For the first time, Apple held a keynote in the Steve Jobs theatre and to be fair, the event didn’t disappoint. Here’s everything that Tim Cook and his team announced today at the most watched consumer technology keynote on the calendar. Meet the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus:
So here's what all the fuss was about tonight from the big #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/hVdpwojx1a
— Goos3D (@Goos3D_IE) September 12, 2017
Apple iPhone 8
Skipping the next model in the logical sequence, the main announcement from the Steve Jobs Theatre was the Apple iPhone 8. Physically, the iPhone 8 is not a dramatic departure its predecessor, the iPhone 7. Day to day usage is also unlikely to leave iPhone users’ jaws on the ground. Even so, there are some great unique features that appear on this next generation iPhone.
Augmented Reality
Ok, so I’m starting with the party piece. The iPhone 8 is the first smartphone to ship with augmented reality in mind. Augmented reality (AR) involves overlaying computer generated images over real world images viewed through your camera.
We could, and will, dedicate a full article to the uses of AR and how Apple going big on AR means this is a very big deal now. For now, you just needed to know it’s very cool indeed.
Wireless Charging
While some first reacted to the glass back of the iPhone 8 with horror at how easy it would be to break, others knew this meant wireless charging was on the way. Powered by Qi, the world standard in wireless charging, you can now simply rest your iPhone 8 on a charging pad to replenish the battery. Years ago, people laughed when Nokia tried out wireless charging, but just a few year later it’s becoming the standard.
Maybe Apple will say goodbye to ports altogether next?
A11 Bionic Chip
Yes, that is indeed the coolest name for a processor ever. While there are camera improvements and the likes, you’d expect that. The iPhone 8 will take slightly better pictures than previous models. Standard. This processor on the other hand powers the iPhone 8 to do great things like the AR we already mentioned.
This improved processor will also bring slightly increased battery life too.
Apple iPhone 8 Plus
The iPhone 8 Plus comes with all that good stuff you find in the iPhone 8, but with the extra real estate to enjoy it. Instead of the 4.7-inch screen seen on the iPhone 8, the iPhone 8 Plus boasts a 5.5-inch screen. Of course, there is more to it than that.
The iPhone 8 Plus also has dual camera lenses, giving you some more style options when you shoot. Included with this upgrade is the ability to unlock Apple’s Portrait Mode and Portrait Lighting.
Dual lens for the iPhone 8 Plus #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/g6HIUlaBT5
— Goos3D (@Goos3D_IE) September 12, 2017
Apple iPhone X
In typical Apple style, there was still more to come. It’s appropriate at this point to highlight Jon’s stunning predictions back in February. When he went full foaming at the mouth in Goos3DTower and started spluttering out iPhone related gibberish, little did we know he was having a full on premonition. Just check out his predictions.
Of Jon’s predictions, one of the most exciting was the possibility of an iPhone X, so when Tim Cook brought up this slide, we knew what was happening:
😎 #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/qd1PVa1ZPE
— Goos3D (@Goos3D_IE) September 12, 2017
The iPhone X is, again, a little bit bigger than the iPhone 8 Plus, with a 5.8-inch screen. This screen looks like it was poured onto the front of the iPhone X and surpasses the closest thing we’ve ever seen like this; the LG G6.
Sure enough, it's the #iPhoneX #AppleEvent … what's in store… pic.twitter.com/Y5ZiINpiiH
— Goos3D (@Goos3D_IE) September 12, 2017
Apple also jammed in some extra tech which unlocks your phone by recognising your face. This was needed as the iPhone X’s screen means there’s no home button. To manage with facial recognition, additional sensors a dot projector and high-quality front facing cameras were needed:
There's a lot of tech stuffed into the top of the #iPhoneX #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/XCJ768HHRK
— Goos3D (@Goos3D_IE) September 12, 2017
With all that front-facing magic, Apple decided to use that power for good and created Animojis. Yeah, you can now chat to people using your own expressions projected onto an emoji. I hear what you’re asking yourself right now and the answer is yes:
ANIPOOPS #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/xeKpQpsZzX
— Goos3D (@Goos3D_IE) September 12, 2017
When will the Apple iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X Launch in Ireland?
The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus is available for pre-order from 15 September. Irish networks will be under embargo until that date which is why you’re not seeing much from them at the moment. You’ll then be able to buy the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus from the 22 September.
The iPhone X won’t be available until 3 November with pre-order opening on 27 October.
How Much Will the Apple iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X Cost in Ireland?
We’re waiting for confirmation of Irish network pricing. If you want to order direct from Apple, you’ll get the iPhone 8 for €829 and the iPhone 8 Plus for €939.
The iPhone X is going to be the most expensive smartphone on the market weighing in at €1179 direct from Apple.
Over the next few days, we’ll have members of team Goos3D looking at why Apple killed it with this launch and why they are lagging behind. Sign up to the Goos3DLetter below if you want to hear all about it.
Goos3D Live Blog
You can still read through our live coverage of the main 2017 Apple Event:
