Apple event live blog: iPhone 14, Apple Watch Ultra and everything else Apple announced

It's that time of year again! Welcome to Creative Bloq's Apple Event blog, where we'll be keeping you up to date with all of the Cupertino company's shenanigans over the next couple of days. The rumour mill has been churning out rumour after leak after tidbit over the last few months, and we've got a pretty comprehensive idea of what to expect tomorrow. Over the next few hours, we'll be sharing everything we're expecting to see, from the iPhone 14 to the the Apple Watch Pro.

Perhaps the most persistent rumour of the year has involved the design of the iPhone 14 Pro. Specifically the notch – or lack thereof. The controversial design touch is said to be getting replaced by a floating 'pill + hole' design which should free up some more screen real state.

It's still not entirely clear how this will work in practice (will the pill and hole join together when the screen is use?), but anything that frees up even a few precious pixels can only be a good thing for creatives.

Almost as interesting as what does appear during an Apple event is what doesn't. And if various rumours are to be believed, the latter is set to include the iPhone mini. Allegedly plagued by poor sales, Apple is said to be ditching the mini iPhone after just two years – which is bad news for those (like me) who prefer small phones.

While we're not expecting to see an iPhone 14 mini this year, another new model could take its place. Apple is rumoured to be going big this year – quite literally. A larger, 6.7-inch version of the standard iPhone 14 is said to be on the cards, meaning the entry level device will be available in the same sizes as the 'Pro' model. The only question is what it will be called – iPhone 14 Max or iPhone 14 Pro? Knowing Apple and its baffling naming conventions, it probably won't make much sense.

Almost as exciting as new features is new colours – and every iPhone generation tends to include at least one exclusive shade. Rumour has it this year we're in for the first purple iPhone since the 12 and 12 mini – but rather than the pleasing pastel hue we were given in 2020, this year's purple could be a lot more, er, purple. 

What about the camera? Rumour has it the iPhone 14 Pro will feature a whopping 48MP sensor, capable of producing 8K video. If that's the case, the rest of the models in our best camera phones roundup had better start making an iPhone 14-shaped space. 

And it seems we could finally be in for a periscope lens, which could mean zoom capabilities of up to 50x. That said, recent reports have also claimed that the periscope lens might not arrive until the iPhone 15, so we could have a little longer to wait on that front.

So what features are we expecting from the iPhone 14? One of the most persistent rumours we've heard is that the iPhone 14 line up (or at least some of it) is in line for an always-on display. This could allow basic information such as the time, date, and notifications to remain on-screen without needing to press the power button. 

We've repeatedly heard that Apple could be planning a major U(SB)-turn with the iPhone 14, finally offering USB-C to the masses. Allowing for faster charging than Lightning and much greater flexibility with accessories, USB-C has been a mainstay on fans' wishlists for a few years now. But seeing as it was rumoured to be hitting the iPhone 13, and 12, and 11, we'll take this one with a pinch of salt. 

Ah, yes. It wouldn't be an Apple Event without Apple Event Bingo cards doing the rounds. Here's one of our favourite examples, courtesy of BasicAppleGuy (who was behind those hilarious alternative Apple Watch workouts).

Of course, it isn't just the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro that we're expecting to see tomorrow. Just as likely is the next iteration of the Apple Watch. But it isn't just the Series 8 that's been heavily rumoured – there's also an entirely new version said to be dropping too.

The 'Apple Watch Pro'  is said to be a new 'rugged' model with extra features aimed more towards extreme sports fans. And yesterday we may have been given our first peek at the design, complete with flat edges and... a whole new button. For a company that prefers taking things away (home buttons, headphone jacks, chargers,) it would certainly interesting to see Apple launch a more complex version of one of its existing products. 

As for the Apple Watch Series 8, it sounds like it'll be letting the Apple Watch Pro enjoy the limelight. With the design rumoured to be identical to the Series 7, we could be in for a more incremental upgrade here – although rumoured new features include blood sugar and temperature monitoring. 

