Apple’s new iPhones are here: Executives unveiled a new flagship iPhone X model alongside refreshed versions of the existing iPhone, dubbed iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, at a press event held in the newly-constructed Steve Jobs Theater on Apple’s new campus in Cupertino, Calif. Tuesday.
The iPhone X, pronounced “ten,” is named to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the iPhone. The new iPhone X features an edge-to-edge “super retina display” screen that extends to the bottom end of the phone, with Apple doing away with the traditional home button.
Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, made the iPhone announcements.
Without the home button, the iPhone X also does away with the option top unlock the phone with your fingerprint, an authentication method known as Touch ID. Instead, Apple is introducing a new feature called Face ID that uses facial recognition software to authenticate phone users. The iPhone X comes with a special infrared camera to make sure that this feature also works in low-light situations.
The facial recognition update also ushers in an updated version of emoji, dubbed, Animoji. Users are able to animate and change the facial expression of emoji, and record and send videos with sound.
The iPhone X will be available with 64GB and 256GB, and pricing starts at $999. The phones will be available to pre-order starting Oct. 27 and will ship starting on Nov. 3.
“iPhone X. This really is the future,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said.
The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus in many ways mirror their 2016 predecessors. The phones feature glass in both the front and back and come in three colors: silver, space grey, gold. Apple is also touting updated displays and speakers that are 25% louder and have a deeper bass.
Much of the presentation was devoted to showing off the camera updates. The iPhone 8 will include a 12MP camera with a new sensor, deeper pixels, and a new color filter. Both are being powered by faster chips than their predecessors.
The biggest change in comparison to 2016 models: These two new devices also support wireless charging. Apple is supporting wireless chargers with the Qi standard, but is also building its own a wireless charger for iPhone 8, 8 Plus, X, Apple Watch, and Airpods. This “Airpower” device won’t go on sale until next year.
https://twitter.com/jank0/status/907676360704790528
The iPhone 8 will start at $699, and iPhone 8 Plus at $799. The new models will hit stores on Sept. 22. iOS 11 is coming a few days prior on Sept. 19.
Both branding and specs for the new iPhones had leaked before the event. Apple also unveiled updates to the Apple Watch and Apple TV 4K at the event.
