The iPhone 15 and what's new at Apple Event 2023

The most anticipated Apple event of the year has arrived, bringing the new iPhone 15 and Apple Watch 9!

The Apple Event took place this Tuesday, 12 September 2023, and was broadcast worldwide via streaming. The new features launched at the event were the new Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, as well as the new iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Apple Watch Series 9: Elegance and Durability

To kick off the event, Apple presented the new Apple Watch Series 9, which retains an elegant but more sophisticated design. The range consists of four colours with an aluminium dial (the new Pink, and the familiar Starlight, Silver, Midnight Black and Red), and three stainless steel colours (Gold, Silver and Graphite). There will be 41mm and 45mm versions.

Top performance with Apple Watch 9

One of the great new features of the Apple Watch 9 is the new chip, the S9 SiP, which brings better performance and greater energy efficiency to the watch. In other words, with this new chip, response times become faster, app execution smoother and battery life longer. Promoting a battery that can withstand a full day's use.

Now, in this new generation of Apple Watches, Siri's requests are processed on the watch itself, allowing for faster and more secure response times, even at times when the GPS or Wi-Fi signal is weaker.

Health and Wellbeing with Apple Watch 9

Speaking of Siri, it will now be possible to ask the famous virtual assistant for health information, such as how many steps have been taken, or how many calories have been burned throughout the day.

Apple Watch Series 9: The New Control Gesture

Knowing that Apple Watches feature a variety of gestures to control the various features of the watch, the new S9 features a new gesture that allows you to have your other hand occupied and still control your Apple Watch. With a double tap, using the index finger and thumb, users can now answer and hang up calls, stop a stopwatch, activate music or switch off an alarm, take photos, and much more!

Apple Watch Series 9 straps

The straps available for this Apple Watch have new designs, colours and patterns. They are suitable for all situations and occasions, with special surprises in partnership with Hermès and Nike, as in previous years.

With a view to sustainability, the leather straps have been replaced by a new material, FineWoven, an alternative made from recycled materials.

Apple Watch Series 9: Sustainability

Apple is also introducing new sustainable solutions with the use of 100% recycled aluminium and packaging that uses clean energy to produce. A fibre base and a smaller box have allowed it to be transported 25% more per trip, reducing its carbon footprint.

In fact, the compromise in terms of production, transport and distribution makes any aluminium Apple Watch 9 with the new Velcro sports straps 100% carbon neutral!

What's new with Apple Watch Ultra 2

With a larger display and a more durable battery, Apple presents the new Apple Watch Ultra 2. This watch allows the user to "go further, higher and deeper", enhancing its capabilities for use when hiking, climbing or diving.

This Apple Watch Ultra 2 lets you use Siri even without connectivity and features a screen that's brighter than ever! Its display can reach 3000 nits of brightness and the battery can withstand 72 hours of use.

iPhone 15: The New Design and Sustainability One of the most striking things about the new iPhone 15 is its futuristic design. It features an ultra-thin stainless steel frame and an OLED screen with reduced margins. Its internal structure combines elements such as 75% recycled aluminium, 100% recycled cobalt in the battery and 100% recycled copper in the motherboard and MagSafe mechanism. The camera module, integrated into the back case, and the slightly rounded sides immediately stand out. New colours and sizes With the use of glass and matt finishes, this new iPhone can be chosen in five different colours. Pink, Yellow, Green, Blue and Black. The new material that covers the back of the iPhone contains crystalline nano-particles that give the iPhone 15 a new, modern look. The normal version of this iPhone is 6.1 inches and the Plus version is 6.7 inches with internal memory of 128 GB, 256 GB or even 512 GB. The colours extend to both. iPhone 15: Dynamic Island and luminosity The new iPhone has special features that capture the user's attention. Dynamic Island is already familiar from the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, but has now been expanded to the entire range of smartphones! It brings new features such as travel directions, flight gate information, music played, Connected Airpods, and much more! The brightness of this iPhone can reach 1600 nits or even 2000 nits. iPhone 15: Camera, Processor and Microphone The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus have inherited some features from last year's Pro models. The new iPhone 15 camera has a resolution of 48MP and also has 3 zoom levels - 0.5x, 1x and 2x. Its sensor helps autofocus with optimised resolution. This iPhone features the A16 Bionic chip, which also comes from the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max. In addition, the microphone also features a sound isolation system that allows the user to reduce outside noise during calls. As far as connectivity is concerned, Apple has extended the scope of its satellite connectivity and announced the new satellite Roadside Assistance communication feature, which puts the user in touch with the relevant organisation in the event of an accident or breakdown on the road. USB-C, the new paradigm with iPhone 15 As expected, Apple has announced that the new input on this new iPhone will be the universal USB-C input, with MagSafe, using a magnetic mechanism similar to the brand's computers. iPhone 15 Pro: New design, dimensions and sustainability Created with one of the most resistant, durable and lightweight materials, but at the same time elegant, Apple presents the new iPhones 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, designed and produced with titanium. This is now one of the toughest iPhones on the market. The 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro has four types of internal memory: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB. The Pro Max version is 6.7 inches and its internal memory starts at 256GB and goes up to 1TB. The creation of this iPhone allowed Apple to present its attempt to reduce its carbon footprint by using a rear glass that is easy to remove and replace, allowing the iPhone's lifespan to be extended. iPhone 15 Pro: Colours, new side "action button" and features This new Apple treasure features darker colours, such as Natural Titanium, Blue Titanium, White Titanium and Black Titanium. The side switch, which only had the functionality of turning the iPhone's sound on and off, is now a button that when pressed displays six different actions, which in addition to the sound functionality, also allows you to access the torch, activate night mode, access the camera and record audios and much more. iPhone 15 Pro: The A17 Pro Processor With the launch of the new A17 Pro chip, Apple wants iPhones to be faster as well as better for gaming and immersive experiences. This processor allows the iPhone to perform up to 35 million operations per second. With the USB controller, the iPhone supports transfers at speeds 20 times faster. The increased performance of this iPhone has allowed Apple to give its users the opportunity to enjoy games that until now were only compatible with computers, Macs and games consoles. iPhone 15 Pro: Camera and USB-C port The iPhone 15 Pro's camera system has the equivalent of seven professional lenses, they claim; with a larger 48MP main sensor that can capture more light. It also has a 5x optical zoom. This system also features an image stabiliser. Videos can also be recorded in 4K resolution. This iPhone also has a USB-C socket, just like the iPhone 15. Text written by Matilde Pêgas, edited by João Patrício

The new iPhone 15 and news from Apple Event 2023