Apple is about to launch four new iPhones, two new watches, and probably more besides.
The launch of the iPhone 15 is Apple’s biggest event of the year, and given the widely rumored higher price and new charging port on the bottom of the phone, it could bring additional controversy this year.
Along with those updates, Apple is rumored to be planning new charging technology, faster chips, better battery life, and design changes for the higher-end, Pro versions of the phone. In total, there are expected to be four editions of the iPhone 15: base model, iPhone 15 Plus, Pro, and Pro Max.
In addition to those new products, Apple is widely expected to update both the normal and Ultra versions of the Apple Watch. They are expected to receive smaller updates, with the possible introduction of new chip technology.
AirPods may also be included in the event. They’re also expected to receive an update to swap out the Lightning charging port at the bottom for USB-C – the process of getting rid of the charging technology used for more than a decade in Apple’s most popular products is just beginning. Is.
The event will be streamed live from Apple’s California headquarters, starting at 10am local Pacific time, 1pm Eastern time, or 6pm in the UK. You can follow all the latest news here.
key points
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Why this year’s iPhone may be controversial: Part 1
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Why this year’s iPhone may be controversial: Part 2
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What to expect at this year’s Apple event?
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What are the rumors about iPhone 15 Pro?
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How to watch today’s event
How to watch today’s Apple event
16:48 , Andrew Griffin
Apple offers several options for watching today’s event. For example, you can do this on its own events page, or you can use the Apple Events app on Apple TV.
However, the easiest way is probably YouTube. You can find the video below. If you click, you can also click to classify yourself as waiting and receive a notification when the presentation begins.
Apple Store closed before the event
16:47 , Andrew Griffin
With just over an hour left, the Apple Store has closed. Users will see a dusty animation similar to an invitation. (This appears to show the colors of the iPhone 14 Pro and the dust may be a reference to a new manufacturing process, but no one knows for sure.)
(Apple)
Unusually, the Apple Store is up more than usual. For example, the iPhone page is still live – but if you click to buy anything it will show you a message that it’s down. This is the same with all Apple products, including those that are not expected to be updated today, like Macs.
Apple is ready to reveal everything
16:30 , Andrew Griffin
We’re pretty sure we’ll be getting a full set of new iPhones. What else is coming in today’s program?
(Possibly some watches, and some AirPods that also switch to USB-C. And maybe another look at a headset?)
Full article here.
What are the rumors about iPhone?
16:29 , Andrew Griffin
New cameras, new processors, a kind of new design and a new port. Here’s everything that’s rumored for the iPhone 15 (all four of them).
Full article here.
How much will the iPhone cost – and what deals can you expect?
16:28 , Andrew Griffin
Here, from our colleagues at Indie Best, here’s a comprehensive list of how much the iPhone 15 could cost — and what deals are coming.
Full article here.
Report says no iPad will arrive today or any time this year
15:52 , Andrew Griffin
There will be no iPads at this event. This much was known. But perhaps no new iPad will come this year.
That’s according to generally reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo on Twitter.
Why might this year’s iPhone be lacking excitement?
15:40 , Andrew Griffin
Maybe it wouldn’t be so controversial. This year’s iPhone may also lack a lot of excitement. (Or, of course, it could be both boring And controversial; There are many things…)
Rumors suggest that there will be no major redesign; It will look quite similar to the existing phone. It also seems that there will be no major changes inside.
Apple has a knack for making seemingly mundane things seem exciting. Will it manage it this year – and how?
Why This Year’s iPhone Might Be So Controversial, Part 2: Price
15:35 , Andrew Griffin
…The other big potential controversy is price. The price of iPhones often goes up – but it could be even more dramatic this year.
Recently it has been rumored that Apple is considering introducing higher priced and more premium devices. The first of those was the Apple Watch Ultra last year. The iPhone 14 Ultra may also arrive this year, which may be just a redesigned iPhone Pro Max if nothing else.
The plan seems to be to increase revenue by giving people even more options to spend their money. It seems to have worked with the Apple Watch – which, anecdotally, I’ve seen on more people’s wrists than I expected.
Previously, it had tried the opposite: cheaper versions of its devices, such as the iPhone Mini and Apple Watch SE. This may continue with them also. But it is also putting pressure on the other end of the price spectrum.
Why This Year’s iPhone Might Be So Controversial, Part 1: Ports
15:29 , Andrew Griffin
This year may bring controversies in many ways. The first among these is in ports.
Apple has been using Lightning to charge its iPhones for over 10 years, after being introduced with the iPhone 5 in 2012. It took over from the 30-pin dock connector, which was much larger and less smart.
It is now widely rumored that Apple is moving towards USB-C in the iPhone 15 line-up. It probably doesn’t want to – this decision is partly forced by the EU, which has a new rule requiring the same ports for all consumer devices. It probably wanted to wait a few years and then get rid of ports altogether instead of using wireless chargers.
The last time Apple changed its charging port, it caused a huge stir, with customers complaining that all of their accessories had malfunctioned overnight. Some suggested this was a cynical move by Apple, looking to profit from the purchase of new cables and hardware – although this is now less attractive.
Will there be a similar stir this time too? Probably not. Many people will already have USB-C chargers (from iPads and MacBooks, if not elsewhere). Apple will be able to point to faster charging and data transfers.
But it doesn’t control the narrative; The world does. So we (and Apple) will have to wait and see how it is received.
‘See you soon!’
15:08 , Andrew Griffin
Tim Cook, who usually tweets early in the morning of Apple events, has now done so.
What does it mean? “USB-C soon”? Why is “Time” capitalized for Apple Watch? Who knows.
Twitter/X launches ‘hashflag’ for Apple event
10:35 , Andrew Griffin
Twitter (or X) has launched a new “hashflag” or “hashmoji” in celebration of the Apple event. If you like a Tweet that includes the #AppleEvent hashtag, you’ll see this custom animation.
It is not clear whether Apple paid for it or not. Typically, those animations have to be triggered from Twitter.
The two companies have long had an unusual relationship: Apple has a Twitter account, but doesn’t actually post. This has become even more unusual since Elon Musk took over, with the two companies fighting publicly and former marketing boss Phil Schiller even leaving Twitter.
However, some things seem to keep going. Apple has had animations in the past, and still does under Elon Musk.
Hello and welcome…
10:28 , Andrew Griffin
… To IndependentLive coverage of today’s Apple event, which is expected to include four new iPhones, some new watches, and an AirPods update.
