Breathe app on watch face

The breathe app, used for meditation and controlled breathing, can now be seen directly on the watch face. There are three different moving images that can help guide your breathing, right on your wrist.

Louder watch speaker

The Apple Watch Series 4 speaker is 50% louder than the Series 3, making phone calls and Siri easier to hear. The watch’s microphone has been placed on the opposite side, furthest from the speaker, for clearer communication.

Electrocardiogram capability

The back of the Apple Watch Series 4 is made of black ceramic and sapphire crystal with added electrodes. The added electrodes allow users to take their own electrocardiogram (ECG)–in 30 seconds. After the watch takes the ECG, it gives you a heart rhythm classification: Sinus, if your rhythm is normal, as well as atrial fibrillation. All the data is then stored in the Health app, which can be converted to a PDF to be shared with your doctor.

Updated processor

The Apple Watch Series 4 has a new dual-core 64-bit processor, providing 2x faster performance than previous Apple Watch models.

Detects falls

One of the major updates to the Apple S4 Watch is its ability to detect falls. Recognizing a slip, fall, or trip, the watch creates an alert that lets you contact EMS with one tap. If the watch detects you are immobile for more than one minute, it will automatically contact emergency services and send them your current location.

Heart-rate detection

The new watch not only detects heart rate, but it alerts you if your heart rate has risen or dropped to a worrisome level.

iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max

Apple also introduced its newest iPhones: The iPhone XS and XS Max. The XS features a 5.8-inch display, and the XS Max features a 6.5-inch display, with the most durable glass yet.

A12 Bionic chip

Apple’s smartest chip yet, the A12 Bionic uses a Neural Engine to conduct five trillion operations per second. It helps apps launch 30% faster than before, and helps conduct incredible augmented reality (AR) experiences.

Dual-camera system

The new camera system uses ISP and the Neural Engine to create the most powerful camera yet. Using Smart HDR, the iPhone XS and XS Max brings more highlight, shadow detail, and enhanced bokeh effects to photos. The updated camera also lets users control the depth of field on portraits, after they’ve already been taken.

Dual SIM card capability

With eSIM technology, the new iPhones have DSDS (dual SIM dual standby), allowing one phone to have two phone numbers. Make your work phone and your home phone one device with the new iPhone models.

Face ID

The iPhone XS and XS Max not only unlocks with Face ID, but allows users to access apps and accounts as well. Face ID has also been optimized to work faster than ever.

Price point

The iPhone XS starts at $999, and the XS Max starts at $1099. Start pre-ordering the phones on September 14.

Availability

The iPhone XR will be available for pre-order in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB on October 19.

Also see

• Get more done with your iPhone: Tips and tricks for power users (free PDF) (TechRepublic)
• iPhone XS: A cheat sheet for professionals (TechRepublic)
• The iPhone with a laptop price tag: Will Apple’s iPhone XS Max convince business pros to upgrade? (TechRepublic)
• iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR tech specs (ZDNet)
• iPhone XR? What kind of name is that? (ZDNet)
• Photos: Apple iPhone models through the years (TechRepublic)
• The iPhone’s 21 most important apps of the decade (TechRepublic)