MacRumors

Apple will further differentiate its "Pro" and non-"Pro" iPhone models with next year's iPhone 15 and ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro, according to insightful Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In a series of tweets earlier today, Kuo said that further differentiating the ‌iPhone‌ lineup would increase sales of the "Pro" models. To this end, Kuo said that "Apple will also start creating differentiation between the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max and the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro," using a "precise product segmentation strategy to generate more sales/profits in a mature market."

This differentiation would presumably occur by giving individual devices in the ‌iPhone 15‌ lineup different features, providing more reasons upsell next year's ‌iPhone‌ models. The only differentiating features between the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, and ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro and ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro Max, are display size and battery life.

It is not yet clear how capabilities could be separated across the ‌iPhone 15‌ lineup, with some features such as the Dynamic Island expected to expand to the entire selection of devices, but the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max could be the only model to feature a periscope telephoto camera system.

One of the reasons Apple is able to do this, "even though hardware innovation has become more challenging and the market has matured," is believed to because the "Android camp still poses no threat to Apple in the high-end market" due to brand value and ecosystem disadvantages. That being said, Kuo added that Qualcomm's transfer of high-end chips for Android devices from Samsung to TSMC, Apple's chip supplier, as well as an aggressive push toward foldable phones, could help Android regain ground in the years ahead.

Apple's online store is down ahead of iPhone 14, ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro, and AirPods Pro 2 pre-orders, which are expected to be available at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time in the United States.

"We can't wait either," reads the Apple Store's message when visiting the U.S. website. "Pre-order begins at 5:00 a.m. PDT. See you then." Apple has been doing 5:00 a.m. pre-orders for the last several years instead of the 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time pre-orders that we used to have.

The ‌iPhone 14‌, ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro, and AirPods 2 are launching in more than 30 countries and regions around the world, and a list of launch times can be found in our time zone guide.

Apple's ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro models feature the most notable upgrade, with a new Dynamic Island that replaces the notch, an A16 chip, and a 48-megapixel camera. The standard ‌iPhone 14‌ models have a regular notch, an A15 chip, and a 12-megapixel camera, though there have been improvements to low-light across all devices and all lenses.

Both iPhones support 5G and a new Emergency SOS via satellite feature that can put you in touch with emergency services even when you don't have a WiFi or cellular connection. There's also a Crash Detection feature that can detect when you're in a serious car crash, alerting authorities. Crash Detection uses an upgraded gyroscope and accelerometer.

The ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 have been improved in almost every way, offering better sound, 2x improved noise cancellation, a Transparency Mode that can more intelligently block out loud sounds like sirens and road construction, and new controls for adjusting volume right on device.

Pricing on the ‌iPhone 14‌ starts at $799, while pricing on the ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro starts at $999. The ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 are priced at $249.

Apple today updated its homepage to honor Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away at Balmoral Castle earlier today. The company's website features a photograph of Queen Elizabeth taken by Dorothy Wilding in 1952.

Queen Elizabeth II was 96 years old, and her reign lasted for over 70 years, marking the longest reign of any British monarch. Her son, Charles, is her successor and is now King Charles III. In a statement, Charles III said that the Queen's death will be "deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world."

Apple Watch Ultra repairs cost $499 without an AppleCare+ plan in the United States, according to Apple's website. This fee applies to an Apple Watch Ultra with damage to the titanium case, display, buttons, sensors, or other components.

Apple can also replace the battery in an Apple Watch Ultra for a $99 fee, regardless of whether the customer has AppleCare+ coverage.

By comparison, repair fees for the Apple Watch Series 8 range from $299 to $399 without an AppleCare+ plan, while a replacement battery costs $79. Repair fees for the second-generation Apple Watch SE range from $199 to $229.

AppleCare+ for the Apple Watch Ultra is available for $99 upfront or $4.99 per month and includes unlimited incidents of accidental damage protection, with each incident subject to a $79 service fee. Like any form of insurance, customers who purchase AppleCare+ can save money in the event they damage their Apple Watch Ultra.

