Apple's 'budget' smartphone - but it still costs $749: iPhone XR has the 'most advanced LCD display ever', comes in six colors - and has 2 HOURS MORE battery life than the flagship $1,449 iPhone XS Max
- Apple unveiled its latest devices at the Steve Jobs Theatre in Cupertino
- The new $749 XR comes in six colors: black, white, red, yellow, coral, and blue
- It costs $250 less than the new $999 iPhone XS, $350 less than the entry-level XS Max, and $700 less than the top-end $1,499 XS Max with 512GB storage
Apple has announced a new, budget model of smartphone called the iPhone XR.
The $749 (£749) handset features a 6.1-inch LCD display and comes in black, white, red, yellow, coral, and blue.
It was revealed alongside the company's new flagship iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max models a launch an event in California.
But the XR costs significantly less than Apple's flagships, coming in at $250 less than the entry-level $999 (£999) iPhone XS, and $700 less than the $1,449 iPhone XS Max with 512GB in-built storage — the maximum available.
Its battery life is also better than its pricier counterparts, boasting three hours more than the XS and two hours more than XS Max.
Apple said pre-orders of the smartphone will open October 19, with shipping beginning October 26.
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The $749 (£749) iPhone XR features a 6.1-inch LCD display and comes in black, white, red, yellow, coral, and blue
Apple has announced a new, budget model of smartphone called the iPhone XR. Pictured is Philip Schiller, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Marketing of Apple, speaking about the new Apple iPhone XR at the launch event in California
The iPhone XR sports the same edge-to-edge industrial design as the iPhone X, with a small notch at the top of the display to house the FaceID system.
It uses a cheaper LCD screen, rather than OLED – like the iPhone X, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max.
Apple's Phil Schiller said the screen is the 'most advanced LCD display in a smartphone'.
Apple used LCD technology in all of its previous smartphones ranges.
On its website, Apple says the iPhone XR's battery lasts up to 1.5 hours longer than last year's iPhone 8 Plus.
The company also says the phone runs for up to 15 hours of internet use - two hours longer than the iPhone XS Max, and three hours more than the XS.
The XR costs significantly less than Apple's new flagships, coming in at $250 less than the $999 iPhone XS, and $350 less than the $1,099 XS Max
iPhone XR will be available in either 64GB, 128GB or 256GB models
To differentiate between the iPhone XR and the iPhone XS and XS Max, the firm has included six different color finishes to the three offered with the flagship models.
iPhone XR will be available in either 64GB, 128GB or 256GB models.
Unlike the flagship iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, the new iPhone XR is not available with a 512GB storage configuration.
iPhone XR starts from $749 for the 64GB model.
Pre-orders for the iPhone XR will be available October 19, with the first handsets shipping October 26.
The handset was revealed as part of a host of new hardware announced at Apple's latest event is California.
The firm finally unveiled its highly anticipated new iPhone XS - a 5.8-inch device CEO Tim Cook says is 'by far the most advanced iPhone we have ever created.'
Apple revealed the device alongside the iPhone XS Max, which boasts a staggering 6.5-inch Super Retina display - the biggest iPhone display yet.
The iPhone XR sports the same edge-to-edge industrial design as the iPhone X, with a small notch at the top of the display to house the FaceID system
Both, Apple says, are 'more waterproof' than their predecessor, the iPhone X.
Apple's newest phones are equipped with faster processors and better memory capacities than ever before, relying on Apple's new A12 Bionic chip.
According to Apple’s Phil Schiller, the XS handset is ‘the most beautiful iPhone we’ve ever made.’
CEO Tim Cook took to the stage in front of around 1,000 people at the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple’s new ‘spaceship’ HQ in Cupertino, California shortly after 10am PDT (1pm ET).
'Things certainly do get hectic around here leading up to days like this,' Cook said, to applause, as he kicked off the event.
'But they're also magical days. As you know, Apple was founded to make the computer more personal,’ he said.
