About two weeks ago, the iPhone 13, iPad mini 6 and iPad 9 were unveiled at the “California streaming” event. They are now available from Apple and other retailers.
The iPhone 13's design is largely identical to the iPhone 12, but the notch at the top of the screen is slightly narrower -- about 20 percent smaller, according to Apple. The dual cameras on the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini have been moved diagonally to the rear module as part of the update. The iPhone 13's displays are 28 percent brighter (the Pro models get more upgrades, including a 120Hz refresh rate). As for performance, the iPhone 13 is powered by the A15 Bionic chip. The A15 has nearly 15 billion transistors, with 2 high-performance cores and 4 high-efficiency cores. However, it's unclear how much of a performance advantage the A15 chip has over the A14 in the iPhone 12. Apple says the iPhone 13 will get up to 2.5 hours more battery life compared to the iPhone 12. The iPhone 13 mini improves battery life by 1.5 hours.
iPhone 13 Pro: Lenses get bigger
Inside the iPhone 13 Pro (Max) is of course also the A15 Bionic processor, which Apple says is 50 percent faster than the "closest competitor". It uses a 6-core CPU and a 4-core GPU, as well as the 16-core Neural Engine, which is even faster than the previous version. On the back is the familiar triple camera setup with larger lenses than previous versions. This means this year the sensors are larger so more light can be captured, improving low-light shots. The telephoto lens now has a 77mm focal length and 3x optical zoom, while the wide-angle lens offers an f/1.5 aperture and up to 2.2x improvement in low-light conditions. The new ultra-wide camera has an f/1.8 aperture, offers a 92%y improvement in low-light shots, and features a six-element lens with autofocus.
Colors and Prices
In addition, it is important to note that this year both Pro models have the identical camera features. A full list of said features can be found here. The iPhone 13 (mini) is available in 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB storage variants. As for the colors, it will be available in pink, blue, midnight, starlight and (PRODUCT)RED. Prices start at 799 euros for the 128 GB model. As for the iPhone 13 Pro (Max), the devices are available in graphite, gold, silver and sierra blue. The Devices are available with 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB and a whopping terabyte. Prices start at 1,149 euros and can cost up to 1,829 euros depending on the version.
iPad 9
The iPad 9 appears in a familiar design, but has interesting new features on the inside. The 10.2-inch iPad has been upgraded with the A13 Bionic processor and a new 12 MP ultra-wide-angle camera with Center Stage. Aside from the front camera, True Tone display, and A13 Bionic processor, Apple hasn't changed much on the ninth-generation 10.2-inch iPad. These upgrades keep the affordable iPad up to date with more power and higher storage and should mainly appeal to students. The new lens enables Center Stage, a feature that lets the front camera follow your face as you move. This feature was first introduced with the iPad Pro 2021.
iPad 9: Good and cheap
The A13 processor is about 10% faster than the A12 chip found in the 8th generation iPad. This means faster apps, smoother user interface interactions, and a better overall experience. The other features remain the same, such as the 500-nit display without lamination. Plus, the device still supports the first generation Apple Pencil, as it charges via Lightning. Apple's entry-level iPad is aimed at casual users and the education market, so price is its most important criterion. Each update brings modest changes to keep the iPad modern without breaking the bank. Accordingly, the price is 379 euros for the 64 GB Wifi variant.
iPad mini 6
Two and a half years after the last update to the iPad mini 5, the sixth generation brings the small tablet up to date without changing its compact form. With its 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, the new iPad mini is just as compact as its predecessor. The display also features wide color and offers a brightness of up to 500 nits. To accommodate the new display, Apple has moved the Touch ID button to a corner - a step the company already took with the iPad Air.
USB-C, better camera and center stage
In addition, Apple has ditched the Lightning port in favor of a USB-C port. Changes in connectivity also include support for 5G. As for the cameras, there is a 12-megapixel sensor with Focus Pixel and an f/1.8 aperture on the back, as well as a True Tone flash. A new image signal processor enables intelligent HDR enhancements and the camera can also record 4K videos. The front camera has been upgraded to a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera with a 122-degree field of view. This change gives the iPad mini support for Center Stage, the automatic frame adjustment that can also be found in other iPad models. The iPad mini is available with storage capacities of 64 GB and 256 GB in pink, starlight, purple and space gray. The starting price is 549 euros for 64 GB with WiFi, while the WiFi + Cellular models are available from 719 euros. (Image: Apple)
