The iPhone 14 line, as well as the new Apple Watch Series–including the Ultra–have been announced at the earth-shaking Far Out event last night.
Want to get a new iPhone 14 in the UAE before anyone else? Here’s how.
The iPhone 14 pricing starts at AED 3,399. If you want to preorder a regular iPhone 14, head here, or head in store September 16. For an iPhone 14 Plus, priced starting at AED 3,799 head in store on October 7 and preorder here,.
To preorder an iPhone 14 Pro (AED 4,299) or Pro Max (AED 4,699) with prices starting at head here, or head in store on September 16.
The Apple Watch Series 8 and SE is available for pre-order now, for a September 16 launch. Head here to order, or head in store on September 16.
The Apple Watch Ultra is available for pre-order now, for a September 23 launch. Head here to order, or head in store on September 23.
The new AirPods Pro are available for pre-order here, for a September 23 launch.
And yes, you can get a purple one.
The best and worst of the Apple’ Far Out launch
Apple’s fall ‘Far Out’ event wrapped last night, and saw the tech giant unveil a new iPhone 14, an Ultra Apple Watch and new AirPod Pro headphones.
Each was presented with Apple’s token phrase, “this is the best [insert product name here] we have ever produced,” which is technically correct and all – because it would be silly for Apple to purposefully downgrade a new product at launch (RIP headphone jack).
The reason why each new AirThingy is better than the last is because Apple tends to stick a myriad of fantastic new features into each new product along with a load of upgrades.
We’re a dab hand at Apple launches, and watched the event (so you didn’t have to – unless you did, in which case why are we doing this little dance?) to rank everything the California company launched today.
Here it is, from the good(est) to the bad(est).
The Dynamic Island
Yes, Apple has made its very own island. And it’s not a static one. It won’t stay in one place like all the other islands in the world, it moves at will. How very Apple.
The iPhone 14 Pro’s most guffawed feature (Steve Jobs Theatre was filled with audible laughter at its announcement) is also Apple’s best of the day. Basically, it’s not a notch. It’s a hole punch at the top of the display that can expand using the phone’s screen to show status updates, music tracks, these types of things.
Yes it sounds obvious. One might say, a feature to be laughed at. But the likes of Samsung and Huawei have been making notch-less phones for the better part of the past five years, and they never thought of it.
The notch is gone (long live the dynamic island).
Apple Watch Ultra
The new Apple Watch solves the very ordinary problem of wanting to summit Kilimanjaro, but being unable to find the right smart wearable for the job. No more: enter Apple Watch Ultra – the first Apple Watch for people looking to do that very specific thing…
Basically, it’s a rugged Apple Watch with hardier glass, a titanium shell and a revolutionary new feature: not one, but two buttons on the side.
It does everything the other new Apple Watch does (see below) but with the ability to call for help via satellite. It also has dedicated modes for mountain climbing, trail hiking, and scuba diving.
Most importantly, it rocks a bigger 49mm screen and it’s built like a tank.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max
It seemed like Apple put most of its tech eggs in the iPhone 14 Pro basket this year. While many of its other new products saw minor upgrades (see below) the Pro models received a whole load of hot new features.
We have already covered the best feature of the day – the dynamic island – solely for iPhone 14 Pro models. But elsewhere, there’s an always-on display, a newer and even better(er) camera system, and an A16 Bionic chipset that absolutely screams with power.
Apple Watch Series 8
The world’s most popular watch (and we are talking all wristwear, not just smart watches) received a killer upgrade in the form of temperature tracking. Sounds like a little thing, but it’s pretty big when it comes to staying on top of the little things – like your health.
There’s also a new low power mode that can give your Watch juice enough to last for a day and a half (and anything that means the watch can survive a forgotten night plugged in, is a big win for us)
Crash Detection
Apple seems hellbent on making sure if you’re in a crash, everyone knows about it.
Thanks to new gyroscope features, the Apple Watch and both iPhone flavors can automagically tell if you’ve been in a car crash, and summon the relevant authorities to your side.
Great feature, and more notable just because how many times it was mentioned by Apple in the less-than-two-hour event.
AirPodPods Pro (2022)
Apple CEO called these the “most advanced” AirPods so far. They have twice the noise-cancelling powers as the previous pair, and six hours of on-the-go listening (with an additional 30-hours via new charging case).
All good things – but we expected a slightly tweaked design at the very least.
iPhone 14 and 14 Max
The ‘regular’ new iPhone has ditched the smaller sibling for a bigger brother. No more iPhone Mini, say hello to the iPhone 14 Max – with a 6.7-inch screen (the same as the iPhone Pro 14 Max).
Otherwise, you get better battery life and slightly improved camera.
Apple Watch SE (2022)
The littles and cheapest Apple Watch of the bunch always gets the short end of the stick. And this is no different.
Sure, its 20 per cent faster than the previous model, but that’s basically it.
Oh, and don’t forget Crash Detection…