In an event that has become as synonymous with September as the kickoff to football, Apple took to the stage to announce their latest and greatest lineup of iPhones. While previous events have been in front of crowds of journalists, the last couple have remained highly produced all-virtual events – a trend that most probably would welcome for years to come.
The event kicked off with a glimpse of some of Apple’s exciting new shows and movies coming out on Apple TV+, which continues to gain steam and critical acclaim. It’s certainly not quite to the level of Netflix or Hulu but is definitely worthy of a subscription. Before diving into the new iPhone 13 lineup, Apple unveiled several new products in the iPad and Apple Watch lineup.
Updated iPad for 2021
The most affordable iPad got a little bit stronger with the newest iteration. It will now ship with Apple’s powerful A13 Bionic chip, which was first introduced in the iPhone 11 lineup. The iPad will keep its traditional design with a 10.2-inch display while receiving a great upgrade for the front-facing camera, which is perfect for Facetime and virtual learning. This iPad is the perfect device for any education setting. It starts at $329 and can be ordered today.
A Brand-New iPad Mini
A favorite in the tech community, the iPad Mini finally got the refresh that fans have been clamoring for. It now features the flat-edged design of the iPad Pro and an edge-to-edge display covering 8.3 inches without adding any size to the frame. If you’re looking for a pocketable, 5G-enabled iPad, the all-new iPad Mini is available for orders today at $499.
Apple Watch Series 7
The best-selling smartwatch continues to lead the industry not only as just a smartwatch but as a fitness accessory. The new seventh-generation watch now comes in two bigger screen sizes, 41mm and 45mm, with a slightly different design. Luckily, all Apple Watch bands from previous generations are still compatible. The Series 7 starts at $399 and is expected sometime later this fall due to supply chain issues.
iPhone 13 and 13 Mini
Overall, the entire iPhone 13 lineup looks nearly identical to the iPhone 12 lineup. Small changes include a smaller notch on the display and a rearranged rear camera array. Apple also redesigned the internals to fit a bigger battery. The headline for the iPhone 13 is the new A15 Bionic chip that powers it and a new camera sensor, which adds image stabilization. Fans of shooting video on their iPhone can now utilize rack focusing with Apple’s new Cinematic Mode. The bigger battery is expected to provide 1.5 additional hours of battery life to the Mini and 2.5 additional hours of battery to the iPhone 13. The iPhone 13 Mini starts at $699 for a 128 GB model and the iPhone 13 starts at $799 for a 128 GB model. Preorders begin on Friday, September 17 with availability starting on September 24.
iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max
Pro users of the iPhone get the bigger upgrades with significant updates to the display, offering their Super Retina XDR Display with a dynamic refresh rate up to 120Hz. Other big changes for the iPhone 13 Pro include three new cameras with a larger sensor, which actually helps improve image quality instead of cramming more megapixels into a smaller sensor. Video upgrades include ProRes as well as Cinematic Mode, making the Pro line an excellent choice for creatives. The 13 Pro starts at $999 and the 13 Pro Max starts at $1,099 with available 1TB options for both. Preorders begin on Friday, September 17 with availability starting on September 24.
Should I upgrade to the iPhone 13?
“Should I upgrade to the iPhone 13?” is the question that many will be asking themselves after today’s event. The iPhone 13 event was certainly more about refinement with incremental updates over the 12, so owners of the iPhone 12 may not feel the need to make the upgrade. If you are using an older iPhone, the 13 is certainly going to be worth the upgrade for 5G alone, plus the expanding MagSafe accessory lineup.
Stay tuned for more in-depth looks at each of the new devices once reviewers get their hands on the iPhones!
