On September 9, Apple unveiled four models of the upcoming iPhone 16, all of which will be able to run Apple’s generative intelligence when iOS 18.1 becomes available later this year. The four models are:
- iPhone 16.
- iPhone 16 Plus.
- iPhone 16 Pro.
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
Each will be available for pre-order on September 13 and for sale on September 20.
The iPhone 16 reorganizes the camera controls
The designs of the latest iPhones don't stray too far from previous versions, and Apple may be relying on generative AI features to differentiate the next-generation smartphones. The iPhone 16 offers new gold, ultramarine, and pink colors. The iPhone 16 is 6.1 inches wide, while the iPhone 16 Plus is 6.7 inches.
A side button controls camera functions, giving the iPhone 16 a classic camera stance when held horizontally. The camera control button also unlocks photo editing features.
The Photos app builds on the iPhone 15's photo sorting design, grouping together images of specific people or events.
The iPhone 16 starts at $799 and the iPhone 16 Plus starts at $899.
iPhone 16 Pro
The premium iPhone 16 models come with a larger display (6.3” or 6.9”). For those still mourning the loss of the compact iPhone 5, the news of a larger size may not be encouraging, but Apple has managed to keep the premium phones impressively thin.
The A18 Pro chip features a 16-core Neural Engine for faster performance of generative AI workloads and improved graphics performance. It can capture and encode professional video (including in slow motion and 4K) and has ultra-high-resolution and telephoto camera lenses.
Apple Intelligence provides generative artificial intelligence capabilities
Apple Intelligence on iPhone is enabled by the more powerful and efficient A18 chip built specifically for the iPhone 16. You’ll have to wait for a software update, though, as Apple Intelligence is coming with iOS 18.1 next year. Siri users might be able to use natural language before then. As Apple announced in June, Apple Intelligence will enable:
- Summarize emails and notifications.
- Prioritize notifications.
- Generative and summarizing writing tools for emails, messages, and more.
- Create new emoji.
- Generate original images in Image Playground.
- Search and sort photos using natural language prompts.
- Join images and videos to create movies.
- Visual intelligence, with which your phone can detect information about the scenes seen through the camera.
- Generative photo cleaning and editing.
The AI models used for many of these tasks are built by Apple and run on the phone. For more intensive tasks, some AI tasks can run on private clouds to take advantage of OpenAI models. Apple emphasized that data used in these private clouds is never shared with the company and that the data centers used in these operations are powered by renewable energy.
SEE: Is Apple's iCloud Keychain Right for Your Business?
Plus, Siri will be able to respond to more natural prompts or pick up what you said if you stumble over your words.
These features will be available in beta later this year in US English, followed by other English variants later this year and additional languages in 2025.
Apple announces four new versions of AirPods
Apple showed off several new AirPods models for 2024:
- AirPods 4.
- AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation.
- AirPods Pro 2.
- AirPods Max
AirPods 4 are powered by the H2 chip and a new acoustic architecture for better audio. Spatial audio provides immersive sound, while Siri and machine learning make calls clearer and let you answer some Siri questions with a nod. Music and calls can be started or ended with a button on the stem.
Active noise cancellation means AirPods will automatically mute your music or media when the devices detect that you're talking.
Prices are as follows:
- $129 for AirPods 4.
- $179 for AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation.
- $249 for AirPods Pro 2.
- $549 for AirPods Max.
The Apple Watch Series 10 is bigger and thinner
The Apple Watch Series 10 design features a relatively large display and slim bezels (9.7 millimeters). The wide-angle OLED display has been optimized for readability and uses a larger font size. For businesses, that means easier-to-read notifications and faster responses to urgent messages.
The case comes in a new color: jet black, made of aluminum. The Apple Watch Series 10 will be available in rose gold or silver.
Users can play media or music directly through the watch’s speaker, instead of needing AirPods. Aluminum cases weigh up to 10% less than previous generations, and a new titanium case option replaces stainless steel for a 20% reduction in weight compared to the stainless steel Series 9.
The new watch reaches an 80% charge in just 30 minutes, Apple says.
Inside the watch is the S10 chip, with a 4-core neural engine for machine learning tools like dictation, automatic training detection, fall detection, or Siri. Neural networks are also used to suppress background noise on phone calls. Translation will also be available.
Apple CEO Tim Cook highlighted health apps like heart monitors and accident detection. The Apple Watch Series 10 has been validated to detect sleep apnea, a new addition to the detailed suite of health monitoring capabilities. It is expected to be approved by the FDA in the fall for the U.S., and will then be available internationally.
The Apple Watch Series 10 starts at $399, with pre-orders starting today and general availability beginning September 20.
Apple Watch Ultra 2, the most rugged design, offers personalized workouts, pacing features for runners, and activity tracking. Designed for athletes, this model starts at $799; preorders begin today and it will be available on September 20.
