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Take a 360-degree GoPro ride on winning horse American Pharoah
Take a 360-degree GoPro ride on winning horse American Pharoah
The view from American Pharoah includes this other horse. Video screenshot by Amanda Kooser/CNET
Most of us are simply physically too big to even think about becoming professional horse jockeys and riding a fleet-footed equine to Triple Crown glory. You don't have to watch your weight or spend years in training to hitch a ride on American Pharoah, the latest winner of horse racing's elusive trifecta of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes. A new GoPro video lets you saddle up and go.
The video was taken on July 18 at Del Mar Race Track in California during a morning workout. It was recorded with a GoPro Hero4 camera and released on the GroPro YouTube channel Thursday.
The video starts off with a view of the grandstands, moves to the stable area and then steps out onto the track itself. You can spin the view around to see other horses working out, flashes of American Pharoah's tail and the tips of the horse's bouncing ears in front.
If you want to access the full 360-degree swiveling-head features, you'll need to use the Chrome browser or download the Kolor panoramic video app. The interactive footage is a fun way to show off the capabilities of the Hero4 combined with Kolor's video-stitching services.
The jockey's-eye view is exhilarating and the beat of the thoroughbred's hooves is mesmerizing. It's not quite the same as being in the middle of an actual race, but it does give you a sense of the buzz and excitement surrounding the horse. American Pharoah is scheduled to race again on August 2 at Monmouth Park in New Jersey.
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QD-OLED TV: Samsung, Sony Take on LG With Quantum Dot Special Sauce
QD-OLED TV: Samsung, Sony Take on LG With Quantum Dot Special Sauce
The best TVs you can buy use OLED screens and until now, LG Display has been the sole producer of every OLED television in the world. In 2022 a new kind of OLED TV technology, called QD-OLED, finally goes on sale. The technology debuts in new 55-inch and 65-inch TVs from Samsung and Sony, as well as a new monitor by Alienware. QD-OLED uses quantum dots in combination with organic light-emitting diodes, and it promises even better picture quality than traditional OLED TVs and monitors.
We already reviewed the Alienware monitor and liked it a lot, but we haven't had the chance to see the TVs beyond brief, early demos of prototype products. Samsung's QD-OLED TV, the QS95B, is available now and priced at $2,200 for the 55-inch and $3,000 for the 65-inch model, which is exactly the same as LG's best 2022 OLED TV, the G2 series. Meanwhile Sony is charging more for QD-OLED, $3,000 for the 55-inch and $4,000 for the 65-inch when they go on sale in June.
First things first: We won't know how these QD-OLED TVs really compare against LG OLEDs like the the C2 we recently reviewed, or to other OLED and non-OLED TVs, until we can test them in person. But they sure look promising.
So what is QD-OLED, and why is it potentially better than traditional OLED and LED LCD? Read on to find out.
Today's TV tech: LCD, OLED and QLED
Right now there are two technologies most TV buyers can actually afford: LCD and OLED. LCD TVs are sometimes called "LED TVs" due to the tiny LEDs they use to create light. The image is created by a liquid crystal layer, just like LCD TVs from 20-plus years ago. Mini-LED TVs operate the same way, just with more LEDs in their backlights, while QLED TVs are basically LED LCD TVs with quantum dots.
The size of the quantum dot determines what color it emits when supplied with energy. Currently that energy is supplied by blue LEDs or blue OLEDs.
Samsung
OLED is a newer technology. Each pixel emits its own light, created by a substance that glows when you give it energy. This substance includes the element carbon, hence the "organic" moniker. Since they're able to turn individual pixels off, to a perfect black, their contrast ratio and overall picture quality are typically better than any LCD.
One of the biggest improvements in LCD TV tech over the last few years is the inclusion of quantum dots. These microscopic spheres glow a specific color when excited by light. In the case of LCD TVs, blue LEDs supply all the blue light plus the energy to get red and green quantum dots to emit red and green light. This is what allows LCD TVs to have such extreme brightness and better color than LCD TVs of old.
The many layers of LCD (left) compared with the relatively few layers required by QD-Display (right). Among other benefits, even thinner TVs are possible.
Samsung
You can read more about the differences between these technologies in our comparison of LCD and OLED TV display technologies, but the short version is that LCD-based TVs tend to be brighter, while OLED TVs have better overall picture quality. There's also microLED, but microLED TVs are currently wall-size and absurdly expensive. They're not really competition for LCD, OLED or QD-OLED TVs, and likely won't be for the foreseeable future.
The layers required to make an image with different TV technologies. With LCD, the light and the image are created separately. With WOLED (LG's current tech), the "white" layer is actually blue and yellow. Color filters create red and green.
With Samsung's new QD-OLED, only blue OLED material is used, with red and green created by quantum dots. (Click to enlarge)
Samsung
QD + OLED = 💖?
Combining the efficiency and color potential of quantum dots with the contrast ratio of OLED is basically the holy grail of current image quality. LCDs don't have the pixel-level contrast of OLED. Their backlights, even with mini-LED, are just too coarse. OLED TVs, while bright, don't have the extreme brightness potential of LCD.
The layers of a QD-OLED display.
Nanosys
QD-OLED potentially solves both these issues and could be greater than the sum of its parts. A blue OLED material creates, as with most LED LCDs, all the blue light. A quantum dot layer uses this blue light to then create green and red light. Quantum dots are nearly 100% efficient, so basically no energy is lost converting these colors. The current version of OLED uses color filters to create red, green and blue, essentially blocking a significant amount of the light potential created by the OLED material, so it's potentially less efficient.
The result could be greater brightness and color than with current versions of OLED, while keeping that technology's superlative contrast ratio.
