As we expected, Apple’s September Special Event focused on iPhones and Apple Watches. We were hopeful (but not convinced) that there would be some announcements around Macs too. Whilst this didn’t come to fruition, it’s looking likely that there could be a possible October Special Event where Mac reveals will be in abundance.
In this piece, we talk through the products that Apple did unveil at their latest event, as well as what we could look forward to next month.
Fresh iPhones
We predicted an array of fresh iPhone products, and Apple delivered in the form of a whole new range featuring the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
The iPhone 14 shares many similarities with the iPhone 13, but with several key enhancements. It’s been improved with a better front camera, longer battery life, and the choice of new colours (blue and purple). The iPhone 14 Plus has been rightly named – it’s the supersized version of the iPhone 14 at 6.7”. As for the iPhone 14 Pro, this has a new A16 processor, with a fresh display engine and image signal processor to support the innovative always-on display and camera system. The Pro Max goes one step further, with extra benefits like up to 29 hours of video playback.
New Apple Watches
We were also expecting three watches at the September Special Event, and this is precisely what we got. Users now can choose from the Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Ultra.
The Apple Series 8 is very comparable to Series 7, with an identical size and design, but it does come with new sensors that enable new health and safety features. The second generation of the Apple Watch SE, on the other hand, has an updated S8 SiP processor and bigger bezels in its display.
However, it’s the Apple Watch Ultra that really caught our eye. Maxing out at 49mm, it has a customisable Action button, extra speakers and a bigger battery, amongst many other features that show Apple can compete seriously against the likes of Garmin and Polar. It’s being dubbed ‘the watch for athletes’ with a precision dual-frequency GPS, robust titanium case and water resistance. Its ‘Ultra’ name certainly rings true, and it looks set to be perfect for sporting events like triathlons.
Software updates
Apart from the second-generation AirPods Pro (which come with Apple’s new H2 chip, faster processing, and improved sound quality and battery life), there were no other hardware announcements. However, there were a number of software updates, including:
- iOS 16 – This features a fully redesigned and customised Lock Screen, and the ability to edit iMessages within 15 minutes of sending
- watchOS 9 – A new Low Power Mode can help save battery life
- iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura – Apple’s website confirms these will be released in October
Speaking of macOS Ventura, this is one of many reasons to expect another of Apple’s not-so-surprise Special October Events…
Potential Macs
Apple usually hosts a surprise October Special Event every other year. Whilst there was one in 2021, the last couple of years have understandably disrupted the usual calendar. We were anticipating a Special Event in October 2020, for example, though for obvious reasons it occurred in November instead. We think Apple will resume its even-numbered year Special Event timetable, especially as there are so many Mac rumours flying about at the moment. We might expect:
- An M2 Pro version of the Mac mini, plus an M2 Mac mini
- M2 Pro and M2 Max 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros
- An Apple silicon 27-inch iMac Pro to replace the discontinued 27-inch iMac
We’ll be revealing more about what these new Macs could feature in a predictions blog for this potential October Special Event – so keep an eye out for that. In the meantime, there’s plenty to love about the current Macs available from Apple, and we have just the solution to get them in your hands…
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