Apple just wrapped up its big September reveal event, introducing the world to the iPhone 16, the Apple Watch 10, the AirPods 4, and a new Apple Intelligence feature. Across the new lineup, you’ll find upgrades like bigger screens, improved camera specs, and even some new buttons play with. Plus, a new model of AirPods that sits in between the cheapest option and the AirPods Pro.
Read on for a recap, and watch the full event below.
iPhone 16
On the surface, the iPhone 16 lineup is similar to the iPhone 15s, with four models coming out overall. There are two sizes for the base model, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, and two for the Pro model, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. This tried-and-true approach means there’s nothing fancy like an iPhone Flip to look forward to (yet), but this year’s updates aren’t without their improvements.
The most hyped upgrade for these phones is probably Apple Intelligence, which all four phones will be getting when iOS 18.1 launches later this fall. That’s an improvement over the iPhone 15, which is only getting Apple Intelligence on its Pro models, and you can thank the new A18 chip for that. It’s Apple’s latest mobile CPU, and in a generous move, base iPhone 16 models will be getting a version of it.
That doesn’t mean there’s no reason to upgrade to the Pro model, though. Apple’s Pro phones come with the improved A18 Pro, so they’ll still be more powerful than the base model, but the new chips across all models are promised to be strong. For example, all iPhone 16 models will be able to play AAA games like Death Stranding, which were previously reserved for iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
Credit: Apple
There’s also a big upgrade to the build, in the form of a slightly bigger screen on the iPhone 16 Pro (6.3 inches on the base Pro and 6.9 inches on the Pro Max), a dedicated Action Button across all models (this was previously only on the iPhone 15 Pro line), as well as the new Camera Control shutter button.
This dedicated shutter button, available on all iPhone 16 models, will let you press gently to focus in or harder to actually take a photo. When pressing gently, you’ll also be able to slide your finger across the button to adjust features like zoom or exposure.
While camera megapixel counts remain the same on the iPhone 16, the iPhone 16 Pro boasts an improved 48MP ultra-wide sensor, up from 12MP on the iPhone 15 Pro. The 48 MP main lens and 12MP selfie camera are the same, but both iPhone 16 Pros are also now getting the 5x telephoto lens; on the iPhone 15, this was reserved for the Pro Max.
There’s also “studio-quality” microphones, but the biggest camera upgrade this year is coming in the software. Now, Pro models support 4K 120fps recording, which will be great for capturing slo-mo footage. This will even work with ProRes footage. In photography, you’ll also be able to adjust photography styles on the fly, even after capture, as well as customize your own.
Credit: Apple
Similarly, you’ll be able to mix audio or make edits to video on the fly, with features like Audio Mix allowing you to isolate subject voices or place them in different channels right from your phone.
Outside of cameras, all iPhone 16s promise better battery life thanks to their more efficient chips. Official numbers still aren’t here, although the company promised iPhone 16 models will have the “best iPhone battery life ever.”
Pre-orders for all iPhone 16 models start on Friday, and the phones will start shipping on Sept. 20. There are five colors for the iPhone 16 (black, white, pink, teal, and ultramarine) and four for the iPhone 16 Pro (black titanium, white titanium, desert titanium, and natural titanium). As those names imply, the iPhone 16 Pro still has a titanium chassis, an upgrade that was introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro.
The iPhone 16 starts at $799 and the iPhone 16 Plus starts at $899. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999 and the Pro Max starts at $1,199.
Credit: Apple
Apple Intelligence
Apple took a brief moment during its stream to advertise the upcoming Apple Intelligence, walking through previously announced features like writing help or a contextually aware Siri. But it also took a moment to debut a new feature for iPhone 16 models: Visual Intelligence.
