iPhone 14 Pro Max
It’s all about the camera
Price: R20 500 to R41 500
Apple’s annual iPhone launch this year in September was predictable on the phone front, but there were a few surprises coming on the Apple Watch front – more about that later.
The new iPhone 14 phones launched may have been incremental, but the consumer numbers globally speak volumes about the Apple brand. iPhones in the US, for example, reached an impressive milestone during September. Apple has for the first time topped the 50% mark of all US smartphone sales in 2022, which is a significant achievement considering how many Android brands are out there and how tough the competition is.
Globally, though, according to Counterpoint Research, Samsung still dominated. In the last quarter Samsung had a 21% share of global smartphone shipments with Apple in second place controlling 16% of global sales.
When it comes to the premium phone sector globally, Apple dominates. It owns 57% of the smartphone market for phones costing $400 or more and a whopping 78% of the market segment of phones costing $1000 or more.
So, let’s talk about the new iPhones and their top-of-the-range device, the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Apple announced four new phones, the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
The iPhone 14 (6.1-inch) and the 14 Plus (6.7-inch) both use the A15 bionic chip whereas the Pro and Pro Max use the new A16 bionic chip. This means increased performance and a much better battery life. You will also notice a floating notch design improvement around the front camera and an always-on screen display. The camera system features a new 12 MP main lens and an ultra-wide lens which shoot great photos in low light conditions.
The iPhone 14 Pro (6.1-inch) and Pro Max (6.7-inch) are the phones that made a big jump when it comes to cameras. They both have three lenses in the rear, a main spectacular 48-megapixel, a 12-megapixel wide-angle camera and a 12-megapixel ultrawide and a telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom.
The Pro Max is the big daddy, featuring a massive 6.7-inch screen and better battery performance.
The new iPhone line-up includes new safety capabilities in the event of an emergency. A dual core accelerometer that’s capable of detecting severe G-force changes can now detect a severe car crash and call and alert emergency services on your behalf.
Apple also introduced an Emergency SOS via satellite service, enabling the user to message emergency services when outside of cellular or Wi-Fi coverage. Although this service is only currently available in the US and Canada, it will be a matter of time before it becomes available globally.
The depreciation of the rand against the US dollar and the price increases over the last few months have pushed the new devices into a different price range. They are on average around 20% higher compared to the iPhone 13 models of 2021.
The big question everyone is asking: is it worth the upgrade?
It’s a tough one. The Pro cameras are superb and if you take your photography seriously, then it’s a resounding yes!
If you have an iPhone 11 or 12 it will be a big jump to the 14.
Many users who have a 13 are holding back and waiting for the 15 next year, which if you look at Apple’s historical design updates, will be a substantial jump in design.
Apple Watch Ultra
The ultimate watch for adventure seekers
Price: R19 000
The biggest surprise at the Apple launch wasn’t the new iPhones, nor Apple Watch Series 8, nor the AirPod Pro, but for me it was Apple Watch Ultra.
This is a totally new design and category for Apple, as they go after the ultra-sports people, the serious rugged adventurers and people who dive.
It is also much larger than previous Apple Watches. The 49mm titanium case has a flat sapphire front crystal making it the biggest and brightest Apple Watch display yet. The battery life now goes up to 36 hours so if you plan on running a marathon or doing the Iron Man, it will just keep on going.
It is also designed for water sports and dive enthusiasts. The WR100 rating means that it can withstand pressure of up to 100 metres. The depth gauge monitor is very cool. As soon as the watch is submerged in water the watch starts giving information like water temperature, water depth and time underwater. There are between six- and ninie-million active scuba divers in the world so you can understand why Apple sees huge potential in this market. Jacques Cousteau would have been very impressed with this watch.
So, if you are into endurance sports, getting out into the outdoors and exploring, the Apple Watch Ultra is for you.
Here’s the thing … I don’t fit into any of the above categories. I am just your average gym-goer and occasional runner, so do I want an Apple Watch Ultra? Oh yes! I LOVE the design and functionality.
Samsung Freestyle
The projector for business and leisure
Price: R15 000
The Samsung Freestyle is without doubt one of the coolest and most versatile gadgets of the year! Yes, please don’t laugh, I’m getting excited about a projector.
It’s no ordinary projector, though. Firstly, you can take it almost everywhere. It is the size of a large mug and the picture quality it projects is extraordinary. You can project on almost every surface, even on a surface that is uneven. It has built-in technology to straighten the image.
If you, for example, stand 2.7 metres away it will project an image the equivalent of a 100-inch TV. In 1080p!
And it also has sound. The speakers are featured around the base of the Freestyle, giving you omni-directional 360˚sound – so you can literally hear from every angle. And if you get really bored, it even has Alexa for voice commands.
You just tap your phone against the Freestyle and your phone content is mirrored onto the surface being projected. And it also works with an iPhone.
The battery life lasts up to three hours, but you can also plug in an external battery.
Just think of the applications. You could be on the go and want to do a business presentation to a group of people. Or imagine training in a remote area! It is literally a smart theatre and projector on the go.
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