Apple presentation: Pro models will be the main topic of the Far Out event

Apple’s Far Out presentation will take place in a few days, so there are more and more insides about the new products that the company will present on September 7. As reported by Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, the main focus of the event will be on models with the “Pro” prefix.

According to Gurman, Apple will show the iPhone 14 line at the presentation, which will consist of four models:

• 6.1-inch iPhone 14;
• 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus;
• 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Pro;
• 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Apple is abandoning the mini version for the time being, and on the contrary is introducing another 6.7-inch model into the iPhone line, but with the Plus prefix instead of the Max. At the same time, according to Gurman, the basic iPhone 14 will not receive significant improvements, but they will have some changes in the camera modules.

The main focus of the Far Out presentation will be on the Pro models, because it is for them that the biggest updates are reserved. And not only for the iPhone, but also for the new Apple Watch Pro model and the second generation of AirPods Pro headphones.

Unlike the base models, the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max will get a faster A16 chip, an always-on display, and a 48-megapixel main wide-angle camera module.

In addition to these innovations, the iPhone 14 Pro will receive some design changes, the most significant of which are the updated notch for the camera and Face ID sensors. This will be the second year in a row that Apple has reduced the size of the notch, although last year’s change did not bring any real functional improvement.

The new notch will consist of holes for the front camera (for the first time with autofocus) and improved facial recognition sensors. When the iPhone screen is on, the notch will appear as a single capsule-shaped hole.

Gurman points out that if Apple hadn’t combined the two cutouts, it would have looked weird when watching a video or scrolling text on the screen. Despite the additional display area freed up by the smaller notch, don’t expect the status bar at the top of the iPhone to change much.

Aside from the notch, the iPhone 14 Pro models will look slightly larger overall and have thinner screen bezels. They will also have larger batteries.

The rear of the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max will also see a significantly larger camera module to accommodate a new 48-megapixel wide-angle sensor and improved telephoto and ultra-wide-angle modules. You should expect improved video recording and low-light photography.

And this time, Apple will make a bigger push for eSIMs as carriers prepare to push users toward digital eSIMs, which are supposed to replace physical SIM cards. In fact, Apple is considering removing the physical SIM card slot entirely from this year or next year for some models.

In general, summarizing all the insides, Gurman notes that the iPhone 14 line will not have drastic changes, but he believes that they will be enough to encourage users of iPhone 11 and earlier models to upgrade. Especially given the fact that Apple and its partners will offer users tempting deals on exchanging old versions for new models with a surcharge.

Gurman expects the new iPhones to go on sale on September 16, about a week earlier than usual, giving Apple a few more days of revenue for the September quarter. Compared to last year, when the company saw a big jump in sales due to COVID, Apple wouldn’t mind a few extra billion dollars to ease investor concerns about slowing growth.

On paper, Apple gets about 50% of its revenue from the iPhone, but the actual percentage is much higher. That 50% figure represents cash generated from sales of actual iPhone units, ignoring the device’s impact on other products. AirPods and the Apple Watch are only good for iPhone owners, and the new smartphone may encourage buyers to purchase additional accessories.

AirPods and Apple Watch are leaders in the company’s Wearables, Home and Accessories category, which generates about 10% of its revenue (Apple TV and HomePod are in the same segment, but updates for these products will not appear until later).

That’s probably why Apple releases updates for the iPhone and two major accessories at the same time. The new AirPods Pro will update the model that first went on sale in October 2019.

According to Gurman, the most important new product at the presentation will be the first model of the Apple Watch Pro smartwatch. It’s designed to compete with Garmin high-quality, rugged watches, a line designed for serious athletes like mountain bikers and marathon runners.

Although Apple captured about 36% of the smartwatch market in the second quarter of this year, according to Counterpoint Research, here’s a statistic that might surprise you: while Apple is known for premium pricing, Garmin is the market leader for models priced at $500 and up. That may change with the Apple Watch Pro.

The new Apple Watch Pro will have a significantly larger display, so users will be able to see updated watch faces and more fitness and health statistics at the same time. They will also have a larger battery, a low power mode and a durable titanium body. In addition, they will have an all-new design that updates the form factor first introduced in the Apple Watch Series 4 line in 2018.

Gurman notes that the Apple Watch Pro will be quite large and likely won’t appeal to all consumers, as it won’t fit most wrists. Given the larger size, older Apple Watch bands may look like they’re from another device, but the new case is designed to allow existing bands to attach to it — contrary to some rumors.

Overall, the Apple Watch Pro should appeal to people who opt for larger Garmin sports watches.

As with the release of the Pro version of the iPhone in 2019, the launch of the Apple Watch Pro line will allow the company to reserve the most important new features for a more expensive device that can generate more revenue. Given the new features, Gurman expects this model to cost at least $900 to $1,000, surpassing the cost of current versions of the Apple Watch. In comparison, high-end Garmin watches cost between $1,000 and $1,500.

The other two Apple Watch models that will be presented on Wednesday will not have significant changes. The company will also show the new Apple Watch SE, which will look like the current 2020 model, but with the newer Apple S8 chip. This processor will also be used in the Series 8 and Pro models.

The main updates to the Apple Watch Series 8 flagship line will be a new body temperature sensor and women’s health functions related to fertility (these features are also available on the Pro model). It will add new health monitoring features to those already available in Apple watches, including ECG, blood oxygen and heart rate monitoring.