Visual Intelligence works in tandem with the new camera shutter, allowing you to hold it down to search for information about a subject in your photo. It will be able to bring up reviews and menus when looking at a restaurant, for instance, or search Google for shopping information when looking at a bike. Apple said it won’t store your photos and that the feature uses the company’s own private models, although for photos of subjects like math problems, you’ll also be able to ask ChatGPT for help—Apple has previously promised that ChatGPT integration with its services will also be secure, although it didn’t provide additional details today.
While Apple says Apple Intelligence will hit the public in U.S. English next month, Visual Intelligence is pegged for sometime “later this year.”
Credit: Apple
Apple Watch 10
The Apple Watch is also getting a refresh this year, with the Apple Watch Series X. This year’s watch is slightly larger across available sizes, which means bigger screens, with the largest model even having slightly more screen space than the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
As someone who prioritizes comfort with my watch, I’m a little concerned about the slightly larger size here, although Apple says the Apple Watch Series X should be thinner to compensate, being 10% less chunky than the Series 9 at 9.7mm. While you can still get an aluminum case, the stainless steel upgrade option is also getting swapped out for titanium, which Apple says weighs 20% less.
There’s also a new processor this year—the S10. This should power some machine learning features, including one that’s still being approved by the FDA that will let the watch detect sleep apnea.
Interestingly, the speaker can now play music and podcasts, which should be great if you wear your watch in the shower—it’s still just as waterproof.
The screen is also now a wide-angle OLED, which Apple says is up to 40% brighter when viewed from an angle. And thanks to more efficient power management (Apple promises up to 18 hours of battery life), the always-on screen can now update once per second as opposed to once per minute, which means you’ll be able to see more accurate clocks.
On the software side, fitness users are getting some new swimming apps, for better tracking of depth and tides. The former takes advantage of a new depth sensor, which used to be exclusive to the Apple Watch Ultra.
The Apple Watch Series X starts at $399 with pre-orders available now, and will start shipping on Sept. 20. Available colors differ based on your case, with aluminum coming in silver, rose gold, and jet black, while titanium options include gold, slate, and natural (which is a more muted black).
Premium users will have to wait for a new Apple Watch Ultra, although starting Sept. 20, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will start shipping with a new satin black colorway. You can pre-order the new colorway right now.
Credit: Apple
AirPods 4
I love me a good pair of noise-canceling earbuds, but until now, you’ve always had to opt for a pair of AirPods Pro to get active noise cancellation. Now, Apple is making ANC available on its base model, although for a slight upcharge. Plus, your AirPods Pro 2 are about to become hearing aids.
Apple’s new, fourth-generation AirPods come in two varieties, but both have USB-C charging, so you’ll finally be able to use the same chargers you use for everything else with them. More exciting is that the slightly more expensive model will have ANC, which, given that it costs $179, means that you’ll save $71 compared to the most recent AirPods Pro ($250). For your trouble, you’ll also get a speaker in your case, which will make it easier to find if you lose it, plus the case will have wireless charging.
You’ll still lose out on some niceties—ANC doesn’t always work well without silicone eartips, which the AirPods 4 still don’t have—but if you’re planning to get a new pair of AirPods, it’s worth waiting until these come out, if only so you’re not getting one of the older 2nd-gen or 3rd-gen models, which these will be replacing.
Models with ANC will also have existing software features developed for the Pro 2, like conversation awareness.
Speaking of the AirPods Pro 2, they’re getting some new health features, pending FDA approval. These will include a clinical hearing test and the ability to use the AirPods as “professional grade” hearing aids, which will be tuned based on your hearing test results. Apple expects these features to arrive sometime in the fall.
Alongside those features, you’ll also get hearing protection, which aims to help the AirPods Pro 2 slightly mute the noise around you without fully canceling it.
AirPods Max are also getting a refresh with a few new colors, plus USB-C, although you’ll have to wait until later for a more proper upgrade.
The AirPods 4 cost $129 while the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation cost $179. Pre-orders are available right now, and shipping starts on Sept. 20. The refreshed AirPods Max will also hit shelves on Sept. 20, with pre-orders available now. They still cost $549.
