Apple introduces new smartwatches and tablets
The Apple Watch Series 6, Watch SE, iPad Air and iPad 8th Generation
Text:
Daniel Haaf
Apple unveiled four new gadgets during its "Time Flies" September event. There are two new Apple Watch models, an upgraded iPad Air and iPad 8th Gen.
Usually, at this time of year, the new generation iPhone models are presented, but that launch has been postponed due to the current pandemic. At the time of writing we don’t actually know when the iPhone 12 series will be launched.
In the meantime, until a date is set for the iPhone 12 event, four other exciting products from Apple have been unveiled. Here you can read more about what Apple has presented.
Apple Watch Series 6
The Apple Watch Series 6 is the new generation smartwatch with a more powerful processor, brighter screen and new sensors for, among other things, measuring the oxygen saturation in the blood. The Watch Series 6 is released with watchOS 7 and has an estimated battery life of 18 hours, which is identical to the Watch Series 5. The battery is charged from zero to hundred per cent in just 90 minutes. The Watch Series 6 is the first smartwatch from Apple to be released in a (PRODUCT) RED variant where part of the proceeds goes to AIDS / HIV research.
Apple Watch SE
Apple Watch SE is the official successor to the three-year-old Watch Series 3. The new model retains the same design, has the same display as the Watch Series 6, and has much higher performance than its predecessor. With the Watch SE you can use all existing bracelets for the Watch series and it has watchOS 7 pre-installed. Although the Watch SE is a successor to the Watch Series 3, Apple retains the latter on the market as its cheapest alternative.
Good to know: During Apple's presentation, it was revealed that iOS 14, iPadOS 14, tvOS 14 and watchOS 7 will be released on 16 September. As usual, the updates are completely free of charge. If you have a compatible iPhone, iPad, Apple TV or Watch model, you will soon receive a notification that the update is ready to be installed. AirPods and AirPods Pro are also updated with new software ready for iOS 14 and iPadOS 14.
iPad Air
The new iPad Air has a new design that is more reminiscent of the models in the iPad Pro series than any previous Air model. The new model has a large 10.9-inch display with True Tone support, 40 per cent higher performance than the previous iPad Air model, and uses USB-C to charge the battery. The new iPad Air uses the same 12-megapixel camera with video stabilisation that the iPad Pro has got, and supports both the latest generation Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard.
iPad 8th Generation
The eighth generation iPad has a 10.2-inch display and the same A12 processor as the 2019 iPad Air. This is the first time that Apple brings "Neural Engine" functionality to the entry-level model. The new model has exactly the same dimensions as the previous model, so all existing screen protectors and covers can be used without problems. The new iPad can use the first generation Apple Pencil, but not the second generation that was released in 2018.
Apple One
Apple One is a subscription that collects six of Apple's services. For a fixed monthly fee, you get iCloud, Music, TV Plus, Arcade, News Plus and the new Fitness Plus. A subscription can be shared within the family with up to five people, and there are three levels to choose from. The simplest level has Music, TV Plus, Arcade and iCloud space. The middle level has the same services but increases the storage space on iCloud. And the highest level also includes News Plus and Fitness Plus. Read more about Apple One on the official news page here.
Watch Apple's event here
This article is written by Prisjakt’s editorial staff. No one else has influenced the content of it. There are no paid links or other types of advertising collaborations. Daniel Haaf can be reached at [email protected].