Tag: Apple

  • Apple iPhone 15 Plus

    Apple launched the iPhone 15 Plus in India in September 2023 at Rs 89,900 for 128 GB. It gives buyers the large 6.7-inch screen of the Pro Max at a much lower price, now with the Dynamic Island, USB-C and the A16 Bionic chip inherited from the iPhone 14 Pro series.

    The Super Retina XDR OLED is very bright for outdoor use but remains at 60Hz, which is more noticeable on a large screen. The frosted glass back with colour-infused finish and contoured aluminium edges give it a premium feel, and at 201 g it is far lighter than the 15 Pro Max. Performance is smooth for social apps, streaming and games.

    The 48 MP main camera and 12 MP ultrawide match the iPhone 15, with sharp 24 MP default shots and a usable 2x mode. Battery life is excellent, often lasting a day and a half, and the USB-C port can even charge an Apple Watch or AirPods. It faced competition from the Galaxy S23+ era Androids that offered higher refresh rates and faster charging at similar prices.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 89,900 (base variant)
    India launchSeptember 2023
    SegmentFlagship
    Display6.7-inch, Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz, 1290 x 2796
    ProcessorApple A16 Bionic
    RAM6 GB
    Storage128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras48 MP main + 12 MP ultrawide
    Front camera12 MP with autofocus
    Battery4383 mAh
    Charging20W wired, wireless
    Software at launchiOS 17
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIP68
    Headphone jackNo
    Weight201 g
    ColoursBlack, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink

    What we like

    • Excellent battery life
    • Large bright screen with Dynamic Island
    • USB-C port
    • Lighter than the Pro Max

    What could be better

    • 60Hz on a big screen
    • No telephoto
    • Slow charging

    Who should buy it

    iPhone users who want a big screen and long battery life without Pro pricing.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (September 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Apple iPhone 15 Pro

    Apple launched the iPhone 15 Pro in India in September 2023 at Rs 1,34,900 for 128 GB. It replaced stainless steel with a titanium frame, cutting weight to 187 g, and swapped the long-standing mute switch for a customisable Action button. It was also the first phone with a 3 nm chip, the A17 Pro.

    The 6.1-inch ProMotion OLED with always-on support and Dynamic Island is unchanged from the 14 Pro but bezels are slimmer. The A17 Pro brought hardware-accelerated ray tracing and ran console games such as Resident Evil Village, though early units ran warm until software fixes arrived. USB-C supports USB 3 speeds with the right cable, useful for ProRes video transfers.

    Cameras are a 48 MP main, 12 MP ultrawide and 12 MP 3x telephoto, with new 24 mm, 28 mm and 35 mm focal length options and spatial video support added later. Battery life is a full day. The 15 Pro was also among the first iPhones to support Apple Intelligence once it rolled out, thanks to its 8 GB RAM. It competed with the Galaxy S23 and Pixel 8 Pro in the compact flagship space.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 134,900 (base variant)
    India launchSeptember 2023
    SegmentFlagship
    Display6.1-inch, Super Retina XDR OLED, LTPO, ProMotion, 120Hz, 1179 x 2556
    ProcessorApple A17 Pro
    RAM8 GB
    Storage128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras48 MP main + 12 MP ultrawide + 12 MP 3x telephoto
    Front camera12 MP with autofocus
    Battery3274 mAh
    Charging20W wired, wireless
    Software at launchiOS 17
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIP68
    Headphone jackNo
    Weight187 g
    ColoursBlack Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium

    What we like

    • Lighter titanium design
    • A17 Pro and 8 GB RAM
    • Customisable Action button
    • USB 3 speeds over USB-C

    What could be better

    • Early heating issues
    • Expensive in India
    • Slow charging

    Who should buy it

    Buyers who want a compact, powerful iPhone with pro cameras and Apple Intelligence support.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (September 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Apple iPhone 13

    Apple launched the iPhone 13 in India in September 2021 at Rs 79,900 for 128 GB, doubling the base storage of the iPhone 12. It kept the flat-edged aluminium design but trimmed the notch by about 20 percent and moved the cameras into a diagonal layout. Over the following years, price cuts and festive sales made it one of the best-selling iPhones in India.

    The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED is bright and colour accurate, though it is limited to 60Hz while Android rivals at this price had 120Hz. The A15 Bionic chip was the fastest phone chip of its time and kept the phone feeling quick long after launch. At 173 g it is comfortable, and IP68 water resistance plus Ceramic Shield glass make it durable.

    Both 12 MP cameras improved, with the wide camera gaining sensor-shift stabilisation and Cinematic mode adding rack-focus video. Battery life was a big step over the iPhone 12, comfortably lasting a day. Charging is slow at around 20W with an adapter bought separately. Against the Galaxy S21 FE and OnePlus 9, it won on video, longevity and resale value.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 79,900 (base variant)
    India launchSeptember 2021
    SegmentFlagship
    Display6.1-inch, Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz, 1170 x 2532
    ProcessorApple A15 Bionic
    RAM4 GB
    Storage128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras12 MP wide + 12 MP ultrawide
    Front camera12 MP
    Battery3227 mAh
    Charging20W wired, wireless
    Software at launchiOS 15
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIP68
    Headphone jackNo
    Weight173 g
    ColoursPink, Blue, Midnight, Starlight, (PRODUCT)RED

    What we like

    • A15 Bionic remains fast for years
    • Excellent video recording
    • Much improved battery life
    • Long iOS support and resale value

    What could be better

    • 60Hz display
    • Slow charging, no charger in box
    • No telephoto

    Who should buy it

    Buyers who want a dependable, long-supported iPhone, especially at discounted prices.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (September 2021). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation)

    Apple launched the third-generation iPhone SE in India in March 2022 at Rs 43,900 for 64 GB. It reused the iPhone 8 design, complete with thick bezels, a Home button with Touch ID and a 4.7-inch screen, but inside it carried the same A15 Bionic as the iPhone 13 and added 5G support for the first time on an SE.