We're also hoping to see a long overdue update for the AirPods Pro tomorrow – and recent rumours suggest they'll come complete with a new charging case that'll be much easier to find, thanks to new in-built speakers. Right now, users can play a sound from their individual AirPods – but anyone who's ever lost the charging case will attest, finding that is a whole different ball game.

Details about the earbuds themselves are more elusive, but we've heard tell for a while that they could finally ditch the iconic stem. This would be a big step for AirPods – while the design was mercilessly mocked on launch in 2016, these days it's ubiquitous in the streets.

Today's the day! In just a few hours we'll know which rumours were true, and which were way off the mark. Here's a new one – some leakers believe we might be in for an 'Apple Watch for kids' today, although a new version of the Apple Watch SE 2 seems rather more likely. 

One product we're definitely not expecting to see is the much-rumoured Apple Car (which is already proving more popular than other brands – even though it doesn't exist yet). Today's event might be called 'Far Out', but we have a feeling this one's a little, well, further out.

Even with hours to go, the concept artists are still at it. Here's Ian Zelbo's take on the Apple Watch Pro, which appears to be based on those CAD files we saw this week, complete with that weird protrusion on the right (because 'pro' stands for protrusion, right?).

You'll be seeing this meme a lot on Twitter over the next few days, so we may as well share it now. 

Don't worry, we haven't forgotten about the iPad – even if it can seem like Apple has. The entry level tablet has languished without a design upgrade for years, and is looking pretty dated. But rumour has it the basic iPad could soon adopt an iPad Pro/Air-inspired flat design, complete with Apple Pencil support. Let's hope this one's true.

Of course, an Apple event means we'll soon be saying goodbye to the old guard. Let's take a look at some of the products Apple dropped this time last year, starting with the iPhone 13. It was a fairly incremental upgrade over the 12, offering little more than a slightly smaller notch and a slightly bigger battery – although the latter was a particularly useful upgrade for iPhone mini users. Check out our iPhone 13 review for our verdict on the nearly-not-new-anymore smartphone.

Also only offering a fairly modest upgrade over its predecessor was the Apple Watch Series 7. Aside from a slightly bigger screen (making room for the world's tiniest qwerty keyboard), it was pretty much a Series 6S. Things could be very different this time around with not one, not two, but three (!) new Apple Watch models rumoured. But remember, that means there'll almost certainly be some great Apple Watch Series 7 deals to be found too.

Aaaaaand the Apple Store is down. It's happening, folks. There's going to be an Apple event. We already knew that, but when the Apple store is down, there's definitely going to be one. Nobody can stop it. It's unstoppable. Like the slow march of time, it is inevitable.

Tim Apple is awake. And he’s looking forward to a ‘stellar’ Apple event. What does it all mean? Is it a code? When I wrote that, I was joking – but then I remembered the event is called Far Out, the invite is space themed, and one definition of stellar is “of or relating to the stars”. So it probably is a code. We heard the iPhone 14 could feature an amazing camera, but will it really be telescope amazing?

If you're a Twitter user, you've probably noticed that Apple has deployed its own 'hashflag' (no, it isn't a word) for every event since September 2020. Click the Like button on a tweet with the #AppleEvent hashtag, and you'll see a delightful animation, One user has handily put them all together in a single animation (below).

1.5 hours to go. 

With just 40 minutes to go, let's have a look at something that probably isn't to happen. This sliding iPhone 14 concept did the rounds last year, and there's nothing to suggest that Apple has been working on sliding screen tech. But you never know, sometimes fan-made ideas have translated into real products, like this iPad mini concept that's now very much real.

Speaking of unlikely updates, while we're expecting AirPods Pro 2 to get an update today, we're certainly not expecting to be able to control them with our teeth. Which was genuinely rumoured a few months back.

10 minutes! Don't forget, as well as via the embedded video above, you can also watch the event via Apple's website, or the Apple TV app.

And we're off! Here's Tim Apple.

