With most American teenagers spending one-third of their day using their cell phone for music, videos, communication, and social media, it is no surprise that Apple Inc. is one of the wealthiest companies today. In 2017 alone, Apple sold over 216.76 million iPhones worldwide, and it seems that the numbers are only climbing. Not only are iPhones growing in popularity, but several new technological advances have been made in the last few years. Some examples include facial recognition, wireless charging, a full-screen display, water and dust resistance, and Animoji (animated emojis that are controlled through one’s facial expression).
What’s new? At Apple’s annual event held on September 12, CEO Tim Cook announced several new features and products are about to hit the market. Among them are the highly anticipated iPhone XS, the iPhone XS Max, and the iPhone XR, all of which are successors to the iPhone X, which was released in November 2017.
All three new iPhones have several new features in common, and several aspects that make every model unique. After many complaints regarding Apple products and their durability, Apple has begun equipping all products with aluminum bands, stronger glass, and water and dust resistant technology. The new iPhones can withstand being held one meter underwater for 30 minutes; this change means that phones will be able to withstand spilled cups of coffee or tea, promises stunning underwater photos, and requires extended warranties.
Also, Apple is placing an A12 Bionic chip in all phones, the strongest chip ever used in an iPhone. Once again, wireless charging is an option for all phones, and the battery life is longer. The iPhone’s new camera features are the most exciting. The cameras are more sensitive to color and the pictures are bolder. The cameras are equipped with depth control, further advancing the iPhone camera’s capabilities and improving the quality of photos. Portrait mode is an option on all new products, giving a professional effect. In addition, Apple has improved their new facial recognition technology; it is faster and more secure than before. Lastly, Apple is creating a new way to communicate with friends by allowing users to Facetime up to 32 people simultaneously, a perfect feature for personal group conversations.
Apple’s new iPhone models have their differences, too. The iPhone XS and the iPhone XS Max are extremely similar; only really varying in size. The iPhone XS Max is significantly larger, boasting a 6.5 inch display (the iPhone XS has a 5.8 inch display). Both models are available in a gold finish, in addition to the classic space gray and silver. Both have dual cameras, unlike the iPhone XR, which only has a single camera. The iPhone XR also comes in the most colors; it is available in red, yellow, white, coral, black, and blue. In addition, the iPhone XR has the largest liquid retina screen ever, making the display higher quality. Overall, it seems that these new models are perfect: improved quality, larger, faster, more color options, and a better camera. What about the price tag? The iPhone XS starts at $999, and the iPhone XS Max at $1,099. Meanwhile, the iPhone XR is sold at about $750. Evidently, a larger size comes with a larger cost. Is the larger screen worth it?
