Apple Unveils iPhone 16 and Other Innovations at ‘Glowtime’ Event: Highlights
On Monday, Apple made exciting announcements during its “It’s Glowtime” event, showcasing its newest smartphone and significant upgrades in wearable technology.
The tech giant revealed the iPhone 16 lineup, featuring advanced on-device artificial intelligence capabilities across all models. According to Apple CEO Tim Cook, this latest series “raises the bar for what an iPhone can do.”
Additionally, entry-level AirPods made their debut as the AirPods 4, with features aimed at hearing assistance and hearing tests.
The Apple Watch Series 10 was also introduced, boasting a potential feature for detecting sleep apnea.
Although not mentioned during the event, Apple did announce that iOS 18 is set to be available on September 16.
Availability of iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro
Preorders for the iPhone 16 range will start on Friday, with the devices hitting retail stores on September 20.
Details on iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max
The premium models of the iPhone 16 series, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, were also unveiled.
These models feature slightly larger displays, with the iPhone 16 Pro showcasing a 6.3-inch screen and the Pro Max boasting a 6.9-inch screen.
Additionally, a new “capture button” has been added for easy access to the phone’s camera.
Apple announced that the Pro Max will feature “the best battery life ever” for an iPhone.
In terms of camera capabilities, the Pro and Pro Max models can record video in 4K at 120 frames per second.
These models are powered by the new A18 Pro chip, which Apple claims offers improved speed and efficiency compared to the standard model.
Camera Features of iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max
The high-end models will feature a new fusion camera system, along with an ultrawide camera.
The Pro model includes a 5x telephoto lens with a 120mm focal length, previously exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Users will have greater control of the camera, allowing them to switch between lenses and apply edits directly within photo previews.
Video recording will support 4K at 120 frames per second, and professional-style audio editing features will be available as well.
Pricing for iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max
The iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999 for the 128GB variant, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max begins at $1199 for the 256GB model.
Colors for iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max
The new devices will be offered in black, silver, gray, and rose gold.
Introducing iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus
Apple also unveiled its latest smartphone models—the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.
These models come equipped with a new A18 chip and 8GB of RAM, enabling capabilities for Apple’s artificial intelligence software. The company indicated that this chip could rival some high-end desktop computers.
Additionally, these new phones incorporate an action button similar to the one found on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
A new “capture button” will allow users to access and operate the camera with ease. This button can launch the Camera app, zoom, and adjust focus before taking a photo.
The camera control button will also support “visual intelligence,” a feature that allows users to search their photos or share them with third-party apps—expected to be available later this year.
Pricing for iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus
The iPhone 16 begins at $799 for the 128GB model, while the iPhone 16 Plus starts at $899 for the 128GB version.
Camera Specifications for iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus
Both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will feature a 48-megapixel main camera along with a 2x telephoto option and a 12MP autofocus ultrawide camera.
The camera layout has been redesigned from the diagonal orientation of the iPhone 15 to a vertical arrangement, similar to last year’s Pro models.
Apple emphasized that these cameras will enhance light balance and image detail, improve macro photography, and support spatial video and images.
Color Options for iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus
The latest models will come in five colors: black, teal, pink, blue, and white.
AirPods Pro Introduces Hearing Enhancements
Apple announced that significant updates are coming to AirPods Pro to assist users with hearing impairments.
The company has developed a hearing test, which will be included in iOS 18 following a hearing study they conducted.
According to Apple, 75% of individuals diagnosed with hearing loss do not receive the necessary support. After completing the hearing test, the AirPods Pro are set to serve as a hearing aid.
Both the hearing test and hearing aid features are awaiting FDA approval, as indicated by the company.
Details on AirPods 4 Availability and Pricing
Apple has unveiled the AirPods 4, which will come in two variants.
The design and sound quality have been revamped, featuring “richer bass and crystal-clear highs, paired with personalized Spatial Audio.”
One model offers noise cancellation while the other is an entry-level version, which has received its first update since 2019, without noise-canceling features.
Preorders for the AirPods 4 will start on Monday, with the non-noise-canceling model priced at $129 and the noise-canceling model at $179.
Updates to Apple Watch Ultra
The Apple Watch Ultra now features a stylish black finish along with a matching band, as well as a new Hermes band and watch face. No new hardware enhancements have been made to this version.
Release Date and Pricing for Apple Watch Series 10
Unexpectedly, the Apple Watch has taken center stage at the event.
The new Apple Watch Series 10 will feature a larger case size and an expanded screen on this latest model.
The thickness of the watch measures at 9.7 mm.
Apple CEO Tim Cook highlighted the positive health contributions of previous models during the announcement, emphasizing the watch’s health tracking capabilities, including a feature to monitor sleep apnea, which is also awaiting FDA approval.
Preorders for these watches will open on Monday, with retail availability starting on September 20, priced at $399 for the standard model and $499 for the GPS + cellular version.
Color Options for Apple Watch Series 10
The available colors for the Apple Watch Series 10 will be black, silver, and rose gold.
How to View the Apple Event?
The “It’s Glowtime” event, which is scheduled for 1 p.m. EDT/10 a.m. PDT on Monday, will be streamed live from the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple’s Cupertino, California headquarters. You can watch it on Apple’s YouTube channel, their website, or through the Apple TV app.
Anticipated Features of the iPhone 16
The iPhone 16 is anticipated to feature larger screens on its Pro versions and introduce new camera functionalities, such as a dedicated shutter button for taking photos, as reported by Bloomberg.
Additionally, Apple is expected to launch various AI tools dubbed Apple Intelligence, which were showcased during the Worldwide Developers Conference in June.