Held on September 12 and known simply as Wonderlust, the event kicked off at the Steve Jobs Theater on the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California, following on from June’s WWDC conference that saw the launch of the ambitious new Apple Vision Pro.
Apple’s September event, however, served as a showcase for some of the company's key flagship products, including updates on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, plus news of a series of environmental changes to their product design.
And while the iPhone 15 series naturally took center stage at this year's autumn conference, there were also plenty of other big reveals that you may have missed.
From focusing on carbon neutrality to the wonders of USB-C connection, here’s everything you needed to know about Apple’s 2023 Wonderlust event.
1. Apple Watch (Series 9 and Ultra 2)
From the outset, Apple promised focus on the Apple Watch and delivered not just one, but multiple updates on its flagship product, with availability beginning Friday, September 22.
The latest smartwatch from Apple, the Apple Watch Series 9, features a new S9 SiP, which increases performance and capabilities, a brighter display, faster on-device Siri, the ability to access and log health data and a chic new color option (pink!).
It was the magical new double tap gesture, however, that might have just proven the most exciting update of all, offering users the option to control the Apple Watch hands-free control for the very first time.
The new feature, announced especially at the event, lets Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra owners control their smartwatch simply by tapping their index finger and thumb together twice, and works by detecting the inquire signature of movements and changes in a user's blood flow.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 also comes with its own special features including a powerful new S9 SiP, Apple’s brightest ever display, expanded altitude range, on-device Siri, and Precision Finding for iPhone.
2. First ever carbon-neutral products
Carbon neutral was the order of the day; the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and Apple Watch SE were all billed as Apple’s first-ever carbon neutral products, as part of Apple's 2030 commitment to environmental issues.
This includes focus on reducing emissions from the three biggest sources of greenhouse gases — materials, electricity, and transportation. Apple Watch packaging has been redesigned to be 100 percent fiber-based, and a new logo on the packaging indicates models that are carbon neutral.
Apple will also no longer use leather in any new Apple product, including watch bands, instead opting for FineWoven, a luxurious and durable microtwill made of 68 percent post-consumer recycled content that has significantly lower carbon emissions.
The company also announced that it has worked with Nike and Hermès on more environmentally friendly band collections that contains 32 percent or more recycled fluoroelastomer.
3. The iPhone 15 series was announced
As expected, Apple debuted both the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Plus featuring an industry-first color-infused back glass with a stunning, textured matte finish, and a new contoured edge on the aluminum enclosure.
Both models were announced as featuring the Dynamic Island, and an advanced camera system featuring a powerful 48MP main camera that enables users to take super-high-resolution photos, plus a new 2x Telephoto option to give users a total of three optical zoom levels.
The iPhone 15 lineup also introduced the next generation of portraits that makes it easier to capture portraits in greater detail and in low-light. Users won't have to switch to Portrait mode either — iPhone 15 will automatically capture depth information, so users can adjust the focus point after the photo has been taken.
It was rumored that the iPhone 15 series would have USB-C connection for the first time, which proved to be correct.
Both models were confirmed to use a USB‑C connector instead of Apple's proprietary Lightning connector, allowing the same cable to charge iPhone, Mac, iPad, and the updated AirPods Pro (2nd generation).
Apple also unveiled a special strong and lightweight titanium design for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, as well as a new Action button, powerful camera upgrades, and A17 Pro for next-level performance and mobile gaming. The iPhone 15 Pro Max provides the longest optical zoom ever on iPhone devices — 5x at 120 mm.
4. iOS 17 is here
It was confirmed that the iPhone 15 series would feature iOS 17, giving it all new capabilities.
These include Contact Posters, which allows users to customize how they appear to their contacts, and Live Voicemail, which leverages the power of A16 Bionic to see real-time on-device transcription as someone leaves a voicemail.
Not to mention, a new stickers experience in Messages, and a Check In feature, which allows users to automatically notify friends and family when they have made it to their destination safely.
NameDrop gives users a new way to use AirDrop to more easily share contact information by simply bringing two iPhone devices together, while StandBy gives users a customizable full-screen experience with glanceable information designed to be viewed from a distance when iPhone is on its side and charging.