Is an Apple upgrade on your wishlist? We tell you whether it’s the right move

The new generation of Apple devices are here, and the highlights include a fresh notch on the iPhone14 Pro, a new rugged Apple Watch and nifty crash detection in all its devices

Every year, the #AppleEvent is one of the most anticipated events on the tech calendar, and this year was no different. Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook announced the launch of the Apple Watch 8 and the Watch Ultra at the 'Far Out’ event. Among iPhone upgrades, the iPhone 14 Pro with its new notch and always-on display was a big draw, even though not much changes in the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus categories. A brand new version of the AirPods Pro was also announced. Read on to know if an upgrade is worth your time–and money.

iPhone 13 versus iPhone 14

Looking virtually the same as the last-gen iPhones, on the surface, the new iPhone 14 brings a larger display of 6.1 inches for the 14 and 6.7 inches for the 14 Plus super retina XDR. With just a handful of new colours, internally, it packs the A15 processor. There's a new 12MP front TrueDepth camera, for better low-light selfies. Apple also showed off its new satellite SOS system and crash detection. The only reason you would trade in your phone over the last generation, is the fact that the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 plus both have bigger screens and better cameras–along with better night-mode options for photos, high detail and colour, as well as a new action mode for stable videos. It definitely is a massive upgrade over the iPhone 12, but not a very significant upgrade from 13, since it uses last year's processors, which could be the result of the shortage of processors.

The iPhone 14 starts at ₹ 79,900 and the iPhone 14 Plus starts at ₹ 89,900 (approx).

iPhone 13 Pro versus iPhone 14 Pro

In a totally unexpected move, Apple finally changed its notch in the iPhone 14 Pro line. Apple calls it ‘Dynamic Island,’ which hides the notch and uses it well to display essential notifications. With a 6.1-inch display, 2000 nits in brightness and an always-on feature that intelligently dims the display, the Pro also has a new A16 processor which is faster with lower power consumption, thereby enhancing its battery life. The latest generation of Apple Pro iPhones are worth the upgrade, with its new Dynamic Island notch and the retina-searing brightness of its screens; especially impressive is the way the UI hides the notch in clever ways. The 48-megapixel camera is not new in the smartphone arena, but combining it with Apple's photographic magic working in the background, you can capture some true detail. Apple is also slowly edging into the realm of professional photography, with ProRAW to get the full megapixel count on your pictures. If you are an action buff, you will probably love the Action mode. After a series of very similar launches, for the first time in a long time, Apple has taken a leap in technology to bring that excitement back.

The iPhone 14 Pro starts at ₹ 1,29,900 and the 14 Pro Max starts at ₹ 1,39,900 (approx).

Apple Watch Series 7 versus Apple Watch Series 8 /Series 8 Ultra

After a scintillating introductory sequence of Apple Watch's life-saving features, which are mostly non-existent in the Indian subcontinent, the latest Apple Watch Series 8 is bristling with even more sensors to enable ovulation tracking with the clever use of temperature sensing crystals and data, useful in family planning. It also doubles as a temperature tracker. Given the recent grim news, the Apple watch also has car-crash detection that can tell the types of crashes.

If your active lifestyle outdoors has had you switch through several Apple Watches, then the Apple Watch Ultra is your new best friend. Made with a rugged build-quality with a 49-inch titanium case, this series also comes packed with a substantial battery that lasts 36-60 hours along with a new wayfinder watchface, a compass, night mode and the alpine loop wrist brand. Enhanced endurance, underwater features for scuba-divers with its dive computer that makes this watch capable of diving to depths of 40 metres, along with state-of-the-art GPS sensors to help you when you've lost your way, the Apple Watch Ultra is ready to take on adventure-watch manufacturers such as Garmin. The audio system and microphone can help hear you in bad weather too. The best part? The new action button, which autostarts your workout, plus there's a larger dial you can easily use in any situation.

The biggest reason to upgrade to a new Apple Watch is the gamut of new sensors that will not be there in your old phone. The body temperature sensor itself is worth the price of the upgrade, especially in our post-Covid-19 world, with the ovulation feature as a big plus. Car-crash detection is great too, but it will have to be seen how it connects to a loved one or friend in need of help. If you are more outdoorsy, then you may want to look at the Series 8 Ultra, to accompany you on your treks.

The Apple Watch Series 8 starts at ₹ 45,900 and the Apple Watch Ultra starts at ₹ 89,900 (approx).

The new AirPods Pro versus the old AirPods Pro

With a brand new H2 chip, the new Airpods Pro line is capable of high bandwidth audio data, custom amplifier, sound driver and spatial audio that is personalised to a TrueDepth map of your ear, to create a sound signature for you. The new, even better, noise cancellation has adaptive transparency that adjusts the cancellation in real time. The Airpods Pro has upto six hours of listening time and upto 30 hours with the case, an increase of six hours over the last gen. The Airpods Pro comes with a new capacitive touch sensor on the stem with more interactions. The case has an incase speaker so you can play a noise to find it. Not a big upgrade over the last gen, but if you've been holding out for one, now's the best time to get it.

The new AirPods Pro starts at ₹ 26,900 (approx).

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