Inspired by the "most extreme activities," the Apple Watch Ultra features a rugged design with a 49mm titanium case, a larger display with a flat sapphire crystal cover, new bands designed for the outdoors, water resistance up to a depth of 100 meters, a customizable bright orange "Action" button, and more. Unlike regular Apple Watch models, the Ultra also has a protruded housing for the Digital Crown and Side Button.

Apple Watch Ultra is available to order for $799 and will launch in stores and begin arriving to customers on September 23. All models include a titanium case and cellular connectivity along with the choice of an Alpine Loop, Trail Loop, or Ocean Band.

With the launch of the iPhone 14 Pro and ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro Max, Apple introduced an updated design that does away with the notch at the front for the TrueDepth camera. Instead, Apple has slimmed down the hardware and put the proximity sensor under the display, allowing for a smaller pill-shaped cutout.

As we learned during the rumor cycle, the new cutout consists of a circle for the camera and a second pill-shaped cutout for the TrueDepth hardware, but Apple has combined these into a single cutout that it is calling the Dynamic Island. We thought we'd take a closer look at the ‌Dynamic Island‌, which is one of the most clever user interface changes Apple has implemented in recent years.

Dynamic Island Shape

The ‌Dynamic Island‌ is not a static cutout, and can shift in size and shape to blend itself into the UI and provide new visual tools front and center on the iPhone's display. In standard usage, it is a small pill-shaped cutout, but Apple uses pixels to expand it to match different tasks.

When making an Apple Pay payment, for example, the ‌Dynamic Island‌ expands into a square shape to match the Face ID confirmation interface, and while on a phone call, it expands to be larger so you can have the phone controls front and center.

Basically, the ‌Dynamic Island‌ is able to house ongoing background tasks that you might need to come back to while doing other things on your phone

Ways the Dynamic Island Can Be Used

So far, we only have Apple's demonstrations to go on, but it looks like the ‌Dynamic Island‌ can show all kinds of different information. We're rounded up the ways it's been used so far.

• Expanded into a large rectangle to show upcoming Maps directions without having to open the Maps app.
• Displaying Maps directions in a smaller pill-shaped interface for when you just need a quick glance at the next turn.
• Square shaped for an ‌Apple Pay‌ payment confirmation.
• Showing a music waveform and time remaining on a song that's playing.
• Tracking the time of arrival of a Lyft.
• Displaying privacy indicators when the microphone or camera is in use.
• Displaying a small bar with the phone icon and the length of the phone call.
• Showing a timer.
• Keeping track of sports scores.
• Accessing music controls and a music player.
• Showing AirPods connection status and battery life.
• Displaying ‌iPhone‌ charging status and battery life.

The ‌Dynamic Island‌ can show notifications or information that you're actively keeping up with. It's going to work with the Live Activities feature coming in iOS 16, so you can track sports scores, Uber rides, and more right from the top of the ‌iPhone‌'s display.

It's worth noting that any time the ‌Dynamic Island‌ is in use like this, it is doing its task without interrupting what you're doing in the app you're in. So if you're reading Twitter, you can also be controlling your music through the ‌Dynamic Island‌ with just a tap.

Split Island

Because the TrueDepth camera system is actually housed in two separate cutouts that are merged through software, the ‌Dynamic Island‌ can do a neat trick where it separates into a small pill on the left and a circle on the right, both of which are able to display different information at the same time, such as music controls and a timer.

Dynamic Island Interaction

When tapped, the ‌Dynamic Island‌ expands to become larger so you can interact with the content that it's offering at the current time, and when you're in an app, you can swipe up to send the app's content to the ‌Dynamic Island‌ so you can get back to the Home screen.

Third-Party App Support

Apple is allowing third-party app developers to integrate their apps into the ‌Dynamic Island‌ so you can access third-party app content as well as Apple's own app content. Third-party app Flighty, for example, is able to put your flight information in the ‌Dynamic Island‌ so you can see it with a tap.

Dynamic Island Reactions

So far, reactions to the ‌Dynamic Island‌ have been largely positive, as can be seen in our roundup of commentary on the feature. It has been called "one of Apple's best designs."