Samsung
What else we know about QD-OLED TVs right now
Aside from the basic technology above, we know a few details about the actual TVs and monitors hitting the market later this year.
Samsung:QD-OLED panels are built by Samsung Display, a division of that mega conglomerate that manufactures displays. Samsung Electronics, the division that makes the TVs themselves, officially unveiled its TV in March 2020 after a tease at CES 2020. Called the QS95B series, Samsung touts improved brightness and color as well as the typical features of the company's 2022 TVs, such as revamped processing, HDMI 2.1 inputs, an improved smart TV system and a solar remote. The QS95B series is available for preorder now to ship in April.
Sony: Called the A95K series, it will also come in 55- and 65-inch sizes. Sony claims better color and improved viewing angles for this TV but told CNET's David Katzmaier not to expect a significant improvement in peak brightness with whites. It has 4K resolution, HDMI 2.1 inputs and a bunch of other features, like a built-in camera and remote finder.
Sony's AK95 series is a QD-OLED TV available for preorder in June in 55- and 65-inch sizes.
Sony
Alienware:The third manufacturer with QD-OLED has a curved 34-inch, 3,440x1,440-pixel monitor, model number AW3423DW. In case you're counting, the smallest OLED TV LG makes is 42 inches. CNET's Lori Grunin reviewed the monitor and lauded its performance for gaming as well as its color accuracy.
The Alienware QD-OLED monitor costs $1,300.
Dell
Read more: Alienware 34-Inch QD-OLED Monitor Review: It Brings the Pretty
What we don't know about QD-OLED
We know the prices of these TVs, so the next biggest unanswered question is how good they will look compared with "vanilla" OLED TVs from LG and Sony. Samsung says that its QD-OLED will be brighter than OLED, with a better contrast than LCD. The latter is easy; all OLEDs have better contrast than all LCDs. How much brighter remains to be seen, literally and figuratively. LG promises its own improvements for 2022 OLEDs and beyond, so it's possible this brightness aspect won't be a huge factor.
Two additional improvements with QD-OLED are possible according to its proponents: off-axis and motion blur. Since QD-OLED lacks color filters, they will potentially look better when seen from the side than OLED, which already looks much better off-axis than LCD. So if you have a really wide sofa, people in the cheap seats won't have a worse picture than those sitting directly in front of the TV. From what Katzmaier saw in his demo of Sony, the off-axis improvement is real but not a huge deal
Motion blur is a bit of a rabbit hole, but due to how the current generation of OLED works, they still have motion blur. Samsung Display claims QD-OLED will have significantly less motion blur than LCD, though the company didn't say if it's better than LG's OLED. An ultrafast response time, plus extra brightness so you can use black frame insertion and still have a bright image, means it should be at least as good as regular OLED.
A TV demonstrates Samsung's QD Display technology, which combines OLED elements with quantum dots to boost color and other image quality attributes.
Stephen Shankland/CNET
Then there's the question of color volume, which is something you're going to hear more and more about in the coming years. Basically, it's how much color there is in extremely bright parts of the image. One drawback of LG's OLED method is that to get the brightness desired by consumers, it uses an additional subpixel, white, in addition to red, green and blue (see image with LCD, WOLED and QD-OLED above). This technically has the effect of "washing out" extremely bright parts of the image.
From what we've seen so far, QD-OLED could deliver improved color. The caveat is that we haven't actually had the chance to compare it with shipping products (as opposed to prototypes) using real-world video. With most real-world HDR TV shows and movies there really isn't that much color information in bright parts of the image. That's partly to do with the inability of most displays to do anything with it. But even if Hollywood were to color-grade more shows and movies with more bright-color data, we're still just talking about things like more yellow in the sun, more blue tint to headlights, and so on. It remains to be see how much different QD-OLED will look with those colors.
The future is now(ish)
In the end, how much better QD-OLED is than regular OLED doesn't actually matter. It's already the most important thing it could be: more OLED. Another company making OLED displays is by far the healthiest thing that could happen to the TV industry and for consumers. Pushing picture quality up and prices down has never been a bad thing.
For that matter, as someone who has always hated LCD, I think a future without that tired, Band-Aid-ed TV technology is a welcome one. But that might just be me.
We expect to get our hands on the first generation of QD-OLED displays later this year. Stay tuned.
As well as covering TV and other display tech, Geoff does photo tours of cool museums and locations around the world, including nuclear submarines, massive aircraft carriers, medieval castles, epic 10,000-mile road trips, and more. Check out Tech Treks for all his tours and adventures.
He also wrote a bestselling sci-fi novel about city-size submarines, along with a sequel. You can follow his adventures on Instagram and his YouTube channel.
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Pilot Like a Pro With $40 Off This Beginner-Friendly Drone
Pilot Like a Pro With $40 Off This Beginner-Friendly Drone
Drone piloting might seem like a prohibitively expensive hobby, but drone tech has come a long way in recent years. There are plenty of entry-level models out there that boast some impressive specs and won't break the bank. If you're looking to take a first step into the expanding world of drone piloting, then we've got a deal you won't want to miss.
The Holy Stone HS360 is packed full of features that make it a great pick for first-time flyers, and right now you can pick it up for just $207, or $43 off the usual price. It's already on sale at Amazon, but you can use the promo code Z9YU78O6 at checkout to get the full discount.
When you're shopping for a beginner drone, you probably don't want to drop serious cash on one you might end up inadvertently crashing. But you also don't want to opt for one so cheap that it barely functions. The HS360 is a great balance between the two, and it has tons of handy features and functions that will help new pilots get the the hang of flying. You can set it to hold a specific altitude, automatically follow you or even draw a flight trajectory for it to follow on the companion app. The Electronic Image Stabilization camera is mounted on an adjustable two-axis gimbal for a wider field of view, and can capture or stream stunning 4K UHD video. You can even control the camera with simple hand gestures (i.e., "paper" to start recording, "scissors" to take a picture) so you never miss out on that perfect shot. With powerful 5GHz transmission, it can provide a clear image feed to your phone up to 1640 feet away, and the two included batteries provide a total fligh t time of up to 46 minutes.
