iPhone 16/Plus: The Younger Siblings

Although the iPhone 16 series was unveiled last, its immense popularity warrants a front-row seat. Starting with the iPhone 16/Plus, these devices are not just reminiscent of the leaked designs—they are identical.

At first glance, three notable changes emerge: a vertically arranged rear camera setup, an action button addition, and a new camera control button.

Let’s break it down. The iPhone 16 maintains the same screen size as its predecessor—6.1 inches for the standard model and 6.7 inches for the Plus. The peak brightness has been ramped up to 2000 nits, with a minimum brightness of just 1 nit. The chassis is crafted from aerospace-grade aluminum, and the display is protected by a glass-ceramic blend.

The updated Ceramic Shield glass boasts a hardness 50% greater than its predecessor. In terms of aesthetics, alongside classic black and white, users can choose from three new colors: Ultramarine Blue, Dark Green, and Pink.

Despite anticipation surrounding the screen refresh rate, Apple opted not to address this during the presentation, leaving those "in the know" to speculate.

As for the buttons, the rumors proved accurate. The iPhone 16/Plus introduces a new camera control button, featuring a Taptic Engine for haptic feedback. This capacitive sensor can distinguish between a firm press and a gentle touch, facilitating a range of camera controls.

A single press swiftly launches the camera, while a prolonged press initiates video recording. A light touch reveals zoom and other settings, and a double light press allows users to cycle through various camera modes, which can then be adjusted by swiping.

With the introduction of the camera control button, one would expect enhancements to the camera itself. After reviewing the iPhone 16/Plus camera specifications, they appear solid but not revolutionary.

The main camera now features a 48MP fusion sensor, which integrates the main camera with a 12MP ultra-wide lens, effectively merging images into 24MP shots. The main camera can crop to provide a 2x telephoto option while maintaining full resolution.

The ultra-wide camera, equipped with a 12MP lens, captures 2.6 times more light, enabling spatial video and photo capture, as well as macro photography. Apple claims that although there are only two rear cameras, the functionality resembles having four.

Performance is undoubtedly a top priority for users, and the iPhone 16/Plus is powered by the new A18 chip, constructed using a second-generation 3nm process.

Specifically, the A18 features a 6-core CPU, composed of 2 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, providing a 30% performance increase and 30% greater energy efficiency compared to the A16. The GPU, now equipped with 5 cores, is 40% faster than the A16 and twice as fast as the A14.

Boasting a 16-core Neural Engine, the A18 excels in running large generative models, achieving machine learning speeds that are twice as fast as before. Additionally, system memory bandwidth has increased by 17%, facilitating more efficient access to generative models.

Interestingly, Apple made no comparisons to the A17 Pro in the context of the A18. The cooling design has also been revamped, and the A18 chip now supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing, boasting a claimed 30% improvement in sustained gaming performance.

Apple dedicated significant time to showcasing Apple Intelligence, a prominent feature this year. However, most of these capabilities, such as new emoji creation, email summaries, and Siri's enhancements, were previously highlighted at WWDC.

It’s worth noting that Apple Intelligence will not be available immediately; it’s scheduled for testing in October with iOS 18.1. Users in certain regions may have to wait for future releases next year.

As for pricing, it aligns with that of the iPhone 15/Plus:

• iPhone 16: 128GB at $799, 256GB at $899, and 512GB at $1099.
• iPhone 16 Plus: 128GB at $899, 256GB at $999, and 512GB at $1199.

Pre-orders start at 5 a.m. on September 13, with the official launch slated for September 20.

iPhone 16 Pro/Max: The Flagship Models

Now, turning our attention to the iPhone 16 Pro/Max—the flagship models that introduce more significant upgrades.

The most striking change is size; the iPhone 16 Pro Max features a colossal 6.9-inch screen, the largest display ever seen on an iPhone. The Pro model has also increased in size from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches.

However, this increase in size results in added weight. The iPhone 16 Pro weighs 199g, while the Pro Max comes in at 227g—6% and 2.5% heavier than their predecessors, respectively.

Both models utilize the new-generation Ceramic Shield glass and support ProMotion adaptive refresh rate technology. The frames are constructed from Grade 5 titanium, processed with a new sandblasting technique. Color options include Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, and Desert Titanium.

