Back to School 2021 Keynote Summary: iPhone 13, Apple Watch Series 7 and other new features

The year 2021 marks an almost return to normal when it comes to Apple presentations. If not in terms of how to present (virtual versus in public), at least in terms of planning.

We remember, last year, Apple presented its new iPhones in October during a keynote which followed by a few weeks a first event planned in September, and focused on the Apple Watch Series 6 and new iPads. A third keynote was then broadcast in November, dedicated to Macs and Apple silicon.

This year, we should be entitled to a more classic scheme resembling what Apple has accustomed us to, outside of the coronavirus pandemic: a first presentation this evening, special for iPhone and Apple Watch, and a next one in October, again no officially announced.

Still, apart from a virtual format once again, we found a bit of normality this evening. And this is not to displease us. Here is precisely what was announced in this context, with our complete summary of this back-to-school 2021 keynote.

It's here to rewatch the conference:

Introduction

After a nice musical introduction, Tim Cook arrived to highlight the Apple region, California. It is true that the state is still the first word in the name of the conference: California Streaming. Then he moved on to the next content coming to Apple TV+ by broadcasting an extremely well-paced trailer! The start of this Keynote is mind-blowing, that’s for sure!

The CEO then moved on directly to products. See details on this below.

iPhone 13: a quartet without false notes

The characteristics of the iPhone 13 and 13 mini

• Case design:no major change compared to the 2020 generation
• Back side:the iPhone 13 displays a camera with 2 lenses diagonally, compared to 2 one below the other on the iPhone 12 and 12 mini
• Front:the notch is 20% smaller than the previous generation
• Screen :new Super Retina XDR OLED panel, even brighter, but also more economical, with support for Dolby Vision in particular
• Sizes:5.4 inches screen diagonal for the iPhone 13 mini, 6.1 inches for the 13
• Bullet:A15 Bionic with 6 cores including 2 high performance and 4 high efficiency. The GPU integrates 4 computing cores. The Neural Engine functionality is also more powerful
• Camera :now with optical image stabilization
• Recording videos:support for new Cinematic Mode technology, which automatically blurs backgrounds, like Portrait mode in photography. It is also possible to change the focus on the subjects of your choice

• Autonomy:Apple promises that the iPhone 13 has better battery life than the iPhone 12. One and a half hours more on iPhone 13 mini compared to the iPhone 12 mini, two and a half hours more on iPhone 13 compared to the iPhone 12
• Storage :128, 256 or 512 GB (double what the iPhone 12 offers)
• Finishes:pink, blue, midnight, starlight and red

The characteristics of the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max

• General design:no major change compared to the 2020 generation
• Front:the notch is 20% smaller than the previous generation
• Sizes:6.1 inches screen diagonal for the iPhone 13 Pro, 6.7 inches for the 13 Pro Max
• Bullet:A15 Bionic like on iPhone 13
• Screen :new Super Retina XDR OLED panel, even brighter, but also more economical
• ProMotion :the screen is able to adapt the refresh rate automatically, from 10 to 120 Hz
• Camera :Improved three lenses for brighter photos and even more powerful zoom. Each of the three now benefits from a night mode
• Recording videos:support for the new Cinematic Mode technology, like on the iPhone 13 and support for the ProRes format

• Autonomy:Apple promises that the iPhone 13 Pro has better battery life than the iPhone 12. One and a half hours longer on iPhone 13 Pro compared to iPhone 12 Pro, two and a half hours longer on iPhone 13 Pro Max compared to to iPhone 12 Pro Max
• Storage :128, 256, 512 Go et 1 To
• Finishes:alpine blue, gold, graphite and silver

Prices for the new iPhone 13 range:

• iPhone 13 mini :809 € (128 Go), 929 € (256 Go), 1 159 € (512 Go)
• iPhone 13 :909 € (128 Go), 1 029 € (256 Go), 1 256 € (512 Go)
• iPhone 13 Pro :1 159 € (128 Go), 1 279 € (256 Go), 1 509 € (512 Go), 1 739 € (1 To)
• iPhone 13 Pro Max :1 259 € (128 Go), 1 379 € (256 Go), 1 609 € (512 Go), 1 839 € (1 To)

Price and availability:pre-orders begin Friday, September 17, for the first deliveries and availability in stores the following Friday, September 24.