Home Prices Keep Rising: How to Tap Into Your Home Equity and Snag a Lower Interest Rate
Home Prices Keep Rising: How to Tap Into Your Home Equity and Snag a Lower Interest Rate
Home prices have skyrocketed since the beginning of the pandemic and continue to increase across the US. In 2020, millions fled major cities for more space in the suburbs during the pandemic, increasing demand and driving up prices. Meanwhile, material shortages continue to inflate the price of new construction. Low inventory and cash-wielding house hunters continue to squeeze an already tight market even tighter -- and experts expect this trend to continue well into 2022.
These dynamics have combined to put many prospective buyers -- and some existing homeowners -- in a precarious position, potentially priced out of the market where they live. But there have been winners, too. If the market value of your home is higher than the amount you still owe on your mortgage, you have a real opportunity to leverage that differential.
Below are a few ways to harness your home equity.
Refinance your mortgage
Refinancing can help you snag a lower interest rate, which can shorten your loan term, shave down your monthly payment and reduce the overall cost of your mortgage. It can also help you wriggle out of paying private mortgage insurance (PMI) if increased home value has grown your equity past the 20% threshold. Refinancing can also provide a way to pay down high-interest debt, like a credit card balance, or take cash out to finance a renovation or improvement.
The number of people refinancing surged during the pandemic, according to Freddie Mac. Single-family refinances totaled $2.6 trillion in 2020 -- the highest amount since 2003. Rising interest rates have since caused the number of people refinancing to slow and refis are at their lowest level in three years. Refinance activity is down 80% from 2021 and now accounts for just 35% of market share, the lowest point since May 2019, according to Black Knight, a mortgage data company. Still, rates are historically low and Freddie Mac anticipates $1.2 trillion in refinance activity this year. So If you haven't looked at your interest rate recently, stop reading and do it now.
And, since the Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates multiple times this year -- with a likely increase expected later this week -- you may want to lock in a low refinance rate sooner rather than later.
Get a home equity loan
These secured loans let you borrow a lump sum against your home equity. The specific loan terms depend on all of the usual financial credentials -- your credit score, debt payment history and income -- and lenders generally require at least 15% equity to qualify. Home equity loans typically feature a fixed interest rate, but repayment periods can vary (though most are for 15 or 20 years).
To secure the best terms, the Federal Trade Commission recommends negotiating with multiple lenders and allowing them to compete for your business. Negotiable items might include lower fees, mortgage point prices and the fixed interest rate.
Open a home equity line of credit -- HELOC
This revolving line of credit, which features a preset limit and variable interest rate, lets you withdraw, pay back and then withdraw again (if you like). Depending on your creditworthiness and debt-to-income ratio, you may be able to borrow up to 85 percent of the appraised value of your home, less the amount you owe on your mortgage. When you need cash, you can write a check or use the credit card attached to the HELOC account. Like other types of credit cards, you cannot spend more than the credit limit, and HELOCs typically come with the highest interest rates since they are variable and the loan is a type of revolving credit.
Cash-out refinance
In essence, a cash-out refinance lets you borrow a lump sum of money at a fixed -- and right now, a potentially very low -- interest rate. Rather than attaching a second loan to your original mortgage like a home equity loan, this loan pays off your first mortgage and replaces it with a new one that includes some amount of cash. You may be able to borrow up to 80% of the loan-to-value ratio, which means that after subtracting the cash-out, you'll still have 20% equity in your home.
Cash-out refinance loans usually have better interest rates than home equity loans because they are repaid before home equity loans during bankruptcy or foreclosure. Still, your specific terms will depend on your credit score, home value, income, and other factors. A knowledgeable mortgage broker should be able to help you weigh the pros and cons of each.
Sell your house
The most obvious way to tap into your home equity is to sell. If there's excess money after you pay off your mortgage, you could use it to finance a cross-country move or a down payment on a new house. Last May, The Wall Street Journal reported that more than seven million households moved to a different county during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 -- nearly half a million more than in 2019. Remote working options and the desire for more space spurred a mass exodus from dense metropolitan areas into more affordable areas.
If your home's new value has you feeling like cashing in, keep a few things in mind before calling a listing agent:
Prices are higher -- nearly everywhere. The real estate market may look different than the last time you shopped for a house, and it's a good idea to learn what you can afford in your chosen location. Check out the National Association of Realtors' breakdown of median prices by home type and metropolitan area to see where you stand. You should also look at the latest mortgage interest rates and use our mortgage calculator to estimate your monthly payment on a new loan.
Competition is fierce. We learned that most homes stay on the market just shy of seven days, which means that you'll need to make decisions quickly when it's time to buy. One way to speed things along is to get a mortgage preapproval before you start shopping. Preapproval allows your realtor to submit an offer immediately, which could make all the difference in a competitive market.
A home equity windfall is rare. The US hasn't seen a housing boom like this in nearly 25 years. Although selling your home could drastically increase your net worth, it's wise to consider all of your options before buying another property. Consult a financial advisor about the different ways to use a financial windfall, real estate included.
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This story is part of The Year Ahead, CNET's look at how the world will continue to evolve starting in 2022 and beyond.
The last 22 months have been some of the wildest in real estate history, as the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the speed and intensity of recent trends. Home prices surged to record-breaking highs. Interest rates dropped to historic lows. And, amongst it all, the new era of online home buying and selling took further root. On top of that, just about every contemporary macro-economic trend -- from inflation to supply chain woes to labor shortages -- made an appearance in the 2021 housing market, increasing the advantages of existing homeowners, daunting prospective homebuyers and, ultimately, further widening wealth inequality in the US.
