iPhone X and 8 release: Everything you need to know, all in one place

Smartphones weren't the only things on show

Aatif Sulleyman
Friday 15 December 2017 16:57 GMT
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Facebook Live: First look at the new iPhone X

Apple has finally unveiled its latest batch of iPhones.

The highly anticipated iPhone X and slightly less advanced iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus have officially launched, alongside a couple of other new devices.

Here's everything you need to know about the iPhone X launch event announcements.

The main attraction. Almost everything detail of the iPhone X leaked ahead of its official unveiling, but it was still Apple's biggest announcement by far.

It's one of the most attractive devices Apple has created, thanks to its striking edge-to-edge OLED display, but not everyone will be pleased at the lack of a physical home button.

It also features wireless charging, Face ID and special face-scanning technologies that let you animate emoji simply by changing your expression.

Read more about the iPhone X

The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus won't attract anywhere near as much attention as the X, but they're likely to prove much more popular. That's because they're cheaper and come out much sooner than it.

While the X will cost $999 when it comes out in November, the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus start at $699 and $799 respectively, and begin shipping to buyers on 22 September, a week after preorders open.

The handsets look very similar to the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, but feature wireless charging and improved cameras.

Read more about the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus

All three of those phones will come pre-loaded with iOS 11, Apple's newest mobile operating system. It was unveiled several months ago, with a multitude of new features, but is still being polished up and finalised.

It will improve Live Photos, introduce the new-look App Store, make Siri less robotic and much more.

The final version will be available to download – for free – from 19 September, but not all iPhone and iPad owners will be able to download it. You can find the list of compatible devices here.

Read more about iOS 11

The Apple Watch 3 is a huge upgrade from previous versions of the wearable, thanks to the addition of cellular connectivity.

That means you can call people, use Maps, stream songs and access Siri directly on the watch, independently of your phone.

It's arguably what the first version of the Apple Watch should have been.

Read more about the Apple Watch 3

Apple TV was also treated to a much-needed refresh, with the company upgrading it with 4K and high dynamic range (HDR).

That means picture quality will be fantastic – both super sharp and incredibly detailed – though you have to own a 4K HDR TV and actually be watching 4K HDR content to benefit.

Apple TV 4K is available for $179 and you can order it from 15 September. It will start shipping a week later, on 22 September.

Read more about the Apple TV 4K

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