Apple has officially announced its new iPhone 16 series, showcasing improved hardware but holding back on immediate AI integration. The tech giant's Glowtime event introduced four new models: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Key highlights of the new lineup include:
- Larger displays for Pro models (6.3 and 6.9)
- New A18 and A18 Pro chips for enhanced performance
- Upgraded camera systems across the range
- New customizable Action button and Camera Control button
- Thinnest design yet for the Pro models
While Apple touted the iPhone 16 series as being designed for Apple Intelligence from the ground up, the AI features won't be available at launch. Instead, they're slated for release in an iOS 18.1 update coming in October 2024.
The new iPhones will run on iOS 18, which brings several improvements including RCS support in iMessage, a redesigned Control Center, and enhanced photo search capabilities. However, the highly anticipated Apple Intelligence features, including Visual Intelligence (Apple's answer to Google Lens), will arrive later.
Pricing for the new models remains unchanged from last year:
- iPhone 16: Starting at $799
- iPhone 16 Plus: Starting at $899
- iPhone 16 Pro: Starting at $999
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: Starting at $1,199
With the launch of the new series, Apple has also reduced prices on the iPhone 14 and 15 models:
- iPhone 15: Now starting at $699
- iPhone 14: Now starting at $599
The iPhone 16 lineup will be available for pre-order starting September 13, with devices shipping from September 20. Notably, models sold outside the US will still include a physical SIM card tray, alongside eSIM support.
While the hardware upgrades are impressive, the delayed rollout of AI features may disappoint some eager for Apple's take on generative AI. It remains to be seen how Apple's AI implementation will compare to competitors when it finally arrives in October.
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| An overview of the new iPhone 16 series, featuring its sleek design and modern aesthetics across four models |
