Apple Event – Top Takeaways

Apple unveiled two new iPhones, two Apple Watches and few updates!

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:

Although nothing significant, there were some welcoming features to the new phones.

• Larger Battery – should run 2 hours more than previous edition iPhones.
• Water and Dust resistant – with IP67 rating, your iPhones can survive more than a splash or rain. Now, you can take it with you in shower.
• Better Cameras – especially the one on iPhone 7 Plus is surely a step-up and can now called a competitor for the Android devices. 12MP rear camera and 7MP front facing cameras also have f1.8 and f2.2 aperture respectively. The new cameras can shoot images about 60% faster than earlier models. True novelty is iPhone 7 Plus’ 2 cameras at the rear, which can combine the two perspectives to achieve a shallow depth of field effect. This should surely please Photography buffs.
• Faster Processor – Yes, this update remains consistent from one generation of iPhone to the next. New A10 fusion chip is said to be 50% faster than earlier A9 chip.
• More storage – Finally, the base model storage is raised to 32GB, thanks Apple. They introduced two more variants with 128GB and 256GB storage memory.
• “Jet Black” is new Black – New matt and glossy, Black colored iPhone looked pretty. They have other regulars such as Gold, Rose Gold and Silver. Space Grey color is discontinued.

All is not well with the new devices though, headphone jack removal surely is drawing quite a flak. Apple is known for such courageous moves, change of iPhone 4 design, introduction of lightening connector are the examples. Below are some of the negative points you should consider before buying new iPhones.

• No new look – Only difference between iPhone 7 and 6S is change of antenna placement. Same aluminum unibody and glass front build dates back to Sep, 2014.
• No headphone jack – Yes, you can easily use Bluetooth headphones, but if you prefer wired headphones, you are out of luck. Not because you can’t connect your headphones, Apple was kind enough to ship a Lightening to 3.5mm connector with iPhone 7, but you can now either listen to music or charge it, can’t do both.
• No Quick or Wireless Charging – Every Android flagship phone out there is Wireless ready and comes with fast charger. Apple somehow keeps avoiding this useful feature.
• Low Resolution – iPhones are no slouch when it comes to display, but compare it with current Android flagship phones and they are nowhere near. It is obvious that Apple has traded screen resolution for battery, but is that enough for today’s power users. Nope!
• No External Storage – While Apple offers better storage options than iPhone 6S series, it could have been cheaper had it provided for external storage. Anyway, cost doesn’t matter for Apple consumers anyway 🙂
• Price – Ok, so this is obvious, iPhones are not going to be cheap, even iPhone 5C and 6SE had premium price points. But at this price point you will feel shortchanged with so many limitations and missing features.
• Jet Black needs a Cover – While Phillip Schiller kept mentioning new Black iPhone and how premium it is, fine print on Apple’s site is being heavily criticized. It says;

“The high-gloss finish of the jet black iPhone 7 is achieved through a precision nine-step anodisation and polishing process. Its surface is equally as hard as other anodised Apple products; however, its high shine may show fine micro-abrasions with use. If you are concerned about this, we suggest you use one of the many cases available to protect your iPhone.”

Availability and Price:

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are available in Singapore for pre-order right now.
iPhone 7 from S$1,048 and iPhone 7 Plus from S$1,248 without contract. Phones will ship between October – November 2016.

For India, iPhones will be available for order starting 7th October 2016.
There is no word on pricing, iPhone 7 is expected to cost Rs. 55,000+ and iPhone 7 Plus RAS. 65,000+ at Airtel / Vodafone.

Apple Watch Series 2

Another product that launched along with iPhone was new Apple Watch, they call it Series 2. The new watch will appeal to athletes for it is 50 feet water resistant and has built in GPS. It also is 50% more faster and has brightest screen Apple has ever put on a device. Series 2 watch comes in a wide variety, with a new, sporty Nike Apple Watch. Apple will continue to sell Apple Watch Series 1 at a lower price.

Availability and Price:

Series 2 Apple Watch is available for Pre-Order in Singapore starting from S$548 and ships by mid-Oct.

The watch will be available in India on 7th Oct.