Apple Press Conference: Hello iPhones, Goodbye Money

Another September, another Apple press conference, and another iPhone. And then another iPhone, and then one more for good measure. A trio of new iPhones, a new Apple Watch, and a new iPhone buyback program were all unveiled at today’s press conference. Let’s check it out, but first, let’s observe a moment of silence for our wallets.

The iPhone XS is here to replace the iPhone X, making the latter the shortest-lived flagship phone in the company’s history. The iPhone XS will have a 5.8-inch display and retail for $999. Rumors have been swirling for a while about a phone even bigger than the Plus models, and the iPhone XS Max is that very phone. Sizing up at a whopping 6.5 inches, the iPhone XS Max will retail for an equally sizable $1,449.

Unsurprisingly, the cameras on the phones are supposedly Apple’s best yet, offering 12 megapixels, bigger sensors, and improved HDR. Portrait mode now allows users to adjust the depth of field after the picture is taken.

Both phones will be available for pre-order this Friday, September 14th, and will ship the following Friday, September 21st.

Two new iPhones are par for the course for an Apple press conference, but the iPhone XR surprised a few as a third, secret reveal (that was also suggested in leaks). This represents the lower-end for Apple; the 6.1-inch LCD-screened device comes in a variety of colors and doesn’t have a home button. There’s only one camera, a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens, but the phone does have a version of the portrait feature normally found in dual-camera setups. There’s no 3D touch, but there is haptic feedback, so you’ll feel that when using it.

The iPhone XR will retail for $799 and if that’s the new low-end price point, I’ll see you all in the apocalypse.

The iPhone XR will be available for pre-order on Friday, October 19th, and will hit stores a week later.

Apple Watch fans will be happy to see an upgrade to the three-year-old device. The Apple Watch Series 4 has a 30% larger edge-to-edge display, a slightly thinner body, better reception, and a new processor that makes it twice as fast as its predecessor. The dial on the side of the watch now offers haptic feedback, if you’re into that sort of thing.

Apple has added some interesting new medical features, as well. By calculating wrist trajectory and other movements, the watch can detect when you take a fall and send an alert to an emergency contact. The watch also boasts an FDA-approved built-in EKG to help diagnose heart diseases and other cardio-related conditions. That makes it the first over-the-counter EKG.

The Apple Watch Series 4 will have two price points: $399 for a standard model and $499 for one with built-in connectivity. Consumers can pre-order the device this Friday.

There’s not a lot to say here, other than Apple will now buy back your old devices if they’re in good condition. If they’re not usable, Apple will recycle them for free, giving you a way to dispose of your old phone in an environmentally-conscious fashion. CEO Tim Cook used the moment at the Apple press conference to reiterate that the company is now completely powered by clean energy.