New iPhones: everything you need to know

Apple’s new iPhones are here, and as always, the latest models are bigger, better and pricier than ever before.

The iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max and iPhone XR were each unveiled at Apple’s annual September launch event, held in California this year.

The 5.8-inch iPhone Xs and 6.5-inch iPhone Xs Max each come with a number of improved features from the preceding iPhone X, including an improved dual camera system, super retina displays, faster Face ID and the new A12 Bionic chip – the first 7-nanometer chip used in a smartphone.

“iPhone Xs is not one, but two new iPhone models, and iPhone Xs Max offers the biggest display ever in an iPhone with the biggest battery ever in an iPhone, delivering up to an hour and a half more battery life in your day,” said Apple vice president of Worldwide Marketing, Phillip Schiller.

The new 12-megapixel dual camera system features depth control for the first time, allowing users to blur backgrounds when taking portraits.

It follows the launch of the iPhone X last year, where the home button on the device was removed for the first time.

So what’s the price tag?

Close your eyes, Apple fans.

A 512GB version of the iPhone Xs Max will leave you $2,369 out of pocket, while the 64GB model comes in at $1,799.

The smaller iPhone Xs costs $2,199 for the 512GB and $1,629 for the 64GB version.

The ‘budget’ iPhone

It’s not all bad news for those looking for an affordable new iPhone, with the new so-called ‘budget’ iPhone XR designed to “reach even more people with the latest iPhone innovations,” according to Schiller.

At $1,229 for a 64GB model and $1,479 for a 512GB, the XR isn’t quite a ‘budget’ iPhone, but is significantly more affordable than the other new models.

^{Apple vice president of Worldwide Marketing Phillip Schiller discussing the new devices. Source: Apple}

It contains some of the same new features as the iPhone Xs and Xs Max, like the A12 Bionic Chip and faster Face ID authentication, as well as a TrueDepth camera and a second generation Neural Engine.

Like the (now ancient) iPhone 5c, the cheaper iPhone XR will come in a number of colourful finishes, including blue, yellow, coral and red.

The watch that could save your life

Also unveiled at the event was the Apple Watch Series 4.

For the first time ever, Apple is marketing a product that could save your life.

An electrical heart rate monitor can take an electrocardiogram, meaning the device can detect health issues such as an irregular heart rhythm.

This can help in the diagnosis of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib).

New fall detection technology utilises an accelerometer and gyroscope to measure falls of up to 32 g-forces.

It detects when a user has a heavy fall and will initiate a call to emergency services if required.

If the watch senses immobility after a fall for 60 seconds it will automatically call emergency services.

Improvements have also been made to the general design of the device, with the microphone relocated to enable better sound quality on phone calls and a new speaker that is 50% louder.