iPhone 15 release updates — Apple launch event unveils iPhone 15 with new charger cable and colors

NEXT GENERATION

Apple has unveiled the next generation of Apple Watch.

The gadget is called the Apple Watch Series 9.

It features a new S9 chip for "super smooth" animations.

And Apple is promising all-day 18-hour battery life.

WATCH IT

We're starting with the Apple Watch, Apple chief Tim Cook said.

The company is expected to announce new models shortly.

DOUBLE TROUBLE

Tim Cook said the event will focus on two key products: Apple Watch and iPhone.

That's no big surprise: the September event is always heavy on iPhone.

AN APPLE A DAY...

Apple is showing a promo video for some of its features aimed at saving lives.

And it features a montage of people whose lives were, in part, saved by Apple gadgets.

This includes high heart rate notifications on Apple Watch, Emergency SOS features on the iPhone, and Car Crash Detection.

COOKING UP A STORM

Tim Cook is now on stage and is kicking off proceedings.

He's teased a blockbuster event filled, and said the company is working to make the world a better place.

How to watch the Apple Event 2023

Apple enthusiasts luckily have three ways to watch the Apple Wonderlust Event:

• Apple TV app

VISION OF THE FUTURE

Earlier this year at its WWDC event, Apple unveiled the Vision Pro.

It’s a mixed reality “spatial computer” that you wear on your head.

And it lets you see an iPhone-style interface overlaid on the world around you.

You can run apps, play games, watch media all in augmented or virtual reality.

We’re expecting the gadget to launch in 2024, but we might hear more about it today.

Apple might use its event to show off some new experiences or features for the device.

AIR FAIR!

Apple’s AirPods are immensely popular and with good reason – they’re great.

And just like the iPhone, we’re expecting a port change for 2023.

Apple is rumoured to be swapping out the Lightning port on its AirPods for USB-C.

That means you’ll be using the same cables across iPhone, AirPods, iPad and Mac.

WATCH OUT

Last year saw the Apple Watch get a major upgrade, with the introduction of the new Apple Watch Ultra.

This year, we’re rumoured to be getting more minor boosts to the line-up.

We’re expecting a new Apple Watch Series 9, and possibly a new version of the Apple Watch Ultra.

For the Series 9, it’s rumoured that it’ll come with a new S9 chip and sport a spiffing pink colour, if that’s your thing.

And for the Ultra, we’re expecting to see a black titanium version and an upgraded processor.

Expect bigger Apple Watch news next year, as the series marks its 10th anniversary.

GOING PRO

The headline act will be the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

We’re expecting to see the stainless steel frame swapped out for a titanium alternative that brings the phone’s weight down.

And we’ll likely see the device running on a new A17 chip with more transistors (and more computing power) than ever before.

The camera on the Pro Max is expected to get a major camera upgrade.

It’s tipped to feature a new periscope lens that increases optical zoom from 3x to 6x.

That means you’ll be able to take better photos of subjects even farther away.

Finally, it’s rumoured that the Mute Switch on the phone has been scrapped and replaced with a solid-state button.

This touch-sensitive Action Button can be reprogrammed to perform all manner of functions, insiders suggest.

C IT!

One of the big expected changes is the addition of a USB-C port.

If you remember way back to early iPhones, they used a large 30-pin connector for charging.

Then in 2012 Apple switched this out for the Lightning port, which we’ve all been using ever since.

But Lightning cables are only for Apple devices, and much of the rest of the gadget world has switched to USB-C instead.

Even Apple is already using USB-C on iPad and Mac models.

Now the iPhone is finally set to adopt USB-C too.
The bad news is that it means your old Lightning cables won’t work with the new iPhone.

But you’ll find that USB-C is widely popular, and you’ll be able to use the same cable across more of your devices.

FRESH APPLE

I’m Sean Keach, The Sun’s Head of Technology and Science, and I’ll be guiding you through Apple’s latest gadget bonanza.

Reporting live from the Apple Park HQ in Cupertino, California, I’ll be giving you a first look at what the iPhone maker has been secretly cooking up.

We’re expecting at least four new iPhone models, all under the iPhone 15 branding.

But we might also see two new Apple Watches and possibly revamped AirPods too.

The event is going to kick off in just over 10 minutes, so stay tuned.

I’ll be bringing you all of the updates live from the event.

Made in India iPhones launching today

For the first time, the new iPhone model you purchase on launch day may be manufactured in India.

Apple Inc. intends to make the India-built iPhone 15 accessible in the South Asian country and certain other locations on the first day of worldwide sales, reports.

While the great majority of iPhone 15s will be manufactured in China, it will be the first time a new generation, India-assembled handset is accessible on the first day of sale, they added, declining to be identified since the topic is confidential.

Need-to-know about iPhone backups

If you have iCloud always on, you may discover that your backup is up to date because it starts the procedure automatically every day.

