Right on cue! Apple Store website goes down ahead of iPhone 13 launch event where the tech giant could launch its flagship smartphone alongside AirPods 3 and Apple Watch Series 7
- Apple’s California streaming event will kick off today at 6pm BST (1pm local time)
- Ahead of the event, the Apple Store website has gone down
- Fans visiting the website have been greeted with a temporary message, reading: ‘We’ll be right back. Updates are coming to the Apple Store. Check back soon’
- The firm’s new flagship, iPhone 13, may be thicker with an improved battery life
- The company may also reveal Apple Watch Series 7 and third-generation AirPods
With less than six hours to go before the eagerly-anticipated Apple event, the Apple Store website has gone down.
Apple fans visiting the website have been greeted with a temporary message, reading: ‘We’ll be right back. Updates are coming to the Apple Store. Check back soon.’
Thankfully, the site is likely only to be down for a few hours while Apple gets the pre-order pages for its latest products loaded.
During the event, Apple is expected to launch a range of exciting new products, including the iPhone 13, Apple Watch Series 7 and AirPods 3.
The ‘California streaming’ event will be broadcast from Apple Park and online at apple.com, starting at 6pm BST (1pm EST).
MailOnline will also be covering the event live this evening, so make sure you check back in then for all the latest Apple news.
Apple fans visiting the website have been greeted with a temporary message, reading: ‘We’ll be right back. Updates are coming to the Apple Store. Check back soon’
During the event, Apple is expected to launch a range of exciting new products, including the iPhone 13, Apple Watch Series 7 and AirPods 3
What do we expect to be unveiled at the Apple event?
During today’s event, rumours suggest we could see several new pieces of hardware:
1. iPhone 13 series – including the standard iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro, both with a 6.1-inch screen, as well as Pro Max, with a 6.7-inch screen, and a Mini, with a 5.4-inch screen
2. Apple Watch Series 7
3. AirPods 3
Here’s a look at everything Apple CEO Tim Cook is expected to announce this evening, which should be available to pre-order today for a release later in the month.
iPHONE 13
Just like its predecessors, the new iPhone 13 – its unconfirmed name – is expected to be released in a whole family of sizes.
There should be the standard iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro, both with a 6.1-inch screen, as well as Pro Max, with a 6.7-inch screen, and a Mini, with a 5.4-inch screen.
But in terms of appearance, analysts are expecting it to be similar to last year’s iPhone 12, with distinctive squared-off edges. It could be a ‘little thicker’, according to one report, but screen sizes are likely to stay the same.
One noticeable change could be a smaller rectangular black notch at the top of the display – which could be made smaller or even be removed completely, according to leaker Mauri QHD on Twitter.
The notch, which has featured on flagship iPhone models since 2017, conceals the phone’s front-facing camera components and sensors.
The iPhone 13 could instead put these important components at the top of the bezel, the border between a screen and a phone’s frame.
Some reports are claiming a one terabyte internal storage option could be available for the first time alongside improvements to the phone’s cameras, possibly in the form of an upgraded Ultra Wide camera lens.
Insiders are also saying iPhone 13 will come with a much longer battery life, thanks to its additional thickness being able to accommodate a bigger battery.
Apple is expected to unveil its new iPhones at the company’s September 14 product launch. Among the many rumors about the new device is that it will come in pink, black and bronze, replacing green, graphite and pacific blue
iPHONE 13 RUMOURS
Bigger battery
Pro Max battery capacity will go up from 3687mAh to 4352mAh, and the Pro and regular models going from 2815mAh to 3095mAh.
Smaller notch
The notch conceals the phone’s front-facing camera components and sensors.
The iPhone 13 could instead put these important components at the top of the bezel, the border between a screen and a phone’s frame.
Improved camera
Experts predict the iPhone 13 will feature a f1.8 aperature, resulting in better images in low light setttings.
Thicker body
The iPhone 13 will be a ‘little thicker’ than the current iPhone 12 to make room for a bigger battery
Similar price to iPhone 12
iPhone 13 should be around the same as iPhone 12 – £799 for standard model, £699 for Mini, £999 for Pro and £1,099 for the 6.7-inch Pro Max.
