iPhone 15 is here: Apple unveils the new models, Watch Series 9, and more

Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus

Credit: Apple

1/6

The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus delivers a perfect blend of innovation and style. Available in two display sizes, 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch, these smartphones feature a Super Retina XDR display that offers breathtaking visuals. Peak outdoor brightness is now up to 2000 nits – translation: your phone screen is now twice as bright as the previous generation, meaning that you can see the visuals even on the sunniest days.

Under the hood, the A16 Bionic chip powers these devices, offering impressive performance while maintaining efficiency. With a 6-core CPU that outpaces previous generations, it excels in handling intensive tasks while preserving battery life.

Credit: Apple

2/6

The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus come equipped with a game-changing camera system. The 48MP Main camera captures exceptional detail, and computational photography allows for a 24MP super-high-resolution default mode. Three optical-quality zoom levels (0.5x, 1x, 2x) are available on the dual-camera system. Portraits have been revolutionised with sharper detail, vibrant colours, and enhanced low-light performance. Night mode and Smart HDR improvements further elevate photo quality across all camera lenses.

Design-wise, the phones boast a refined look, with colour – available in pink, yellow, green, blue, and black – infused into the back glass, reinforced with cutting-edge technology for durability, and water- and dust-resistant capabilities.

USB‑C compatibility finally arrives on the iPhone 15 lineup. The phones also come updated with iOS 17, introduced earlier in the year at Apple’s WWDC, delivering a more personalised and intuitive experience with new capabilities and features.

Pre-orders begin Friday, September 15, with availability beginning Friday, September 22.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max

Credit: Apple

3/6

The flagship smartphones, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, introduce a groundbreaking titanium design. The use of titanium, known for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and used in aerospace applications, makes these phones the lightest among Apple's Pro series. Available in four finishes (black, white, blue, and natural titanium), the phones also boast a sleek brushed texture, slim borders, and robust glass protection.

In terms of innovation, these iPhones feature the all-new Action button, replacing the traditional ring/silent switch, offering an array of functions like quick camera access and Voice Memos activation. Compared to the non-Pro models, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are powered by the A17 Pro chip, setting a new standard for smartphone performance. Love mobile gaming? The chip brings major improvements in CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine capabilities, featuring hardware-accelerated ray tracing for breathtaking graphics and gaming experiences.

Credit: Apple

4/6

Of course, the Pro models are best for photography enthusiasts. Advanced camera systems include a 48MP Main camera with computational photography. This allows for a new 24MP super-high-resolution mode, perfect for high-quality images at manageable file sizes. Both models offer an array of focal lengths, enhanced low-light photography, and Smart HDR improvements. Pro workflows are also elevated, with faster data transfers, ProRAW support, and ProRes video recording directly to external storage, a first for smartphones.

In terms of connectivity, both models also introduce USB‑C for versatile charging and data transfer, support second-generation Ultra Wideband for reliable device connections, and offer Wi-Fi 6E for faster wireless performance. The phones also enhance audio quality for calls and introduce Voice Isolation for noisy environments.

Pre-orders begin Friday, September 15, with availability beginning Friday, September 22.

Apple Watch Series 9

Credit: Apple

5/6

The Apple Watch Series 9, boasts significant enhancements driven by the new S9 SiP chip. This cutting-edge chip brings a range of improvements and novel features to the watch, including a user-friendly double tap gesture. This intuitive gesture, made by putting your thumb and index finger together twice, simplifies one-handed operation, allowing users to execute common actions without needing to touch the display. Functions like controlling timers, managing music playback, handling phone calls, and even capturing photos can be easily accessed through this gesture.

The Series 9's S9 SiP chip ensures excellent visibility, whether under direct sunlight or in low-light environments. Precision Finding is now available, which assists users in locating their misplaced iPhones, even if they are in a different room.

Moreover, the watch operates on watchOS 10, presenting a revamped user experience. It introduces redesigned apps, a new Smart Stack for effortless access to widgets, and new watch faces. On-device Siri capabilities are enhanced as well, with a heightened focus on privacy and data security. Furthermore, the watch delivers twice the processing speed compared to its predecessor, all while maintaining its impressive 18-hour battery life.

Apple offers the Series 9 in various sizes and finishes, from starlight, midnight, and silver to the vibrant (Product)Red and a fresh pink aluminium case. Stainless steel options include gold, silver, and graphite.

The new Apple Watch lineup can be ordered today, with availability beginning Friday, September 22.

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Credit: Apple

6/6

Apple has also introduced a new addition to its Apple Watch Ultra lineup. Similar to the Series 9, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 also features a powerful S9 SiP chip and double tap gesture. The Ultra 2 also integrates a 4-core Neural Engine, delivering lightning-fast processing speeds for machine learning tasks, setting it apart from the original Apple Watch Ultra.

One notable improvement in the Ultra 2 from its predecessor is its display brightness, reaching a remarkable 3000 nits, a 50 percent increase from the first-generation Ultra. This enhanced brightness ensures exceptional visibility even in the brightest of sunlight, while the display can also dim to just one nit for discreet use in dark environments. The Ultra 2 also introduces the Modular Ultra watch face, designed to maximise the expansive display by presenting real-time data like seconds, altitude, or depth. This versatile watch face caters to sports, outdoor adventures, and water activities with its array of complications.

Designed for the extreme sports enthusiast, Apple Watch Ultra 2 is engineered for versatility, tested to function across an extensive range of altitudes, from 500 metres below sea level to a staggering 9,000 metres, accommodating explorations from deep valleys to towering peaks. Notably, it excels in water sports, including recreational scuba diving to depths of 40 metres and now even freediving, thanks to the updated Oceanic+ app. This app records dive sessions, providing valuable data for users to review on the watch or their iPhone.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 can be ordered today, with availability beginning Friday, September 22.