7 travel must-haves with Apple’s new iPhone 11s, Series 5 Watch
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Last month, I reviewed the most powerful smartphone I've ever come across: Samsung's Galaxy Note10+. While that device does almost everything I need it to — I especially love the ultra-wide camera — I haven't been able to give up my iPhone entirely. The biggest reason? Messages support — I'm just not ready to "go green," with limited text support as an Android user conversing with Apple device-owning friends.
Fortunately, it seems like I won't have to make the switch after all — Apple's latest round of mobile devices check the same key boxes as Samsung's newest Note, with the added benefit of fitting seamlessly within my existing device (and friend) ecosystem.
But my next go-to device, the iPhone 11 Pro Max, wasn't the only traveler-friendly addition that impressed me today — here's a list of the seven biggest feature highlights from Apple's big launch event in Cupertino, California:
1. iPhone 11 Pro: trio of high-end cameras
This is by far the most significant upgrade as far as I'm concerned. While I've been getting by with the standard iPhone and Pixel 3 lenses, an ultra-wide camera will give my flight reviews a huge boost, letting me capture far more content in each frame — a must in tight aircraft cabins.
The base model includes 12-megapixel 13mm f/2.4 ultra-wide cameras and 26mm f/1.8 wide-angle cameras, but the Pro models kick things up with a third built-in cam: a 12-megapixel f/2 telephoto, with a 52mm focal length.
As you can see in the samples above, combined, the three cameras enable some pretty incredible versatility — equipped with an iPhone 11 Pro, you can almost certainly leave your point-and-shoot behind on most of your adventures.
2. All iPhone 11 models: Night Mode
Low-light shooting is the one and only reason I still carry around a Google Pixel 3 — when I'm reviewing an overnight flight, at least. That device has incredible dim-shooting capabilities, even compared with Samsung's Note. Fortunately, Apple's adding Night Mode to the iPhones, too — it isn't clear just how it'll compare from the company's demo shots, but I'm optimistic that it'll at least give nighttime shooting a significant boost.
And it'll only get better over time — the Pro models will eventually also support an option called "Deep Fusion," which captures a total of nine images and combines the strongest elements of each to create the ultimate low-light shot.
3. All iPhone 11 models: QuickTake video
This is a software add-on, as well, and another biggie — for me, at least. With the new iPhones, you'll be able to capture video without actually switching to video mode. From the regular camera mode, you can simply tap and hold the shutter button to start recording video, saving at least a second or two, so you don't miss key moments.
4. All iPhone 11 models: better battery life
With a more-efficient processor, the latest iPhones are getting a battery boost across the board. While results obviously vary quite a bit depending on how you use your device, Apple's quoting an extra hour with the iPhone 11 (compared with the XR), an extra four hours with the Pro (compared with XS) and an extra five hours with the Pro Max (compared with 2018's Max model). Wowza!
5. iPhone 11 Pro: fast charger in the box
Android device manufacturers like Samsung have long shipped their devices with higher-wattage power adapters, enabling faster charging. Yet up until this latest round of iPhones, Apple's only included a sluggish 5-watt charger in the box. Now, the iPhone 11 Pro will finally include the same 18-watt adapter that ships with Apple's pro-level iPad, which comes along with a USB-C to Lightning cable as well, also making it possible to connect your handset to another USB-C device without purchasing an accessory.
6. Watch: always-on display
One advantage of owning a traditional watch is that you aren't at the mercy of a day-long battery — the device can tell you the time for years without a battery swap, but that's pretty much all it can do. Apple's latest Watch now closes that one gap a bit, with a far more efficient screen that'll always show the time, so you can easily sneak a peek while you're in a meeting or working out.
7. Watch: built-in compass
I've used my Series 4 Apple Watch for navigation on occasion, but it's hardly ideal, since the device doesn't include a compass. That changes with Series 5 — the new Apple Watch has a compass built in, and it's accessible to Apple Maps and third-party apps as well, making it far easier to get your bearings on the go.
How to buy
All of the devices above will ship to customers and be available in stores beginning September 20, with pre-orders beginning this Friday, at 8am ET. Device pricing breaks down as seen below, while the new Apple Watch will be available starting at $399 for GPS and $499 for the cellular-equipped model.
Apple's also offering trade-in pricing for 2019's iPhones, which can bring the price down by up to 400 bucks.
Naturally, given the high cost of these devices, I'd recommend using a card that offers purchase protection, including:
| Card | Maximum Coverage Amount | Maximum Coverage Amount Per Year | Coverage Duration (days) | Earning Rate(s) | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
United Club Card | $10,000 per claim | $50,000 | 120 | 2x directly purchased United tickets, 1.5x other | $450 |
American Express® Gold Card | $10,000 per incident | $50,000 | 90 | 4x at restaurants, 4x U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x), 3x directly purchased airline tickets or airfare purchases through amextravel.com, 1x other. Terms apply. | $250 (see rates & fees) |
Ink Business Cash Credit Card | $10,000 per claim | $50,000 | 120 | 5% office supply stores/telecom (up to $25,000, then 1%), 2% gas stations/restaurants (up to $25,000, then 1%), 1% other | $0 |
Citi Premier® Card | $10,000 per incident | $50,000 | 90 | 3x points per dollar on airfare, hotels, gas stations, restaurants and supermarkets, and 1x point on all other purchases | $95 |
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express | $1,000 per incident | $50,000 | 90 | 3% U.S. supermarkets on the first $6,000 per calendar year; (then 1%), 2% U.S. gas stations/select U.S. department stores, 1% other. Terms apply. | $0 (see rates & fees) |
Chase Freedom
(No longer open to new applicants) | $500 per claim | $50,000 | 120 | 5% bonus categories each quarter, 1% other | $0 |
The information for the United Club has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Protect your investment
Then, after you have your device, be sure to pay your mobile bill with a card that offers cell phone loss and damage protection, including:
| Card | Coverage/Deductible | Notable Exclusions | Earn rate on cell phone bill | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card | Up to $1,000 per claim, up to three claims per 12-month period/$100 deductible per claim | Lost phones | 3x Chase Ultimate Rewards points* | $95 |
Citi Prestige® Card | Up to $1,000 per claim, $1,500 per 12-month period/$50 deductible | Cosmetic damage that doesn't affect phone's ability to function, lost phones | 1 Citi point per dollar | $495 |
Citi Premier® Card | Up to $800 per claim, $1,000 per 12-month period/$50 deductible | Cosmetic damage that doesn't affect phone's ability to function, lost phones | 1 Citi point per dollar | $95 |
Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card | Up to $600 per claim, $1,000 per 12-month period/$50 deductible | Cosmetic damage that doesn't affect phone's ability to function, lost phones | 1% cash back | $0 |
Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card (card no longer available for new applicants) | Up to $600 per claim, $1,200 per 12-month period/$25 deductible | Lost phones | 1 point per dollar | $0 |
Uber Visa | Up to $600 per claim, $1,200 per 12-month period/$25 deductible | Lost phones | 1% cash back | $0 |
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card | Up to $600 per claim, $1,200 per 12-month period | Lost phones | None | $0 |
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.