Apple presentation results: iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, Apple Watch Series 2 and AirPods headphones

iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. New colors, powerful stuffing and many times improved camera

The security service of an American company has been failing for years, so almost everything about the new generation of Apple smartphones was known in advance. It will forever remain a mystery whether Apple planned to present not two, but three iPhone models in this generation and, if so, what prevented the company from implementing its plans.

Thus, we got all the same two models: the 4.7-inch iPhone 7 and the 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus.

The design of smartphones remained practically unchanged, although Tim Cook from the stage assured the opposite: an aluminum case with rounded side edges and corners, as well as a glass front panel with a single Home button combined with a Touch ID fingerprint scanner. Exactly three elements were changed.

Firstly, the antenna stripes on the back cover have slightly changed, now they are less striking. Secondly, the camera module protruding above the body has not gone anywhere. Instead, the iPhone 7 has a larger camera peephole, and the iPhone 7 Plus has a dual camera module with lenses of different sizes, taking up even more space on the back of the smartphone.

Thirdly, the new iPhones have lost the 3.5mm headphone jack. Its place was taken by symmetrical holes, as on the right side of the Lightning connector. To connect old headphones, you will need an adapter, which is included in the delivery of new Apple smartphones. In the same place, buyers will find updated EarPods with a Lightning connector. Third-party manufacturers are already preparing their own headphone options.

It is noteworthy that the new Apple smartphones have become twice as loud and have the ability to reproduce stereo sound. One speaker is located in the usual place on the bottom, and the second is the earpiece, capable of producing a much louder sound than before.

In addition to the listed differences, the appearance of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus can be identified by the new color options for the case. Now there are five of them: Silver, Gold, Rose Gold, as well as two new ones that replaced Space Gray - Black and Jet Black. The latter is aluminum polished to a mirror shine and looks especially unusual against the background not only of its predecessors, but also of similar models with a different body color, which retained the same texture.

Rumors didn't lie: the Home button combined with Touch ID is no longer physical. Using the vibration mechanism of the Taptic Engine, Apple was able to create the effect of pressing a physical key when there was none - just like in the new MacBooks. The functionality of the button remains the same.

The new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are finally IP67 water and dust resistant. In other words, splashes and drops into water at a shallow depth are no longer scary for a smartphone.

Now let's talk about something that cannot be determined by eye: the characteristics and improvements of the hardware of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. Let's start with the camera of the younger model. The front camera has a 7-megapixel module, the main camera is still equipped with a 12-megapixel sensor. While the improvements aren't visible on paper, they're actually more than dramatic. So, in the iPhone 7, optical stabilization appeared, which was previously the prerogative of the older model. The new sensor is 60% faster and 30% more energy efficient.

With the iPhone 7 Plus, Apple went even further: here, for the first time for the company's devices, a camera with two 12-megapixel sensors was used. The key feature of this system of two cameras is that one of them provides optical stabilization and a wider viewing angle, and the second is responsible for the full optical zoom, which can be changed at the time of shooting from the interface of the Camera application. Apple promises a fourfold improvement in image quality. For example, the iPhone 7 Plus will be able to beautifully blur the background, leaving only the desired part of the photo in focus, and all this will happen in real time.

Both the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus have a new flash: now it consists of four LEDs, providing better image quality in low light. The algorithm for processing pictures taken with new smartphones has also undergone changes. The quality of the photos should take another serious step forward even on the younger model.

Both new iPhones are powered by the new 64-bit 4-core A10 Fusion processor. It is 40% faster than the A9 processor from the previous generation iPhone and 120 times more powerful than the chip from the original smartphone that launched the line. A special chip is integrated inside that optimizes performance to save energy.

The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus have 2GB of RAM and a new graphics chip. The latter allowed to increase the performance of the graphics subsystem by 50%. Apple once again emphasized that the performance of smartphones is now sufficient to provide console-level graphics, as well as run "heavy" programs from personal computers.

Apple's internal storage policy has changed: now the minimum size is 32 GB, the next steps are 128 GB and 256 GB.

In new smartphones, the battery capacity has also changed. Apple traditionally doesn't share exact numbers, but the relative battery life figures have improved markedly. On average, the iPhone 7 will last two hours longer than the iPhone 6. In the case of older models, the difference will be one hour.

New iPhones will receive updated compatible cases, including those with a built-in battery, as well as docking stations.

iPhone 7 will cost 56 990, 65 990 and 74 990 rubles for models with memory of 32 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB, respectively. When buying an iPhone 7 Plus, you need to add another 11,000 rubles to these prices. The Jet Black model will be available in 128GB and 256GB capacities. Sales in the countries of the so-called first wave will begin next Friday, September 16. Pre-order will open on September 9th. In Russia, sales will start on September 23rd.

The iPhone SE will remain on sale alongside the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, as well as the 16GB and 64GB iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus at discounted prices.

AirPods. Revolutionary and Wireless EarPods

Against the background of the abandonment of the 3.5 mm jack, Apple not only added an adapter to the kit and replaced the headphone connector, but also introduced a completely new accessory - AirPods wireless headphones.

AirPods are packed full of innovative solutions and promise to revolutionize wireless headphones. The Apple W1 chip is responsible for the sound quality and operation of all systems integrated into AirPods. It coordinates the operation of two optical sensors, two accelerometers, a microphone and an antenna. The earbuds automatically turn on when they are in your ears. Also, the optical sensor allows you to call Siri to answer a call or call someone, change the volume and control playback. All interaction with AirPods is built through Siri.