Availability

The ‌Dynamic Island‌ is limited to the ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro and the ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro Max. The standard ‌iPhone 14‌ models continue to offer the same notch as the ‌iPhone‌ 13 models.

Additional Coverage

We'll be picking up an ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro when preorders go live tomorrow, and when it's delivered on the 16th, we'll do an in-depth look at all of the new features, providing a much more detailed overview of the ‌Dynamic Island‌ and its functionality.

Pre-orders for the iPhone 14, ‌iPhone 14‌ Plus, ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro, and ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro Max will begin on Friday, September 9 at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time, with the new devices available in multiple countries around the world simultaneously.

For that reason, we've crafted a list of when pre-orders will become available in various countries around the world so MacRumors readers can figure out when to place their order. Note that we have not listed every time zone for all countries, nor have we listed all of the available pre-order countries, so you should double check your specific time zone to know exactly when pre-orders will kick off where you're located.

Customers in the United States can "Get Ready" for the iPhone 14 launch with a pre-order setup process that allows them to choose an iPhone, confirm it with a carrier, select accessories, and enter a payment method and shipping address. The "Get Ready" option is available until 9:00 p.m. Pacific Time today, so if you haven't set it up yet, now is a good time to do so.

Following pre-orders on September 9, the first ‌iPhone 14‌, ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro, ‌iPhone 14‌ Plus orders will arrive to customers on Friday, September 16. AirPods Pro 2 orders will arrive on September 23, and ‌iPhone 14‌ Plus orders will arrive on October 7.

Those hoping to get a device on launch day should pre-order right away, as we do not yet know how much available supply Apple will have. Popular ‌iPhone‌ models often sell out quickly, so we could see the new colors disappear within a matter of minutes to hours.

Pricing on the ‌iPhone 14‌ starts at $799, while pricing on the ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro models starts at $999. The ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 are priced at $249. For iPhones, many U.S. carriers are offering discounts, and Apple is offering the ‌iPhone‌ Upgrade Program and trade-in options to drop the price.

With the launch of the iPhone 14 models yesterday, Apple introduced a new Emergency SOS via satellite feature that's designed to allow iPhone users to get emergency help in off-the-grid areas even when a cellular or WiFi connection is not available.

Apple is using Globalstar satellites for the endeavor at the current time, but SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed today that his company has had "some promising conversations with Apple about Starlink connectivity."

Musk says that the ‌iPhone‌ team is "super smart," and that space to ‌iPhone‌ communications will work best if "if phone software & hardware adapt to space-based signals vs Starlink purely emulating cell tower."

Apple has made zero mention of any discussions with SpaceX about Starlink, and there is no word if Apple has plans to enter into some kind of partnership to use Starlink technology.

In fact, SpaceX and Tesla in August announced a partnership for a new "satellite-to-cellular" service that will allow second-generation Starlink satellites in low Earth orbit to pair with T-Mobile's mid-band 5G spectrum for the purpose of providing "near complete coverage" across most areas in the United States.

Unlike Apple's satellite feature that requires an ‌iPhone 14‌, T-Mobile and SpaceX's solution should work with existing smartphones. The service will not launch until late 2023, so there are still some details that SpaceX and T-Mobile need to work out.

Apple's satellite communication feature is designed for emergency situations, and it is used to to send short text messages to emergency personnel to allow ‌iPhone‌ users to get help wherever they are. It requires a clear line of sight to the sky for a satellite to connect, and Apple's service is free for the time being.

Following Apple's "Far out" event that included the launch of the updated iPhone 14 and ‌iPhone 14‌ Plus, Steve Jobs' daughter Eve Jobs took to her Instagram to share a meme mocking the new iPhones as basically unchanged compared to last year's iPhone 13.

The meme is a popular one showing a man holding up a gifted shirt identical to one he's already wearing. Jobs captioned the meme with "Me upgrading from ‌‌iPhone‌ 13‌ to ‌‌iPhone 14‌‌ after Apple's announcement today," sharing it with her nearly half a million followers yesterday before deleting it.

