Everything Apple Announced at iPhone X's Coming Out Party
To much fanfare, Apple CEO Tim Cook unveiled the next crop of iPhones today at the new Steve Jobs Theater on Apple's new headquarters in Cupertino. With the introduction of three new phones, Cook made clear that Apple's premiere product is very much still evolving. The iPhone X, he said, represents "the future of smartphones": a platform for augmented reality, a tool for powerful computing, screen for everything. But it’s not all about the iPhones. The event also brought with it a brand new Apple Watch, upgrades to Apple TV, and a host of other features coming to the Apple ecosystem this fall. Missed the big show? Check out our archived live coverage of Apple's big bash, and read all the highlights below.
iPhone X
The iPhone X (that’s pronounced ten, not X) is all screen, from edge to edge. It’s even lost the iconic Home Button to make room for the OLED display that fills out the phone. If you’re worried about cracking that beautiful screen, don’t: This is Apple’s most durable phone yet, made from surgical-grade stainless steel. (You’ll probably crack it anyway, but still.) The X gained two extra hours of battery life, supports Qi wireless charging, and packs the highest resolution in pixel density ever found in an iPhone. All that is less important than what you can do with it, like dip into augmented reality or take the iPhone’s best photos yet. Of course, you’ll pay dearly for it: The iPhone X starts pre-orders on October 27, for $999 and up. Read our story about Apple’s newest iPhone here.
AppleiPhone 8 and 8 Plus
Not ready to drop $1,000 on a new iPhone? Good news! Apple also debuted the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, two spiffed-up models that cost a few less Benjamins. Both models run on the same A11 Bionic chip as the X, which Apple claims is 70 percent faster than the A10. They also come with an upgraded camera, with optical image stabilization and True Tone technology to adapt color to the surrounding light. The cameras are specially calibrated for AR, with new gyro and accelerometers to deliver the best experience for motion tracking when you’re playing around with AR on your phone. And like the iPhone X, these also support wireless charging (coming via a software update) so you won’t have to feel like the last loser left with a cord. The iPhone 8 starts at $699 for 64 gigs; the 8 Plus at $799. More details in our post about the new iPhones.
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Apple Watch Series 3
When Apple first introduced the Apple Watch, its promise was to free you from your phone. Now, with Apple Watch Series 3, that’s almost possible. The new model comes with cellular data built-in, so you can leave your phone at home while you go for a jog or take a phone call while you’re catching a wave. (Why, you ask? Because you can!) That connectivity brings with it a new version of Siri, integration with Maps, and starting next month, Apple Music, so you can carry 40 million songs on your wrist. It still has all your favorite fitness features, like heart rate monitoring, plus smart activity coaching and a GymKit integration that pairs your watch to your gym equipment. The Series 3 starts at $329 without cellular coverage or $399 with, and ships September 22. Read all about the new Apple Watch here.
AppleFace ID
Your iPhone knows you. You stare at it all day, while it memorizes and traces the contours of your face. Now, Apple’s using that face data to let you unlock your iPhone with a glance. The new Face ID tech, which comes built-in to the iPhone X, uses deep learning and facial mapping to recognize and confirm your identity. Supposedly, this works even in the dark, and if you switch up your makeup or hairstyle. Apple says there’s a-one-in-a-million chance of faking Face ID with someone else’s mug, making it more secure than its Touch ID fingerprint sensor. Use it to authenticate and unlock your phone, or send payments over Apple Pay. Just stare and unlock. What could possibly go wrong? Read more about what we know about the security of Face ID.
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Animoji
What happens when you combine the Snapchat puppy filter with the Unicode puppy emoji? You become the emoji—a new feature Apple’s calling animoji. The iMessage add-on lets you map your facial expressions onto the animal emoji characters available on iOS, which you can then send as animated emoji messages. Watch your friends and co-workers transform themselves into talking unicorns, or the poop emoji. Totally not weird.
AppleWireless Charging
Wired: wireless charging. Tired: charging one device at a time. Now that Apple’s new class of devices all support wireless charging, the company is introducing an accessory that lets you charge them all at once. The AirPower charging mat can juice-up three devices at a time—say, your iPhone X, your Apple Watch, and the case that recharges your AirPods—simply by placing them on the mat. No details on pricing yet, as the AirPower mat won't come out until next year.
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Apple TV 4K
The new Apple TV might look a lot like the old Apple TV—black box, little Apple logo—but what shows up on the screen will be sharper and more vivid. The new version supports 4K and HDR video, two standards Apple has been slow to adopt, but thank goodness they're finally here. The Apple TV is also set up to better integrate with platforms like Apple Music, will soon add all your favorite shows from new partners Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Live sports will have their own tab too. Oh, and if you already own a bunch of HD movies on Apple TV? Apple will upgrade those files to 4K, gratis. The new model ships on September 22 at $179 for 32GB of storage, or $199 for 64GB. Read our story about Apple TV’s new features here.
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