Apple has unveiled the iPhone 16, the first generation of its flagship phones designed specifically for generative AI.
The iPhone 16 model (with 6.1-inch screen) starts at $799, the 16 Plus (6.7-inch screen) starts at $899, both with 128 gigabytes of storage. The iPhone 16 Pro (6.3-inch) with 128 GB of storage starts at $999, the iPhone 16 Pro Max (6.9-inch) starts at $1,199 and is available in titanium black, titanium natural, titanium white and titanium desert with up to 1 TB of storage. All models will be available from September 20, 2024.
The phones include the new, more powerful A18 chip designed for the new phones – with more power needed to process AI features – which Apple says is up to 30% faster than the chip in the iPhone 15. They also feature improved camera technology, including a 48-megapixel camera and an ultra-wide-angle camera, as well as a redesigned Photos app with AI-enabled features.
The new iPhone 16 models were announced on Monday at Apple’s fall 2024 product event at the tech giant’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, which was teased with the slogan “It’s Glowtime.”
A centerpiece of the iPhone 16s is Apple Intelligence, a set of features the company unveiled in June that are built into the upcoming iOS 18 software release. Of course, iPhones have used AI for years, starting with the launch of voice assistant Siri in 2011. The new push revolves around generative AI, a more sophisticated form of artificial intelligence that creates new content based on a large data set.
In the iPhone 16, these include an improved Siri integrated with OpenAI’s ChatGPT; tools for rewriting, proofreading, and summarizing text in iPhone apps; and the new Image Playground (which will be available both as a separate app and as a feature in other apps like Messages) that lets users create “playful” generative AI images. Apple Intelligence also lets you create custom emojis by typing a text prompt and summarizes email messages. Beta features of Apple Intelligence will be available in a software update in October, the company said.
During the event, Apple will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming music video for The Weeknd’s latest single “Dancing in the Flames,” shot entirely on iPhone 16 Pro, which the company says can record in 4K in Dolby Vision at up to 120 frames per second for optimal slow-motion video capture. The music video, directed by Anton Tammi and cinematographer Erik Henriksson, will premiere on Friday, September 13.
Also announced at Apple’s event on Monday through videos shot on the company’s campus and in the San Francisco Bay Area:
- Apple Watch Series 10: The Series 10 is the company’s thinnest smartwatch to date and offers new depth and water temperature sensors, among other things. Price starts at $399, available from September 20th.
- AirPods 4: The new generation of wireless earbuds offers richer bass and “crystal clear highs,” according to Apple, as well as personalized spatial audio. The new AirPods can also automatically reduce the volume when the wearer is speaking to someone in person. Price: $129, a model with active noise cancellation costs $179; available from September 20.
- AirPods Pro 2: The high-end line includes new health features: a professional hearing aid mode, hearing protection and a 5-minute personalized hearing test. Available from autumn, subject to regulatory approval.