The meme is sparked by customers' belief that the new ‌iPhone 14‌ and ‌iPhone 14‌ Plus feature FEW changes compared to the ‌iPhone‌ 13 and do not represent a worthwhile upgrade. The 6.1-inch ‌iPhone 14‌ and the 6.7-inch ‌iPhone 14‌ Plus feature the same chip found in the ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro, which comes with an additional GPU-core compared to the standard ‌iPhone‌ 13 models.

Other than a slight boost in performance, the ‌iPhone 14‌ and ‌iPhone 14‌ Plus benefit from new camera features, including autofocus on the front-facing camera and improved low-light performance. On the ‌iPhone 14‌ Plus, thanks to the larger size, customers will get the best battery life ever in any ‌iPhone‌.

The ‌iPhone 14‌ and ‌iPhone 14‌ Plus will be available for pre-order on Friday, September 9, and the ‌iPhone 14‌ will be available next week, Friday, September 16. The larger ‌iPhone 14‌ Plus will begin arriving to customers on Friday, October 7.

Apple this week introduced second-generation AirPods Pro with improved audio quality, longer battery life, up to 2x as much noise cancellation as the original AirPods Pro, a revamped charging case with Find My support and water resistance, a new extra small ear tip option, the ability to swipe up and down on the stem to adjust volume, and more.

In addition to these major new features, there are some smaller tidbits about the new AirPods Pro that we have gathered below.

The new AirPods Pro will be available to order this Friday, September 9, with pricing set at $249 in the United States, which is the same price as the original. The second-generation AirPods Pro will be available on September 23.

Heavier Charging Case

The new charging case weighs 50.8 grams without the AirPods Pro inside, making the new case around 11% heavier than the original, which weighs 45.6 grams. On the other hand, the weight of the left and right AirPods Pro earbuds is virtually unchanged.

Improved In-Ear Detection

AirPods Pro now feature a skin-detect sensor that can more accurately detect if the AirPods are placed in someone's ears compared to the dual optical sensors in the original AirPods Pro. Apple says the improved sensor more accurately turns on or off audio playback on the new AirPods Pro, contributing to longer battery life.

The skin-detect sensor was first added to the third-generation standard AirPods last year.

Lanyards Sold Separately

The new AirPods Pro charging case features a built-in lanyard loop on the right side of the case for attaching a lanyard, but Apple says the lanyards are sold separately. Apple's online store currently has one lanyard available from Incase for $12.95.

Apple Watch Charger Support

In addition to charging via MagSafe and Lightning, the new AirPods Pro case can now be charged with an Apple Watch's magnetic charging puck.

Memoji Personalization

Apple announced that customers can personalize the second-generation AirPods Pro case with their own Memoji free of charge via the Apple Store app.

Bluetooth 5.3

Like the iPhone 14, the new AirPods Pro support Bluetooth 5.3, according to Apple's tech specs. Bluetooth 5.3 could pave the way for the AirPods Pro to support LE Audio, which would have several benefits for the wireless headphones, but Apple has not made any mention of the device supporting LE Audio at this time.

Pre-orders for the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max open up tomorrow, and if you're one of the many customers upgrading from an older iPhone, you may be considering your options for trade-in.

Apple has a popular trade-in program that gives customers a certain amount of credit off the purchase of a new iPhone based on which model they hand in and its condition. Many customers upgrade their new iPhone through the trade-in program instead of paying in full or going through a carrier. To help customers looking to trade-in for a new iPhone 14 model, we've listed the estimated trade-in prices from Apple below for a wide range of previous generation iPhones.

• iPhone 13 Pro Max - Up to $720
• iPhone 13 Pro - Up to $600
• iPhone 13 - Up to $470
• iPhone 13 mini - Up to $380
• iPhone 12 Pro Max - Up to $530
• iPhone 12 Pro - Up to $430
• iPhone 12 - Up to $320
• iPhone 12 mini - Up to $250
• iPhone SE (2nd generation) - Up to $100
• iPhone 11 Pro Max - Up to $370
• iPhone 11 Pro - Up to $300
• iPhone 11 - Up to $220
• iPhone XS Max - Up to $210
• iPhone XS - Up to $150
• iPhone XR - Up to $140
• iPhone X - Up to $130
• iPhone 8 Plus - Up to $110
• iPhone 8 - Up to $75
• iPhone 7 Plus - Up to $70
• iPhone 7 - Up to $40

The exact value Apple will give you for your device will depend on its condition and exact model. The prices listed above and on Apple's website are just the maximum possible amount Apple could give you. Before you decide to use Apple's trade-in program, be sure to check with your carrier for any available offers and promotions.

