Apple’s big reveal recap: the Apple Watch, two iPhone 6 flavors, and Apple Pay

The centerpiece of the show: the Apple Watch.

This year’s Apple event is the most anticipated and hyped in years, with expectations of a larger-screened iPhone 6 and the mysterious “iWatch” – a wearable device that is Apple’s attempt to change payments, health monitoring, and mobile computing. If anyone can pull it off, it’s Apple.

The event didn’t disappoint. CEO Tim Cook announced three major new products: two versions of the iPhone 6, a new payments system called Apple Pay, and of course, the Apple Watch – its stab at changing the watch industry. Here’s a rundown of the details:

The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus: wider, thinner, better

The presentation started with an update on the iPhone. As expected, two new versions were announced, the 4.7-inches iPhone 6 and the 5.5-inches iPhone 6 Plus, both of which are larger than the 4-inches of the 5s. The iPhone 6 Plus is essentially a phablet that is smaller than the Samsung Note’s 5.7 inches. More specifics:

• “Retina HD” display. More pixels and higher resolution than the current iPhones.
• Curved edges that’s a throwback to the original iPhone. Aluminum body with stainless steel Apple logo.
• Improved bright sunlight readability with thinner backlight.
• Thinner than before.

• iPhone 6 Plus has a new horizontal view similar to the iPad. Landscape mode for messages app. App developers can take advantage of it too.
• A new gesture called Reachability. Double touch the TouchID button and the entire display slides down so you can still use the phone with one hand.
• 25 percent faster CPU, 50 percent faster graphics.
• Battery life is better. IPhone 6 Plus has 24 hours of 3G talk time.
• New M8 sensor with barometer that uses air pressure to measure relative elevation.
• Wifi is 3x faster.
• Supports Voice over LTE to make your calls sound better. Available only in the US for now.
• Wifi phone calls. Works only with these carriers at the moment: T-Mobile in the US and EE in the UK.
• For you camera geeks: 8MP camera, true-tone flash, 1.5 micron pixels, f/2.2 aperture.
• Camera is more responsive: faster autofocus, face detection, blink and smile detection.
• Optical image stabilization replaces digital image stabilization.
• Video camera: 1080p at 30 or 60 frames per second. Slo-mo camera can do 240 frames per second.
• iPhone 6 available in gold, silver, and space grey.
• NFC antenna at the top (at last!)
• Ships with iOS8 (list of features here).

Both phones will be available in nine countries on September 19: US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico and Singapore. Preorders start on the 12th. The new phones will reach 115 countries by the end of the year. iPhone 6 starts at US$199 for a two year contract, going up to US$299 and US$399. iPhone 6 Plus starts at US$299 for 16GB of storage space on a two-year contract, followed by US$399 for 64GB, and US$499 for 128GB.

More pictures of the iPhone 6: