You can register for order updates on iPhone X, iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus here
Well those folk at Apple certainly know how to put on a product launch. All the rumours, possible leaks and theories were quickly forgotten as Apple formally confirmed what many fans were hoping – note one, but three new smartphones – iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and the top of the range, premium flagship iPhone X, which leapfrogs the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 to become the most expensive smartphone available. But it sure packs some neat tricks.
First up then, iPhone X, pronounced iPhone ‘ten’. It’s Apple’s hero smartphone, featuring an ‘edge-to-edge’ screen and they’ve binned the physical home button. That means you’re looking at nothing but screen on the front, apart from a tiny camera lens and the earpiece for making calls (yes, Apple retained that feature).
iPhone X uses facial recognition to unlock it rather than a fingerprint. Apparently it even works in the dark as it houses 30,000 infra-red dots to check it’s you there in the shadows.
A 64 gigabyte version will be available for £999 in the UK, or with a reduced upfront cost on a pay monthly contract. A 256 GB will also be available that’ll set you back £1149. For comparison, the new Samsung Note 8 costs £869 here in the UK for the 64 GB model.
Pay with your face
The new facial recognition system doesn’t just unlock your phone. It can be used for Apple Pay as well. There is apparently a one-in-one-million chance of a random stranger being able to unlock your phone with their face. This improves on the one-in-50,000 chance of someone being able to use their fingerprint on a TouchID iPhone.
The other big features include:
- A 5.8″ screen which is Apple’s most detailed smartphone display yet. They’ve branded it the Super Retina display.
- No home button means you now swipe up to access apps or the homescreen. Siri can be summoned with a press of a side button.
- Dual camera with the nice blur feature that blurs the background of your photo for artistic looking shots and selfies
- Two more hours battery life versus iPhone 7
- Wireless charging capability
- Animojis – exactly what they sound like – animated emojis. However, you can control the expressions using your face.
Charge your phone anywhere
Apple’s new wireless charging function is QI compatible. This means you can use any compatible charging pad – smart move by Apple seeing as coffee shops, cafes and airport lounges are already installing these for their customers.
iPhone 8 and 8 Plus
Not to be over-shadowed by the iPhone X, the new iPhone 8 and 8 Plus models were also announced and they look stunning. They have a glass back (as oppose to metal on the iPhone 7), new faster processors, improved cameras for better performance in low-light and stereo speakers that are 25% louder than before. Many will feel this is much more within their budget and within their usage requirements compared to the iPhone X which is more of a super-computer. iPhone 8 is expected to claim the number 1 spot as the most popular iPhone.
All three models will also benefit from Apple’s new iOS 11 mobile operating system.
Watch this space
In addition to three new phones, a new version of the Apple Watch was unveiled. The Apple Watch Series 3 boasts 4G capability (via a tiny SIM) which means it is no longer tied to an iPhone for its data connection. Leaving your phone at home could be perfect for runners, cyclists or other sports. EE will be the only network in the UK that works with the new cellular version of the Apple Watch.
The new version also includes a heart-rate monitor which will let you know if your heart-rate picks up even when you’re resting or if it becomes irregular.
Apple TV in 4K
Apple announced a long-awaited new version of it’s TV set-top box with…..(pause for effect like Tim Cook)…4K! This means that if you have a 4K TV, you’ll benefit from improved picture quality and motion from your films and TV shows (if they’re available in 4K of course. Apple have struck deals with all the big studios to produce 4K content. The great news for existing Apple TV customers is that all HD content will get a 4K boost at no extra cost. This differs from the likes of Netflix and Amazon who charge more for their 4k content versus HD.
And there you have it. Quite the event.
The iPhone X, iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus will all be available to pre-order from Direct Mobiles, on Friday 15th September. You can register your interest here and we’ll keep you up to date with all the latest info. Let us know what you think of the new products in the Comments or over on our Facebook page.