There are four new models of the iPhone 14 this year: the iPhone 14 with a 6.1-inch display, the iPhone 14 Plus with a 6.7-inch display, and the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max with 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays, respectively. The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are moderate upgrades compared to the iPhone 13 and the iPhone 13 mini, which the larger 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus now replaces. The two models feature new camera features, the A15 Bionic chip, and longer battery life.

The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max are more substantial upgrades, featuring Dynamic Island with a pill-shape cutout, an always-on display, a new 48MP Main camera, and more.

All four models are offered in a range of colors and configurations, with the starting price of the lineup at $799, moving up to $1099. The color options are listed below.

• iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus - Blue, Purple, Midnight, Starlight, and (PRODUCT) RED
• iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max - Deep Purple, Gold, Silver, Space Black

All models of the iPhone 14 will be available for pre-order tomorrow at 5:00 a.m. PDT, and all models except the iPhone 14 Plus will begin arriving to customers on Friday, September 16. The iPhone 14 Plus will begin arriving to customers on Friday, October 7.

The iPhone 14 Pro and ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro Max are Apple's newest iPhones, featuring an updated front design, a Dynamic Island notch replacement, satellite connectivity, a new Main 48MP camera, and more.

Beyond the headlining features, there are more minor changes and newsworthy aspects of the new iPhones, and we've rounded up six below.

New White Box

As rumored, the ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro and ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro Max ship in an all-white box, unlike previous high-end "Pro" iPhones, which shipped in a darker gray box. Despite the new box color, no other aspects of the unboxing experience for the new iPhones are believed to have changed.

Brighter True Tone Flash

Like the ‌iPhone 14‌ and ‌iPhone 14‌ Plus, the new ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro and ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro Max feature an updated True Tone flash that, in certain conditions, can be up to two times brighter than previous generations.

"The new Adaptive True Tone flash adjusts the pattern and intensity of nine LEDs depending on the focal length of the photo, so your subject always appears in the best light," Apple says on its website. Using a combination of the new flash, larger lenses, and more advanced image processing, users can get up to 2x better low-light photos on the Main camera and up to 3x better low-light photos on the Ultra Wide camera.

Dynamic Island is Actually Touchable

While at first glance you may think that the ‌Dynamic Island‌ is only visually appealing to show relevant information with cool animations, it's actually a fully interactive part of the display that you can tap. For example, as shown in a brief hands-on video on Twitter, tapping the ‌Dynamic Island‌ when music is playing opens up the Music app. If a timer is running, tapping the ‌Dynamic Island‌ brings up a new UI at the top of the display to show the time remaining and relevant controls.

As noted by Engadget's hands-on review with the ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro, touching the ‌Dynamic Island‌ when nothing is happening results in a small stretching animation for the pill shape and subtle vibration.

Cinematic Mode Improvements

Introduced with the iPhone 13 series, Cinematic Mode allows ‌iPhone‌ users to record videos of subjects while subtly blurring the background. With the ‌iPhone 14‌ and ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro series, Apple is improving Cinematic Mode to now support 4K HDR at 24FPS and 30FPS. Like on past models, users can edit the focus of a subject after they've recorded the video in the Photos app.

Improved Sensors for Car Crash Detection

With all models of the ‌iPhone 14‌ and ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro and the new Apple Watch models, Apple has built car crash detection into its devices. The new feature can detect if a user has been part of a car crash using a wide range of improved sensors. On the ‌iPhone 14‌ models, a new high g-force accelerometer can detect accelerations or decelerations up to 256 Gs. Car crash detection also uses the barometer to detect changes in pressure, such as those caused by an airbag, and more sensitive microphones that can detect extreme sound while a user is driving.