In terms of battery life, the Pro model features a larger battery and improved power management. The Pro Max is touted as having the best battery life of any iPhone to date, supporting up to 33 hours of video playback, 29 hours of streaming video, and 105 hours of audio playback.

Performance-wise, the iPhone 16 Pro/Max is equipped with the A18 Pro chip, which also employs TSMC's second-generation 3nm technology but offers enhanced power compared to the standard A18.

This chip features a 6-core CPU with 2 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, delivering a 15% performance increase over the A17 Pro while achieving a 20% reduction in power consumption. The 6-core GPU operates 20% faster than the A17 Pro.

The 16-core Neural Engine is capable of executing 35 trillion operations per second. Additionally, increased system memory bandwidth allows for more efficient access to generative models.

The A18 Pro also includes a larger cache, next-generation machine learning accelerators, advanced media capabilities with ProMotion and always-on display support, faster USB 3 speeds, and ProRes video recording, allowing for double the data processing capacity.

On the camera front, the iPhone 16 Pro/Max boasts impressive specifications. The Pro model features a 48MP fusion main camera, capable of capturing images in 48MP ProRAW and HEIF formats without shutter lag.

The ultra-wide camera utilizes a new 48MP sensor with autofocus and a quad-pixel setup. Both the Pro and Pro Max models come equipped with a 12MP 5x periscope telephoto lens. Photography capabilities have also been enhanced, allowing real-time adjustments to colors and shadows.

A notable addition is the ability to record 4K video at 120 FPS, thanks to the new ISP in the A18 Pro. This is a significant upgrade from the previous generation, which was limited to 4K at 60 FPS. Users can now switch between 120, 60, 30, or 24 FPS during playback, whether in slow-motion or regular video mode without prior adjustments.

Of course, the camera control button is included, providing haptic feedback and the same functionality as the standard iPhone 16 models.

Apple also introduced a new "Visual Intelligence" feature, allowing users to press the camera control button and point the iPhone at an object to automatically extract relevant information.

Notably, the microphones on the iPhone 16 Pro/Max have been upgraded. These models now feature four studio-quality microphones that enhance spatial audio capture during video recording, creating a more immersive experience when using AirPods or Apple Vision Pro.

The upgraded microphones also enable layered track recording in voice memos, enhancing audio capabilities for productivity. According to MacRumors, all four iPhone 16 models are confirmed to have 8GB of RAM, as verified through the latest version of Xcode 16 developer tools.

Additionally, promotional materials from Apple confirm that the entire iPhone 16 lineup is compatible with the Wi-Fi 7 standard.

Regarding pricing, Apple has added features without increasing costs:

• iPhone 16 Pro: 128GB at $999, 256GB at $1099, 512GB at $1299, and 1TB at $1499.
• iPhone 16 Pro Max: 256GB at $1199, 512GB at $1399, and 1TB at $1599.

Pre-orders will commence at 5 a.m. on September 13, with the official release on September 20.

Apple Watch Series 10: A New Era

Kicking off the event was the Apple Watch Series 10, which Tim Cook hailed as the thinnest and largest-display Apple Watch yet.

The Watch Series 10 has undergone a complete redesign, featuring the largest and most advanced display to date—even surpassing the Watch Ultra 2. The watch face is crafted from durable Ion-X glass.

Thanks to the expanded screen, font sizes can be increased without compromising content visibility, facilitating easier typing.

This wide-angle OLED display ensures accurate visuals even from extreme angles, with brightness improving by up to 40% when viewed from the side. Its Always-On Display (AOD) refreshes once per second.

Despite its expansive size, the Series 10 is also the slimmest Apple Watch ever, measuring just 9.7mm thick—nearly 10% thinner than the Series 9. Apple achieved this ultra-slim design by further miniaturizing already compact internal components.

The speaker system has been completely re-engineered, shrinking by 30% while still allowing for music and podcast playback. The new metal back not only integrates various antennas, including for cellular connectivity, while maintaining a 50m water resistance rating, but it also houses a larger charging coil.

This enables the Series 10 to reach 80% charge in just 30 minutes, making it the fastest-charging Apple Watch to date.

In terms of materials and colors, the Series 10 is available in three polished aluminum finishes: Jet Black, Silver, and Rose Gold, treated with nano-silica particles for a refined polish.

