Apple’s iPhone 15 Event: Safety, Security, and Community Highlights

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Need to Know from SafeWise
  • Apple introduced four new iPhone models: iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
  • Prices for these models start at $799 for the base iPhone 15 and go up to $1,199 for the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
  • The iPhone 15 lineup offers critical safety capabilities, including Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via satellite, currently available in 14 countries and regions on three continents.

Yesterday, Apple unveiled its latest iPhone models and Apple Watch updates, with some notable changes, including safety and sustainability initiatives. Here are the key highlights that can impact your safety, security, and the larger community.

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Expanded safety capabilities for iPhone 15

The iPhone 15 lineup offers expanded safety capabilities, including Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via satellite, currently available in 14 countries and regions on three continents.

  • Emergency SOS via satellite has significantly impacted users' lives and is expanding to Spain and Switzerland later this month.
  • Building on this innovative satellite infrastructure, iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus introduce Roadside Assistance via satellite in the U.S.
Screenshots of Apple's new safety and roadside assistance features

Images: Apple

  • When a user faces car trouble without cellular or Wi-Fi coverage, they can connect to AAA, the country's largest roadside assistance provider, using an intuitive interface that transmits information via satellite.
  • Access to roadside assistance via satellite will be included for free for two years, with service coverage according to AAA membership or available separately for non-members.

Apple sustainability and environmental initiatives

Apple stated its committed to carbon neutrality, with the Apple Watch Series 9 becoming its "first-ever carbon-neutral product."

  • The certification for carbon neutrality is from an independent third party, emphasizing Apple's commitment to environmental responsibility.
  • In a move towards sustainability, Apple will no longer use leather in any new product, including watch bands.
  • Instead, they will use a new textile called "fine woven," which contains 68% post-consumer recycled content, reducing its carbon footprint.

Shipping and carbon offsetting

  • Apple plans to achieve its carbon-neutral goal by shipping products via ocean transport and utilizing carbon credits to offset remaining emissions.
  • While carbon pledges and offsets face criticism, Apple's commitment to sustainability is a notable step forward.

What else is new with the iPhone and Apple Watch

Along with safety upgrades and environmentally-friendly moves, there were other significant changes in Apple's latest reveal.

No more proprietary chargers

  • European laws primarily drive the shift from Lightning to USB-C charging cables, but they have global benefits.
  • This change allows users to charge their iPhones with the same USB-C plugs that billions of other devices use, promoting convenience and reducing clutter.
  • Travelers can now carry a single charger for multiple devices, enhancing user convenience and reducing electronic waste.

Pricing increases

  • Apple has continued offering exclusive features in Pro and Pro Max models.
  • The starting price for the iPhone 15 Pro Max has increased to $1,199, albeit with increased storage capacity.
  • While Apple defends this as not a price increase, it aims to boost revenue in response to a slowdown in smartphone sales.

Trade-ins may help offset sticker shock

  • Despite the list prices, many consumers in the United States will only pay part of the amount due to trade-in offers and discounts.
  • Analysis shows that consumers on contract plans with major carriers typically paid significantly less for previous iPhone models.

In summary, Apple's latest product updates bring convenience and environmental responsibility to the forefront. The transition to USB-C chargers enhances accessibility and reduces electronic waste. At the same time, the company's focus on carbon neutrality and sustainable materials reflects its commitment to the global community and the environment.

Rebecca Edwards
Written by
Rebecca is the Managing Editor and lead safety expert at SafeWise.com, where she's been researching, testing, and writing about home and personal security for over 12 years. Her safety smarts come from both real life and professional experience—as a single parent trying out safety and security gadgets to protect her family and a former college director responsible for safety plans and strategies to keep buildings, grounds, and hundreds of students and faculty safe every day. With 30 years of experience as a journalist and blogger, she's become a go-to source for trustworthy, practical advice on everything from the best home security systems and smart gadgets to keeping kids safe online, preventing package theft, and understanding crime trends nationwide. PBS NewsHour, The Today Show, NPR, Vice, TechCrunch, The Washington Post, HGTV, Marketplace, On the House, and more have featured Rebecca's expert insights and recommendations. Whether it's protecting your home, your loved ones, or your peace of mind, Rebecca makes safety simple, doable, and real.

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