After months of speculation – would Apple kill the headphone jack? Would its camera stand up to Samsung and Huawei? – Cupertino finally revealed its new iPhone. And the answers are: yes; and we’ll see. Besides those big reveals, on the surface, there’s not much new. Apple has stuck to a similar shape in a similar size, albeit with a handful of new colourways, including a FROW-baiting glossy black. Here’s everything you need to know.
iPhone 7
When’s it out?: Pre-order from 9 September, shipped from 16 September. What’s it cost?: From £599 for 32GB, to £799 for 256GB.
It’s Water Resistant
Apple’s new flagship smartphone is more evolution than revolution. Small details like the elimination of 18GB options, as well as a colour lineup that includes two different black versions, aren’t exactly pulse-quickening. Although anyone who’s lost their contacts to the sink will feel their heart flutter at the news the new handset is water resistant. You can’t go diving with it, but at least now you won’t have to take a bag of rice to the pub, just in case.
Wires Are Out
The biggest pre-event rumour was confirmed – pour one out for the headphone jack. What Apple described as “courage” is a way to free up more space for processors and bigger battery that offers an extra two hours of life. It also offers Apple the chance to sell more hardware, including a pair of wireless ‘Airpods’ that we’ve already managed to lose. They cost £159 a pair, offer five hours airplay and – judging by the fact they look exactly like Apple’s earbuds – probably don’t offer the same sound quality as other earphones in that price bracket. For those who like to hear their music in hi-def, now’s the time to invest in a pair of bluetooth cans. If you’re wedded to wires, then the new iPhone 7 comes with an adaptor that plugs into the lightning port. Of course, this means that you can’t charge your phone and listen to music. But at least the wireless phone means you now have more wires to lose.
iPhone 7 Plus
When’s it out?: Pre-order from 9 September, shipped from 16 September. What’s it cost?: From £719 for 32GB, to £919 for 256GB.
It’s Got Twice The Camera
The difference between the iPhone 6 and its plus-sized cousin was mostly aesthetic. But the latest iteration packs some impressive new tech. The iPhone 7 Plus boasts a punchy new camera, following in the vein of competitors like Huawei and Samsung by pairing two lenses for better resolution and low-light performance. You also get a 2x optical zoom and, thanks to the two-lenses-are-better-than-one quality bump, a 10x digital zoom that Apple claim won’t leave your ‘gram snaps all grainy.
Apple Watch Series 2
When’s it out?: Pre-order from 9 September, shipped from 16 September. What’s it cost?: From £369, up to £1,249 in ceramic or £1,549 for the Hermès collaboration.
You Can Take It Swimming
In all the hoo-ha over the phones, it’s easy to forget that Apple also makes a line of less-loved watches. That status might be about to change. In a sign that it’s targeting the fitness market, the Apple Watch 2 is now waterproof, with a smart function that clears water from the watch’s speakers after you’ve finished your lengths. It will also track your workouts, so you can’t lie to yourself about how many calories you’ve burned in the pool.
It’s Got GPS
A new GPS chip means you can leave your phone at home and still track your runs (and, now, swims). But most people will probably just use it for playing Pokémon Go – Apple announced a new, watch-specific version of the game. Now you won’t miss out on Mew just because you left your phone on your desk.
Apple Watch Nike +
When’s it out?: Pre-order from 9 September, shipped from late October. What’s it cost?: From around £279. The fitness wearables market is huge, but the Apple Watch has been too expensive for those who just want a way to track exercise. Enter the brand’s hook-up with