The XR's battery life is better than its pricier counterparts, boasting three hours more than the XS and two hours more than XS Max
Apple has finally unveiled its highly anticipated new iPhone XS - a 5.8-inch waterproof, stainless steel device CEO Tim Cook says is 'by far the most advanced iPhone we have ever created.' The firm revealed the device alongside the iPhone XS Max
The CEO started off the product announcements with what he says are 'two of our most personal products,' beginning with the latest Apple Watch.
In the new Series 4 Apple Watch, 'everything has been redesigned and re-engineered,' said Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams.
‘We’ve pushed the screen right to the edges, over 30 percent larger, with minimal changes. The Series 4 is actually thinner,' Williams said.
Not only has the firm overhauled its design, but the new Apple Watch can even look out for its wearer's safety.
According to Apple, the watch can detect falls and send alerts to emergency contacts. And, in what's said to be an industry first, it's equipped with an FDA-approved electrical heart sensor that can take an electrocardiogram.
'It’s a feature we hope you never need, but it’s really nice to know it’s there,' Williams said of the new fall-detecting tool.
The iPhone XS and larger XS Max are Apple's latest flagship devices. The pair have a similar design and features to the existing iPhone X - including its much-hyped Face ID unlock system - with a few key additions
The iPhone XS is equipped with what's said to be the 'most durable glass ever in a smartphone.' It will come in three finishes - gold silver and space grey. It's also 'more waterproof' than the iPhone X
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE IPHONE XS AND XS MAX?
The iPhone XS and larger XS Max are Apple's latest flagship devices.
The pair have a similar design and features to the existing iPhone X - including its much-hyped Face ID unlock system - with a few key additions.
They hit stores on September 21, 2018 with the iPhone XS priced at $999 (£999) and the XS Max a whopping $1,099 (£1,099).
Like the iPhone X, the XS has a 5.8-inch OLED screen, while the XS Max boasts a mammoth 6.5-inch OLED display.
For comparison, the iPhone XS Max is bigger even than the Galaxy Note 9, which spans 6.4 inches.
The XS and XS Max have dual 12-megapixel rear cameras and a dual 7-megapixel selfie camera - just like the iPhone X.
Apple launched its iPhone XS and XS Max flagship devices at an event in San Francisco on September 12
Apple has bolstered the batteries loaded into each phone too.
It claims the iPhone XS runs for half an hour longer than last year's X, while the XS Max lasts an additional 1.5 hours.
Apple's newest phones feature faster processors and better memory capacities than their predecessor.
Both are loaded with Apple's new A12 Bionic chip, which Apple claims runs run 15 per cent faster than the A11 chip in the iPhone X.
The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are shipping in 64GB, 256GB or 512GB — the largest in-built storage ever shipped on an Apple-branded smartphone.
They are available in gold, silver and space grey.
The Series 4 Watch is equipped with an accelerometer and gyroscope, to 'power all-day activity tracking.'
It features a new screen design that displays up to eight separate pieces of information, according to the firm.
You'll even be able to add pictures of your contacts to make calls with a single tap.
The firm also redesigned its Watch faces to suit the bigger display, Williams said, and the Digital Crown has been 'overhauled' to provide haptic feedback to the wearer.
The watch speaker is also 50 percent louder than previous models.
The Series 4 watch has three new heart features, including notifications for low heart rate and screening for irregularities that appear to be atrial fibrillation.
It also has a built-in electrical heart sensor that will allow users to take an electrocardiogram.
CEO Tim Cook took to the stage in front of around 1,000 people at the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple’s new ‘spaceship’ HQ in Cupertino, California shortly after 10 a.m. PDT (1 p.m. ET). Cook kicked off the event by introducing the new Series 4 Apple Watch
It features a new screen design that displays up to eight separate pieces of information, according to the firm
Apple's newest iPhones look a lot like the iPhone X, which the firm released last year.
But, they feature an array of improvements.
Like the iPhone X, the XS and XS Max have dual 12-megapixel rear cameras and a dual 7-megapixel selfie camera.