Though no one can predict what the next year will bring, we've asked some industry experts to help us read the tea leaves. Perhaps most significantly, home prices are expected to continue to rise, though at a slower rate than last year. As such, the 2022 housing market will present challenges for new buyers looking to get a foothold. For those looking to sell, new technologies like iBuying will continue to streamline and simplify real estate transactions. And existing homeowners will likely have another year to capitalize on rising property values through refinancing -- if they haven't already.
Experts also predict an extension of two major 2021 trends: low housing inventory and supply chain issues, both of which will continue to hamstring construction and renovations. Meanwhile, there are two new spectres on the scene: inflation and rising interest rates. "For a homebuyer, 2022 is going to require patience and strategy," said Robert Dietz, chief economist the National Association of Home Builders.
"If you think you're going to wait on the sidelines for the market to cool off, that usually doesn't work," cautions Karan Kaul, senior research associate at the Urban Institute. "Timing" the market is a tricky enterprise, and prices seem unlikely to decrease meaningfully any time soon.
With the caveat that political and virological developments can wreak havoc on this unpredictable corner of the economy, here are some of the major factors experts see influencing the housing market in 2022.
Still smoking: Home prices continue to rise
If you already own a home, you're more than likely to be in a fortunate position. Skyrocketing home values have continued to increase equity for homeowners in many US regions throughout the pandemic, according to Dietz.
Combined with historically low interest rates, a record-breaking number of homeowners were able to tap into their home equity in 2020. As property values surged during the first year of the pandemic, cash-out refinancing levels were at their highest since the 2007 financial crisis.
Of course, this creates a much more difficult situation for prospective homebuyers. And that's unlikely to change much in 2022. Although prices are expected to increase at a lower rate next year, they are expected to continue to rise. And that -- in addition to higher interest rates -- will create considerable headwinds for buyers throughout 2022.
Clogged supply chains cause more delays
Supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic continue to delay shipments which impedes new construction. That is only making the market that much more competitive along with the rising price of existing homes across the US. And the number of people looking to buy is also increasing, thanks in large part to millennials entering the housing market in growing numbers.
"We've seen so much interest in buying homes over the past year and a half, it's a bit difficult to project when that is going to lose some steam," according to Robert Heck, vice president of mortgage at Morty, a mortgage-tech start-up. But it's clear there are still plenty of buyers trying to enter the market despite prices continuing to creep up.
"Despite the fact that builder confidence is pretty strong right now, in the short run there is a lack of building materials, higher cost of building materials like lumber, appliances, windows and doors, and even garage doors," said Dietz. And further complicating the picture is a sustained labor shortage, particularly for skilled construction workers.
Delivery delays can extend build time by as much as four to eight weeks for a typical single family home. And if there aren't enough contractors on hand to use those materials once they show up, it's clear that demand will continue to outweigh supply for some time to come.
Macro headwinds: Interest rates and inflation
Prospective homebuyers will want to keep their eyes on some wonky stuff in 2022. The Federal Reserve announced that it will wind down bond purchasing and look to raise interest rates next year. And higher interest rates will only make things more difficult for those looking to buy, as they raise both the average monthly payment and the total lifetime cost of a mortgage.
And don't forget about inflation! That will almost certainly increase both the cost of home building materials and skilled labor. In fact, the National Association of Realtors' anticipates that annual median home prices will increase by 5.7% in 2022.
And yet it's not all doom and gloom. Mortgage interest remains are still quite low. And there are pockets of affordability in many regions of the US, creating a key opportunity for those fortunate enough to be able to work remotely.
"Mortgage rates are still at historical lows, and it's been harder than ever to predict where things are going thanks to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic," said Heck.
Tech innovations reshape home buying
Digital lending has already impacted the way Americans shop for homes. The rapid rise of online real estate brokerages and mortgage marketplaces has made it easier than ever to browse properties and finance a home. That's unlikely to change: Almost 40% of millennials said they would feel comfortable buying a home online in a recent Zillow study.
"Consumers like the ability to bid remotely, and to really take a look at properties and neighborhoods online," said Miriam Moore, division president of default services at ServiceLink, a mortgage transactional services provider. This will likely impact both sides of transactions, as sellers learn to adapt their home's curb appeal to someone looking at it on their phone and buyers (and agents and investors) look for ways to arbitrage the market.
An evolving challenge: Climate change
Perhaps the biggest unknown in real estate is how soon climate change will become the dominant factor. According to experts across the industry, every part of the homebuying process will eventually be affected by changing weather patterns, encroaching shorelines, shifting flood zones and an increasingly complicated insurance marketplace. Case in point: Moore, who is in the mortgage business, has seen an increase in inspections due to weather and fire over the last year.
New construction may prove to be both more energy efficient and more durable in the face of extreme weather. "People want to live in energy efficient homes, but they can only buy them if they exist," said Kaul, at The Urban Institute.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Buying a house remains one of the most reliable ways to build wealth and has long been a key milestone for Americans in establishing long-term financial security. And although interest rates remain as low as ever, given all of the other trends impacting the real estate market in 2022, the balance of power is likely to remain in the hands of sellers.
iPhone 13, iPad Mini and all the details of Apple's big announcements last week
iPhone 13, iPad Mini and all the details of Apple's big announcements last week
Update, Sept. 21: CNET reviewed the iPhone 13, Mini, Pro and Pro Max. Original story follows.
