Apple announces iPhone 16, more
Today in Apple’s “Glow Up” video press conference, we got an unveiling of several new products, including iPhone 16, Apple Watch 10, and AirPods 4. Here is my brief rundown of what, how much, and when.
As with every year, Apple compares the current model to last year's model. However, most people go 2 to 4 years between upgrades and at that point, these improvements really add up. Apple has an iPhone comparison tool that allows you to compare the specs going back to the iPhone 6. To find out your current iPhone go to the Settings app > General > About.
Every new product announced today can either be preordered already, or for iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro you can "get ready" to preorder. Choose your color, accessories, financing options, trade-ins, and even see what offers your carrier might have so that when preorders begin on Friday you're ready to go and don't have to make any quick last-minute decisions.
This year there were several rumors that turned out to be wrong:
- There is no Apple Watch Ultra 3 this year
- Apple did not discontinue wired EarPods
- Apple did not increase iPhone Pro pricing
- There was no update for Apple Watch SE or iPhone SE
iPhone 16
iPhone 16 begins at $799 / iPhone 16 Plus begins at $899 / both models start at 128 GB
Preorders begin Friday, 5am Pacific / delivery begins September 20
While of course we get the regular faster performance and improved battery life, there are several new features on iPhone 16.
- A18 chip enables Apple Intelligence features (available later this year)
- Action Button, previously on iPhone 15 Pro is now on the standard iPhone 16 model. It replaces the mute switch, and while it can be used to control mute status if you prefer, it can be used to access many other features.
- Camera Control is a new button on the right side of the phone with many features, and can be used by third-party apps
- Press once: activate Camera app
- Press and hold: (available later this year) activate Visual Lookup to get AI lookup using the camera such as the species of a plant or animal, restaurant information, or to add written information to your calendar. The image can be sent to Google or ChatGPT. Think of it like a visual Siri button.
- In-app functions, for example, in the Camera app press to take a photo, press and hold to take a video, swipe to adjust zoom, etc., light press to bring up the tool menu
- 48MP Fusion Camera makes better use of the lenses and camera sensors to deliver higher quality photos with better lighting, including a new 24MP option that combines the best of clarity and lighting.
- Spatial Video & Photo capture for viewing in 3D on Apple Vision Pro
- Photographic Styles are now customizable, and can be adjusted after the photo was taken
- Studio Mix allows you to adjust audio isolation in your videos afterwards
- Better microphones and processing to reduce wind noise
- WiFi 7
- MagSafe can now charge at speeds up to 25W, a huge improvement over the old 15W. However, it requires the new MagSafe Charger. Qi2 charging is still limited to 15W.
iPhone 16 Pro
iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999 with 128 GB / iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199 with 256 GB
Preorders begin Friday, 5am Pacific / delivery begins September 20
iPhone 16 Pro offers huge upgrades for the screen, camera, and video capabilities. Notably, the new iPhone has a screen that is 0.2 inches larger measured diagonally. But because the screen goes even closer to the edge of the body, the iPhone itself is only 3mm taller and 1mm wider. Yes, for some reason we measure the screens in inches and the body in metric.
While in some years there are features exclusive to the Max model, the only differences this year are the screen itself and the better battery life since the Max can fit a larger battery.
It's worth noting that even though the Pro Max is $200 additional, it also doubles your storage so you can think of it as $100 for the additional storage and $100 for the larger screen.
In addition to all of the new features mentioned in the standard iPhone 16 above, iPhone 16 Pro gets these extras:
- Screen is now available in 6.3" (iPhone 16 Pro) and 6.9" (iPhone 16 Pro Max)
- The ultrawide camera is now 48MP
- 48MP Macro shots
- Both models have a 5x prismatic telephoto lens (previously it was just the Max model)
- 4K 120FPS video recording for ultra-smooth video playback or for clearer slow-motion, speed can be adjusted during playback
- Greatly improved studio-quality mics also allow for Spatial Audio capture
- Voice Memos will get the ability to lay multiple tracks later this year (for example, play some music then go back and sing along afterward)
Apple Watch Series 10
Begins at $399 / $499 with cellular
Preorders begin today / delivery begins September 20
The new Apple Watch Series 10 has a 1mm larger screen compared to the Series 9, in 42mm or 46mm. New screen technology enables better views from other angles and the Always-On Display can now update every second rather than every minute. The watch is 1mm thinner, which doesn't sound like much but that is a 10% reduction. And it's 10% lighter. It's also available in a new jet-black polished aluminum.
Other small new features include the ability to play media over the built-in speaker, faster charging, improved background sound reduction, water temperature and water depth meters up to 20 feet (great for snorkelers as opposed to the diving functions of the Apple Watch Ultra). There is also a new sleep apnea detection pending FDA approval, and that feature is also being brought to last year's Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2.
This year they are swapping stainless steel for polished titanium, which reduces the weight by 20%. The titanium and Hermès models are only available with cellular.
To compare any model Apple Watch (way back to Series 1) you can use Apple's comparison tool.
AirPods 4
$129 / $179 for the noise cancellation model
Preorders begin today / delivery begins September 20
The new AirPods 4 have been redesigned to fit more ears better. The new H2 chip delivers improved audio quality. The case is the smallest ever on any AirPods and now uses USB-C. Or you can charge wirelessly with Qi2 or Apple Watch chargers. There is also an upgrade model that has many of the same features as AirPods Pro such as noise cancellation, transparency mode, adaptive audio, and conversation awareness. Though because these don't have the silicon tips you can expect those features to still be better on AirPods Pro.
If you are in the market for new headphones and would like to compare AirPods models, Apple offers a comparison tool. Unfortunately, it's missing Beats products which are also worth considering and share many of the same features.
Miscellaneous
- iOS 18, iPadOS 18, tvOS 18, watchOS 11, HomePod 18, and macOS Sequoia will all be released on September 16, likely 10am Pacific/1pm Eastern
- iOS 18.1 with Apple Intelligence will be released in October in US English, with more English dialects in October and Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish being added over the coming year
- Apple Watch Ultra is now offered in a satin black finish and for the first time has an Hermès band option
- AirPods Max got a minor update with USB-C, Personalized Spatial Audio, and new color options, though they fell short of calling it "AirPods Max 2"
- AirPods Pro 2 is receiving a software update soon, once it passes regulatory clearance, for a new "Hearing Aid" feature that adjusts volume at custom tone levels for environmental sounds and media based on a new built-in hearing test
- AirPods Pro 2 is receiving a software update soon that allows them to essentially be used as smart earplugs, reducing sounds in loud environments without compromising sound quality
- watchOS 11 is getting a surprise Tides app that wasn't in the beta
- iOS 18 is getting a surprise "pause video recording" feature that wasn't in the beta
- Last year's Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 are getting Sleep Apnea Detection later this year
- FineWoven cases got discontinued, leaving only clear plastic and silicon cases as first-party options
- Beats (an Apple-owned company known for their headphones) is for the first time offering iPhone cases, priced at $49.
- Apple is offering a new 25W MagSafe charging puck which requires a 30W USB-C charging brick. This can charge any MagSafe or Qi device, but the 25W speed is only for iPhone 16.
(featured image Apple, Inc.)