Apple Watch Series 7: a (very small) bit better than Series 6

Features of the Apple Watch Series 7

• New screen:20% more screen real estate, brighter
• Edges:more edge-to-edge screen and thinner edges
• Case:no big design change ultimately, despite persistent rumors on this subject. The edges are always well rounded

• Ecology:100% recycled aluminum case and 100% recycled rare materials
• Dials:new dials exclusive to Series 7
• Keyboard :full virtual keyboard available on Series 7 to take advantage of the new large screen
• Résistance :first Apple Watch with resistance rating and IP6X waterproofing
• Recharge :with a new USB-C charger, charging the watch is announced 33% faster
• Finishes and straps:new finishes and bracelets are on the program

Prices for the Apple Watch Series 7

• Apple Watch Series 7 41 mm GPS :future
• Apple Watch Series 7 41 mm GPS+Cellular :future
• Apple Watch Series 7 45 mm GPS :future
• Apple Watch Series 7 45mm GPS+Cellular :future

The Apple Watch Series 7 will be available in the fall, at a date still unknown and at a price still undisclosed.

iPad: what's new for tablets?

9th generation iPad: an already known recipe

• Design :nothing changes compared to the previous generation. Same wide edges on the front and sides with blunt edges
• Case:made from 100% recycled aluminum

• Processor:A13 Bionic, announced as 20% faster than the chip that powers the 2020 iPad
• Front camera:Center Stage support,functionality already seen on the latest iPad Pros. It allows you to intelligently and automatically center the action of the FaceTime camera on a specific point in the image
• Apple Pencil :support for first generation Apple Pencil only (like previous generation iPad)
• Finishes:space gray, pink, mauve and starlight

Prices for the next generation iPad:

• iPad Wi-Fi with 64 GB of storage: €389
• iPad Wi-Fi with 256 GB of storage: €529
• iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular with 64 GB of storage: €559
• iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular with 256 GB of storage: €699

Availability :

This 9th generation iPad is available for pre-order today on the internet. It will be delivered fromSeptember 24, 2021and sold in stores from this date.

6th generation iPad mini: finally change

• Design :finally a new design for the iPad mini. The screen is more edge-to-edge, with a design inspired by the iPad Pro and iPad Air. The case size does not seem to change compared to the previous generation
• Case:made from 100% recycled aluminum
• Screen :Liquid Retina Display panel, 8.3 inches diagonal, with True Tone support

• Touch ID :no longer on the front in a Home button, but integrated in the power button at the top right on the edge, like on iPad Air
• Colors:numbering 4
• Connections:port USB-C, absence de port Lightning
• Network :5G support for Wi-Fi + Cellular versions
• Front camera:12 megapixel photos with Center Stage support
• Rear camera:12 megapixel photos with TrueTone flash, 4K resolution video
• Apple Pencil :2nd generation stylus support, with magnetic grip on the edge
• Finishes:space gray, pink, mauve and starlight

Prices for the next generation iPad mini:

• iPad mini Wi-Fi with 64 GB of storage: €559
• iPad mini Wi-Fi with 256 GB of storage: €729
• iPad mini Wi-Fi + Cellular with 64 GB of storage: €729
• iPad mini Wi-Fi + Cellular with 256 GB of storage: €899

Availability :

This 6th generation iPad mini is available today for pre-order on the internet. It will be delivered fromSeptember 24, 2021and sold in stores from this date.

But also

Apple Fitness+

Apple's sports subscription arrives in the fall in France, with subtitles. However, the precise date has not been communicated.

As another interesting new feature for Fitness+, let's note the group workshops which allow you to follow sports sessions with your friends. These are theGroup Workouts.

Editor-in-chief for iPhon.fr. Pierre is like Indiana Jones, looking for the lost iOS trick. Also a long-time Mac user, Apple devices hold no secrets for him. Contact: pierre[a]iphon.fr.