Apple's iPhone 13 event has been put to bed, and in it we got the expected iPhone 13 announcement, as well as a refreshed 10.2-inch iPad, a big upgrade for the iPad Mini and a new Apple Watch Series 7. There were a few small announcements, too. We saw some upcoming show previews for Apple TV Plus, including the new season of The Morning Show and fresh titles like Foundation, and a comedy series, The Problem With Jon Stewart. (Stewart joked they may need to add a comma to that title.)
We also got an announcement date for the release of the new mobile operating systems, iOS 15 and iPadOS 15: Sept. 20. Get ready to download and install them on your iPhone and iPad.
iPhone 13, Mini, Pro and Pro Max
Apple showed off a complete new line of iPhones. They all get updated to a new A15 Bionic chip, a six-core CPU with two high-performance cores, four high-efficiency cores and a quad-core GPU.
The iPhone 13 Pro has wide-angle, ultrawide and telephoto cameras.
Apple/Screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET
All the back cameras have been significantly upgraded with wider apertures and new video features. The buzziest is Cinematic mode, which will allow phones to have professional-level "rack focus" where you can slide between focus subjects gracefully in a video. You can also choose where to focus by tapping on the screen, or even holding down to lock focus on a subject.
iPhone 13 brings a new design and stylish colors. Here's what to know
iPhone 13: Apple adds larger battery, more storage, cinematic video mode
iPhone 13 Pro cameras: Why this pro photographer is excited
iPhone 13 cameras stand out with macro photography, cinematic video
iPhone 13 price and preorder: How and when to buy Apple's new phones
iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max: 120Hz display, 3 new cameras and all the goodies
iPhone 13's starting storage is finally one we can recommend
iPhone 13 release date: All models will be available on Sept. 24
Apple's iPhone 13 Mini promises to be small but mighty
iPhone 13 Pro finally gets 1TB of storage for $1,499, 1TB Pro Max for $1,599
Here's which iPhones are getting lower prices, and which Apple will stop selling
iPhone 13 battery life: Your phone charge will last hours longer, Apple says
Apple touts iPhone 13's privacy features, but doesn't address spyware worries
iPhone 13 Pro gets Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion
iPhone gets 3x optical zoom for the first time
iPhone 13 will support 5G in 60 countries, work on over 200 carriers this year
Apple's iPad Mini sees a big upgrade: Support for USB-C charging
The iPhone 13 Pro camera now has a macro lens, able to shoot a subject from less than an inch away. Apple says it's also made improvements to the software that recognizes people's skin tones, and you can now apply tone and warmth filters that the camera will remember.
Apple says that despite the faster chip, 5G, better cameras and other features, the iPhone 13 has longer battery life than its predecessor. One way it does this is by shifting to LTE "when 5G speeds aren't needed."
The iPhone 13 Pro's camera lenses exploded.
Apple/Screenshot by James Martin/CNET
Apple is also getting its device to rely on the internet less. Many Siri requests for example will stay on the device, a first in the 10 years since the voice assistant was first introduced.
The iPhone 13 Pro has a bigger battery, a new Super Retina XDR display with 1,000 nits of peak outdoor brightness, 25% higher than last year. And it can change frame rate on the fly, increasing frame rate to 120Hz when you need to match games and some video, but ramping it down to 10Hz when you don't.
Prices remain the same as the last generation. The iPhone 13 starts at $799 (£779, AU$1,349). The iPhone 13 Mini starts with double the capacity, 128GB, at $699 (£679, AU$1,199). You can also get a 512GB version now, which used to only be available on the Pro models. The iPhone 13 Pro will keep its $999 (£949, AU$1,699) starting price and the iPhone 13 Pro Max will start at $1,099 (£1,049, AU$1,849). Preorders open this Friday, Sept. 17, and the phone will appear in stores on Sept. 24.
Apple/Screenshot by Chris Pavey/CNET
Apple Watch Series 7
The new watch has a larger display, with 20% more screen area than the Series 6 and 50% more than Series 3. But the dimensions of the watch have barely changed, Apple says. And it has "softer, more rounded corners" with a "wraparound" feel on the sides.
Apple says it redesigned buttons in the software to make them easier to tap as well, and it can fit 50% more text on screen than last year's watch.
The newest Apple Watches now have a "crack-resistant front crystal," with a "more robust geometry" and IP6X certification for additional dust resistance over the earlier model.
It has a bunch of new colors, bands and even a new charger that's faster. Like the iPad, Apple says it's 100% recycled aluminum.
The Apple Watch Series 7 will be $399, with international prices yet to be announced. It's not coming until later this fall, though. Apple will also keep selling the Apple Watch Series 3 for $199 and last year's Apple Watch SE for $279.
Since launching last year, Apple's focused its $10 per month Fitness Plus service on getting you to sweat. But this year, it's adding a meditation option, which will include all sorts of different calmness, kindness and gratitude meditations. Just like Apple's other classes, it'll be updated weekly on your phone and watch.
Apple's always had hidden features to compete with friends in its motion and activity app, and now the company's adding group workouts too. In this case, you can start a workout with (or against) your friends from an iMessage chat conversation. Apple says up to 32 people can participate and you'll even know when friends are ahead of you in a bike class, for example.
The new iPad Mini.
Apple/Screenshot by James Martin/CNET
iPad and iPad Mini
The new 10.2-inch iPad incorporates the A13 Bionic chip, Apple says, which is 20% faster than the A12 "in every aspect of the chip from the CPU and GPU to the neural engine." (The iPhone 13 has the new A15 Bionic chip.) It has a larger display, with 20% more screen area than the Series 6 and 50% more than Series 3. The dimensions of the watch have barely changed, Apple says. And it has "softer, more rounded corners" with a "wraparound" feel on the sides.
But the Mini is the bigger upgrade.
