Apple has unveiled a range of new iPhone 16 models at its Cupertino campus. These models are powered by a groundbreaking new silicon chip that marks Apple’s entry into the generative AI domain. The Pro and Pro Max models receive notable enhancements, including improved cameras, larger batteries, and larger screens. Notably, these are the first Pro iPhone models to be manufactured in India.
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus: Apple’s Core
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus form the backbone of Apple’s flagship devices. While the design remains largely unchanged, with similar screen technology to previous models, there are no changes to the screen size. The standard iPhone 16 now boasts a 6.1-inch screen, making it the smallest iPhone size available. The iPhone 16 Plus comes with a 6.7-inch screen.
Design updates include a vertically aligned dual camera array optimized for spatial video on the Apple Vision Pro. The action button, introduced last year, is now present alongside the camera control. The Dynamic Island has been reduced in size as Apple has updated the entire front-facing camera stack, including the sensors and LiDAR for FaceID. These phones come in a variety of exciting new colors.
Internally, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max represent a significant leap forward, thanks to the introduction of the A18 chipset, specifically designed for generative AI. This chipset, manufactured on a 2nd-generation 3nm process, significantly enhances device processing capabilities for AI-driven tasks. It boasts a 16-core neural engine, twice as fast for machine learning compared to the A16 Bionic, and 17 percent more RAM. Additionally, it features a 6-core CPU with 2 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, delivering up to 30 percent faster performance than the A16 chipset while consuming 30 percent less power. Furthermore, it introduces a new GPU architecture with 40 percent faster performance compared to the A16, all while using 35 percent less power and supporting ray traced games.
Apple has announced that Honor of Kings World will be coming to iPhone 16 next year, offering an unparalleled visual experience with its high resolution mode, further solidifying iPhone’s position as the world’s best gaming phone.
With Apple Intelligence, new features include generative emojis, text proofreading, genmoji, and the ability to reveal past photos by describing them. It can even pinpoint specific moments in a video by describing them. The most significant updates are coming to Siri, which will be infused with Apple Intelligence, transforming the iPhone. Siri will be available in a public beta in US English for all users next month, with UK English and Australian English added in December. Apple is also expanding support for other languages like Spanish, Chinese, and French and German next year.
Users can now summon the camera by pressing the camera control button and clicking the photo of the place. Apple Intelligence will identify the content in the photo, similar to Google Lens. This feature is called Visual Intelligence. The camera control button can also be used to launch a search on Google using photos or even ChatGPT.
Apple promises enhanced battery life through more efficient displays and presumably larger batteries. The cameras, a major draw for many users, are also improved. The main 48-megapixel camera boasts improved performance, enabling 2x lossless zoom, while the ultra-wide camera can capture 2.6 times more light, supporting macro photography and maintaining optical quality. The main camera also features a f/1.6 aperture. Apple employs machine learning to eliminate wind noise from videos, enhancing noise cancellation.
New colours like aqua marine and teal are introduced, along with a new Ceramic Shield, 50 percent stronger than the previous one. Apple is also adding more countries for emergency SOS features, but India isn’t included.
Apple’s most premium iPhones will be manufactured in India for the first time. Notably, the Pro models will be larger. The iPhone 16 Pro will feature a 6.3-inch screen, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max will boast an impressive 6.9-inch screen, making it the largest iPhone ever. To prevent these phones from becoming excessively large, Apple has extended the display borders to the edges of the frame.
These new screens are brighter, more efficient, and more vibrant. They feature a new Dynamic Island, smaller and incorporating the new selfie camera and FaceID system. A capture button has been added to the titanium frame of the iPhone 16 Pro models. This haptic button allows a half-press to lock focus on the subject and a full press to take the photo. Additionally, there’s a sliding system for zooming in on subjects. The cameras themselves are more powerful.
The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max boast a 48-megapixel main camera with a larger sensor, significantly enhancing depth of field and low-light performance. This camera features 2.44 microns sub-pixels and an f/1.78 aperture. The ultra-wide camera also has a 48-megapixel resolution, a wider f/2.2 aperture, and 1.4 micron pixels. The telephoto lens also has a wider aperture and software enhancements to the 5x zoom capability and improved digital zoom capabilities. Notably, the 5x zoom is consistent across both models. Apple introduces new photographic styles, similar to LUTs, that don’t affect the entire frame of shots and offer adjustable tone and color controls.
In terms of video capabilities, the Pro iPhones have made remarkable advancements. The new slow-motion system allows for 4K video at 120 frames per second, enabling real-time frame-by-frame color grading in Dolby Vision. The frame rate can also be adjusted in post-production within the Photos app. The iPhone now comes equipped with new studio-quality microphones that support Spatial Audio capture. These microphones are paired with a new audio mix feature that mimics professional studio mixes, creating a cinematic sound experience.
Apple has showcased the iPhone’s 4K slow-motion feature by revealing that The Weeknd utilized it to shoot his latest music video. The entire shoot incorporated all the new features of the iPhone 16 Pro line, including the ultra-wide camera.
Voice memos have also benefited from these new microphones, enabling musicians to layer new tracks over existing ones for quick cuts. Additionally, the microphones employ noise cancellation, eliminating background noise comparable to the quality of studio microphones.
