Apple launches new iPhones, Apple Watches and AirPods
Apple presented its newest iPhones, Apple Watches and AirPods at its Glow Up presentation last night. Major surprises were omitted. As expected Apple Intelligence loomed over the pre-taped product reveal however suers in the EU will have to wait to try it until Apple resolve issues with the Digital Markets Act, brought in this year to protect user choice and create a competitive marketplace free from monopolies.
Otherwise the formula of thinner devices with better screens held true with a new application for Apple’s AirPods being something of a show-stealer by virtue of novelty.
iPhone
The iPhone 16 comes in four models: iPhone 16 and 16 Plus being the more consumer oriented, and the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, which carry three cameras instead of two. Beyond the camera the main changes are the AI features coming with iOS 18.
All iPhone 16 models received a completely new button for activating the phone taking pictures in landscape mode. That button is on the right side of the device and can also be used as a zoom by sliding your finger along the top. With that button you can also request information about restaurants or posters you see. In addition, all models, not just the Pro models, now have an action button.
Some innovations are specific to the camera of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. For the first time, these devices get support for macro photography-a special mode in which you can capture objects up close and in great detail. In addition, the wide-angle lens gets a faster aperture of f/2.2, compared to f/2.4 from before.
The camera island has been revamped: While these lenses have been arranged diagonally since the iPhone 13, with the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus they are arranged one below the other.
The ultra-wide-angle lens also gets an upgrade. It currently has a resolution of 12MP but with the iPhone 16 Pro this rises to a whopping 48MP.
iPhone 16 starts at €979 and iPhone 16 Plus starts at €1,129.
iPhone 16 Pro starts at €1,239 and iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at €1,489
Apple Watch
The new Apple Watch is simply called the Apple Watch Series 10. The watch has an updated design, albeit again with rounded sides, but also with corners that are rounder.
Due to the larger size, the screen has also increased significantly. The largest Apple Watch Series 10 comes close to the Apple Watch Ultra models.
The screen is 40% brighter than before, and the display is a so-called wide-angle OLED display.
Charging is a lot faster. In as little as 30 minutes, the Apple Watch Series 10 is charged to 80%.
The Apple Watch Series 10 gets several new features, including sleep apnea detection. Sleep apnea is when breathing suddenly stops during sleep or breathing is severely impaired.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 actually only bears a new colour: satin black. The price remains €899, available from 20 September.
AirPods 4
Apple also launched AirPods 4 with improved audio and updated charging case. The cheapest model has an updated design, improved audio with H2 chip and a charging case with USB-C. The more expensive model has active noise cancellation on top of that, a speaker for Find my AirPods.
The AirPods Max headphones will feature a USB-C connector, instead of the Lightning port that is currently in the headphones. There are also new colours: gold, peach-orange, lilac and dark blue.
The real show-stealer here are a hearing test and hearing aid features, adding a new application and taking the device into the medtech space similar to how the Apple Watch found its niche in fitness and wellbeing.
iPads
Not announced today is the iPad mini 2024, which is not expected to be released until October. Apple is therefore expected to hold another event in October, where this year’s new iPads and Macs will be unveiled.
All products will be available as early as 20 September.
Is it worth it?
Any user tasked with specifying the iPhone 16 could have done a fine job. Again, we have an incremental update saved by the action button giving control of the camera. It’s a smooth and slick implementation but not one that will have users clamouring to upgrade. No, the main purpose of the iPhone 16 is to act as a testbed for Apple Intelligence and to let the AI be the star. Cupertino, and many early adopters, won’t be happy with the EU but as with the switching of Lightning for USB-C ports, accusations of ‘stymying innovation’ is just code for ‘putting company ahead of consumer’. The cost of doing business in the EU may be higher than US companies are used to but it will be worth the wait when Apple accepts, again, that it can’t have things its own way.
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