It ditches the home button, and has thinner screen bezels to fit the larger 8.3-inch True Tone screen, which has an antireflective coating and a brightness of 500 nits. It also comes in an array of colors, including purple, pink, "starlight" (a light gray) and space gray.
It also has Touch ID built into the power button, just like last year's iPad Air.
Apple says that the iPad Mini upgrade means that all the company's iPads are now made from 100% recycled aluminum, as well as 100% recycled tin (for the solder). Apple says it uses 100% recycled rare earth elements in the enclosure magnets (though not everywhere).
Apple's iPads have always been portrait-oriented devices. The front-facing camera's always been at the top of the device when held vertically, and its speakers have always been at the bottom. With the iPad Mini, Apple's moved the selfie camera to the top of the landscape orientation, and added stereo speakers meant to be heard in landscape as well.
The new iPad Mini's colors.
Apple/Screenshot by James Martin/CNET
Last year, Apple introduced faster 5G wireless to the iPhone. This year, it's adding the technology to all its iPads, starting with the iPad Pro in April. Now, the iPad Mini gets 5G, which Apple said can pull down 3.5 gigabits of data per second. It also gets a USB-C port like its iPad Pro big brothers.
The iPad starts at $329 (£319, AU$499) and the iPad Mini starts at $499 (£479, AU$749).
Our liveblog archive follows.
And that's it
11:31 a.m. PT
Apple closes with another tour through California landmarks. Like in its previous videos, it includes production health and safety info, including daily health screenings, face coverings "worn by everyone."
So when can you get it?
11:18 a.m. PT
The iPhone 13 Pro will keep its $999 starting price, and the iPhone 13 Pro Max will start at $1,099.
Preorders start Sept. 17 and ship Sept. 24.
iPhone 13 Pro as a video camera
11:12 a.m. PT
Apple pushed hard on the idea of using the iPhone 13 Pro as a professional-level video camera. It hired Oscar-winning film director Kathryn Bigelow to try it out, showing how well it handles low-light imagery.
iPhone 13 Pro camera upgrades
11:09 a.m. PT
Apple's updates for its wide and ultrawide allow for better low light performance, Apple says, and can also do macro photography -- shooting a subject as close as 2 centimeters away.
Apple says it's also made improvements to the software that recognizes people's skin tones, and you can now apply tone and warmth filters that the camera will remember.
iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max
11:05 a.m. PT
Apple says it's the "most pro design," which is probably the most Apple thing I've heard the company say in a while.
It comes in four colors: silver, graphite, gold and "sierra blue."
Apple
The iPhone 13 Pro has a bigger battery, Apple added. And it includes a better GPU than the iPhone 13.
Apple said it's announcing a new "Super Retina XDR display" which has 1000 nits of peak outdoor brightness, 25% higher than last year. And it can change frame rate on the fly, increasing frame rate to 120Hz when you need, but ramping it down when you don't. In its demo, Apple showed it going down to 10Hz.
Better battery life
10:58 a.m. PT
Apple says that despite the faster chip, 5G, better cameras and other features, the iPhone 13 has longer battery life than its predecessor. One way it does this is by shifting to LTE "when 5G speeds aren't needed," Apple said. And the company's A15 Bionic chip is more efficient, Apple said.
Apple is also getting its device to rely on the internet less. Many Siri requests for example will stay on the device, a first in the 10 years since the voice assistant was first introduced.
Apple said it's keeping prices the same this year. iPhone 13 Mini starts at $699, with double the starting capacity to 128GB. (You can also get a 512GB version now, which used to only be available on the Pro models.)
A new automatic focus
10:52 a.m. PT
Apple said Cinematic Mode follows where the subject of a video looks, changing focus when they look away, and again when they look back.
Apple
Apple said you can also choose where to focus by tapping on the screen, or even holding down to lock focus on a subject. It's all shot in Dolby Vision HDR, Apple says, which is fancy talk for high end video formats.
Camera upgrades and Cinematic Mode
10:50 a.m. PT
Apple says its back cameras have gotten serious upgrades with the iPhone 13. The 12 megapixel camera can take in 47% more light, Apple says, with an F1.6 aperture.
The ultrawide camera has an F 2.4 aperture.
When it comes to video, Apple says it's adding "cinematic mode," which will allow phones to have professional-level "rack focus" where you can slide between focus subjects gracefully in a video. Apple of course created a demo "movie" to show it off.
iPhones get new A15 Bionic chip
10:45 a.m. PT
"Frankly, the competition is still playing catchup to our chips," Apple says. This year, the iPhone 13 gets A15 Bionic.
It has a 6-core CPU, with 2 high-performance cores and 4 high-efficiency cores. Apple says it's up to 50% faster than the leading competition. It also has a 4-core GPU, Apple says. It has 30% faster graphics than the competition.
iPhone 13 is here
10:40 a.m. PT
The new device has two rear lenses, arranged diagonally. It also comes in pink now, along with blue, "midnight," "starlight," and product red.
Apple
The antennas are made with recycled plastic water bottles, Apple says. And they have a sensor notch that's 20% smaller.
Apple Fitness Plus gets into group workouts
10:36 a.m. PT
Apple's always had hidden features to compete with friends in its motion and activity app, and now Apple's adding group workouts too. In this case, you can start a workout with (or against) your friends from an iMessage chat conversation.
Apple says up to 32 people can participate and you'll even know when friends are ahead of you in a bike class, for example.
Apple Fitness Plus adds meditation
10:35 a.m. PT
Since launching last year, Apple's focused its $10 per month Fitness Plus service on getting you to sweat. But this year, it's adding a meditation option, which will include all sorts of different calmness, kindness and gratitude meditations. Just like Apple's other classes, it'll be updated weekly on your phone and watch.