Of course, the primary focus of this launch is Apple Intelligence, which heavily relies on a neural engine for on-device AI processing. Apple has consistently been at the forefront of NPUs, with its first one debuting in the iPhone X back in 2017. This year, its latest SoC, the A18 Pro, boasts the most powerful NPU yet, aptly named the neural engine. The CPU also receives enhancements, resulting in faster and more energy-efficient performance.
Apple’s latest iPhones feature a 16-core neural engine capable of performing 35 trillion operations per second. This powerful engine delivers a 15% performance boost over the A17 Pro-equipped iPhone 15 Pro models while simultaneously consuming 20% less power. The GPU is enhanced with ray tracing capabilities, doubling the speed of the previous generation.
The iPhone 16 comprises two performance and four efficiency cores. A new advanced display engine offers faster USB 3 speeds and a faster video encoder compared to the A17 Pro.
As expected, Apple promises improved battery life. Reports suggest that these iPhones incorporate the largest batteries ever used in a smartphone. Additionally, Apple enhances charging speeds, supporting up to 40W wired charging and faster wireless charging via MagSafe and Qi2 charging.
A new halo color, desert titanium, has been leaked and is set to be available on the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max.
Here are the pricing and availability details for all the iPhones:
- iPhone 16: Starting at Rs 79,900 for the 128GB model
- iPhone 16 Plus: Starting at Rs 89900 for the 128GB model.
- iPhone 16 Pro: Starting at Rs 1,19,900 for the 128GB model.
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: Starting at Rs 144,900 for the 256GB model.
All models will be available for preorder on September 13 and will be released in India on September 20.
AirPods 4 and AirPods Max
In addition to these iPhones, Apple has introduced the AirPods 4, its new budget-friendly earbuds with larger drivers that deliver enhanced audio quality. These AirPods now feature Apple’s H2 chip for computational audio, complemented by a brand-new acoustic architecture. Apple claims that this architecture is the best-sounding AirPods with an open acoustic design, supporting enhanced Spatial Audio. Moreover, it offers noise-canceling voice calls that are reportedly very clear. Additionally, it incorporates a force sensor that allows users to play or pause music, mute or end calls, and a USB Type-C port in the charging case, which has been reduced in size and now provides 30 hours of battery life.
A new AirPods 4 model with active noise cancellation, Apple’s transparency mode, adaptive audio, and conversation awareness is also available. The case supports wireless charging via Qi.
The AirPods 4 are priced at Rs 12,900, while the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation come at Rs 17900.
The AirPods Max has also received a refresh, now featuring new colors, USB-Type C connectivity, however, Apple has retained the H1 chip and not redesigned the controversial case which some people have compared to female undergarments costing a whopping Rs 59,900.
The AirPods Pro 2 have received a substantial software update, introducing new healthcare features, including hearing protection. The tips now employ passive noise reduction powered by machine learning at an impressive 48,000 per second. Apple is also introducing a clinically tested hearing test that can be performed with AirPods Pro and the iPhone. Moreover, they’re unveiling a clinically-grade hearing aid feature that transforms AirPods Pro into a hearing aid. This hearing profile is automatically applied to music, movies, and phone calls. Apple anticipates FDA clearance and the product will be available in over 100 countries.
Lastly, Apple is refreshing the AirPods Max, which has been a long-awaited update.
Apple Watch Series 10 and Ultra 2
The latest Apple Watch, the 10th generation, has been unveiled with several notable enhancements. It features an updated processor, a refined design, a blood glucose scanner, and a sleep apnea monitor that detects breathing disturbances. These features, currently awaiting FDA approval, are expected to be launched in 150 countries. Additionally, the watch includes a more accurate depth gauge and water temperature sensor, integrated into the workout app, making it ideal for snorkeling. The Oceanic+ app is also coming to the Series 10.
Surfers will be thrilled to learn that the new Tides app, providing data from coastlines worldwide, is now available. While some of these features have been introduced by competitors like Samsung and Google, the Apple Watch market remains dominated by Apple, making these enhancements particularly noteworthy.
Apple has launched the 10th generation Watch for Rs 46,900 and Rs 56,900 for the GPS and Cellular 42 mm models. The 46mm models are for Rs 49,900 and Rs 59,900.
The Apple Watch Ultra has undergone a significant redesign, resulting in a thinner watch with a larger, wider-angle OLED screen that surpasses the Ultra’s display. The stainless steel version has been replaced with a titanium build, enhancing the watch’s durability and aesthetics.
In addition to these design enhancements, the Ultra 2 incorporates some design elements from the Apple Watch Series 10. Notably, it introduces a new finish called satin black, achieved through a custom sandblasting process. This unique finish adds a touch of sophistication to the watch.
The watch is crafted from recycled Series 5 titanium, ensuring sustainability. New zirconia bands and the titanium Milanese loop, specifically designed for scuba divers, provide a comfortable and secure fit.
Apple has extended its partnership with Hemes for the Ultra 2, offering an exclusive maritime watch face and loop. These additions enhance the watch’s versatility and appeal to a broader range of users.
Overall, the updates to the Ultra 2 are relatively minor, but they also include all the enhancements from the Series 10, which is why it is at Rs 89,900.
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