Apple Event: What You Probably Missed
The Apple Event, named Wonderlust, has now concluded, but the iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max, along with the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, are here to stay. Apple presented several new features of these devices, including improved cameras, USB-C support, new color options, and the use of titanium as a new material.
Despite the comprehensive announcements, there were still some updates that Apple did not disclose during the event. In this article, we aim to shed light on those updates, as they may have gone relatively unnoticed, and you might have missed them.
1. iPhone 15: Charging Your iPhone & Apple Watch
While the iPhone 15 series boasts a plethora of new features, one subtle yet noteworthy addition is the ability to charge your AirPods via your iPhone 15. This convenient feature can be a game-changer for those who rely on both their iPhone and AirPods throughout the day. The integration of USB-C support in the iPhone 15 now allows for this seamless charging experience, making it even more convenient to keep your devices juiced up on the go. You can either use a USB-C to USB-C cable to charge the newer AirPods or a USB-C to lightning cable to charge other AirPods version from your iPhone 15.
Continuing with the theme of enhanced charging capabilities, the iPhone 15 takes it a step further by offering the option to charge your Apple Watch directly from your iPhone through the new USB-C port of the iPhone 15 series.
2. iPhone 15 Pro: RAM Boost
Apple has always been keen on delivering top-tier performance with each new iPhone release. This year, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are taking it up a notch with a bump in RAM. These models now come equipped with a generous 8GB of RAM, up from 6GB in the previous iPhone 14 Pro models. This increase in memory capacity promises smoother multitasking, faster app switching, and improved overall performance for power users.
3. Steady Battery Life
As the Wonderlust event showcased the many impressive innovations in the new iPhone 15 series, it's interesting to note that Apple has not managed to increase the battery life levels compared to the previous iPhone 14 series. Although the battery capacities are not disclosed officially by Apple we do get information such as Video or Audio Playback times which reveal that Apple is maintaining the same efficiency levels as the 2022 lineup.
4. (Not So) Exclusive Features
While Apple introduced several enticing features in the iPhone 15 series and the Apple Watch Ultra 2, it's important to remember that many of these features are not exclusive to the new models. Apple has made a concerted effort to bring some of these capabilities to their older devices as well.
So, if you're not in the market for a new iPhone or watch just yet, you can still enjoy some of the wonderful event's innovations on your existing devices. For example, the new "Modular Ultra" Watch Face that Apple presented on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is also available on the Apple Watch Ultra 1 via watchOS 10.
Moreover, iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max users have the option to change the focus point on portraits shot with their iOS device, as well as choose to save their photos in the HEIF Max format (up to 48MP).
5. The Unseen Departures
Not all news from the event was about new features and upgrades. Apple quietly announced the discontinuation of some products, including the MagSafe Duo, iPhone 12 lineup, iPhone 13 mini, and the MagSafe Battery Pack. This marks the end of the mini iPhones forever.
6. An Adapter for Transition
In response to the shift towards USB-C, Apple has released a USB-C (male) to Lightning (female) adapter. This adapter allows users to continue using their existing Lightning accessories with USB-C-enabled devices. It's a thoughtful addition that eases the transition for those who may have invested heavily in Lightning-based accessories.
7. New EarPods with Lossless Audio Support
Apple has introduced a fresh iteration of its beloved EarPods, this time featuring a USB-C connector. This development expands Apple's EarPods lineup to encompass three distinct variants: EarPods with a 3.5mm jack port, EarPods with a Lightning connector, and now, EarPods with USB-C compatibility. Remarkably, the USB-C EarPods remain affordably priced at just $19. According to Macotakara, this latest version incorporates a 48kHz digital-to-analog converter (DAC), enabling the new EarPods to deliver support for lossless audio at a maximum resolution of 24bit/48kHz. Additionally, they offer high-resolution lossless audio playback, boasting an impressive maximum resolution of 24bit/192kHz.
