Apple Unveils iPhone 16, Its First Smartphone Built for AI

Apple has revealed details about the iPhone 16, the first generation of its flagship phones designed specifically with generative AI in mind.

The iPhone 16 model will cost $799 (with a 6.1-inch screen) and the 16 Plus (6.7-inch screen) $899, both with 128 gigabytes of memory. They will be available on September 20, 2024.

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The phones feature a new, more powerful A18 chip designed for the new phones — with more power to process AI features — that’s up to 30% faster than the chip in the iPhone 15, according to Apple. They also feature improved camera technology, including a 48-megapixel camera and an ultra-wide camera, and a redesigned Photos app with AI-enabled features.

The new iPhone 16 models were announced on Monday during Apple’s fall 2024 product lineup event at the tech giant’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, which was announced with the tagline “Time to shine.”

The centerpiece of the iPhone 16s is Apple Intelligence, a set of features the company previewed in June that are built into the upcoming iOS 18 software release. iPhones, of course, have been using AI for years, dating back to the introduction of the Siri voice assistant in 2011. The new push centers around generative AI, a more sophisticated type of AI that creates new content based on a large set of data.

On the iPhone 16, these include an improved Siri integrated with OpenAI’s ChatGPT; tools that let you transcribe, proofread, and summarize text in iPhone apps; and a new Image Playground (which is set to be available as a separate app as well as a feature in other apps like Messages) that lets users create “playful” generative AI images. Apple Intelligence will also let you create custom emojis by typing text into a prompt and summarize emails. The Apple Intelligence beta features will be available in a software update in October, the company said.

The announcement was also made at Apple’s event on Monday, via videos filmed on the company’s campus and in the San Francisco Bay Area:

Apple Watch 10 Series: Billed as the company’s thinnest smartwatch to date, the Series 10 features new depth and water temperature sensors. Pricing starts at $399; available September 20.
AirPods 4: The new generation of wireless earbuds offers richer bass and “crystal-clear highs” and personalized spatial audio, according to Apple. The new AirPods can also automatically lower the volume when the user is talking to someone in person. The price is $129, with the model supporting active noise cancellation costing $179; available September 20.
AirPods Pro 2: The high-end line includes new health features: professional-grade hearing aid mode; hearing protection; and a 5-minute personalized hearing test. Available in the fall, pending regulatory approval.

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