Tim Cook announced the Apple iPhone 16 series on Monday, September 9th, at the Glowtime event. The lineup includes four new handsets and paves the way for Apple Intelligence on the go.
Apple iPhone 16 Series
Often, new iPhone events are a bit hard to cover. The “best iPhone they’ve ever made” usually has only had a slight camera adjustment, or the bulk of the changes are software-related and will be available on legacy devices, too.
Refreshingly, the Apple iPhone 16 does introduce a new hardware feature: a tactile switch called Camera Control on the righthand side of the iPhone as a user looks at it.
Paired with new software features in iOS18, the new Camera Control feature on the iPhone 16 series offers an intuitive interface that provides quick access to professional-grade settings. Users can adjust key elements like focus, exposure, and portrait mode depth with just a tap, making high-quality photography more accessible and efficient.
Apple also stressed that the 16 series had been built from the ground up to support all the new features Apple Intelligence opens up for users in Apple and third-party apps.
iPhone 16 & 16 Plus Apple iPhone 16 Series
The all-new A18 chip, which offers a 30% performance boost compared to its predecessor, headlines the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, which get a welcome power gain as entry-level models. The enhanced 48MP Fusion camera with 2x telephoto zoom will provide professional-grade shots, and the new Ultra-Wide camera allows macro photography.
Apple’s focus on privacy continues with Apple Intelligence, offering real-time contextual insights while protecting user data. The models feature a durable Ceramic Shield and a new Action button, previously found on the 15 Pro models, for customizable shortcuts, delivering a more efficient and personalized user experience.
The iPhone 16 lineup also improves battery life, benefitting from optimized power management and an internal redesign that improves heat dissipation.
Thanks to the 5-core GPU supporting ray tracing and the inclusion of Spatial Audio for cinematic sound in videos, users can expect immersive mobile gaming experiences.
Apple says the Super Retina XDR display will deliver vibrant visuals and is available in 6.1″ for the standard 16 and 6.7″ for the 16 Plus.
After last year’s subdued colour options, Apple has gone back to bright and fun choices, with five to choose from, including new Ultramarine and Teal.
16 Pro & 16 Pro Max Apple iPhone 16 Series
To set the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max apart from the other models, Apple has opted for a new A18 Pro chip and an even larger display on the 16 Pro.
These models offer the fastest quad-pixel sensor for 48MP Fusion camera photography and 4K 120fps Dolby Vision video, a first for iPhone.
Apple claims that the titanium design reduces weight and increases durability, while the upgraded thermal efficiency promises to extend the battery life.
The Pro models are aimed at creatives, professionals, and power users. They offer immersive gaming and pro-level camera features, including a 5x telephoto lens and spatial audio recording via four studio-quality mics.
Apple Intelligence leverages generative models for tasks like note rewriting and image context detection while maintaining user privacy.
Apple Intelligence on the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max leverages powerful generative models to provide personalized and context-aware insights across apps while maintaining user privacy with Private Cloud Compute.
This system adapts to tasks like rewriting meeting notes or summarizing emails and offers real-time visual intelligence for identifying objects or places through Camera Control. Deep integration with Siri further enhances the user experience by providing natural, flexible communication and in-app requests, which, as users learn to use it, will make Apple Intelligence a seamless tool on iPhone.
The Pro lineup includes new finishes and improved environmental standards, featuring recycled materials throughout the design.
Specifications Apple iPhone 16 Series
| iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | Features | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 148x72x8mm | 161x78x8mm | Dimensions | 150x72x8mm | 163x78x8mm |
| 170 | 199g | Weight | 199g | 227g |
| Ultramarine Teal Pink White Black |
Ultramarine Teal Pink White Black |
Colour Options | Black Titanium White Titanium Natural Titanium Desert Titanium |
Black Titanium White Titanium Natural Titanium Desert Titanium |
| 6.1″ Super Retina XDR | 6.7″ Super Retina XDR | Display | 6.3″ Super Retina XDR ProMotion |
6.7″ Super Retina XDR ProMotion |
| A18 | A18 | Chip | A18 Pro | A18 Pro |
| 128GB 256GB 512GB |
128GB 256GB 512GB |
Storage | 128GB 256GB 512GB 1TB |
128GB 256GB 512GB 1TB |
| Emergency SOS via satellite 5G Wi-Fi 7 Bluetooth 5.3 |
Emergency SOS via satellite 5G Wi-Fi 7 Bluetooth 5.3 |
Connectivity | Emergency SOS via satellite 5G Wi-Fi 7 Bluetooth 5.3 |
Emergency SOS via satellite 5G Wi-Fi 7 Bluetooth 5.3 |
| 12MP Smart HDR 5 |
12MP Smart HDR 5 |
Front Cam | 12MP Smart HDR 5 |
12MP Smart HDR 5 |
| Fusion 48MP Ultra Wide 12MP |
Fusion 48MP Ultra Wide 12MP |
Rear Cam | Fusion 48MP Ultra Wide 48MP Telephoto 12MP |
Fusion 48MP Ultra Wide 48MP Telephoto 12MP |
| IP68 | IP68 | Waterproof Rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Up to 22 hours | Up to 27 hours | Power | Up to 27 hours | Up to 33 hours |
Price & Availability Apple iPhone 16 Series
The Apple iPhone 16 Series starts at $799 for the iPhone 16 with 128GB. At the top end, the iPhone 16 Pro Max with 1TB of storage is priced at $1,599.
All the models and colour options are available for preorder now on apple.com, and shipping is due to start on September 20th.