Week in Review: The top stories in phones, computing, and more

iPhone 15 launch recap: hands-on reviews, opinion, and analysis from Apple's Wonderlust event Created for {EMAIL} | [Web Version]( September 15, 2023 CONNECT WITH TECH RADAR  [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Youtube]( [Tech Radar]( [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [WEBSITE](  [] Welcome to the Week in Review [] Welcome We're about 72 hours out from Apple's huge 'Wonderlust' event (did Apple ever explain what it meant by that?), and I'm still buzzing from the experience. It's not just the breakneck pace of product and technology reveals; it's being on the sprawling and beautiful Apple Campus, and inside the wonder that is the Steve Jobs Theater, and then the mad scrum of media and analysts in the demo room, where I was able to get up close with all the new products Apple had unveiled just moments before. This year Apple split the difference between an almost static refresh and wholesale redesign, making noticeable changes inside and out that still left the iPhone 15 (as well as 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, and 15 Plus) utterly recognizable. For my consumer friends, the biggest change, and one I think they're still adjusting to, is Apple's retiring of the venerable Lightning port (and cable) and adoption of USB-C across the board. Change is hard, but this is a net positive, I promise. While I was on the ground running around like a tech-obsessed madman, Team TechRadar was covering the heck out of the event, and has masses of insightful and useful takes on all the new phones, how you should think about them, and how to choose your next phone – even if it's not the iPhone 15. This week was not all about phones, though. Apple also launched updates to its wearable line with the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2: they both feature a new S9 processor, and a really cool 'double-tap' feature (I kind of loved it). Apple also made a very big deal about the watch going "carbon neutral" (although we're not convinced that's the case), and all the other efforts it's making in the eco-friendly space. Believe it or not, Apple was not the only game in town this week. Al Griffin checked in on CEDIA to give us a glimpse of our microLED-TV future, Tim Coleman went shooting with Fujifilm's powerful new medium-format camera, and Tom Power reported on a potentially seismic shift in the streaming world. I know I say this a lot, but this was a seriously busy week. Let's look back on the biggest stories. Lance Ulanoff, US Editor-in-Chief [] The week in Apple [] [iPhone 15 Pro Max hands-on: a subtle shift into the future]( It's the iPhone 15 Pro Max (Future) [iPhone 15 Pro Max hands-on: a subtle shift into the future]( The iPhone 15 Pro Max is Apple's new top-of-the-line iPhone, and we got to spend some quality time with it backstage at Apple's Wonderlust event. Click through for our first impressions of the Action button, 5x optical zoom, and other new features and upgrades. [Read the full story]( [] - [We've also been hands-on with the standard iPhone 15]( [] - [The iPhone 15 just made the iPhone 14 Pro an even better choice]( [] - [iPhone 15 preorders are live – but which phone should you get?]( [] [The iPhone 15 Pro Max benchmark scores are frightening]( The iPhone 15 Pro (Future) [The iPhone 15 Pro Max benchmark scores are frightening]( The benchmark scores for the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max are in, and they might just convince you to splash out on one of the more expensive models: Geekbench listings suggest that these two phones are the most powerful on the planet. [Read the full story]( [] - [The titanium iPhone 15 Pro feels much lighter - but it won't be much tougher]( [] - [The iPhone 15 has a secret, potentially game-changing charging feature]( [] - [The iPhone 15 USB-C switch explained: why it happened and why it matters]( [] [I tried Apple Watch 9 double tap and I was blown away]( The double-tap gesture in action (Future) [I tried Apple Watch 9 double tap and I was blown away]( At first blush, the Apple Watch 9 doesn't look like much of an upgrade, but it does come with a new double-tap 'air gesture' that's supported on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 as well, and we're seriously impressed by how well it works in practice. [Read the full story]( [] - [The 9 biggest upgrades in the Apple Watch Series 9]( [] - [The 'carbon neutral' Apple Watch isn't as carbon neutral as it seems]( [] - [Apple now sells USB-C EarPods, but there are caveats]( [] The week in cameras [] [Hands-on with the versatile Fujifilm GFX100 II]( The new Fujifilm GFX100 II (Future) [Hands-on with the versatile Fujifilm GFX100 II]( Away from Apple, the TechRadar team has also spent some hands-on time with the Fujifilm GFX100 II. While it might not look like a huge upgrade on paper, there's lots to like about it – and it might just be the most versatile medium-format camera yet. [Read the full story]( [] - [Panasonic Lumix G9 II review: a promising wildlife camera]( [] - [OM System Tough TG-7 could be the best waterproof camera yet]( [] - [Sony upstages iPhone 15 Pro with an impressively pro video app]( Special Offer from 1440 Daily Digest Sponsored Content from 1440 Daily Digest [News. Without Motives. That's 1440]( Frustrated by biased news? Leave behind the opinions and receive a daily digest of pure facts. Delve into politics, business, science, sports, culture, and more. Join the other 2.8 million Americans who read 1440 and [sign up today]( [] The Week in Entertainment [] [Netflix is no longer rated the top streamer for new shows]( Shows like Foundation have helped Apple TV Plus become a force in streaming (Apple TV Plus) [Netflix is no longer rated the top streamer for new shows]( Is Netflix losing its magic touch? It's long been seen as the undisputed king of the streaming services, but according to new research, viewers rate Apple TV Plus as the top streamer when it comes to original shows. Paramount Plus scores highly too. [Read More]( [] - [Foundation season 2 ending explained (with massive spoilers)]( [] - [This new Netflix drama looks like a horror-tinged Succession]( [] - [7 great new movies and shows to stream this weekend]( [] The week in TVs [] [The best new TV tech we saw at CEDIA 2023]( CEDIA is always worth a look for TV enthusiasts (Sony Electronics) [The best new TV tech we saw at CEDIA 2023]( The CEDIA Expo is the custom home theater installation industry's annual trade show, which means lots more lovely tech for us to take a peek at – and we've picked out some of the most interesting and intriguing products that are worth keeping tabs on. [Read the full story]( [] - [Philips' new high-end OLED TV is taking on the LG G3]( [] - [5 TV settings that are making your picture worse and how to fix them]( [] - [A second subwoofer took my Sonos soundbar setup to a new level]( [] More of this week's top stories [] - [Focal's Bathys are the ideal headphones for your new iPhone 15]( [] - [The full story of the Google and Fitbit scandal, explained]( [] - [Google Pixel Watch 2 teaser reveals new design and new sensors]( [] - [HP's $5k Spectre Foldable PC is eye-wateringly expensive but is it worth it?]( [] - [Spotify's new Daylist is the playlist you didn't know you needed]( Sharing TechRadar with your network keeps the quality of content high and these newsletters free. 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