On a single charge, the earbuds work up to five hours. At the same time, a 15-minute recharge is enough for three additional hours of listening to music. Along with the headphones, users receive a case for carrying and recharging them. The cover can also be called “smart”. Opening it alone is enough for an iPhone, Apple Watch, or any other Apple device to notice AirPods and offer to connect to them. When recharged in a case, the headphones can work up to 24 hours. You can charge the case itself using the Lightning cable.

The AirPods will be priced at $ 159 and will go on sale in October.

iOS 10. New lock screen, long awaited widgets, social iMessage

Apple today also announced an update to the mobile operating system iOS 10. After a three-month beta stage, developers and users taking part in testing the new version of the system will today have access to the Golden Master update version. This version is no different from the iOS 10 update, which will be made available for download to everyone on September 13, a few days before the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are on sale.

You can read more about all the innovations in iOS 10 in our detailed review, which will be released simultaneously with the release of the operating system update.

watchOS 3. Total optimization

The watchOS 3 update brought several major innovations at once, and also slightly changed the scenarios for interacting with Apple smartwatches.

First of all, the new dials are noteworthy. Now, in a pair with Mickey Mouse, there is a version "for girls" with Minnie Mouse, which you can change the color of the dress. A watch face with detailed user activity tracking has been added, as well as a simple dial displaying analog hands and a digital clock. Watch faces can be added with new extensions from standard apps, including workouts, music, and messages.

Apple has added the ability to quickly change watch faces by simply swiping on the home screen. If you need to change the time presentation parameters or add extensions, then, as before, you need to press a little harder on the screen. However, the last step is no longer necessary on the watch: full customization of the watch faces is now possible on the iPhone.

Optimization of watchOS 3, as well as the more powerful stuffing of Apple Watch 2, have significantly reduced application launch times. Now, a little longer, the application starts only for the first time after restarting the clock, after that it remains in memory and updates data in the background to always be ready for instant launch.

In this regard, the purpose of the side button has changed, which used to open the list of favorite contacts. It is now a dock for recently used and pinned apps. This opportunity will probably be more in demand than starting a dialogue with one of your contacts.

Now a swipe up from the bottom opens the redesigned iOS-style "Control Center", from where quick settings of the watch are available. There is no longer access to the functions of other applications from here. This is partially offset by the new dock.

In terms of sports and health, watchOS 3 is also packed with improvements. You can compete with other users to accomplish various activity goals. The Breathe application has appeared, which will teach you how to perform breathing exercises correctly.

Finally, all or nearly all of the new iMessage features are available to Apple Watch users. You can read more about them in the iOS 10 review, and we will highlight the most important thing: the ability to enter text. The watch converts handwriting into letters, words and sentences. Apple promises that the input system will work "great."

WatchOS 3 will be released on September 13th. On this day, do not forget to go to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and update your smartwatch software.

The announcement of Pokemon GO for Apple Watch deserves a separate mention. This summer's hit will now be available on Apple smartwatches with some limitations. The watch helps you meet your goals for the number of kilometers traveled to speed up the processes in the game. You still need to catch Pokémon using your iPhone. In addition, geographic information for PokéStops in known places was built into the watch. Also, the watch will display all notifications related to the game, and detailed player statistics. The release of Pokemon GO for Apple Watch will be available before the end of the year.

Apple Watch 2. Legacy design, ceramics, and new hardware

The original Apple Watch was unveiled 18 months ago. During the sales period, the device raised Apple to the second place among watch manufacturers in terms of profit received from sales. Plus, Apple Watch is the most popular smartwatch in the world.

The second-generation Apple Watch was dubbed Series 2 and was a major bug fix that Apple did based on its experience with the original model. The design of smartwatches remained unchanged, which allowed maintaining support for all existing straps and bracelets for them. The watch received full protection from water, allowing it to dive with it to a depth of 50 meters.

Apple Watch Series 2 will be available with a new case material - ceramic. The Ceramic Edition watch will be white. Their price will be 115,990 or 119,990 rubles, depending on the size of the watch. Also, with the new generation of smartwatches, additional straps from Hermes will be on sale.

Major changes are hidden inside. For example, Apple Watch Series 2 has now become a much more independent device from the iPhone. Using the built-in GPS module, the wrist gadget monitors the user's location without a smartphone nearby, which makes it possible to more accurately count steps and distance traveled, and it is better to take into account the calories burned during workouts. When you complete your workout, a map showing your route appears in the Activity app on your iPhone.

Smart watches from Apple have not held the record for battery life before, although they were enough for a whole day of use. Apple Watch Series 2 has an improved battery with increased capacity, now the gadget will work about 30% longer.

Apple Watch Series 2 has a new, more powerful, 2-core system on a chip called S2 and twice as powerful graphics chip. Thanks to them and watchOS 3, the device launches applications and switches between them much faster. The reaction to user actions is now instant. The display has been improved: its maximum brightness has doubled.

The main focus at Apple is on watch functions for athletes and people who monitor their health. In support of these words, Apple Watch Series 2 received several new sensors that help analyze the physical condition of the wearer. The watch also received new training modes related to swimming.

Finally, Apple announced a special edition of the Apple Watch Nike +, created in collaboration with the sporting goods manufacturer. Externally, this is the usual sports version of the Apple Watch Series 2 in a Space Black or Silver aluminum case. The differences lie in a special silicone strap with large perforations, as well as software from Nike + Run Club. Thus, the main emphasis in positioning the model is on people who are fond of running. This modification will go on sale in October.

Apple Watch Series 2 was estimated at 33,990 rubles for a sports model. The special edition Apple Watch Nike + will cost the same. The original Apple Watch never retires. Instead, they will receive the Series 1 prefix in the name, a system on the S2 chip and will be sold for 24,990 rubles.

This was Apple's September presentation. Despite numerous leaks of information, the company still managed to surprise by showing a decent amount of innovations and improvements to familiar products.