Apple Announces Apple Watch Series 9, Ultra 2 + iPhone 15 Series

Apple held a press event from its Cupertino, Calif., headquarters on Sept. 12. The event was live streamed on Apple's website at 1 p.m. EST. During the event, Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, as well as the new iPhone 15 and 15 Plus. Apple's latest line of products will also prioritize sustainable and carbon-neutral production, in support of its Apple 2030 environmental initiative.

Apple Watch: Series 9 and Ultra 2

Apple Watch Series 9

At 1:09 p.m., Apple announced the release of the Apple Watch Series 9. The latest series comes with a range of new and improved features, including:

• Apple silicon and S9 SiP, which enables precision finding, a brighter display and overall improved performance while maintaining an 18-hour battery life.
• Advanced tracking capabilities, including workout metrics, sleep stages and car crash detection.
• Innovative Double Tap control, which allows users to control their watch by tapping their thumb and index finger twice. This feature will be available in October 2023.
• Improved processing of Siri requests, now completed on-device for increased speed and security.

With the Series 9, customers can also choose a completely carbon-neutral iteration of the Apple Watch. This move is a significant step toward the company's Apple 2030 initiative, with a goal of complete carbon neutrality in seven years' time.

To this end, Apple is prioritizing the use of sustainable materials and processes in its design, engineering and operations. The company is eliminating the use of leather in all Apple products, and is developing a range of watch bands made of recycled and sustainable materials:

• Fine Woven, a durable textile made of 68 percent post-consumer recycled content.
• Four new Hermes bands, including two woven options, a molded rubber option, and a knitted option.
• Two new Nike bands, one of made of recycled material flakes, and the other made of repurposed yarn.

Apple Watch Ultra 2

At 1:29 p.m., Apple announced the Apple Watch Ultra 2, the brand's most powerful sports watch yet. Like the Series 9, the Ultra 2 also comes with the S9 SiP and Double Tap feature, along with precision finding. Additional features include:

• Apple's brightest and most advanced display, featured on the Ultra's new Modular Ultra watch face that shows real-time data like altitude and depth.
• Improved metrics for various physical activities, including cycling, running and diving.
• Testing across various altitudes to ensure quality across outdoor adventures.

In further support of Apple 2030, the Ultra 2 is made of 95 percent recycled materials.

Apple Watch Pricing And Availability

The Apple Watch Series 9 starts at $399, while the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is $799. Both can be ordered now and will be available on Sept. 22.

iPhone 15 Series

iPhone 15 and 15 Plus

At 1:34 p.m., Apple announced the new iPhone 15 and 15 Plus. The iPhone 15 series includes the Dynamic Island display, which launched with the iPhone 14 Pro. Dynamic Island allows users to more easily interact with various notifications at once, whether they are controlling music, tracking food delivery or checking real-time flight information at the airport.

Another major update to the iPhone 15 is the switch to the universally-accepted USB-C port, instead of Apple's proprietary Lightning connector. iPhone users with multiple Apple products can now charge their Mac, iPad, iPhone and AirPods Pro 2nd generation with the same cable.

Additional features of the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus include:

• A Super Retina XDR display, using OLED technology to support bright, rich colors and support for Dolby Vision.
• An entirely new advanced camera system, including a 48-megapixel (MP) camera and improvements to Portrait Mode and editing.
• Improved tracking and connectivity, including better location tracking, stronger phone call connectivity and voice isolation capabilities.
• A powerful A16 Bionic chip for all-day battery life.
• A range of satellite services ? including Emergency SOS, Find My and Roadside Assistance ? beneficial for areas without consistent cell service.

The iPhone 15 not only boasts durable construction ? including a ceramic shield tougher than any smartphone glass, as well as water and dust resistance ? but its various components are made of 75 to 100 percent recycled materials.

iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max

At 1:55 p.m., Apple announced the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. The iPhone 15 Pro series is made of Grade 5 titanium, making it simultaneously more lightweight and more durable than other phones. It also includes a substructure made of 100 percent recycled aluminum, which contributes to an overall increase in recycled materials while also making the iPhone 15 Pro easier to repair.

Another design change for the iPhone 15 Pro is the customizable Action Button. Expanded from the previous ring/silent switch with haptic feedback, users can easily switch between various actions, from launching favorite apps to running custom shortcuts.

Additional iPhone 15 Pro series features include:

• The A17 Pro chip, a breakthrough GPU that improves the phone's performance and efficiency, with a powerful neural engine and on-device machine learning.
• Increased range of mobile gaming options, thanks to the A17's powerful processing and crisp graphics. Several games that were once only available on consoles or computers ? including games in the Resident Evil series ? will be playable on the iPhone.
• Further advancements to the iPhone 15 camera system, including a more advanced 48-MP camera, better low-light performance, various focal lengths and a 5x zoom feature.
• Spatial video and compatibility with Apple Vision Pro, allowing for immersive 3D viewing experiences. Spatial video capture will be available later this year (2023).

iPhone Pricing And Availability

The iPhone 15 starts at $799, while the iPhone 15 Plus starts at $899. The iPhone 15 Pro begins at $999. Trade-in deals are available for those who trade in their iPhones (models 11 and up).

All iPhone 15 models can be ordered now and will be available on Sept. 22.

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