iPhone 15 vs iPhone 14, what’s new and what’s different

"It’s almost Time! See ya soon!" tweeted the Apple CEO, Tim Cook as he proceeded for the coveted 'Wonderlust,' the annual Apple launch event last evening (September 12).

The event saw the launch of new iPhone 15 series models, upgraded Apple Watches and a bunch of other exciting new innovative features. Among the announcements, the most significant will have to be Apple ditching its Lightning ports and going for the popular C-type ones.

Here's a comprehensive breakdown of the key announcements and how the new range of upgrades:

iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus: Evolved design and performance

• Apple unveiled the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, both featuring the Dynamic Island, an intuitive way to interact with widgets, in place of the notch that the older versions had.
• These two retain the OLED Super Retina XDR display but now offer up to 1,600 nits of brightness for an enhanced HDR viewing experience.
• The sleek design includes a USB-C port, replacing the Lightning connector, which is basically the norm now.
• Both models are powered by the A16 processor for improved performance while maintaining "all-day" battery life.
• The camera also receives a significant upgrade from the last series, with a 48MP primary sensor and advanced features for photography and video recording.
• Tim Cook also added that these would be the lightest phones ever, with the base variant of the iPhone 15 being a gram lighter than the iPhone 14. 

The most important of all is the iPhone 15 is speculated to be sold for Rs 79,900, and the 15 Plus for Rs 89,900, with pre-orders available from this Friday (September 15), and shipping starting on September 22. And, Apple is moving to shipping its products on ships to take better care of Mother Nature'.

The Premium iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max

• Apple's flagship models, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are going to have a lighter, more durable titanium frame, replacing stainless steel.
• Its thinner bezels (border between the screen and the frame) shall offer a larger screen area, and both models will feature a USB-C port beneath for improved connectivity.
• The standout feature is the advanced 48MP camera with LiDAR scanning for low-light photography and augmented reality capabilities.
• These two models are powered by the A17 Pro Bionic chipset, featuring a 3-nanometer design and faster GPU for exceptional performance, including support for mobile gaming and AR applications.
• The addition of an "Action Button" in place of the allows users to customise specific functions, similar to the Apple Watch Ultra.

Prices start at Rs 134,900 for the iPhone 15 Pro and Rs 159,900 for the Pro Max, with pre-orders beginning on September 15 and shipping commencing on September 22.

Apple Watch Series 9, faster and more capable

• Apple also introduced the Apple Watch Series 9, featuring a new S9 chip that promises 60% faster performance and a 30% faster GPU.
• This new chip allows for on-device processing of Siri requests, resulting in faster responses.
• The watch also boasts a remarkable 18-hour battery life on a single charge and enhanced Find My capabilities with haptic and audio feedback.
• The Series 9 comes in various colours including pink and materials, including aluminium and stainless steel options.
• In line with Apple's commitment to sustainability, new fine woven bands made without leather are introduced.
• The Series 9 is priced at Rs 41,900 and available for pre-order starting this Friday, with shipments beginning on September 22.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 minor upgrades

• The Apple Watch Ultra 2 also gets a boost with the S9 chip, which supports new features like the Double Tap gesture control and on-device Siri with an improved display and a new watch face called Modular Ultra enhances information display.
• The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is priced at Rs 89,900 with cellular connectivity, and it's set to launch on September 22.

In line with Apple's commitment to sustainability, the company through a video featuring Octavia Spencer as the Mother Nature announced that the new Apple Watch range would be carbon neutral for the first time. The devices incorporate more recycled materials, and Apple has pledged to eliminate the use of leather in its accessories. Furthermore, the company is working towards becoming carbon neutral as a business by 2030.