Apple’s ‘Wonderlust’ Event 2023 Drops the Year’s Hottest Tech Innovations

The curtains have fallen on Apple’s highly-anticipated ‘Wonderlust’ event, and it was nothing short of exhilarating. While the star of the show was undoubtedly the iPhone 15 series, Apple didn’t stop there. They launched a torrent of innovative devices, including the all-new Apple Watch Series 9 and the sleek Apple Watch Ultra 2. Fitness enthusiasts, you won’t want to miss these game-changers.

But here’s the twist – even if you’re not planning to upgrade this year, Apple has a treat for you. The tech giant has lined up the iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 updates, breathing new life into your existing iPhones and iPads. Apple has truly outdone themselves this time. But beyond the obvious, there’s a whole lot more to unpack here.

Apple has launched a tech whirlwind that’s going to keep the world buzzing for days to come. The main course here: the iPhone 15 series. The smartphone line itself is like treasure troves of innovation, packed with groundbreaking features and refinements that’ll make your head spin.

If you are planning to buy the new iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, your decision-making checklist is going to be longer and more exciting than ever before. At the same time, the old iPhone 14 is also available as a low-cost alternative to the iPhone 15, but without the much-talked about USB-C upgrade.

The USB-C trend has taken hold of the iPhone 15 and AirPods Pro in the current year, resulting in the need for just a single charging cable for most of your Apple devices, with the exception being older iPhones or the standard AirPods. The world of tech just got a major shake-up, Hence, without further ado, let’s take a deep-dive into the key highlights of the Apple event in 2023.

Apple event 2023 highlights

iPhone 15 and 15 Plus

It has been more than a year since we were introduced to the innovative iPhone 14 Pro with its distinctive approach to the display notch, with the debut of the Dynamic Island. With the iPhone 15 series, Apple has opted to eliminate the display notch altogether across all variants and has embraced the stylish Dynamic Island design.

While the core functionality remains largely unchanged, the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus exhibit a notably enhanced aesthetic compared to their predecessors. Additionally, the Super Retina XDR display now boasts a peak brightness rating of up to 2,000 nits.

Apart from the incorporation of the Dynamic Island, the design of all iPhone 15 models has undergone subtle refinements to enhance their ergonomic feel when held. While the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus maintain their commitment to aluminum construction, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max have transitioned from stainless steel frames to lightweight and durable titanium frames. These Pro iPhones have also introduced an Action button in lieu of the traditional slider key, allowing users to create shortcuts for various iOS activities.

A periscope lens, new main camera, and more

The camera system has undergone a significant revamp as well. The standard iPhone 15 now features a new 48-megapixel camera responsible for both photos and videos, in addition to the existing 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera. In the case of the iPhone 15 Pro, there’s another newly introduced 48-megapixel image sensor, accompanied by a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera and a 12-megapixel telephoto camera offering 3x optical zoom. The iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts Apple’s inaugural periscope lens setup for the zoom camera, substantially extending the optical zoom capability to an impressive 5X.

The Pro Models

The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max have been equipped with the latest A17 Pro chip, manufactured using the advanced 3nm process, offering substantial enhancements in both performance and power efficiency. In contrast, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus do not feature the A17 chip and instead utilize the previous year’s A16 Bionic chip, which remains highly capable.

Furthermore, the inclusion of the new 2nd-generation ultra-wideband chip enables functionalities such as locating nearby friends, and the integration of satellite connectivity facilitates tracking your position on the grid in situations where cellular coverage is unavailable.

Battery Upgrades

Battery capacities have received upgrades across the entire iPhone 15 lineup, with Apple ensuring users of an additional hour of battery life across all variants. Notably, the introduction of USB-C ports is a noteworthy change, and it’s important to mention that the enhanced data transfer and charging speeds are exclusive to the Pro iPhone models. MagSafe wireless charging remains a standard feature on all models.

Pricing and Availability

However, the most pivotal aspect to consider is the pricing structure. The iPhone 15 initiates at INR 79,900 for its base 128GB model, while the iPhone 15 Plus begins at INR 89,900 for the equivalent variant. As for the iPhone 15 Pro, its starting price is INR 1,34,900 for the 128GB base model, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max enters the market at INR 1,59,900 for its base variant, now offering a substantial 256GB of storage.

In terms of color options, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus come in Pink, Yellow, Green, Blue, and Black. Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are available in Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, and Natural Titanium finishes.

The latest iPhones will open for pre-orders on September 15th, and they will be available in stores starting from the 22nd. This is important to note as this is the first time Apple’s newest launches in India are available to buy right after launch with no delay. Additionally, “Made in India” iPhones will be available to purchase from day one as Apple continues to ramp up production in India.

Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2

The Apple Watch Series 9 was another significant unveiling at the Apple 2023 Event, featuring some exciting enhancements. It is offered in two sizes, 41mm and 45mm, and is available in both Wi-Fi and Cellular versions. While the design and color options remain unchanged, except for the introduction of a new Pink variant, the Series 9 boasts a new S9 chip, delivering notable improvements in both performance and power efficiency.

This innovative chip also enables on-device Siri functionality, resulting in faster Siri responses and local device control. Additionally, Series 9 users can now effortlessly transfer and receive Apple Music playlists and recommendations from nearby HomePod devices, offering a seamless and convenient experience.

The latest display now boasts an impressive peak brightness of 2,000 nits. In addition, the Series 9 introduces a convenient ‘Double Tap’ feature, allowing users to perform actions like silencing alarms, answering or ending calls, capturing photos, and more with a simple double tap of their fingers. The inclusion of the new chip has also led to a slight improvement in battery life. Pricing for the Apple Watch Series 9 begins at INR 41,900 for the standard Wi-Fi variant.

Another noteworthy highlight of the Apple 2023 event was the introduction of the Apple Watch Ultra 2, featuring the new S9 chip for enhanced performance and power efficiency. This chip brings along all the exciting features seen in the Apple Watch Series 9. Moreover, the peak display brightness has been elevated to an impressive 3,000 nits, while battery life remains consistent. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 starts at INR 89,900.

iOS 17 gets a release date

iOS 17 is scheduled to be available to all compatible iPhones starting from September 18, 2023. Notably, the iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus will not receive the iOS 17 update. However, all iPhones released after 2017 can anticipate enhanced customization and sharing capabilities with this new iOS update. For a comprehensive overview of all the features that iOS 17 will introduce, you can explore our in-depth analysis.

The USB-C fever

In addition to the iPhone 15, Apple has introduced enhancements to the 2nd Generation AirPods Pro, including the incorporation of a USB-C port. This USB-C port provides users with the convenience of charging the AirPods Pro 2nd Gen using any USB-C charging cable. Furthermore, iPhone 15 series users can conveniently charge the AirPods Pro 2nd Gen directly from their phone using a USB-C to USB-C charging cable. Apple has also modernized its EarPods, equipping them with a USB-C port.

Farewell, Lightning port.

Apple’s efforts toward a carbon neutral 2030

Apple remains committed to its objective of achieving carbon neutrality by the year 2030. Within the iPhone 15 series, notable sustainability strides have been made, with the enclosure consisting of 75% recycled aluminum, the battery containing 100% recycled cobalt, and the logic board and charger incorporating 100% recycled copper. Additionally, the iPhone 15 Pro proudly boasts the use of 100% recycled aluminum in its construction.

In the case of the Apple Watch Series 9, the company asserts that it attains complete carbon neutrality when specific case and band options are chosen, signifying a significant step towards environmental responsibility.