However, because we often use our phones and fill up storage space with photos and movies, it's essential to check in on a regular basis - especially before installing an iOS update.

There's also a potential that anything may go wrong during the upgrade process, making a backup of your data even more critical.

Backing up your iPhone before an iOS update: via iTunes

It's just as simple to connect your iPhone to your laptop or PC and update using iTunes.

• Open iTunes and connect your iPhone to your computer
• If a message pops up asking for your passcode or to Trust This Computer, follow the onscreen steps
• Select your iPhone when it appears in the iTunes sidebar
• Click Back Up Now
• When the process ends, iTunes will display the Latest Backup date and time.

Backing up your iPhone before an iOS update: via iCloud

The simplest way to back up your iPhone is to do so over Wi-Fi with iCloud and wirelessly.

Here is how to back up your iPhone:

• Connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network
• Go to Settings > tap [your name] at the top, and tap iCloud. If you're using iOS 10.2 or earlier: go to Settings, scroll down and tap iCloud
• Tap iCloud Backup (or just "Backup" if you're using iOS 10.2 or earlier). Make sure that iCloud Backup is turned on.
• Tap Back Up Now. Stay connected to your Wi-Fi network until the process completes.

New Apple Watch expected to be announced

Along with the iPhone 15 series, Apple is likely to unveil the Apple Watch Series 9 and an enhanced Apple Watch Ultra, both of which will be powered by the S9 processor.

These watches may look similar to their predecessors in terms of design.

However, the new and efficient processor is said to improve battery life, while watchOS 10 is expected to add new fitness and health-related capabilities.

Info about the iPhone Pro models

Apple's high-end iPhone Pro series, particularly the top-end 15 Pro Max model, will receive all of the spotlight during this event.

It will be a large phone, but it may also see a price hike this time.

Here are the features they will include, per :

• 6.1 and 6.7-inch screen sizes (Pro and Max)
• USB-C port introduced
• New A17 chip
• Periscope lens in Pro Max for advanced zoom
• Thinner and curvier than the last-generation models
• Titanium chassis replaces stainless steel
• Programmable 'Action Button' for custom shortcuts
• Faster Wi-Fi 6E
• A jump to 8GB RAM

Features that come with Dynamic Island

Dynamic Island includes a number of capabilities, like notifying you when your phone is locked and growing while it is charging.

Dynamic Island's purpose is to make it easier to terminate calls with a single tap on the feature.

While driving, it sends Lyft and Uber arrival information as well as turn-by-turn directions.

It shows when Apple AirPods are connected. It also will show album art when music is being played. You can tap on Dynamic Island to bring up music controls while it's being played.

Dynamic Island will show the AirDrop notification and the progress of the download or upload.

Dynamic Island explained

Dynamic Island, designed by Chan Karunamuni, is a unique solution for the oval-shaped cut-out on top of your phone screen, where the Face ID and front camera are positioned.

as the phone is unlocked, the new function displays and features an on-screen animation that expands as it is utilized.

It will also function as a portal for accessing iPhone shortcuts.

Dynamic Island to become even more dynamic

The Dynamic Island's reach is expanding to encompass the lower-end iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus devices, per sources.

These devices will be outfitted with the A16 Bionic processor, which has a "Display Engine" that is in charge of various duties, including the administration of enhanced antialiasing for Dynamic Island animations.

These iPhone models are expected to get the "Pro" chip.

Could the iPhone 15 ditch the mute button?

One of the most legendary tools on an iPhone is the mute button, which lets us easily silence our phones.

However, rumor has it that this feature will now be replaced with an action button.

Presumably this button will let users choose exactly which action they want to use it for.

Hopefully, the Mute feature will be an option for those who still want it.

What devices are supported by iOS 17?

Apple has released the following list of iPhone models which will support iOS 17.

• iPhone 14
• iPhone 14 Plus
• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 13 mini
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone XS
• iPhone XS Max
• iPhone XR
• iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)

When is the best time to buy an iPhone?

If you're in the market for a new iPhone, but you aren't necessarily bothered about getting the newest model you can make some huge savings.

Ru Bhikha, a mobiles expert at Uswitch, said: "When the price of the new iPhone is lowered, there tends to be a domino effect across its older devices too.

"So if you're a deal seeker, this is definitely the best time for you to look."

Everything you need to know about today's event

Apple‘s Wonderlust event is scheduled to take place on September 12, 2023.

Proceedings will begin with a keynote at 10am local time in California.

That’s 1pm for New Yorkers and 6pm for Londoners.

The event is likely to last somewhere between 45 minutes and two hours, based on previous Apple showcases.

It’s likely to mix an element of video and on-stage speeches.

Apple hasn’t explicitly said that the iPhone 15 will appear at the event, but it looks almost certain.

The world’s tech media will be in attendance, so expect hands-on photos and videos of new Apple gear shortly after the event is over.

You’ll be able to livestream the event for free on Apple’s website.