    The 4.7-inch Retina HD LCD at 750 x 1334 looks dated next to OLED Android phones at this price, such as the OnePlus 10R or Galaxy A73. The upside is a tiny, 144 g phone that is easy to use with one hand. Performance is excellent, far beyond any Android phone in its price band, and iOS updates were expected to continue for many years.

    There is a single 12 MP rear camera, which benefits from the A15's image processing and handles daylight well, but it lacks Night mode and an ultrawide lens. The small battery is the major weakness and heavy users will struggle to reach the evening. It has IP67 water resistance and wireless charging, making it a practical choice for those who want Touch ID and a compact phone.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 43,900 (base variant)
    India launchMarch 2022
    SegmentUpper mid-range
    Display4.7-inch, Retina HD LCD, 60Hz, 750 x 1334
    ProcessorApple A15 Bionic
    RAM4 GB
    Storage64 GB / 128 GB / 256 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras12 MP wide
    Front camera7 MP
    Battery2018 mAh
    Software at launchiOS 15.4
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIP67
    Headphone jackNo
    Weight144 g
    ColoursMidnight, Starlight, (PRODUCT)RED

    What we like

    • Flagship A15 performance
    • Very compact and light
    • Touch ID Home button
    • Long iOS support

    What could be better

    • Dated design with thick bezels
    • Weak battery life
    • No Night mode or ultrawide
    • 64 GB base storage

    Who should buy it

    People who want the cheapest new iPhone with Touch ID in a small, familiar body.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (March 2022). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Apple iPhone 14

    The iPhone 14 launched in India in September 2022 at Rs 79,900 for 128 GB. It looked almost identical to the iPhone 13 and kept the same A15 Bionic chip, albeit with a five-core GPU and 6 GB of RAM. Apple's new features were safety-focused: Crash Detection and, in some countries, Emergency SOS via satellite, which was not available in India.

    The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED is unchanged and still runs at 60Hz, which drew criticism when Android phones at half the price offered 120Hz. Internally Apple redesigned the chassis so the back glass is easier and cheaper to replace. Performance remains excellent for daily use and games, and battery life is slightly better than the iPhone 13.

    The 12 MP main camera got a larger sensor with faster aperture, improving low-light photos, and the front camera gained autofocus. Action mode made handheld video remarkably stable. Charging is around 20W with MagSafe up to 15W. With the iPhone 13 cheaper and nearly identical, most reviewers advised buyers to choose the older model or step up to the 14 Pro.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 79,900 (base variant)
    India launchSeptember 2022
    SegmentFlagship
    Display6.1-inch, Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz, 1170 x 2532
    ProcessorApple A15 Bionic (5-core GPU)
    RAM6 GB
    Storage128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras12 MP wide + 12 MP ultrawide
    Front camera12 MP with autofocus
    Battery3279 mAh
    Charging20W wired, wireless
    Software at launchiOS 16
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIP68
    Headphone jackNo
    Weight172 g
    ColoursMidnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, (PRODUCT)RED

    What we like

    • Improved low-light main camera
    • Action mode stabilisation
    • Crash Detection
    • Easier back-glass repair

    What could be better

    • Same chip as the iPhone 13
    • Still 60Hz
    • Little reason to upgrade from iPhone 13

    Who should buy it

    First-time iPhone buyers who want a new, long-supported model with safety features.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (September 2022). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Steve Jobs

    Steve Jobs asked Walter Isaacson, already the biographer of Benjamin Franklin and Albert Einstein, to write his life story, and then gave him extensive access while promising not to control the result. Isaacson conducted more than forty interviews with Jobs over two years and spoke with over a hundred friends, relatives, competitors and former colleagues. The book appeared weeks after Jobs died in October 2011.

    It follows Jobs from his adoption and childhood in the orchards of what became Silicon Valley, through the founding of Apple with Steve Wozniak, his ousting in 1985, the years at NeXT and Pixar, and his return to rescue Apple. Isaacson details the creation of the Macintosh, the iMac, iPod, iTunes, iPhone and iPad, and Jobs's long battle with pancreatic cancer.

    The portrait is admiring but unsparing. It shows the reality distortion field, the obsession with design and simplicity, the fusion of technology and the liberal arts, and also the cruelty to colleagues and the troubled relationship with his first daughter. The book became one of the best-selling biographies ever and the basis for a feature film.

    Book details

    AuthorWalter Isaacson
    First published2011
    Original languageEnglish
    GenreBiography
    TypeNon-fiction
    Pages (approx.)656
    SettingSilicon Valley, California

    Themes

    • Innovation
    • Design
    • Leadership style
    • Ambition
    • Technology

    Who should read it

    Anyone interested in Apple, product design or the complicated personality behind some of the most influential consumer technology.