[On the Way to Work] "iPhone Changed the World" Apple New Product Event in Photos

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Cho] "The iPhone has completely changed the world. People use the iPhone every day ? from handling difficult tasks to capturing moments in life, watching their favorite TV shows, playing games, checking global news, and contacting friends. This is why we strive to make the best iPhone."

Team Cook, Apple’s CEO, who took the stage, spoke with confidence. At Apple’s special event held on the 14th (local time) at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, Cook personally introduced the new smartphone ‘iPhone 13’, ‘Apple Watch 7’, and ‘iPad Mini’, repeatedly emphasizing that "it is unlike any other product" and "it continues to evolve."

After the video titled "California Streaming" ended at 2 a.m. Korean time, Cook CEO appeared and said, "I like the energy of the opening."

He said, "California is the land of people with big ambitions and big dreams," adding, "It is the land of optimists who want to achieve progress and create things that change the world." He emphasized, "This is a very important part of Apple’s identity and inspires everything we create and do." More than 2 million people watched the event live on YouTube alone.

The first thing Cook CEO introduced was the online video service (OTT) Apple TV Plus (+). He defined Apple TV+ as "a place where the world’s most ingenious storytellers gather." He also said, "(Apple TV+ content) has won over 130 awards and been nominated more than 500 times in less than two years. This is just the beginning," and introduced new works to be released this fall.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

The formal introduction of new products began with the iPad. Cook CEO emphasized, "There is no product like the iPad," and "Users can do more with the iPad." The 9th generation iPad features a 10.2-inch Retina display and advanced technologies such as Center Stage. It is also equipped with a 12MP ultra-wide front camera.

The newly revealed iPad Mini features a larger 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display compared to its predecessor, while the bezel has been slimmed down to maintain a compact size. It boasts 500 nits brightness, wide color gamut support, anti-reflective coating, and front lamination technologies, enabling clear image and video display. This product is equipped with the A15 Bionic chip, improving performance by 80% compared to the previous generation.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

Cook CEO said, "It is unlike any other product. It offers the best portability with all the functions of the iPad," adding, "It can be used on the lap of a pilot in flight or in the pocket of a doctor caring for patients in the emergency room." The new iPad Mini comes in Space Gray, Pink, Purple, and Starlight colors. Storage options are 64GB and 256GB.

The new iPads can be pre-ordered starting today in 28 countries including the U.S., with official sales beginning on the 24th. The iPad Mini is priced from 649,000 KRW for the Wi-Fi model and 839,000 KRW for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. The separately sold Apple Pencil 2nd generation costs 165,000 KRW. The 9th generation iPad starts at 449,000 KRW for the Wi-Fi model and 619,000 KRW for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Apple also unveiled the new smartwatch, Apple Watch 7. The bezel has been slimmed down, increasing the display size by 20% compared to the previous model, and charging speed has improved. It uses a crack-resistant front crystal, boasting the most durable watch series ever. Cook CEO described the Apple Watch as "an indispensable daily companion," saying, "It connects you to the people and things you care about."

The Watch 7 is available in 41mm and 45mm sizes. The bezel around the display has been reduced to 1.7mm, making the screen 20% larger than the previous model. Compared to Apple Watch 6, it can display up to 50% more text. It also features an Always-On Retina display, allowing users to easily see the watch face at up to 70% brightness without raising their wrist or tapping the screen.

Apple emphasized that Watch 7 boasts the most robust durability ever. It is over 50% thicker than Watch 6, effectively preventing cracks from external impacts while maintaining visual clarity. Additionally, the Watch 7 series has received IP6X dust resistance certification and WR50 water resistance rating. Battery life lasts up to 18 hours, the same as the previous model, but charging speed is 33% faster.

Known as the ‘doctor on your wrist,’ Watch 7 includes features such as electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood oxygen saturation measurement, just like its predecessor. New functions for cyclists have also been added. The fall detection algorithm has been updated and optimized. After the Apple Watch 7 introduction by the team, Cook CEO expressed his anticipation, saying, "We are expanding what the Apple Watch can do," and "I want to see the impact it will have on people."

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The highlight of the day was, of course, the iPhone 13. More than 30 minutes of the approximately 1 hour and 17 minutes event were dedicated to introducing the iPhone 13 series.

First, Cook CEO said, "The iPhone has completely changed the world," emphasizing, "It will offer an experience unlike any other." He introduced the iPhone 13 as "easy and simple to use, beautifully and robustly designed, water-resistant, with long battery life, industry-leading performance, the best camera, and personal privacy features." He added, "People love the iPhone. The iPhone continues to evolve," and "It will be more powerful, capable of more, and more enjoyable to use."

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

The iPhone 13 series consists of four models, just like its predecessor: the iPhone 13 (6.1 inches), iPhone 13 Mini (5.4 inches), iPhone 13 Pro (6.1 inches), and iPhone 13 Pro Max (6.7 inches).

There are no major changes in appearance. However, the size of the camera notch at the top of the display has been reduced by 20% compared to the previous model. The A15 Bionic chip in the iPhone 13 features a 6-core CPU and 4-core GPU, improving processing performance by 50%. Camera functions have also been enhanced. The Pro models support macro photography, allowing ultra-close shots that magnify objects larger than they appear. A new ‘Cinematic Mode’ has been introduced for video recording. This filming technique focuses on a specific person or object within a frame while blurring other people, objects, or the background to emphasize the subject, commonly used in movies and dramas.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Greg Joswiak, Senior Vice President of Apple Marketing, is introducing the iPhone 13 Pro model.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Greg Joswiak, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Marketing, who explained the iPhone 13 Pro model, said, "It boasts a beautiful design, industry-leading performance, an advanced camera system with impressive computational photography features, amazing durability, water resistance, and significantly improved battery life, enabling customers to use their iPhones whenever they need."

Immediately after the product explanation, Cook CEO took the stage again, expressing confidence by saying, "I’m excited about the iPhone 13." Regarding the iPhone 13 Pro model, he emphasized, "It is the best in its class, packed with cutting-edge technology for those who want to get the most out of their iPhone," calling it "the most professional iPhone ever."

The domestic retail prices start at 950,000 KRW for the iPhone 13 Mini, 1,090,000 KRW for the iPhone 13, 1,350,000 KRW for the iPhone 13 Pro, and 1,490,000 KRW for the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Pre-orders will begin on the 17th in over 30 countries including the U.S., China, Japan, Australia, Canada, the U.K., and Germany, with in-store sales starting on the 24th. In Korea, the official launch is scheduled for the 8th of next month.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]