iPhone 16 and 16 Pro: Everything You Need to Know About Apple's Newest Phones
On September 9, Apple officially unveiled the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max. While there's no groundbreaking innovation this year, the new models come with several improvements, especially in AI capabilities, and a new button specifically designed for taking photos.
The virtual event, dubbed "It's Glowtime," marked the launch of the iPhone 16 series and showcased the latest features. The keynote, unusually held on a Monday, avoided conflicts with significant events like the U.S. presidential debate and a European Union ruling related to a long-standing Apple tax issue.
iPhone 16: Design and Features
As expected, the design of the iPhone 16 closely resembles the iPhone 15 with its flat edges. Major changes, however, come in the form of a new "Command" button. This pressure sensitive, immobile button allows for advanced photography controls, similar to a traditional camera shutter. Features include pressure sensitive zoom, image recognition, and the ability to access photo settings through simple taps or swipes.
iPhone 16 Pro: Bigger Displays
The iPhone 16 Pro now has a 6.3 inch screen, compared to the iPhone 16's 6.1 inches. while the Pro Max boasts a larger 6.9-inch display. Both models feature thinner bezels and maintain the lightweight titanium frame introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro.
New Chips: A18 and A18 Pro
The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus come with the A18 chip, while the Pro models are powered by the more advanced A18 Pro. The A18 chip, although new, is similar to last year's A17 Pro but with slight graphical enhancements. The A18 Pro provides up to 20% better performance, especially in AI and video processing tasks.
Cameras and Video: New Capabilities
The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus feature a 48MP wide-angle and a 12MP ultra-wide lens, arranged vertically. Both models can now shoot spatial video for Apple's Vision Pro headset. The Pro models have an upgraded 48MP ultra-wide camera and a 5x zoom lens for both the 16 Pro and Pro Max. New to the Pro models is 4K video recording at 120 frames per second for ultra-high-quality slow-motion footage.
Improved Battery Life
Apple claims the iPhone 16 series offers better battery life, with up to two additional hours of video playback on the iPhone 16 and up to four extra hours on the Pro models.
AI Features Coming Soon
Apple teased new AI features under the name "Apple Intelligence," designed to help with tasks like email summarization, photo editing, and more. However, these tools won't be available until iOS 18.1 or 18.2, and are initially limited to English.
Pricing and Availability
Pre-orders for the iPhone 16 series begin on September 13, with shipments starting September 20. Prices for the iPhone 16 start at $799, while the iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999. Here's the full lineup:
- iPhone 16 $799
- iPhone 16 Plus: $899
- iPhone 16 Pro: $999
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: $1199
You can rewatch the keynote on Apple's website or YouTube, complete with subtitles.