3 products. iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods. Sorry, iPad fans.

Ah yes, the now classic "How the Apple Watch saved my life" segment. 

Here's Apple Watch Series 8. It looks a lot like Apple Watch Series 7. 

Apple Watch Series 8 features a new temperature sensor, which the company says will allow for much more advanced cycle tracking, including ovulation information. New automatic retrospective ovulation notifications could apparently help those who are trying to conceive. *Insert baby emoji*

Apple Watch Series 8 also features new car crash detection. Here's one notification you'll never want to receive...

Low Power Mode is making the jump from iPhone to Apple Watch. Exciting! (Ish.)

Here's the Apple Watch SE 2. Once again, it looks a lot like the last one...

The rumours were true, but it isn't called 'Pro'. Apple's new 'extreme sports' wearable is called Apple Watch Ultra. Here it is.

It has a whole new button! The 'action button' can be used for even more interactive workouts, such as immediately logging a new section of a marathon. (Is 'section' the right word? I don't know – I'll probably buy the Apple Watch Ultra to sit at my desk.)

Here you go, grid fans.

Wow, AirPods Pro 2 are huge.

Finally, AirPods Pro 2 lets us change the volume using touch controls. Take my money.

Here's everything there is to know about AirPods Pro 2.

And there it is, the tragic news we knew was coming. Here's iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. RIP iPhone mini.

Some pretty safe colours this time around... 

Some screen stats.

Here's iPhone 14 and 14 Plus. Arguably a very incremental upgrade, with minor improvements to battery and camera. But we haven't seen the Pro yet...

It's Pro time! And yep, no notch. 

The new notch is called the 'Dynamic Island'. I did not make that up. The catchiest name Apple could come up with for the new notch is 'Dynamic Island'. Seriously. 'Dynamic Island.' 

Another bang-on rumour – the iPhone 14 Pro is getting an always-on display.

One last grid, seeing as you asked so nicely.

For more detailed into on Apple's new smartphones, check out our roundup of everything there is to know about the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro.

It was hardly the biggest announcement of the night, but we're pretty excited about AirPods Pro 2. Enhanced spatial audio and noise cancellation can only be a good thing now that commuting is no longer a thing of the past. And did we mention you can finally control the volume from the stem itself? Check out our guide to AirPods Pro 2 for all the details. 

So now the dust is starting to settle, what did Apple announce yesterday? Firstly, it gave us the AirPods Pro 2, featuring the new H2 chip, for enhanced sound and noise cancellation, upgraded touch controls and new 'Find My' features for the charging case.

Apple also announced the Apple Watch Series 8, with a new temperature sensor that enables advanced features for women’s health, and Crash Detection for car crashes. An incremental upgrade, it seems.

The big Apple Watch announcement (literally, this thing is huge) was the Apple Watch Ultra – a brand new design inspired by "extreme activities," featuring a 49mm display, customisable Action button and three new straps. 

The iPhone 14 seems a very minor upgrade. A new dual-camera system, Crash Detection and a new, larger 6.7-inch size are nice. But there's very little else to shout about here. And where's the mini? Alas, Apple has finally killed my favourite iPhone.

Apple's final announcement was the iPhone 14 Pro. And while the always-on display and camera upgrades are cool, it's the 'Dynamic Island' that will grab headlines. We'd heard tell for a while that the notch was on the way out. We did not know Apple would call its 'pill' replacement something quite so flamboyant. That said, it does look very cool. Check out the adjusting notification space in Apple's own ad (below). 

So you've seen the announcements, and you're ready to burn a hole in your pocket. Check out our guide on how to pre-order the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, Apple Watch Ultra and AirPods Pro 2.

It was always going to divide opinion with its gargantuan screen and ostentatious straps, but it seems the Apple Watch Ultra design is getting memed to oblivion already. 

The Apple Watch Ultra may have hogged the headline, but the standard model was also given a (fairly modest) upgrade too. For all the intel, check out our guide to the Apple Watch Series 8.