iPhone 15 and New Apple Watch Arrive in Stores

Apple’s latest devices arrived in stores Friday (Sept. 22).

Among the new offerings available in-store and online are the iPhone 15 lineup and new Apple Watch lineup, the company said in a Friday press release.

The release includes a range of options, such as the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2, the new Apple Watch SE, and AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Charging (USB-C), according to the release.

The iPhone 15 lineup introduces a new design, featuring a color-infused back glass and a new contoured edge, the release said. The iPhone 15 Pro, in particular, stands out with its aerospace-grade titanium design, making it Apple’s lightest Pro model yet. The device also has a new chip called A17 Pro, which offers improved performance and mobile gaming capabilities. 

The camera systems across the entire iPhone lineup have been enhanced, designed to take portrait photography to new heights, especially in low-light conditions, per the release. Notably, the iPhone 15 Pro Max introduces a new 5x Telephoto camera, designed for capturing close-ups and wildlife photos.

In terms of the Apple Watch lineup, the new Apple Watch Series 9 is getting a power boost, thanks to the new S9 SiP, according to the press release.

Together with the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Ultra 2, these devices contribute to Apple’s ambitious environmental goal of achieving carbon neutrality across its entire business by 2030, the release said. Customers now have the option to choose a carbon-neutral Apple Watch.

Additionally, all models in the Apple Watch lineup come with a new double tap gesture, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 boasts 36-hour battery life with regular use, extending up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode, per the release.

The latest refresh of Apple’s line of hardware, and the stress on making the devices easier to navigate, emphasizes the connectivity of various endpoints. As PYMNTS reported Sept. 12, that connectivity is a key part of a cycle that gives further momentum to digital payments like Apple Pay. 

The connectivity also contributes to the devices themselves continuing to serve as an onramp to the services ecosystem — and services has been the revenue driver that has been outpacing the earnings from hardware.