The new iPhones will have sharper cameras. Apple says that the main camera on the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus will have a resolution of 12 megapixels. It’s the first increase since 2011, when the iPhone 4s got 8 megapixels, compared with 5 megapixels before. But many high-end Android phones have long had more. Samsung phones, for instance, have 16 megapixels, while an upcoming Sony phone will have 23 megapixels. Apple said at an event in San Francisco Wednesday that it waited until it could ensure delivering more megapixels without image degradation. Meanwhile, the front camera for selfies is getting a boost to 5 megapixels, from 1.2 megapixels, matching Samsung’s latest phones. Plus, the new iPhones will use the main display as a flash, something the front camera now lacks. And video recording will be improved to the Ultra HD, or 4k, resolution found on Samsung and Sony phones. Apple’s new iPhones come as smartphone sales are slowing worldwide, given that many people already own one. But researchers at IDC say that iPhone sales are growing faster than those of Android phones. IDC expects iPhone shipments to grow by 16 percent this year, while it estimates Android phones will grow only 10 percent. During a presentation Wednesday in San Francisco, Apple introduced new iPhone models with faster processors and a new feature called 3D Touch, which allows easy access to frequent tasks by holding down on an icon. For instance, it’ll be possible to update a Facebook status right from the home screen. Android still dominates overall, with iPhones making up only about 15 percent of smartphones sold around the world. But Apple’s phones tend to be more profitable. Rivals like Samsung and HTC sell many lower-cost phones that carry lower profit margins. IDC recently lowered its overall forecast for smartphone shipments in 2015, saying once-hot markets like China are becoming “mature,” meaning many people already have phones. Apple has seen strong growth in China, however, and CEO Tim Cook has touted the company’s opportunities there
The company kicked off the event with an update about the Apple Watch. Fashionista’s now have more band options. The biggest addition is a wrap-around brown leather band, which will be available in October. The watch itself now comes in gold and rose gold, and there are new sports bands options as well. The smart device was released in April. There are now more than 10,000 watch apps, including a few new important additions. Facebook Messenger’s app will let you send text, audio and location messages. GoPro’s app acts as a viewfinder for your camera. iTranslate lets you speak a word and get a translation and AirStrip is a took for medical professionals. It’s also adding transit directions to the included Maps app.
