Apple has unveiled its new iPhone 14 range, which is set to release in Aotearoa from September 16 with prices starting at NZ$1599 and the most expensive model costing NZ$3199.
The new devices were revealed during a 'Far Out' event at the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple Park in Cupertino, California.
With masses of the world's media in attendance, it was Apple's first live event of its kind since 2019, with the COVID-19 pandemic seeing the last few years' events held virtually as livestreams.
Also revealed at the event were the newest Apple Watch and AirPods models, with the company emphasising how well these devices work together with the iPhone.
Apple has introduced a new 'Plus' model to its line-up which has a 6.7-inch display like that of the iPhone Pro Max models of recent years, but which doesn't feature the most premium camera tech and other features that make the Max the most expensive model.
The iPhone Mini model has been axed from the line-up in favour of the Plus.
All models in the iPhone 14 range have a new crash detection feature, which is designed to react if a user is involved in a car accident. It'll automatically notify emergency services, unless you tell it to stop.
Upgrades have been applied to the iPhone 14's camera system, including a new 'Phototonic Engine' which provides better AI improvements to photos. 'Action Mode' is another new feature: an advanced video stabilisation tool that looks as though it'll give the phones GoPro-style capabilities for capturing smooth video even when they're being shaken about vigorously.
The standard iPhone 14 features the same 6.1-inch display as the last few years' models with the same notch at the top of the screen. It and the iPhone 14 Plus are also powered by last year's A15 bionic chip.
The iPhone 14 Pro models run on the new A16 bionic chip and feature a new display, however, which has removed the notch at the top of the screen and instead features a 'dynamic island' which morphs shape and animates for different apps and notifications.
The Pro models also get an always-on display for the first time on an Apple phone, something long offered from rivals like Samsung.
Paying more for the Pro models will, as always, give customers better camera tech, including a new 48MP camera with a quad pixel sensor that is 65 percent larger than previous Pro models.
They also feature brighter screens that boast a peak brightness of 2000 nits.
The Pro models again feature a dynamic refresh rate of up to 120 Hz with their ProMotion display - which still hasn't been brought to the standard and Plus models. Those remain capped at 60 Hz.
Due to the growing popularity of eSIMs, the physical SIM tray is being removed from iPhone 14 models in the US - they'll still be in those sold in New Zealand, however.
Apple also announced satellite functionality with which an emergency SOS message can be sent via satellite, which can be used during an emergency when there's no cellular coverage or internet. But that won't be coming to Aotearoa very soon, as it's only launching in the US and Canada to begin with.
Apple Watch Series 8 and Ultra
The Apple Watch Series 8 features new body temperature measurement capabilities that are intended to help women better track their menstrual cycles and get retroactive data on when they ovulated.
Building on the fall detection of previous devices, the new Apple Watch products also feature crash detection, which can work in conjunction with the same new feature on the iPhone.
One advantage many competitor smartwatches have over Apple's is battery life. The Series 8 devices still promise around 18 hours under normal use - the same as previous models - but now also offer a 'low power' mode that will give users around 36 hours of use before they need to recharge, according to Apple.
The first ever Ultra model Apple Watch was also revealed with a more durable build, bigger battery and an extra button. It's targeted at outdoor enthusiasts who could use it in extreme and remote locations and comes with three main modes: mountain, trail and ocean, which includes a depth gauge and other features for scuba divers.
The new AirPods Pro model finally features the ability to control the volume using your finger, a feature long offered in competitor products.
A new, more powerful H2 chip is also said to offer improved audio quality, adaptive transparency mode along with spatial audio that can now be personalised using an iPhone.
iPhone 14 New Zealand pricing and availability:
- iPhone 14 will be available on September 16 in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB models, and starts from NZ$1599 inc GST. Colours include Midnight, Blue, Starlight, Purple and (PRODUCT)RED.
- iPhone 14 Plus will be available on October 7 in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB models, and starts from NZ$1799 inc GST. Colours include Midnight, Blue, Starlight, Purple and (PRODUCT)RED.
- iPhone 14 Pro will be available on September 16 in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB models, and starts from NZ$1999 inc GST. Colours include Space Black, Silver, Gold and Deep Purple.
- iPhone 14 Pro Max will be available on September 16 in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB models, and starts from NZ$2199 inc GST. Colours include Space Black, Silver, Gold and Deep Purple. The 1TB Pro Max costs $3199.
The iPhone 14 range will be available to pre-order from September 10.