The iPhone 13 will be a ‘little thicker’ than the current iPhone 12, ZDNet reports, and because ‘Apple plans to bump the battery capacity of the new lineup and bump it up quite significantly’.
The tech news site said the Pro Max battery capacity will go up from 3687mAh to 4352mAh, and the Pro and regular models going from 2815mAh to 3095mAh.
Thomas Husson, an industry expert and principal analyst at Forrester, said he only expected ‘incremental’ changes to the iPhone 13 range and that for many iPhone 12 users there would be few reasons to upgrade.
‘However, for the majority of Apple consumers who have an old iPhone model or want to upgrade to 5G, the new iPhone 13 devices and more affordable iPhone 12 models will represent a leap forward,’ he said.
‘From a competitive standpoint, Apple has a large window of opportunity to sell more iPhones given Samsung’s new Galaxy S22 won’t launch before next year and given Xiaomi will need time to establish credibility on the premium smartphone segment despite the upcoming launch of its Mi 11T Pro flagship device.’
In terms of camera, the biggest rumor is an improvement to the ultrawide-angle lens.
Experts predict the iPhone 13 will feature a f1.8 aperature, resulting in better images in low light setttings.
Finally, in terms of costs, iPhone 13 should be around the same as its predecessor the iPhone 12 – £799 for the standard model, £699 for the Mini, £999 for the Pro and a whopping £1,099 for the 6.7-inch Pro Max.
Pictured, the iPhone 12 marking out the notch and the bezel. Zero bezel effectively means the device’s screen blends seamlessly into the edges of the device. The notch may be reduced in size for the iPhone 13 – or it could disappear completely
APPLE WATCH SERIES 7
Apple has released a new smartwatch every year since the first one back in 2015, and most of them have been unveiled on the same day as the new iPhone.
This makes the unveiling of the latest Series 7 today almost certain, and there have been reports the Apple Watch could be in line for a design refresh.
Flat edges to more closely resemble the current iPhone and a larger screen are both rumoured as possible inclusions for the the Watch’s features – although Husson is not expecting a vast overhaul in terms of design.
Pictured, the Apple Watch 6 series, which was released by the tech giant last autumn. The tech giant is expected to unveil its Series 7 watch today
‘For the Apple Watch, we’re still far away from a major product upgrade with for example the introduction of new sensors such as body temperature or blood sugar, but incremental innovation, a new design and a better battery life should be good enough to guarantee significant sales,’ he said.
‘Apple has won its bet to create a new product category with the Apple Watch the way it did with the iPod or the iPhone.
‘More affordable watches and the increasing focus on fitness, wellbeing, sleep monitoring and connected health products are democratising the smartwatch category.’
Apple Watch Series 6, released last year, costs £379, and it’s thought Apple isn’t substantially changing the price for its next model.
AIRPODS 3
The decision not to include wired EarPods in the box of the iPhone 12 should turn consumers towards its £250 AirPods Pro (left) and AirPods (right)
Apple may also finally reveal its third-generation AirPods, which were expected earlier in the year at its spring unveiling event but didn’t arrive.
The second-gen AirPods, which were unveiled two years ago, start at £159. AirPods Pro, with additional noise cancellation technology and water resistance, cost £249.
For the third-generation, Apple is working on more affordable ‘entry-level’ AirPods, according to MacRumors – albeit with a lack of higher-end features like active noise cancellation.
Apple is already pushing consumers towards AirPods. iPhone 12, released last October, didn’t include a pair of standard wired headphones (EarPods) in the box, unlike its predecessors, prompting outrage from some buyers.
Cheaper AirPods will therefore come as good news for iPhone fans – although consumers can still buy EarPods for an extra £19.
Aerial view of Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California. Apple usually invites an audience for its annual iPhone unveilings, but they’ve become online-only since the Covid pandemic
For the second year running, Apple will unveil its flagship smartphone and wearable ranges in a virtual event, streamed online, because of Covid-19.
A computer chip shortage, also linked to the pandemic, could have an impact on the pricing and availability of the new devices announced, experts have warned.