No mmWave Expansion

mmWave versions of the ‌iPhone 14‌ and ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro are still limited to the United States, two years after the first 5G iPhone. mmWave 5G is a faster standard of 5G and requires an additional antenna. mmWave iPhones have only been available in the United States since the first 5G-enabled models in 2020 and have not expanded to other countries, including Canada or European countries.

Today is Disney+ Day, and to mark the occasion Disney has introduced a new discount on its popular streaming service. New and eligible returning Disney+ subscribers can get Disney+ for $1.99 for one month, after which the service will return to $7.99 per month.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Disney+. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

To be an "eligible" returning Disney+ customer, you need to have no current active subscription with the streaming service and be 18 years or older. Once your first month ends, Disney+ will auto-renew at $7.99 per month unless you cancel beforehand.

To get the deal, create a Disney+ account or sign into your old one and accept the Disney+ Subscriber Agreement, then accept the monthly offer. This promotion will last until 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on September 19.

It's also worth noting that this $7.99 per month ad-free Disney+ plan will be increasing in price to $10.99 per month on December 8, 2022. This is because the company will introduce a new ad-supported tier available for the $7.99 per month price point in December.

So, if you sign up for the Disney+ Day deal and afterwards decide to keep the service, remember that in a few months the $7.99 per month price will be increasing by $3 before the end of the year. You can also lock in an annual plan at the current price before the price increase in December.

Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.

Elevation Lab, known for its range of accessories for Apple devices, today announced the launch of the TagVault Strap, a new case that's designed for the AirTag.

The TagVault Strap is designed to mount to a backpack or camera strap, and it has been created to prevent the ‌AirTag‌ from being removed. The TagVault Strap is made from a glass-filled composite body, and it uses Swiss machined self-driving screws that go through the strap.

It comes with all the hardware needed, and it features an all-black design that keeps it from grabbing attention. The TagVault Strap is also waterproof, so it keeps the ‌AirTag‌ protected even in less than ideal conditions.

The TagVault Strap can be purchased from the Elevation Lab website or from Amazon as of today.

Since iOS 14, iPhones have displayed a green dot on the right side of the notch when the camera is actively being used by an app. On the iPhone 14 Pro models, this privacy indicator is now shown within the new pill-shaped Dynamic Island cutout.

The relocated camera indicator can be seen in Apple's video introducing the iPhone 14 Pro, when the built-in Camera app is opened, and there is also an image of it in Apple's press release for the device. The green dot means either the camera or both the camera and the microphone are being used by an app on the iPhone, according to Apple.

The green dot appearing directly beside the front camera on the iPhone 14 Pro models is similar to the green light that appears next to a MacBook's webcam when active, providing a more consistent experience across the devices.

Similarly, an orange dot will appear within the Dynamic Island when an app is actively using the iPhone's microphone only.

It's worth noting that footage shown during Apple's event suggests that the green and orange dots will appear to the right of the battery icon in the status bar, at least when the Dynamic Island is already in use by other apps, such as for Live Activities.

Exclusive to the iPhone 14 Pro models, the Dynamic Island replaces the traditional notch found on all iPhone 13 models. Aided by software, the cutout morphs into different shapes and sizes for things such as incoming phone calls, alerts, notifications, Face ID authentication, timers, turn-by-turn navigation, Live Activities, and more.

All four iPhone 14 models will be available to pre-order this Friday, September 9 at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time, and the devices will begin arriving to customers and launch in stores on Friday, September 16, except for the slightly delayed 14 Plus model.

Apple on Wednesday unveiled the new Apple Watch Ultra, a larger, more advanced smartwatch aimed at athletes, explorers, and swimmers. The Apple Watch Ultra shares the same features as the new Apple Watch Series 8, but there is a whole lot more to the watch than meets the eye. Here are just some of the more notable differences that are worth highlighting.

Operating Temperatures Are Extreme

iPhones can get so hot or so cold that they can become non-functional, but the Apple Watch Ultra is very unlikely to, even in the harshest of climes. Apple says the watch has been designed to accommodate the most extreme environments in outdoor exploration, with an on-wrist operating temperature from –4° to 131° F (–20° to 55° C).

