Apple has finally launched its next generation of iPhones. Since 2007, Apple has released new generations of iPhones every year with a clearly defined strategy; Launching faster, bigger and more expensive models every year. This year they introduced the biggest iPhone up to date, the IPhone XS Max, with a 6.5 inch screen and a starting price of $1100 which is $100 higher than the starting price of iPhone X which was released last year.
Cutting-edge technology and performance is a big selling point of any device but Apple’s bigger and better strategy is also based on research which indicates that people with larger smartphone will use them for more purposes like watching movies, playing games and other tasks they usually carry out on larger devices which include tablets and laptops. Smartphone technology has made a great impact on consumer preferences with multiple functionalities and pocket friendly devices ready to use at any time.
To top that, wearable technology is on the rise and Apple also released its Apple Watch series 4. This device is like most smart watches but it is also equipped with the latest health-monitoring technology. For instance, the watch can detect when a wearer has fallen down, a leading cause of injuries. It is designed to prompt users to alert emergency services. For instance, the motion detectors come into play if someone has an accident and after a minute of no motion by the wearer, the watch places a call to the emergency services. Moreover, the watch also alerts user of heart rhythms by an electrocardiogram.
Apple has brought a promising innovation to wearable health-monitoring devices and maybe the next generation of watches will also aid with patients with diabetes in monitoring their blood glucose levels and also alert users of other worrisome health related issues.
Coming back to the phones, let us take a quick look at what specs and functions the new iPhones are packing;
iPhone XS and XS Max
The iPhone XS and XS max are both fitted with a 458 ppi OLED HDR Super Retina display with two different sizes (5.8-inch and 6.5-inch). As expected, they are both equipped with dual 12-megapixel cameras with telephoto lenses for narrowed views and better magnification. The XS lasts 30 minutes longer than the iPhone X whereas the XS Max lasts nearly 90 minutes longer than iPhones X which lead to a relatively better battery life than the previous generations. The XS and XS Max start at $999 and $1099 respectively with prices increasing according to the storage. They are available in 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB. To simply describe them in a sentence, the XS models are simply higher priced and faster versions of the iPhone X.
IPhone XR
To simply put it, the iPhone XR has been released for the same objective as iPhone 5c. It is a cut-back and downgraded version of the XS and XS Max models with a comparatively more affordable pricing than the premium models. Unlike the premium models, it has a 6.1-inch LCD screen with 326 ppi retina display. It does not have 3D touch like the XS models but has heptic touch like a trackpad. It has a single 12-megapixel camera with OIS like the XS. The storage options are limited to 256 GB and the pricing starts at $749. Many of the functions and specs are the same as the XS like face ID, A12 Bionic chip and IOS 12.
Apple has often been criticized of innovating slowly and not bringing anything new to the table. This year we have seen some innovative changes especially in the Watch series 4. However, this new generation brings us a sped-up up version of the same. Only time and revenue will display the success of the new products but the question which remains is; did Apple do enough? We are looking forward to the next release featuring the new iPad and MacBook.
