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Apple Event 2019: iPhone 11 Pro, Watch Series 5, Apple Arcade, iPad and everything announced

The iPhone 11 Pro comes with three cameras and smarter processing. We also found out Apple Arcade, Apple's game subscription service is going live with iOS 13 and a new, more powerful iPad is ready for it.

Lori Grunin Senior Editor / Advice
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
Expertise Photography, PCs and laptops, gaming and gaming accessories
Lori Grunin
4 min read
Apple/GIF by CNET

Welcome to Apple's latest round of "What the iPhone has in store for us for 2019 and 2020!" We got updates on Apple Arcade, a new entry-level iPad for 2019, a new Watch Series 5, and of course, an iPhone 11. But the biggest deal was the iPhone 11 Pro and its big brother the Pro Max, new flagship models sporting three cameras and improved computational photography. Plus, you'll be able to win an iPhone 11 Pro Max in our Apple Core giveaway

Some news came after the event ended: MacOS Catalina is coming in October.

Watch this: 3 new iPhones, a new Apple Watch and an early surprise

The most surprising development leading up to Apple's annual announcements of its new iPhones? For the first time, the company is simultaneously streaming the event on YouTube as well as its own site. The times, they are a changin'.

Watch this: iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max are packed with camera features

iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max

The expected mainstream iPhone 11 debuted with a dual-camera configuration and a new design in six colors. Features include Dolby Atmos audio, Wi-Fi 6, an ultra wide camera lens and enhanced camera features. You'll be able to take landscape selfies and videos and slo-mo video -- Apple referred to these as "slofies," and Twitter was not amused. It gets a power boost in the form of a new A13 Bionic processor (with a faster graphics processor). We saw a new action RPG game, Pascal's Wager from Giant Network, to show off the GPU performance and spatial audio. It isn't an Apple Arcade title, though, which is interesting. 

The iPhone 11 starts at $699 (£729, AU$1,199).

Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller shows off the iPhone 11 Pro's three cameras.

Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller shows off the iPhone 11 Pro's three cameras.

Apple/Screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET

The iPhone 11 Pro and its big twin the Pro Max have "Super Retina XDR" OLED displays that are based on the Pro XDR Display that has similar specs but is not OLED. It has the fidget-spinner-looking tri-camera setup, a new matte finish, and uses the A13 Bionic as well. Apple claims longer battery life despite all that. It comes bundled with the fast-charge adapter.

The cameras are all new and now include an ultra-wide lens -- for Apple's claim of a 4x zoom range -- with edge-to-edge focus pixels, and Apple's improved its image processing. Apple was also very proud of its new Deep Fusion technology, which drives its improved Smart HDR multishot mode. It starts at $999, and the larger 11 Pro Max starts at $1,099. Preorders begin Friday and ship on Sept. 20.

Watch this: Apple shows off new games for its Arcade subscription service

Apple Arcade and Apple TV Plus

Apple took the opportunity to introduce us to some new games for its upcoming all-you-can-eat game subscription service, coming later this month, which will run $4.99 per month per family, with a one-month free trial. You can get Apple TV Plus for free for a year if you buy Apple devices.

These are the games we saw demo'd when Apple Arcade was being introduced:

  • Frogger in Toy Town, from Konami
  • Shinsekai: Deep Sea, from Capcom
  • Sayonara Wild Hearts, from Annapurna Interactive

Apple TV Plus launches on Nov. 1 in over 100 countries, for another $4.99 per month for a family subscription. We saw a longer trailer of Jason Momoa's new sci-fi show See.

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Apple/Screenshot by Rebecca Fleenor/CNET

iPad 2019

The company is replacing its sixth-generation iPad with a new 10.2-inch seventh-generation iPad optimized for the new iPad OS. It's got improved brightness, a better viewing angle, an A10 Fusion chip and adds a Smart Connector plus a new smart keyboard cover. So you can enjoy all the new games and content! For the same price as before, $329 (£349, AU$529), starting at the end of the month.

Watch this: First look at Apple's 10.2-inch iPad
apple-watch
Apple/Screenshot by Lynn La/CNET

Apple Watch Series 5

The new Watch Series 5 features a new always-on display that can drop to as low as 1Hz refresh to save power, as well as a compass and optimized faces. And it has fancy new bands and faces! GPS models will start at $399 (£399, AU$649) and $499 (£499, AU$799) for cell models. Series 3 stays in the line, but the price has dropped to $199 (£199, AU$319) to start. The company also announced three new health studies: hearing, heart and movement and menstrual-cycle tracking.

If you're feeling nostalgic, you can go back and read our liveblog for the event.

Watch this: Up close with the Apple Watch Series 5's always-on display

iPhone 11 and 11 Pro in all their new, vibrant colors

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