Apple Unveils iPhone 14 With Satellite SOS, Outdoor Ultra Watch

September 7 (Reuters) – Apple Inc. (AAPL.O) introduced new iPhone 14 models capable of using satellites to send emergency messages and an adventure-focused Ultra Watch for sports like scuba diving and triathlons.

Outdoor-focused products will test whether Apple’s relatively wealthy customer base will keep spending in the face of rising inflation.

Prices for the higher-end iPhone 14s are the same as last year’s iPhone 13 models. But Apple ditched its cheapest option, the iPhone mini, meaning the cheapest model is now $100 more than it was last year.

The iPhone 14 will start at $799 and the iPhone Plus at $899 and will be available for preorder starting September 1. 9. The iPhone Pro will cost $999 and the iPhone Pro Max $1,099 and will be available on September 1. sixteen. read more

“It’s interesting that they have essentially decided to hold prices despite inflationary pressure,” said Tom Forte, an analyst at DA Davidson. “The decision or strategy is that Apple believes it can maintain margins by discontinuing a lower-priced device in the line.”

Apple said its SOS satellite will work with emergency services. It also said that in some situations, users will be able to use their FindMy app to share their location via satellite when they have no other connectivity.

The service will be free for two years with the iPhone 14. Apple didn’t say what would happen after that period.

Shares in Globalstar Inc. (GSAT.A) jumped 20% on Wednesday after the satellite services company announced it would be the satellite operator for Apple’s emergency SOS service.

Apple will pay 95% of the approved capital expenditures for the new satellites that would be needed to support the service, but Globalstar said it will still need to raise additional debt to build and deploy the satellites. read more

The stock had gained nearly 70% from mid-June through Tuesday’s close, following speculation of working with Apple.

Other companies are working on similar features. SpaceX founder Elon Musk said last month that he is working with T-Mobile (TMUS.O) to use their Starlink satellites to connect phones directly to the Internet.

Apple’s iPhone 14 Plus model will have a larger screen like Apple’s iPhone Pro models, but an A15 processor chip like the previous iPhone 13.

The Cupertino, California-based company also showed off a trio of new Apple Watches, including a new Watch Ultra model aimed at extreme sports and diving and designed to challenge sports watch specialists like Garmin. (GRMN.BN) and polar.

“Apple is competing for a consumer segment that already has strong loyalty to its existing products and suppliers, and will have to prove itself over time,” said Runar Bjorhovde, an analyst at Canalys.

The Ultra has a larger battery to last through events like triathlons and better waterproofing and temperature resistance to operate in outdoor environments, as well as better GPS tracking for sports.

The new watches include an upgraded budget model called the SE and a Series 8 watch with shock detection and low power mode for 36 hours of battery life.

The Series 8 with Cellular will start at $499 and the SE will start at $299 with Cellular. The Ultra, which includes cellular in its base model, will start at $799 and will be available on September 1. 23

Apple said the new Series 8 watch has a temperature sensor that will work in conjunction with its previously released cycle-tracking app to retroactively detect ovulation. The company emphasized the privacy focus of its cycle tracking. Reproductive health and privacy data has become a focus of attention for tech companies in the wake of a US Supreme Court decision that ended the constitutional right to abortion in the United States.

Apple said it doesn’t have the key to cracking health data like cycle tracking.

Apple also touted that its second-generation AirPods Pro will double the amount of noise cancellation compared to the original version.

But while accessories like the Apple Watch have driven incremental sales from Apple’s existing user base, the iPhone remains the bedrock of its business with 52.4% of sales in its most recent fiscal year.

Apple shares rose 0.8% after the filing, trailing the S&P 500’s 1.8% gain during the session.

Apple didn’t give any hints or previews of its mixed reality headset on Wednesday. The device is expected to have cameras that convey the view of the outside world to the user while overlaying digital objects onto the physical world. Analysts don’t expect the device to go on sale until next year at the earliest.

Meta Platforms Inc is working on a rival headset called Project Cambria (META.O)which is spending billions of dollars on the project.

Reporting from Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Additional reporting by Nivedita Balu in Bengaluru; Edited by Peter Henderson and Lisa Shumaker

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