Pricing starts at $699 for the iPhone 13 Mini and $799 for the base model iPhone 13. The iPhone 13 Pro starts at $999, while the largest model, the iPhone 13 Max, starts at $1,099. The prices are in line with the iPhone 12 lineup.
By Eric J. Savitz
Apple confirmed the arrival of its much-awaited iPhone 13 during its annual fall product launch Tuesday afternoon.
The new phone lineup includes four new models consistent with the existing iPhone 12 roster. Pricing starts at $699 for the iPhone 13 Mini and $799 for the base model iPhone 13. The iPhone 13 Pro starts at $999, while the largest model, the iPhone 13 Max, starts at $1,099. The prices are in line with the iPhone 12 lineup.
Apple also debuted a new Apple Watch 7 and two new iPads, a low-cost 10.2-inch model and an updated iPad Mini.
Apple stock finished down 1% on Tuesday.
The event was mostly in line with Wall Street expectations, with a few wrinkles. The biggest surprise may have been the absence of an update to the AirPods lineup.
Some investors may have been surprised by Apple’s decision to keep pricing on the iPhone 13 line flat with comparable iPhone 12 models, despite recent tight component supplies. There were small updates on both Apple TV+ and Apple Fitness+. (They’re adding Pilates. And meditation sessions.) Apple CEO Tim Cook, who hosted the highly produced, pre-recorded event, didn’t address the ongoing controversy over App Store pricing.
More details on the new products are below:
The iPhone 13
The new iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini are powered by a new 6-core chip, the Apple-designed A15 Bionic.
Apple says the phones’ CPU is up to 50% faster than competitive smartphone chips, with 30% better graphics performance. The new phones have updated antennas, with expanded support for 5G networks in more countries. Battery life is longer for both base models than the comparable iPhone 12 line up.
The screens on the new models are 28% brighter than the previous generation, Apple said.
The iPhone 13 also gets a new dual-camera system, including a new wide-angle 12 MP camera, and new video features, including something called “cinematic mode,” which allows you to bring elements of a shot from blurry to clear.
The new version of the phones come in five new colors—pink, blue, midnight, starlight and red.
Apple also unveiled new versions of the 6.1-inch iPhone Pro and 6.7-inch Pro Max, which have higher level camera and video capabilities than the base lineup. Both run on the A15 bionic processors.
The Pro models of the iPhone 13 come in four colors—graphite, gold, silver and blue. There are three new cameras—telephoto, ultrawide and wide lenses—on the back of the Pro and the Pro Max.
All of the new phones can be ordered Friday, with shipments to begin on September 24.Screen Time iPhones made up about half of Apple’s annual sales in fiscal 2020.
New iPads
Apple kicked off the event by announcing a new low-cost iPad, starting at $329.
The company said the new processor is 20% faster than the A12 that powered the previous generation device. Pricing for the device starts at $329, or $299 for schools. The new iPad can be ordered today, and it starts shipping next week.
The company also announced an updated iPad Mini, with a thinner design. It comes in purple, pink, “starlight” and “space gray” cases. The CPU performance is up 40% from the last generation, with 80% improved graphics performance.
The Mini adds a USB-C port at the bottom of the device, making it easier to connect to accessories; it adds 5G wireless capability. With an edge-to-edge display, the touch ID sensor in the Mini is now on the top of the screen, rather than in front. Pricing on the Mini starts at $499. It can be ordered today, and starts shipping next week.
The Apple Watch
As expected, Apple also unveiled the Apple Watch Series 7. The screen area, the company said, is almost 20% larger than its prior Series 6 model, while borders are 40% thinner. Apple says the screen can hold almost 50% more text.
There’s now a virtual keyboard for entering text, and new watch faces. The watch has an 18-hour battery life, and charges up to 33% faster than Series 6. Apple said the Series 3 watch is priced at $199, the SE Series is $279—and the new Series 7 starts at $399. It starts shipping later this fall.
Originally published at Barrons