Apple launches iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone Pro, iPad Mini, new Apple Watch

Apple Inc Tuesday launched iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Mini, iPphoen 13 Pro (all 5G models), along with a new iPad Mini and the Apple Watch Series 7 model. The new iPhone 13s work on 5G, features a cinematic mode, ceramic shield, water resistant, A15 Bionic chip, retina display, and comes in 5 colours.

The iPhone 13 has a faster A15 Bionic chip, faster 5G chip, and the most advanced iPhone cameras. iPhone 13 can last 2-1/2 hours longer than iPhone 12.

iPhone 13 Pro

iPhone 13 Pro comes in 2 sizes. The Pro features 120hz refresh rate, a first for Apple products. According to Apple, the Pro comes with new design improvements, all-new cameras (most powerful cams in an iPhone), bigger batteries, faster charging, game-changing satellite communications and — ProMotion displays and upgraded 5G, the Pro is a new film-making must-have.

First to be announced is the new iPad Mini.

iPhone 13 in bright colors and a new series of AirPods and Apple Watch may be on the menu as consumers and analysts dial in for Apple Inc's product event on Tuesday.

The Silicon Valley company has announced a number of upgrades to its iPad Mini, Apple Watch.

We're still waitng for the new iPhone (13), including a new A-series chipset, better night mode in cameras and the latest WiFi specification, at the special event. The event was held virtually from 1700 GMT Tuesday.

Based on various media reports, here are some of the features expected in the latest Apple devices: The lineup is expected to come in four different formats - a 5.4-inch iPhone 13 mini, a 6.1-inch iPhone 13, a 6.1-inch iPhone 13 Pro, and a 6.7-inch iPhone 13 Pro Max - and three new colours such as pink, bronze and graphite grey, according to a CNBC report.

The new iPhone might see some design changes such as a smaller notch and could be pricier than its predecessor.

WIFI 6E and 5G

The latest iPhone lineup is expected to support the newer and speedier Wifi 6E standard and may extend extremely fast millimeter wave 5G connectivity to more countries.

SOFTWARE/CAMERA UPGRADE

The Pro lineup is likely to have more advanced cameras that offer a video version of portrait mode, higher quality video option called ProRes and new filters.

They may also sport ultra-wide angle lenses and wider apertures to shoot better-looking images in low light. Reports also suggest that the upgrade will be common across all iPhone 13 models and not be limited to the more expensive Pro line.

AIRPODS 3

The third-generation Airpods may get a makeover to resemble the higher-end AirPods Pro and feature spatial audio support, according to a Bloomberg report.

APPLE WATCH SERIES 7

The Series 7 may sport a bigger screen, faster processor and could be 5G-enabled. It is also expected to have better battery life, a Bloomberg report said.

In 2020, Apple introduced its iPhone 12, which featured a new look and its first devices with 5G connectivity. This year, analyst expect modest hardware upgrades and a deeper focus on 5G.

In particular, carriers that have significantly built out their networks since the start of this year are likely to offer new incentives around the devices that can take advantage of the faster speeds those networks can offer, said Ben Bajarin, head of consumer technologies at Creative Strategies.

In-app payments

"There seems to be way more (5G network capacity) than was in place even six months ago," Bajarin said. "They want people upgrading. They're going to be really aggressive." Apple's biggest product launch of the year comes as some of the shine has come off its stock as business practices such as charging software developers commissions on in-app payments.

The iPhone 13, as analysts expect the new phone to be called, likely will not look much different on the outside from the iPhone 12. But analysts expect it to have a faster wi-fi and processor chips, and Bloomberg has reported that the top model is likely to focus on display and camera enhancements such as a "Portrait Mode" to blur backgrounds when shooting videos.

Analysts also believe Apple will continue the steady updates to its the Apple Watch, which has become a cornerstone of its $30.6 billion accessories segment, which was up 25% in Apple's most recent fiscal year even as its iPhone revenue declined slightly. Analysts widely believe that Apple users who buy more than one product - such as an Apple Watch and iPhone - are more likely to stick with the brand and spend on the company's apps and services.

Fitness

Apple is likely focus on more fitness features with the watch, which is paired tightly with Apple Fitness+, a paid service offering guided workouts with Apple instructors.

Security

Researchers have identified a so-called "zero-click" exploit affecting Apple's iMessage messaging service. The previously-unidentified vulnerability affects all of Apple's current devices, including iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches and Mac computers, according to tech media reports. On Tuesday, researchers said the snag has been patched.

The exploit, named "FORCEDENTRY" by the University of Toronto Citizen Lab researchers, takes advantage of the way iMessage renders images to skirt the built-in security systems of Apple's latest operating systems.

The patch came after Apple released security updates for its devices. Apple users are urged to "immediately" update their devices.