Tag: XDR

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iPhone 15 Pro Max (256GB, blue titanium, 2023)

Apple released the iPhone 15 series on September 12, 2023. The iPhone 15 Pro Max press release began, “Featuring a strong and lightweight titanium design with new contoured edges, a new Action button, powerful camera upgrades, and A17 Pro for next-level performance and mobile gaming.”

The iPhone 15 Pro Max was made with aerospace-grade titanium. Apple described the finish as “a strong and lightweight titanium design—a first for iPhone. This premium alloy—the same used in spacecraft—has one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios of any metal, making this Apple’s lightest Pro lineup ever.”

Apple described this iPhone’s camera capabilities:

“Powerful camera upgrades enable the equivalent of seven pro lenses with incredible image quality, including a more advanced 48MP Main camera system that now supports the new super-high-resolution 24MP default, the next generation of portraits with Focus and Depth Control, improvements to Night mode and Smart HDR, and an all-new 5x Telephoto camera exclusively on iPhone 15 Pro Max.”

The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max were the first iPhones to include an Action button, an idea borrowed from the Apple Watch Ultra. According to the press release, the:

“Action button 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 Shortcuts for more options. A press-and-hold gesture with fine-tuned haptic feedback and visual cues in the Dynamic Island ensure the new button launches the intended action.”

The iPhone 15 Pro cameras were the first to be able to record spatial video for the Apple Vision Pro. The feature was added in an iOS 17.2 software update on December 11, 2023. In a press release, Apple announced:

“iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max users can now record spatial videos—a groundbreaking new capability that helps users capture life’s precious moments—and relive those memories on Apple Vision Pro, starting early next year.”

Because spatial video can only be viewed on Apple Vision Pro, spatial videos appear as 2D videos on all other devices. Apple explained:

“Spatial video capture on iPhone arrives ahead of the debut of Apple Vision Pro, so iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max users can begin capturing moments with family and friends to enjoy on Apple Vision Pro from day one.”

The iPhone 15 Pro Max was available in capacities of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. This model has 256GB of storage. Its 6.7-inch (diagonal) Super Retina XDR OLED display had 2796×1290-pixel resolution at 460 ppi. The A17 Pro chip used a new 6‑core CPU, a new 6‑core GPU, and a new 16‑core Neural Engine.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max camera system was similar to the iPhone 15 Pro, but had a few enhanced features. Both cameras had:

  • 48MP Main camera with ƒ/1.78 aperture
  • 12MP Ultra Wide camera with ƒ/2.2 aperture
  • 12MP 2x Telephoto camera with ƒ/1.78 aperture

The Pro Max model was enhanced with:

  • 12MP 5x Telephoto camera with ƒ/2.8 aperture with tetraprism design (the Pro model had 3x Telephoto)
  • 5x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 10x optical zoom range (the Pro model had a 3x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 6x optical zoom range)
  • Digital zoom up to 25x (the Pro model had up to 15x digital zoom)

The iPhone 15 Pro Max measured 3.02 inches wide, 6.29 inches high, and 0.32 inches thick. It weighed 7.81 ounces.

The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max were available in “four stunning new finishes, including black titanium, white titanium, blue titanium, and natural titanium.” This example is an iPhone 15 Pro Max in blue titanium.

Sources: Apple Newsroom (iPhone 15 Pro, spatial video), Specs

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Polishing Cloth (2021)

On October 18, 2021, Apple held an online “Unleashed” event where they introduced a “new MacBook Pro with M1 Pro or M1 Max chip, all-new AirPods, and HomePod mini in five bold colors.” On the same day, Apple quietly released an “official” Polishing Cloth as an accessory that was available on the website for $19.

Apple describes the product:

“Made with soft, nonabrasive material, the Polishing Cloth cleans any Apple display, including nano-texture glass, safely and effectively.”

In addition to the product description, Apple provided a long list of models under the Compatibility header including iPhone models back to the iPhone SE (1st generation), iPad models back to the iPad mini (1st generation), Mac models back to iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014 – 2015), all Apple Watch models back Apple Watch 1st generation, iPod models back to iPod shuffle (4th generation), and the Display model Pro Display XDR.

Originally, this Polishing Cloth was included only with the Pro Display XDR that was sold with Standard glass for $4,999 or Nano-texture glass for $5,999.

Apple specified on its support website, “If your Apple Pro Display XDR has nano-texture glass, clean it using only the included polishing cloth.” On the interior of the package, an included cardboard insert explains that the cloth is “Safe for use on all Apple displays and surfaces. For infrequent cleaning of hard-to-remove smudges on nano-texture glass, a 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) solution may be used.”

Soon after the Polishing Cloth was posted on Apple’s site, various tech bloggers began writing tongue-in-cheek articles about the $19 cloth. The articles included reviews, announcements, and even a “tear-down” from the website iFixIt. Some example articles included:

Review: Apple’s polishing cloth is the new gold standard for device cleaning (9to5Mac)

Apple’s worst shipping delay is for a $19 polishing cloth (Engadget)

Apple’s Most Back-Ordered New Product Is Not What You Expect (New York Times)

2021 MacBook Pro Teardown: A Glimpse at a Better Timeline (iFixIt)

The original blogger who “broke” the story on October 19, 2021, (at 9:55AM) was Victoria Song on Engadget: Apple Wants You to Pay How Much for a Polishing Cloth?! Two weeks later, she proclaimed in a follow-up article, “The Apple Polishing Cloth Is Everything Wrong With Society” where she acknowledged “It was a fun bit, but like many things, it spiraled out of control.”

My testing reveals that this Polishing Cloth functions as described.

Sources: Apple (Polishing cloth, Support)

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iPhone 13 Pro (256 GB, Sierra Blue, 2021)

The iPhone 13 Pro was released in 2021 and featured upgrades to the previous iPhone 12 models, mostly in camera technology and battery life. Its display used a 6.1-inch (diagonal) Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion (2532-by-1170-pixel resolution at 460 ppi).

Upon release, the iPhone 13 Pro used Apple’s then-current A15 Bionic chip and included a 12MP camera system with three cameras: Telephoto, Wide, and Ultra Wide. The cameras allowed 3x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out, and 6x optical zoom range with a digital zoom up to 15x. This iPhone added the ability for “Cinematic mode for recording videos with shallow depth of field (1080p at 30 fps).” It also added the ability to capture Macro photography:

“With its redesigned lens and powerful autofocus system, the new Ultra Wide camera can focus at just 2 cm — making even the smallest details seem epic. Transform a leaf into abstract art. Capture a caterpillar’s fuzz. Magnify a dewdrop. The beauty of tiny awaits.”

For the first time, the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max offered identical technical specifications—previous Pro Max models offered additional technical capabilities over the smaller Pro model. However, the Pro Max offered slightly longer battery life (due to its increased size), and a larger screen.

The iPhone 13 Pro measured 2.82 inches wide, 5.78 inches high, and 0.30 inch deep. It weighed 7.19 ounces. The size and weight specifications made the phone slightly larger and heavier than its iPhone 12 predecessors.

Apple marketed the iPhone 13 Pro with the following headlines:

“A dramatically more powerful camera system. A display so responsive, every interaction feels new again. The world’s fastest smartphone chip. Exceptional durability. And a huge leap in battery life. Let’s Pro.”

Further, well over half of the iPhone 13 Pro/Pro Max main web page was devoted to new camera and video features.

The iPhone 13 Pro/Pro Max was offered in four colors including Sierra Blue, Silver, Gold, and Graphite. Capacities included 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and (for the first time in an iPhone) 1TB—an option that cost $500 over the price of the base model.

Source: Apple