If I ask people what is the most coveted tech launch of the year, the most common answer would always be the Apple iPhone launch. This has been going on since the launch of the first iPhone in 2009 when the late Steve Jobs unveiled a device that could be your 3-in-1 device, a device that is your Phone, iPod and Email device. Fast Forward to 2023, the launch of the iPhone 15 series and nothing has changed – the iPhone remains to be the most technologically advanced smartphone on the planet.

Apple announced a series of new products – iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple Watch SE 2, Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2 and an updated version of the AirPods Pro 2 with a USB-C port. Marching forward towards its goal of being a carbon-neutral company by 2030, Apple announced a slew of new updates to the way it ships its products, making all Apple Watch Series 9, SE 2 and Watch Ultra 2 carbon-neutral products with a special sustainability green icon on the packaging, and also announced a series of new accessories that are made from recycled or sustainable materials.

Let’s first talk about the design of the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus which features an industry-first colour-infused back glass with a textured matte finish and a new contoured edge on the aluminium enclosure. The back glass is strengthened with an optimized dual-ion exchange process before being polished with nanocrystalline particles and etched to create a luxurious, textured matte finish.

Both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are available in five stunning new colours: pink, yellow, green, blue, and black. We are sporting the Pink as it is the year of the Barbie.

In terms of Display, they come in 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch display sizes, iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus feature Dynamic Island, the much-loved and innovative way to interact with important alerts and Live Activities that was launched on the 14 Pro series last year. The Peak HDR brightness now reaches up to 1600 nits and the peak outdoor brightness reaches up to 2000 nits — twice as bright as the previous generation.

The camera setup on the new iPhone has also been improved with a new Advanced dual-camera system comprising of a 48MP Main: 26 mm, ƒ/1.6 aperture, sensor-shift optical image stabilisation, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) and a 12MP Ultra-Wide: 13 mm, ƒ/2.4 aperture and 120° field of view.

The tried and tested, A16 Bionic makes it to the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus with a 5-core GPU, that enables smoother graphics when streaming videos and playing games — all while powering incredible computational photography capabilities and the Dynamic Island, with privacy built in.

The other major change is that now both models use a USB‑C connector for charging and transferring data, allowing the same cable to charge iPhone, Mac, iPad, and the updated AirPods Pro.

Now let’s talk Pro!

Since the iPhone 4, #ShotoniPhone has become a sought-after way for photographers to share their photos shot on iPhone with the world. And it keeps getting better with each passing year. Especially since the introduction of the Pro series of iPhones starting with the iPhone 11 Pro.

In its 5th year, the Pro series of iPhone is capable of shooting Hollywood/Bollywood movies, documentary films, music videos or anything that an expensive cinema camera setup can shoot. Not just that, for the first time ever the iPhone 15 Pro series gets the ability to capture Spatial Videos that can be later viewed on the upcoming Apple Vision Pro.

With the iPhone 15 Pro, users get multiple focal lengths to work with. It’s like having seven pro lenses set up in your pocket, everywhere you go. The camera systems across the full line-up take portrait photography to the next level with improvements in low-light performance, and a new 5x Telephoto camera — available exclusively on iPhone 15 Pro Max — that’s great for close-ups, wildlife photos, and more.

Bringing pro performance and capabilities, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are powered by A17 Pro, the industry’s first 3-nanometer chip. Continuing Apple’s leadership in smartphone silicon, the A17 Pro brings improvements to the entire chip, including the biggest GPU redesign in Apple’s history.

With its aerospace-grade titanium design, the iPhone 15 Pro delivers Apple’s lightest Pro models ever.

Available in 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch display sizes, both the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max feature a strong and lightweight titanium design — a first for iPhone.

The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are available in four new finishes, including black titanium, white titanium, blue titanium, and natural titanium.

The other standout changes include the all-new Action button that replaces the single-function switch used to toggle between ring and silent, offering additional options so users can choose between quickly accessing the camera or flashlight; activating Voice Memos, Focus, Translate, and accessibility features like Magnifier; or using Shortcut.

And the USB-C also makes it to the Pro models with the – iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max supporting USB 3 for data transfer speeds up to 10 gigabits per second, up to 20x faster than before.

Watch it! It’s time for the New Apple Watches

Apple Watch Series 9 is more powerful than ever with the new S9 SiP, and together with the new Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Ultra 2 achieves a significant environmental milestone toward Apple 2030: Apple’s plan to be carbon neutral across its entire business, manufacturing supply chain, and product lifecycle by 2030.

For the first time, customers can choose a carbon-neutral option for any Apple Watch. All models introduce a new double tap gesture, and Ultra 2 has the same 36-hour battery life with regular use and up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode.

But the highlight for me was not just these launches but the fact that I was there in person at the Steve Jobs Theatre to witness it all and be one of the first in the World to get my hands-on with all these devices at Apple Park. Honestly, if I had my way – Apple Park would be in the Wonders of the World already. Just go there once and you will know why.