.png)
2 weeks ago
6
Apple took the wraps off the iPhone 16, the first generation of its flagship phones purpose-built for generative AI.
The iPhone 16 model will start at $799 (with a 6.1-inch screen) and the 16 Plus (6.7-inch screen) is $899, both with 128 gigabytes of memory. The iPhone 16 Pro (6.3 inch) starts at $999 with 128 GB and iPhone 16 Pro Max (6.9 inch) starts at $1,199, available with up to 1 terabyte of storage. All models will be available starting Sept. 20, 2024.
The phones include the new higher-performance A18 chip created for the new phones — with greater power needed to process AI features — that is up to 30% faster than the chip in iPhone 15, according to Apple. They also incorporate enhanced camera technology, including a 48-megapixel camera and ultrawide camera, and a redesigned Photo app with AI-enabled features.
The new iPhone 16 models were announced Monday at Apple’s 2024 fall product event at the tech giant’s Cupertino, Calif., headquarters, which was teased with the tagline, “It’s Glowtime.”
A centerpiece of the iPhone 16 is Apple Intelligence, a set of features the company unveiled in June that are baked into the upcoming iOS 18 software release. Of course, iPhones have used AI for years, dating back to the introduction of the Siri voice assistant in 2011. The new push revolves around generative AI, a more sophisticated flavor of artificial intelligence that creates new content based on a large data set.
In iPhone 16, those include an enhanced Siri integrated with OpenAI’s ChatGPT; tools to let you rewrite, proofread and summarize text on iPhone apps; and the new Image Playground (to be available as a separate app as well as a feature in other apps like Messages), which lets users create “playful” generative-AI images. Apple Intelligence will also let you create custom emoji by typing in a text prompt and summarize email messages. Beta features of Apple Intelligence will be available in a software update in October, the company said.
During the event, Apple show a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming music video for The Weeknd’s latest single, “Dancing in the Flames,” shot entirely on the iPhone 16 Pro, which can record in 4K in Dolby Vision at up to 120 frames per second for optimal slo-mo video capture, according to the company. The music video, from director Anton Tammi and director of photography Erik Henriksson, will premiere on Friday, Sept. 13.
Also announced at Apple’s event Monday, through videos shot at the company’s campus and around the San Francisco Bay Area:
- Apple Watch Series 10: Touted as the company’s slimmest smartwatch to date, Series 10 features include new depth and water-temperature sensors. Priced starting at $399; available starting Sept. 20.
- AirPods 4: New generation of wireless earbuds features richer bass and “crystal-clear highs,” and personalized spatial audio, according to Apple. The new AirPods also can automatically reduce the audio level when the wearer is speaking with someone in person. Priced at $129, with a model that supports active noise cancelation $179; available starting Sept. 20.
- AirPods Pro 2: High-end line includes new health features: a professional-grade hearing aid mode; hearing protection; and a 5-minute personalized hearing test. Available this fall pending regulatory approval.
English (US) ·