USA TODAY International Edition
‘ More powerful, more capable, and more fun’
IPhone 13, Apple Watch, new iPad Mini unveiled
Apple fans finally got their first look at iPhone 13.
On Tuesday, Apple introduced the next version of its popular smartphone, one of several device announcements made during a virtual event at its headquarters in Cupertino, California.
Among the other devices unveiled Tuesday: a revamped budget iPad, an updated version of its iPad Mini, and the new Apple Watch Series 7 with a bigger display.
The iPhone 13 will arrive in four models: a standard version with a 6.1inch display, a Mini model, plus Pro and Pro Max models with larger screens and better battery life.
All four devices will be available to preorder on Friday and launch in stores on Sept. 24. The iPhone 13 will start at $ 699 for the Mini model, all the way up to the iPhone 13 Pro Max at $ 1,099.
“Our customers rely on iPhone every day, which is why we’ve made iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini more powerful, more capable, and more fun to use,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, in a statement.
This year’s release features several subtle upgrades to the iPhone, which will remain popular due to “pent up demand” for a new Apple phone, said Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives.
About 250 million of the 975 million iPhones already sold have not been up
graded in more than 3.5 years, said Ives.
iPhone 13 features
The iPhone 13 will be available in five colors: red, starlight ( a whiteish shade), midnight ( a blackish shade), blue and pink. The two camera lenses on the back of the smartphone have been placed diagonally.
Along with the typical upgrades to processing speed, display and battery life, the iPhone 13 adds a Cinematic Mode, which uses an automatic focus to shift between subjects in a video, similar to Portrait Mode for photos.
The new phone also means the arrival of iOS 15, which will launch as a free software update on Sept. 20. It will include updates to FaceTime, a Live Text feature where users can search text within images, and a Focus mode to manage your notifications.
A new Apple Watch
It wasn’t just the iPhone enjoying the attention at Apple’s event. The tech giant also unveiled Apple Watch Series 7, with a larger display and redesigned look to provide more of a wraparound effect.
Digital buttons on the watch face appear bigger to make them easier to tap, such as trying to find snooze on an alarm. The watch will also include new faces to leverage the size of the display.
The Apple Watch uses the extra screen area to add a predictive text keyboard, so users can quickly type messages by dragging their fingers across the appropriate letters or they can do it the old- fashioned way letter by letter.
Apple says the updated watch boasts an 18- hour battery life and charges 33% faster than the Series 6. It’s available in multiple colors including midnight, starlight, green and red.
The Series 7 will start at $ 399 and launches later this fall.
Two new iPads, including a revamped Mini
Apple also rolled out updates to its iPad line, with new versions of its entrylevel model starting at $ 329 and an overhauled iPad Mini starting at $ 499.
Apple says the new iPad Mini, which will feature an 8.3- inch touchscreen, will perform 80% faster than the previous model. The tablet, available Sept. 24, will include an upgrade to its cameras, support for the second- generation Apple Pencil, and support for 5G wireless networks.
The entry- level iPad will retain the same design and price but feature more storage starting at 64GB, and add a 12megapixel front- facing camera with support for Center Stage, a feature on iPad Pro models which can automatically detect and follow who’s on screen. It’s available on Sept. 24.