Larger Display, More Complications

Apple has created a new Wayfinder watch face that's been designed especially for the larger Apple Watch Ultra display. It includes a compass built into the dial, and has space for up to eight complications on screen at the same time. The Wayfinder watch face can also be customized for mountain, ocean, or trail expeditions.

Customizable Action Button

Where previous Apple Watch models have had just two physical controls, Apple Watch Ultra has a third on the left side of the screen called the Action button, which is colored in "international orange" and can serve a range of functions.

As it's customizable, what the Action button does is up to the user, so one push can let you track race segments during a workout, find a way out when using Backtrack, drop a Compass Waypoint, or start up a dive computer, depending on your needs.

Brighter Screen

Under the flat sapphire front crystal is a Retina display that is not only the biggest yet on an Apple Watch, but it can also output contents at up to 2,000 nits, which is two times brighter than any other Apple Watch display.

Night Mode

To optimize for evening conditions when using the Wayfinder watch face, a turn of the Digital Crown engages Night Mode, which turns the interface red and removes retina-altering blue light from the display to ease strain on your eyes in the dark.

Emergency Siren

If you ever become lost, injured, or have some other emergency situation and want to draw attention to your location, Apple Watch Ultra includes an 86-decibel siren that can be enabled by holding the Action button.

Apple says the siren uses a unique sound signature that incorporates two distinct alternating patterns, which can repeat for several hours. The first pattern suggests distress, while the second mimics the universally recognized SOS pattern, and the siren can be heard up to 600 feet or 180 meters away.

Best-in-Class GPS Positioning

Apple Watch Ultra uses a precision dual-frequency GPS that integrates both L1 and the latest frequency, L5. Apple says that in combination with new custom positioning algorithms, this provides users with the most accurate GPS of any smartwatch on the market, and should help trail runners and other athletes who often find themselves in amongst dense trees or high buildings.

Redesigned Compass App

In watchOS 9, the Compass has been redesigned for Apple Watch Ultra and now has three different views. The app displays a new hybrid view that simultaneously shows both an analog compass dial and a digital view, while turning the Digital Crown reveals an additional view that includes latitude, longitude, elevation, and incline, as well as an orienteering view showing Compass Waypoints and Backtrack.

Waypoint Marking and Backtrack

In the Compass app, you can press the Action button or tap the Compass Waypoint icon to drop a waypoint and mark the location you are in. Waypoints can be edited by tapping the icon, and the Compass Waypoint complication updates automatically in real time showing both the direction of the waypoint as well as its approximate distance.

Meanwhile, with the help of GPS, a new Backtrack function creates a path showing you where you've been, like a breadcrumb trail, which you can use if you get lost or disoriented and want to retrace your steps.

Water Temperature Sensor and Depth Gauge

Apple Watch Ultra is certified to EN 13319, which is an internationally recognized standard for dive accessories, including depth gauges. The Apple Watch Ultra even incorporates a depth gauge into a new Depth app, which can display time, current depth down to 40 meters, water temperature, duration under water, and max depth reached.

When underwater, the Apple Watch Ultra automatically opens the Depth app, making it quick and easy to get critical information without needing to open it manually. Alternatively, you can assign the Depth app to the Action button to launch it when needed.

Availability

The Apple Watch Ultra costs $799 and was made available for pre-order after Wednesday's "Far out" event. It comes in a silver titanium casing and is available with three different bands: Trail, Alpine, and Ocean. The Apple Watch Ultra will begin shipping to customers on Friday, September 23.

In the wake of Apple's announcement of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro yesterday, carrier discounts and offers have quickly emerged for the latest generation of iPhone. In this article we're highlighting all of the best carrier deals you can expect ahead of pre-order day tomorrow.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Remember that for all of the links and deals below, you won't be able to add the iPhone 14 to your cart and get the discounts until pre-orders go live at 5 a.m. Pacific Time on September 9.

AT&T

Starting with AT&T, new and existing customers can get up to $1,000 off the iPhone 14 family of devices with an eligible trade-in and when purchased on an installment plan. You'll also need an eligible AT&T unlimited plan to get this deal.