Both are loaded with Apple's new A12 Bionic chip, which Apple claims runs run 15 percent faster than the A11 chip in the iPhone X.
And, they'll have much better storage capacity.
The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are shipping in 64GB, 256GB or 512GB — the largest in-built storage ever shipped on an Apple-branded smartphone.
Steve Nash, an ex NBA player showed off a new game called Homecourt that uses the iPhone camera to train basketball players.
The app can recognise and track players and the ball, analysing their game.
Atli Mar of Directive games showed off a new AR game that recreates retro arcade games, placing a virtual console on tables which can then ‘explode’ to allow players to try and shoot objects all around them.
According to VP of Marketing Phil Schiller, the new iPhone's camera can carry out a trillion operations on every photo.
‘This is a new era of photography,’ said Schiller. ‘This is making images possible that weren’t before.'
Apple has also boosted the battery life, with the XS Max having 1.5 hours longer, and the XS 30 minutes longer than previous versions.
‘It’s the biggest battery we’ve ever put in a phone’ said Schiller.
Apple also revealed the iPhone will support dual SIM cards for the first time.
It will use Apple’s eSIM, a built in electronic sim card that works alongside the primary sim card,, and Apple said it will be available later this year.
In China, a special version of the phone will have two SIM cards.
The iPhone X was the first Apple-branded handset to ditch the circular home button and rely on facial-recognition technology to unlock the device.
It was the first mass-market smartphone to demand a $1,000 (£999) starting price.
The success of the iPhone X has allowed Apple to up the ante with a updated, larger model of the handset, whose price is expected to be unveiled today.
Apple also is expected to release an updated iPhone XS with minor updates, including a faster processor and better cameras.
WHAT IS NEW IN THE APPLE WATCH SERIES 4?
Apple says its smartwatch range has become an indispensable part of the daily lives of millions of people across the world.
Jeff Williams, Apple Chief Operating Officer, unveiled the latest generation of the new smartwatch on-stage at a media event at the Steve Jobs Theatre.
Known as Apple Watch Series 4, the company claims the new wearable has been rebuilt from the ground-up.
The digital crown, which is used to scroll through lists, has been overhauled to include haptic feedback. The LTE red dot indicator is now a small ring.
Apple says the speaker included on the Apple Watch Series 4 is now 50 per cent louder thanks to a redesign.
The Apple Watch Series 4 has a 30 per cent larger display than its predecessor, with the screen now extending to the very edge of the device.
The updated Digital Crown now includes haptic feedback, offering a more mechanical and responsive feel through the sensation of incremental clicks
Apple says the OLED display curves around the edge of the wearable to ensure the physical footprint did not increase too much compared to previous generations.
The Watch will be available in two sizes — 40mm and 44mm.
For comparison, the previous generation Apple Watch range was available in 38mm and 42mm variations.
The larger display on the Series 4 allows the operating system, watchOS 5, to show more information through Apple’s built-in app complications.
These have been redesigned to include more information, including photographs of favourite contacts.
Powering the Apple Watch Series 4 is the custom dual-core 64-bit processor, known as the S4, which is designed and created by Apple. This is coupled with a new GPU.
According to the company, these internal improvements result in performance that is twice as fast as previous generations.
Jeff Williams, Apple's chief operating officer, speaks about the Apple Watch Series 4 at the Steve Jobs Theatre, during an event to announce new Apple products
A new built-in accelerometer and gyroscope track motion data eight times faster than Apple Watch Series 3.
These new sensors allow Apple to track unintentional falls for the first time.
The Apple Watch Series 4 analyses trajectory and detects when the wearer brings up their arms to protect themselves during a fall, surfacing a shortcut to quickly allow people to call for help.
If the smartwatch senses the wearer has been immobile for one minute, it will automatically initiate a call and send a message to your emergency contact.
Apple Watch Series 4 lets users take an ECG reading from the wrist using the new ECG app, which takes advantage of the electrodes built into the Digital Crown and new electrical heart rate sensor in the back crystal.
