Apple Event: What You Need to Know About iPhone 16, AirPods 4, and Apple Watch 10

CUPERTINO, California — Apple on Monday unveiled a slew of new technologies, including the iPhone 16, which boasts some impressive improvements that the company hopes will convince customers, many of whom have been using older gadgets, to buy the newer model.

Since the launch of the iPhone 12 in 2020, which was Apple’s first smartphone with 5G connectivity, the company has given customers little reason to buy the latest generation. Phone cameras have largely advanced to the point where they are sufficient for most everyday needs without major hardware changes, and at some point the human eye is not even capable of perceiving higher screen resolutions.

That’s why about 300 million iPhones worldwide haven’t been upgraded in more than four years, according to a research note last month by analyst Dan Ives of investment firm Wedbush. As a result, iPhone sales, which account for half of the company’s revenue, have been sluggish.

Similarly, the Apple Watch and AirPods have received only minor improvements in recent years, failing to convince customers to spend hundreds of dollars on slightly better devices.

Apple on Monday announced several new products that it believes could kick off a major new sales cycle.

iPhone 16

Apple has announced that the iPhone 16 will be the first model specifically designed for generative AI, which will allow users to create text and images using natural language messages. Both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro will be available for pre-order on Friday and in stores on September 20, Apple announced.

Camera control button: A new camera control feature, accessible via a button on the side of the phone, that will give users access to “visual intelligence,” Craig Federighi, senior vice president of software engineering, said Monday. For example, by tapping the camera control button, a user can point the camera at a restaurant, and the iPhone 16 will display information such as reviews, menus, and how to make reservations. It can also be used to identify things like dog breeds or landmarks, as well as add things to a calendar.

Siri improvements: Siri will now be able to download users’ text messages, meaning it could remind you of TV and music recommendations sent by friends, Federighi said. For example, you could say, “Send Erica photos from Saturday’s barbecue,” and Siri will figure out which photos to send and automatically send them to the right person.

New colours: The new phones come in white, black, teal, aquamarine, and pink. They also come in two sizes: 6.1 inches for the iPhone 16 and 6.7 inches for the iPhone 16 Plus. The 16 line also comes with buttons, including the customizable action button from the previous generation. It also adds a new camera control slider, which is a small area on the side of the phone that works with capacitive touch, just like a phone’s screen responds to a finger. Users can swipe across it to access and use different camera features, such as depth of field.

Faster processor: iPhone 16 offers 17% more system memory bandwidth to better support Apple Intelligence technology, a ceramic glass screen that is said to be 50% more durable and 40% faster than the previous model in terms of the graphics processor.

Same price: The new iPhone 16 will start at $799, the company said. The iPhone 16 Plus will start at $899.

iPhone 16 Pro

iPhone 16 Pro, Apple’s more expensive iPhone model, offers even more AI features than the iPhone 16.

Larger screens: The iPhone 16 Pro line is 0.2 inches larger than last year’s models: the entry-level Pro is 6.3 inches, while the Pro Max is 6.9 inches, allowing users to see and do more on the display. Apple said the devices have the thinnest bezels yet.

Better battery, new colors: iPhone 16 Pro also boasts the longest battery life of any iPhone model and is available in four colors: Titanium White, Darker Titanium, Natural Titanium, and Desert Titanium Brown.

4K Video: The new, high-end iPhone 16 also lets you record in 4K at 120 frames per second, with the ability to slow down the video after recording a clip rather than trying to capture the right setting mid-action. The Pro line also gets audio recording improvements, including spatial audio with reduced background noise, which allows videos to isolate the conversations of people in the center of the recording from the background noise around them.

Price: Apple announced on Monday that the new iPhone 16 Pro will cost $999, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max will cost $1,199.

AirPods

Apple has unveiled the latest version of its AirPods line, which the company is calling its “most comfortable” set yet. And the AirPods Pro have gained a hearing aid feature that is pending regulatory approval.

New shape: Apple said the AirPods 4 have been redesigned using advanced modeling tools to better fit users’ ears.

New features: The AirPods 4 also offer more control over playing and pausing music, starting and ending calls, and now USB-C via the charging case. They also have a few features typically found on the more expensive Pro model, including active noise cancellation and a “transparency mode” that lets users hear their surroundings.

Two prices: The company announced on Monday that the new AirPods 4 will cost $129, while the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation will be slightly more expensive at $179.

Hearing aid features: Apple’s new AirPods Pro model will feature a clinical-grade, over-the-counter hearing aid, the company said, as well as a clinical hearing test that users will be able to access on their iPhones. Apple said it expects to receive approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory bodies soon, but the feature will be available in more than 100 countries and regions, including the U.S., this month.

Apple Watch

The new Apple Watch 10 is the thinnest smartwatch Apple has ever made. It also has the largest display ever on an Apple Watch—30% larger than previous Apple Watch models.

New look: The watch features a new polished titanium finish in black, rose gold and silver.

Monitors sleep apnea: Apple’s newest watch can detect sleep apnea, the company said Monday. The common and potentially dangerous condition can cause you to stop breathing during sleep. The detection feature is pending approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Apple said, and is expected to be available in more than 150 countries and regions by the end of this month.

Faster charging: Apple says the new Apple Watch charges quickly – up to 80% in 30 minutes – and its battery lasts up to 18 hours.

New features: The latest device, which can now dive to a depth of 20 feet, has a water temperature sensor and a depth gauge. It also has specifications designed specifically for snorkeling, such as direction and time spent underwater.

Price and availability: The new Apple Watch Series 10 will start at $399, according to the company. It is available for pre-order now and will be available on September 20.