If you trade in a smartphone with a value of $230 or higher, you'll get up to $1,000 in bill credits. If you trade in a smartphone with a value of $130-$229, you'll get up to $800 in bill credits. Lastly, if your trade in is valued between $35-$129, you'll get up to $350 in bill credits.

This is AT&T's typical annual iPhone offer, and it comes with the usual stipulations. In addition to purchasing a qualifying installment agreement, and paying taxes on the full retail price of the iPhone up front, you'll have to pay a $35 activation/upgrade fee.

This is compatible with the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Verizon

Verizon has a unique option for its customers, offering a new "One Unlimited" plan for iPhone. This comes with unlimited 5G data, 25GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data, and Apple One, all for $90/month.

This is the only cellular carrier plan in the United States to come bundled with Apple One. When signing up for this option on one Verizon line, you'll get Apple One's individual tier (worth $14.95/month) with Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple TV+, and iCloud+ with 50GB of storage.

Verizon accounts with two lines will get an Apple One family tier subscription (worth $19.95/month). This one can be shared among six different family members.

Other than the One Unlimited plan, Verizon is offering up to $1,000 off iPhone 14 models, as well as a BOGO deal on Apple Watch. You can buy one Apple Watch Series 8, and get another one at no cost. There's also quite a few 20 percent off accessory deals going on during the iPhone launch on Verizon.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile customers can expect to get up to $1,000 off any iPhone 14 series smartphone when trading in an eligible device. This offer requires new or existing customers to be on the Magenta MAX, Business Unlimited Advanced, Ultimate, or Ultimate+ for iPhone plans.

There are a few other offers as well, including half off the iPhone 14 Pro (or up to $500 off any iPhone 14 device) when trading in an eligible device on most T-Mobile plans. This offer is for any customer not on the aforementioned four cellular plans.

If you need to buy two iPhone 14s, T-Mobile is also planning a BOGO deal where you can buy one iPhone 14 family device and get a second one for up to $700 off. This is also available on most T-Mobile plans and will require you to add a second line on an existing plan.

For Apple Watch users, if you buy an Apple Watch you'll get $200 off a second model when adding a new watch line on your plan.

Following the introduction of the iPhone 14 Pro and ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro Max with the all-new Dynamic Island feature, which intelligently integrates the new pill-shaped notch replacement into iOS for system alerts and functionality, internet users have reacted in an overwhelmingly positive way to Apple's new UX design.

In the US, "‌iPhone 14‌ Pro‌" and "‌Dynamic Island‌" were trending on Twitter after Apple's "Far out" event as users praised Apple's implementation of the pill shape directly into the user experience. "By a long mile, this is my favorite feature of the new iPhones 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max. Apple really made good use of that long pill hole cutout," is how one Twitter user reacted following the event.

"‌Dynamic Island‌ may be the best design work from Apple in years," another user said. ‌Dynamic Island‌ includes smooth animations for how alerts and other information such as Now Playing intelligently morph around the camera cutouts to free up space in other parts of the display. Carl Pei, the CEO of Nothing, even chimed in, calling it "smart" and saying that Apple's always-on display on the ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro and ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro Max is the "best implementation" of the technology he has ever seen.

"The ‌Dynamic Island‌ is one of Apple’s best designs in recent history. Turning what should be a downside into a useful feature," said Ian Zelbo, a popular concept creator known for his realistic renders of Apple products based on leaks and rumors. Other users also shared their thoughts:

The ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro and ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro Max, other than the new ‌Dynamic Island‌, include an always-on display, a new Main 48MP camera, and more. They will be available for pre-order on Friday, September 9, and begin arriving to customers a week later on Friday, September 16.

Following its "Far out" event yesterday, Apple has discontinued the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock.

The dock, which retailed for $79, included a circular base and allowed Apple Watch users to charge their Apple Watch in either a flat position or on its side to be used as an alarm clock. The dock was launched following the release of the first Apple Watch in 2015. For customers looking for a similar experience, Apple offers the MagSafe Duo Charger, which can charge both an Apple Watch and an iPhone with ‌MagSafe‌ at the same time.