To take an ECG, users only need to open the app and put their fingers on the crown to take a reading. This takes around 30 seconds to complete.
It is the first ECG product to be offered to consumers over the counter.
It can classify whether the heart is beating in a normal pattern or whether there are signs of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib), a heart condition that could lead to major health complications.
All recordings, their associated classifications and any noted symptoms are stored in the Health app in a PDF that can be shared with physicians.
Apple Watch Series 4 lets users take an ECG reading from the wrist using the new ECG app, which takes advantage of the electrodes built into the Digital Crown
Despite the larger display, and thinner profile, Apple says the Series 4 has the same 18-hour battery life as its predecessor.
Apple Watch Series 4 with GPS will start from $399, with pre-orders available on Friday September 14 2018. There is a version of the smartwatch with cellular connectivity that starts from $499 for the 40mm model.
Both new smartwatches will ship on September 21 2018.
The previous version of the Watch – known as Series 3 – will still be available from Apple priced at $279, the company says.
THE TRILLION DOLLAR RISE OF APPLE
1976: Founders Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne created the company on April 1 1976 as they set about selling computer kits to hobbyists, each of which was built by Wozniak.
The first product was the Apple I.
1977: Apple released the Apple II in June, which was the first PC made for the mass market.
Steve Jobs unveils Apple Computer Corporation's new Macintosh February 6, 1984 in California.
1981: Jobs became chairman.
1984: The Macintosh was introduced during an ad break for the Super Bowl and later officially unveiled during a launch event. It was discontinued a year later and Jobs left the firm.
1987: Apple released the Macintosh II, the first colour Mac.
1997: Apple announces it will acquire NeXT software in a $400 million deal that involves Jobs returning to Apple as interim CEO. He officially took the role in 2000.
The then Chief Executive Officer of Apple, Steve Jobs, with the iPhone
2001: Apple introduced iTunes, OS X and the first-generation iPod.
The first iPod MP3 music player was released on October 23, 2001, at an event in Cupertino and was able to hold up to 1,000 songs.
2007: Apple unveils the iPhone.
2010: The first iPad was unveiled.
2011: Jobs resigned in 2011 due to illness, handing the CEO title to Tim Cook. Jobs died in October from pancreatic cancer.
2014: Apple unveiled the Apple Watch. It also unveiled its first larger iPhones - the 6 and 6 Plus.
2015: After purchasing Beats from Dr Dre, Apple launched Apple Music to compete with Spotify and other music streaming services.
2016: Apple returned to its roots and announced the 4-inch iPhone SE. Meanwhile, the firm is embroiled in a legal battle with the FBI, involving the agency demanding access to the locked phone used by Syed Farook, who died in a shootout after carrying out a deadly December attack in San Bernardino, California with his wife. The court order was dropped on March 28 after the FBI said a third party was able to unlock the device.
2017: Apple introduces the iPhone X, which removes the home button to make way for a futuristic edge-to-edge screen design and a new FaceID system that uses advanced sensors and lasers to unlock phones with just the owner's face.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs speaks at an Apple event at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, Calif.
2018: In a first for the company, Apple introduces new features in its latest operating system, iOS 12, that encourage users to manage and spend less time on their devices. The move was spawned by a strongly worded letter from shareholders that urged the firm to address the growing problem of smartphone addiction among kids and teenagers.
2019: In January, Apple reports its first decline in revenues and profits in a decade. CEO Tim Cook partly blamed steep declines in revenue from China.
2020: In March, Apple closes all its bricks and mortar retail stores outside of China in response to coronavirus.
2021: In an online virtual event in April CEO Tim Cook declared Apple's goal of becoming carbon neutral for Earth Day. Later in the year the iPhone 13 was announced.
2022: In September the iPhone 14 was announced. One of the new features included a new sensor to detect if a user had been in a car crash as well as an improved camera system.
2023: So far this year Apple has brought back its 'Home Pod' after the first generation was discontinued. The 'Home Pod' can be seen as an alternative to Amazon's Alexa or Google Home as it is powered by voice commands.
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