Catherine Hiley, mobiles expert at Uswitch.com said this will be a key issue for many buyers.
‘Some 10 million consumers say they are planning to upgrade to the next generation of iPhone in the coming year so the pressure is on Apple to deliver the goods,’ she said.
‘Rumours have suggested that the global chip shortage and corresponding hardware price rises could have a knock-on effect on the iPhone prices.
‘Our research suggests that a third of Apple fans would like the upcoming handset to be cheaper, so it’s important to get the price right.’
APPLE UNVEILS AIRTAG, PURPLE iPHONE AND RETRO MACS AT APRIL EVENT
Apple revealed several new products at its live-streamed Spring Loaded event on Tuesday, April 20:
AirTag
The £29 AirTag is a small, circular device Apple logo at the centre that tracks missing items through the ‘Find My’ app.
Similar to the already popular Tile tracking tag, AirTags can be attached to non-techy items like keys or wallets and provides notifications when you become separated from the item.
AirTag is equipped with Bluetooth connectivity to pair with an iPhone or iPad.
Using the ‘Find My’ app, the system provides step-by-step directions to locate the tag and the missing product.
AirTag is a small device that tracks missing items through the company’s ‘Find My’ app
However, Apple emphasised the new device is not for tracking people and has added privacy features to ensure the new AirTags are not used for anything but to find inanimate objects.
Rumours of Apple’s AirTags first surfaced in September 2019, when MacRumors released screenshots it found of a new ‘Items’ tab in the ‘Find My’ app.
Purple iPhone 12
Apple wasn’t expected to reveal a new phone at Spring Loaded – making the announcement of a new purple iPhone 12 a pleasant surprise.
The new shade of purple is available for both the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini.
‘The new purple finish, just in time for spring, adds another bright and fun option to the lineup, and we think customers are going to love it,’ said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.
The fetching new shade of purple is available for both the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini
Retro-inspired iMacs
Apple also announced a new range of colourful iMac computers, inspired by one of its most memorable products in its history – the iMac G3.
iMac G3 was the hugely successful series of Apple computers released in 1998, known for its vibrant, translucent range of colours and bulbous body.
The new iMac range is available in seven different vibrant colours and includes a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, studio-quality mics and a six-speaker sound system.
It’s also the first to come with Touch ID, making it easier to securely log in, make purchases with Apple Pay or switch user profiles – all of which can be done with the touch of a finger.
The new iMac is the latest addition to the family of Mac models powered by Apple’s M1, chip including MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini.
The new iMac is available in seven different vibrant colors and includes a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, studio-quality mics, and a six-speaker sound system
Image of the back of a the original Apple iMac G3 home computer from the 1990s with a ‘Bondi Blue’ finish
iPad Pro
Apple also announced its fifth-generation iPad Pro, said to be the most powerful and advanced yet.
The device is the first to include the tech giant’s in-house M1 chip, providing the iPad Pro with similar performance of its iMac desktop computer.
With the upgraded processor, Apple says the graphics performance is more than 1,500 times faster and boasts a battery life of up to 10 hours.
The iPad Pro features a new Liquid Retina XDR display, 5G capability and an all-new Ultra Wide front camera.
It’s available as an 11-inch from £749 and a 12.9-inch from £999.
Apple TV 4K
Lastly, Apple announced the next generation of Apple TV 4K with a new Siri Remote and a A12 Bionic chip for a boost in graphics.
‘Apple TV 4K is in a category of its own, leveraging a deep integration of Apple hardware, software, and services that delivers a massive upgrade to any TV for the very best cinematic experience,’ said Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing.
‘With the A12 Bionic and the all-new Siri Remote, Apple TV 4K lets customers enjoy their favourite shows, movies, and more in the highest quality, with simple and intuitive controls.’
Some other Apple products rumoured to be unveiled on April 20 didn’t materialise, namely a third-generation Apple Pencil and third-generation AirPods – the wireless Bluetooth headphones that come with their own charging case.
Both these products could be unveiled this autumn, along with a new flagship iPhone, expected to be called iPhone 13.
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