Apple’s New iCloud+ Plans Steal the Show at the Fall iPhone Event

• Apple’s new releases include the iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, the Apple Watch Ultra 2, the Apple Watch Series 9, and the new AirPods.
• To the dismay of Apple fans, the company did not have its signature “One more thing…” announcement toward the end of the coveted event.
• Although Apple did have one ‘accidental’ announcement towards the end of the show, by attendee accounts, it received the biggest cheers of all the product launches, official or otherwise.

Apple’s fall iPhone event, dubbed “Wonderlust” this year, concluded yesterday amid much fanfare. To the dismay of Apple fans, the company did not have its signature “One more thing…” announcement toward the end of the coveted event.

Long-time Apple users and savants would know that “One more thing…” products, such as the iPhone X, Apple Watch, MacBook Air, and others, commanded a certain degree of confidentiality. With that out of the window and the fact that Apple Vision Pro was already revealed to the world at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference earlier in June, a surprise launch was a distant possibility.

Although Apple did have one ‘accidental’ announcement towards the end of the show, by attendee accounts, it received the biggest cheers of all the product launches, official or otherwise.

Apple kept up with its September schedule to launch its latest wares, the iPhone 15 lineup. The company also introduced a couple of new Apple watches, including the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2.

To comply with regulations, Apple also introduced a significant hardware change in its flagship devices: the USB-C port. Check out the most important draws from Apple’s fall Wonderlust event.

Apple Wonderlust Event Takeaways

iPhone 15 lineup

Apple’s iPhone 15 lineup includes the iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max. All smartphone models feature specific design updates, allowing them to be lighter than their predecessors.

However, the biggest one is the addition of the USB-C port, a move, though spurred by regulatory compliance in the European Union, would be welcome by users, primarily because of the uniformity it brings across devices with the ability to use third-party accessories. The Lightning connector had a good run lasting 11 years.

The vital thing to note is that Apple chose not to dilly-dally and introduced USB-C this year in the iPhone 15 instead of waiting until the EU’s timeline of implementation, which runs until the end of 2024.

To those who don’t want to use a USB-C, Apple has you covered. The company offers a USB-C Lightning adapter that connects Lightning accessories to an iPhone with USB-C for charging or data sharing. It costs $29.

Another design change, albeit only aesthetic, is the addition of “color-infused glass.”

Here’s the tabular breakdown of everything new in the four iPhone 15 models:

Users will be disappointed knowing that even the 15 Pro Max model, let alone the basic iPhone 15 model, comes with a wireless charging capability of 15W on MagSafe and 7.5W on Qi. Meanwhile, the wired charging is also limited to 50% in ~30 minutes on 20W. However, now that other USB-C chargers can be used to fill up iPhone batteries, it remains to be seen how quickly the iPhone 15 series charges with a 35W charger.

Apple iPhone 15 series starts shipping on September 22, 2023.

See More: Setback For Apple as It Reportedly Cuts Production of Vision Pro Headset

Apple Watch Series 9

The biggest improvement in Apple Watch Series 9 is the inclusion of the S9 processor powering it and the ultra-wideband chip for better short-range wireless communication. Powered by the A16 Bionic chip, its neural core allows better user interaction, especially with improved on-device Siri processing.

New gesture-related features, such as Double Tap, add to the interactive elements, including answering calls and more. Apple Watch Series 9 features a 2000 nits display and is Apple’s first carbon-neutral product. The company also uses 100% recycled cobalt in batteries and FineWoven, a new material with 68% post-consumer recycled content, for the watch’s bands.

Apple Watch Series 9 is priced at $399 and ships on September 22, 2023.

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Like the Apple Watch Series 9, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 has an S9 processor for improved responsiveness and an ultra-wideband chip for connectivity with friends and your devices.

For adventure enthusiasts, one of the better features of this new device is the ability to deliver 72 hours of battery life on a single charge. The only caveat is that you’ll have to use it in low-power mode. The new wearable comes with a 3,000 nits bright display.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 is priced at $799 and begins shipping on September 22.

Software released dates

Apple introduced iOS 17, watchOS 10, iPadOS 17, and macOS Sonoma at WWDC 2023 and, like previous years, scheduled their release in the fall. Your Apple software updates are right around the corner.

Apple said it would roll out the iOS 17, iPasOS 17, and watchOS 10 on September 18 and the macOS Sonoma on September 26.

See More: Apple Supports Right-To-Repair Bill in Major Policy Change

iCloud+ plans

While not officially announced at the Wonderlust event, Apple’s senior vice president of marketing, Greg Joswiak, ‘accidentally’ revealed that the company would launch two new iCloud+ plans on September 18.

The first iCloud+ subscription tier allows users 6 TB of cloud storage, and the second offers 12 TB of storage for $29.99 and $59.99 per month, respectively. Compared to the existing three subscription plans, 50 GB for $0.99 per month, 200 GB for $2.99 per month, and 2 TB for $9.99 per month.

The third-largest cloud vendor, Google Cloud, offers similar storage plans. These include 5 TB for $25 and 10 TB for $50 monthly.

Apple’s new iCloud+ tiers also include services such as Hide My Email, Custom Email Domains, and HomeKit Secure Video.

“I am not lying when I say the new iCloud storage plans just got the loudest real applause in the theater today,” noted tech-focused Youtuber Marques Brownlee, who attended the Wonderlust event in person.

Wrapping up

Apple’s share price slid by 1.86% by the end of the event day. This is atypical for Apple as its shock prices have generally risen on the day of its fall events since 2021.

Apple is also reeling from reduced year-over-year (YoY) sales in the previous three quarters, with a decline in net sales of 5.47%, 2.85%, and 1.4% in the quarters ending December 2022, April 2023, and July 2023, respectively.

During the same period, Apple’s profits decreased by 13.37%, 3.39%, and 2.25%, respectively.

The last time Apple registered a positive quarterly growth rate was in the quarter ended September 2022, when its net revenue grew 8.14%. However, the last time Apple saw a positive net profit quarterly YoY growth was in the quarter ending March 2022 (5.84%).

As a result, Apple’s stock has appreciated by only 0.39% since the last time the iPhone maker’s revenue was positive in September 2022.

Can Apple overturn its run of revenue underperformance this time around?

What’s your biggest takeaway from Apple’s Wonderlust event? Share your thoughts with us on LinkedInOpens a new window , TwitterOpens a new window , or FacebookOpens a new window . We’d love to hear from you!

Image source: Shutterstock

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