stem volume controls – all at an even lower price of $149.
Accessories
Apple has offered a wide range of accessories for both iPhone and Apple Watch. There are not only new colors for both the Silicone and TechWoven cases, but Apple also actually made its clear case for the iPhone 18 Pro less polarizing. There’s even a new Wrist Strap that’s made for Apple’s AirPods Pro cases and iPhone cases compatible with the Crossbody Strap.
For the Apple Watch, there are several new colors across Apple’s watch band offerings, but the newest band designs go to Hermès, specifically the Grand H Titane for Apple Watch Ultra 4, the Rocabar Club for Apple Watch Series 12, and the Satin Clou de Selle paired with the radiant gold titanium case on Series 12.
Software Platforms
Earlier this week, Apple launched its OS releases of version 27, including iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS, tvOS, and visionOS.
Later this month…
Apple officially stated that both the updated Mac mini and Mac Studio models would launch next week on September 22, although it appears that most, if not all, models have already been backordered due to the excessive demand for those machines.
October preview?
As announced last week, pre-orders for the iPhone Duo begin October 16, and it will be available on October 23. Additionally, there have been several products that are rumored to launch this fall, so apart from the iPhone Duo, here’s what we could see next month:
- iPad mini (8th generation) with a water-resistant redesign and either an A19 Pro or A20 Pro chip
- Updated Apple TV
- Updated HomePod mini
- All-new smart home hub (think of it like a “HomePod/iPad” solution)
- Base 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 chip
- iMac with M6 chip
- “MacBook Ultra” with M5 Pro/M5 Max chips
Safe to say that this season is going to be another busy one for Apple, with many more new products to come, so bookmark this page for more Apple-related news.