A titanium version is also available in Natural, Gold, and Slate colors, and this model is 10% lighter than its predecessor.

Performance-wise, the Series 10 is driven by the new S10 SIP chip, featuring a quad-core Neural Engine. This allows for a range of "everyday smart functions," including a new double-tap gesture, on-device Siri, dictation, and automatic workout detection.

Health features remain a primary focus for the Apple Watch. With watchOS 11, the Series 10 offers new health and fitness insights alongside intelligent capabilities.

New features include car crash detection, fall detection, and sleep apnea detection, which monitors respiratory issues during sleep through motion tracking.

Apple confirmed that sleep apnea detection will also be available on the Series 9 and Ultra 2, rolling out later this year in over 150 countries. Additionally, the watch includes a built-in depth gauge and water temperature sensor, making it suitable for diving.

The starting price for the Apple Watch Series 10 is $399.

Apple Watch Ultra 2: Enhanced Durability

Following the Apple Watch Series 10, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 made its debut, introducing a new Satin Black version with a custom sandblasting finish.

This black titanium model features a diamond-like carbon (DLC) PVD coating for improved scratch resistance and durability. Impressively, 95% of the case material consists of recycled Grade 5 titanium.

Functionality-wise, the Ultra 2 will also receive the new sleep apnea detection feature, utilizing the watch's accelerometer and long-term measurement data to detect consistent sleep apnea patterns over time.

Additionally, Apple unveiled a new titanium Milanese loop band with this version. In all other respects, this new color variant maintains the same specifications as the original model.

AirPods 4: Comfort Meets Innovation

As anticipated, Apple introduced the new AirPods 4 during the event, branding them "the most comfortable AirPods to date."

These earbuds are powered by the Apple H2 chip, featuring a new acoustic architecture that supports personalized spatial audio. The H2 chip collaborates with custom-built drivers and amplifiers to deliver crisp highs and deep, rich bass.

Additionally, the H2 chip employs a powerful adaptive algorithm that processes sound more swiftly, providing users with a more immersive, high-fidelity audio experience.

A standout feature is the redesigned AirPods 4 charging case, now the smallest ever created by Apple. It includes a USB-C port and supports both Qi and MagSafe wireless charging, offering up to 30 hours of battery life when paired with the charging case.

Moreover, Apple has launched the first open-fit noise-canceling version of the AirPods 4, which features Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency Mode, and Adaptive Audio.

In terms of pricing, the standard AirPods 4 will retail for $129, while the noise-canceling variant is priced at $179. Both will be available starting September 20.

New AirPods Max: Subtle Enhancements

After nearly four years, Apple has finally updated the AirPods Max, though the changes are relatively modest—only three notable enhancements.

First, there's a refreshed color palette, offering five new options: Midnight, Blue, Purple, Orange, and Starlight.

Second, the charging port has been upgraded to USB-C.

Third, leveraging iOS 18, the new AirPods Max will support personalized spatial audio.

And that wraps up the updates.

In terms of pricing, the new AirPods Max is set at $549, with availability commencing on September 20.

AirPods Pro 2: Focus on Hearing Health

While no new version of the AirPods Pro was introduced today, Apple did highlight the AirPods Pro 2, which will soon feature new health capabilities.

According to Apple, these forthcoming features will focus on enhancing hearing health. For instance, Active Hearing Protection will utilize machine learning to improve noise cancellation, blocking out unwanted sounds while preserving essential audio details.

Another feature will enable clinical-grade hearing tests, which can be conducted using the AirPods and iPhone. If hearing loss is detected, the AirPods Pro 2 can function as a clinical-grade, over-the-counter hearing aid.

Your hearing profile will be synchronized across all devices for music, movies, and other audio content.

These hearing aid capabilities are currently under review by the FDA and other regulatory bodies, with plans for a rollout in over 100 markets worldwide.

In conclusion, we have covered the range of new products announced by Apple. Did anything from the iPhone 16 series catch your attention during the event?

The showcase included a blend of the familiar—environmental initiatives, 60Hz refresh rates, and gold-plated storage—alongside the novel: camera control buttons, A18/Pro chips, and 6.3/6.9-inch displays.

Ultimately, whether these products are viewed positively or negatively depends on individual perspectives. When it comes to purchasing, it's all about finding what best aligns with your needs and preferences.