Apple Launches iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max, iPhone XR and Apple Watch Series 4
Apple's September 2018 event launched the iPhone Xs, Xs Max, XR and Apple Watch Series 4. See the features, Australian prices and release dates.
Apple held its “Gather Round” event at the Steve Jobs Theater this week and launched three new iPhones and a redesigned Apple Watch. Here’s everything that’s actually shipping, what it costs, and when you can get one.
iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Max
Apple’s new flagship phones come in two sizes: the 5.8-inch iPhone Xs and the 6.5-inch iPhone Xs Max, both with Super Retina OLED displays. Both use the A12 Bionic chip. It has six processing cores: two faster cores that are up to 15% quicker and four efficiency cores that use up to 50% less power. Its four-core graphics processor is up to 50% faster. A dedicated Neural Engine handles machine-learning features used in photography and augmented reality.
Storage now goes up to 512GB, alongside 64GB and 256GB options. The cameras get a notable upgrade, an improved 12-megapixel dual camera system with 60% greater dynamic range in HDR photos.
Both phones introduce Gigabit-class LTE and support Dual SIM through a nano-SIM plus a digital eSIM, with eSIM support arriving in a later iOS update. Both models are also now available in gold, alongside the existing space grey and silver finishes, and use more durable glass on the front and back along with faster wireless charging and a faster Face ID.
Pre-orders open Friday 14 September, with phones in stores from Friday 21 September. The iPhone Xs starts at AU$1,6291 for 64GB (AU$1,8791 for 256GB, AU$2,1991 for 512GB). The iPhone Xs Max starts at AU$1,7991 for 64GB (AU$2,0491 for 256GB, AU$2,369 for 512GB)1.
iPhone XR
Alongside the two Xs models, Apple also launched the iPhone XR, a more colourful, more affordable option with a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display. It uses the same A12 Bionic chip, supports faster mobile data and can use two mobile services through a physical SIM and an eSIM, which is a digital SIM.
The XR comes in six colours: white, black, blue, yellow, coral and (PRODUCT)RED. It uses a single 12-megapixel f/1.8 wide-angle camera rather than the Xs’s dual camera, but still supports Portrait mode with a bokeh effect, along with faster auto-focus and better low-light performance. It’s built with the most durable front glass ever in a smartphone, an all-glass back, and aerospace-grade aluminium bands in matching colours, and carries an IP67 splash and water resistance rating.
Pre-orders for the iPhone XR begin Friday 19 October, with availability from Friday 26 October. It starts at AU$1,2291 for 64GB (AU$1,2991 for 128GB, AU$1,4791 for 256GB).
Apple Watch Series 4
Apple Watch Series 4 brings the biggest redesign to the Watch since it launched, with a more than 30% larger edge-to-edge display in new 40mm and 44mm case sizes (up from 38mm and 42mm). It’s powered by a new S4 chip with a custom 64-bit dual-core processor, twice as fast as the previous generation, while keeping the same all-day battery life.
Health is the real headline here: Series 4 introduces a built-in electrocardiogram (ECG) app and sensors, able to warn if your heart isn’t beating in a normal pattern or shows signs of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib). The ECG app is US-only at launch, with Apple saying it is working to bring it to more countries. Series 4 also adds fall detection with automatic SOS notifications.
The speaker is now 50% louder, the microphone has moved to improve call quality, and the digital crown now includes haptic feedback. It ships with the new watchOS 5, which includes the new Walkie-Talkie app and is optimised for the larger display, plus new motion watch faces (Vapor, Liquid Metal, Fire and Water).
Series 4 is available to order from Friday 14 September, launching Friday 21 September. The GPS model starts at AU$5991, and the GPS + Cellular model starts at AU$7491. The previous-generation Series 3 remains available too, now starting at a new lower price of AU$3991.
What’s next
All three iPhones and the new Apple Watch ship with iOS 12 and watchOS 5 respectively, both of which Apple announced back at WWDC in June. If you’re upgrading, now’s a good time to make sure your current device is properly backed up before moving everything across.
1. Prices were current at launch in September and October 2018.