Apple Watch gets more durable
10:30 a.m. PT
Apple said its newest Apple Watches now have a "crack resistant front crystal," with a "more robust geometry."
It also has IP6X certification, which means it's duster resistant.
Of course, it has a bunch of new colors, bands and even a new charger that's faster.
Like the iPad, Apple says it's 100% recycled aluminum.
The Apple Watch Series 7 will be $399. Apple will also keep selling the Apple Watch Series 3 for $199, last year's Apple Watch SE for $279.
It's not coming until later this fall, though.
Apple Watch Series 7: a whole new design
Apple Watch 7 launches a full keyboard
Apple Watch Series 7 is real
10:27 a.m. PT
It has a larger display, with 20% more screen area than the Series 6 and 50% more than Series 3.
The dimensions of the watch have barely changed, Apple says. And it has "softer, more rounded corners" with a "wraparound" feel on the sides.
Apple
Apple says it redesigned buttons in the software to make them easier to tap as well, and it can fit 50% more text on screen than last year's watch.
100% Recycled Aluminum
10:23 a.m. PT
Apple said the iPad Mini upgrade means that all the company's iPads are now made from 100% recycled aluminum, as well as 100% recycled tin (for the solder). Apple says it uses 100% recycled rare earth elements in the enclosure magnets (not everywhere).
Apple finds landscape
10:19 a.m. PT
Apple's iPads have always been portrait-oriented devices. The front-facing camera's always been at the top of the portrait-oriented device. And its speakers have always been at the bottom.
With the iPad Mini, Apple's moved the selfie camera to the top of the landscape orientation, and adding stereo speakers meant to be heard in landscape as well.
It'll start at $499, more expensive than the $399 starting price for the previous generation
iPad Mini gets USB-C, 5G
10:18 a.m. PT
Last year, Apple introduced 5G superfast wireless to the iPhone. This year, it's adding the technology to its iPads. First, with the iPad Mini, which Apple said can pull down 3.5 gigabits per second. It also gets USB like its iPad Pro big brothers.
iPad Mini gets a big upgrade
10:14 a.m. PT
Tim Cook announced the new iPad Mini, which ditches the home button, and has thinner borders. It also comes in an array of colors: purple, pink, "starlight" and space gray.
Apple says it's 8.3 inches, and offers true tone, anti reflective coating, and 500 nits of brightness.
It also has Touch ID built into the power button, just like last year's iPad Air.
The new iPad Mini has a 40% jump in CPU performance, and 80% "leap" in GPU, Apple says.
Apple iPad gets refreshed for 2021 with an A13 chip, 12-megapixel camera, True Tone display
iPad updates
10:09 a.m. PT
Cook starts by talking about how strong the iPad business has been growing, up 40% in the past year.
"Today, it gets even better," he says.
The new iPad will include the A13 bionic chip, Apple says, which is 20% faster "in every aspect of the chip from the CPU and GPU to the neural engine."
Apple's Melody Kuna, a senior manager of iPad product design, says it's up to 3x faster than the best selling Chromebook and up to 6x faster than the best selling Android tablet.
It'll also include a better rear and front camera, she said.
Apple TV Plus
10:07 a.m. PT
Apple started by discussing his company's $5 per month video service, Apple TV Plus, showing off a bunch of previews for hit shows like Ted Lasso and The Morning Show, as well as upcoming titles like Foundation, and a comedy series, The Problem With Jon Stewart. (Stewart joked they may need to add a comma to that title.)
Apple
Love, California
10:04 a.m. PT
Tim Cook starts Apple's event with a video montage of all the things he says Apple loves about California. All its landmarks, singing people, it's definitely a fun place to start.
"California has always been a place for people with big ambitions and big dreams, a place where people are fueled with optimism to make things better, to make things that can change the world. It is such an important part of who we are at Apple, and inspires us in everything we create and do. We're proud to call California our home."
No more pop and rock
9:57 a.m. PT
Apple used to have a playlist prepared for its events with hit songs from hit groups like Coldplay all the way to little-known musicians who'd suddenly find fame in background of Apple ads and events. But ever since Apple started streaming its events amid the pandemic, it's switched to more artsy -- what I'll call corporate classical and pop music.
For what it's worth, I checked on Apple-owned Shazam to see if maybe this was an artist I'd never heard of. Nope -- Shazam hasn't heard it either. At least it's kinda catchy.
Our show has started
9:50 a.m. PT
Apple's event is nearly ready to begin, and CNET's live pre-show is running now at the top of this page. You can watch live as we discuss all the rumors and expected products. Also, get some insight into the minds of our great reviewers.
Spyware scare
9:17 a.m. PT
While we're all waiting to see what Apple releases, make sure you take this moment to update your iPhones, iPads and other Apple devices. Like, now. Go. I'll wait.
Apple put out a surprise update Monday that closes a security hole in a reported "zero-click" hack. This attack, which is tied to the Pegasus spyware reportedly used to spy on dissidents, world leaders and journalists, can be delivered through a text message. Supposedly, you can't do anything to stop when it arrives -- the hack goes into effect as soon as your phone receives the message. Apple's update closes that hole.
By the way, you can find out if you've been hacked using a free tool available online.
Will there be enough?
9:03 a.m. PT
It used to be that when new iPhones came out, people lined up around the block outside Apple Stores to be among the first to get their hands on the device. It would then typically be promptly sold out and nearly impossible to find for days or even weeks. Apple's gotten better at managing demand, and so many people buy online now that the dramatic iPhone lines are largely a thing of the past. But what of supply?
In the pandemic, we've learned that our international supply chains are rather fragile, and our reliance on overseas manufacturing has led to shortages of all sorts of products, from cars to video game consoles to garlic. So far, indications are Apple's been able to avoid these issues, in part thanks to its aggressive long-term planning. That doesn't mean you'll have easy access to an iPhone at launch, but it shouldn't be as hard to find as, say, a PlayStation 5.
There are rumors the Apple Watch on the other hand may have limited supplies at launch. But that's because of a non-pandemic problem. According to rumors, Apple struggled to get production going smooth in order to produce at high volume.
Unusual location
8:31 a.m. PT
Pretty much every virtual event Apple's held so far has been set on its multibillion dollar "spaceship" headquarters in Cupertino, California. But this time Apple CEO Tim Cook tweeted out a picture of a different location the company will be holding at least part of its event from: The desert.
It's a good bet this may be a reference to the rumored satellite emergency call capabilities being built into the next iPhones. We'll have to see.
§
Apple's new iPhone 13 line debuted Tuesday at Apple's September event, showing a tweaked design with a variety of new features for those upgrading from earlier iPhone models. The lineup consists of four new phones: the iPhone 13, the 13 Mini, the 13 Pro and the 13 Pro Max. The new phones will run iOS 15, come with a larger battery, more storage, a new A15 Bionic processor, a smaller notch and an abundance of new camera features. The base model of the iPhone 13 and 13 Mini are available in five colors: pink, blue, midnight (black), starligh t (white) and Product Red. The iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max will also get a giant camera upgrade as well as a new display with 120Hz high refresh-rate display.
Read on for our first take on Apple's iPhone 13 lineup and the answers to all of your questions about the phone's specs, features, design, price and how to get your hands on one yourself. Plus, here's everything we know about iOS 15, and here's what we know about a potential October Apple event.
How much will the iPhone 13 cost, and how much storage does it have?
The iPhone 13 price depends on which of the four variants you buy, how much storage you choose and whether you're purchasing through a carrier or unlocked. Here's everything to know about the iPhone 13 price structure and preorder details.
Without a carrier discount, the iPhone 13 starts at $829 (£779, AU$1,349) for 128GB, which is twice the storage of the base iPhone 12 model. The iPhone 13 Mini starts at $729 (£679, AU$1,199) for the same 128GB of storage. Like the iPhone 12, if you buy an iPhone 13 or 13 Mini tied to a US carrier, you'll receive a $30 discount.
The iPhone 13 Pro starts at $999 (£949, AU$1,699) and the 13 Pro Max at $1,099 (£1,049, AU$1,849) for 128GB of storage. For the first time, you have the option to get 1TB of storage on an iPhone. The extra storage is only available on the Pro models and pushes the iPhone 13 Pro Max's price to $1,599. Below is a breakdown of prices (without a carrier discount) and storage options.
iPhone 13 series US prices and storage
Model
128GB of storage
256GB of storage
512GB of storage
1TB of storage
iPhone 13 Mini
$729
$829
$1,029
N/A
iPhone 13
$829
$929
$1,129
N/A
iPhone 13 Pro
$999
$1,099
$1,299
$1,499
iPhone 13 Pro Max
$1,099
$1,199
$1,399
$1,599
Apple/Screenshot by James Martin/CNET
What is the iPhone 13's screen size?
The four iPhone 13 models have the same size screens as the iPhone 12 series. The iPhone 13 Mini has a 5.4-inch display, the iPhone 13 and 13 Pro have a 6.1-inch screen, while the iPhone 13 Pro Max has a 6.7-inch display. All the new phones have brighter screens.
Does the iPhone 13 Pro have a 120Hz refresh rate?
Both Pro models now get a higher 120Hz refresh rate, which makes animations and scrolling look smoother and gaming more immersive. Android phones, whether they are expensive or not, commonly feature a high refresh rate screen. Up to now, the only Apple device to offer such a refresh rate was the iPad Pro, which uses an LCD screen instead of the OLED found on the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max. Here's some more information on the iPhone 13's 120Hz refresh rate, ProMotion and why it may not work exactly the way you think.
How long does the iPhone 13 battery last?
Probably the most welcomed feature announced for the iPhone 13 is a bigger battery. Apple didn't share the size, but claims that the new battery along with iOS 15, the A15 chip and updated display adds 2.5 hours of battery life to the iPhone 13 (compared to the iPhone 12).
The iPhone 13 Mini should get an 1.5 hours more than the iPhone 12 Mini. That's a significant increase: The battery life on the iPhone 12 Mini was a compromise some people weren't willing to make. So it's exciting to see the new Mini get such a big bump in just a year.
Apple says that the Pro models should see a similar increase in battery life with the iPhone 13 Pro getting 2.5 hours more and the 13 Pro Max getting an additional 1.5 hours.
How many cameras does the iPhone 13 have?
The iPhone 13 and 13 Mini get an updated camera system, which is apparent from the new diagonal orientation of the two rear cameras. In fact, Apple says the new orientation is a result of making more room for a new sensor-based stabilization system -- which previously was only on the iPhone 12 Pro Max. (The cameras on the iPhone 12 were stacked vertically.)
All four models get an improved 12-megapixel main camera and a better ultrawide lens and sensor. The new hardware, along with the new A15 Bionic chip, means a handful of improvements and new features, including being able to capture 47% more light.
The iPhone 13 Pro also has a new triple-camera system with better lenses and sensors. The telephoto lens comes with 3x optical zoom, which is 1.5x longer than the camera on the iPhone 12 Pro and 1.2x longer than the tele lens on the 12 Pro Max. Take a look below at the different telephoto lenses the Pro models of the iPhone 13 and 12.
To put things in perspective, this is an enormous improvement for the iPhone, but it still pales in comparison to the telephoto cameras on the Galaxy S21 Ultra and phones from Huawei.
iPhone 13 Pro telephoto lens specs vs. 13 Pro, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max
