not just new iPhonesBut Apple has also done a complete redesign Apple Watch Series 10 In store – it’s bigger than before. The Apple Watch SE has also been refreshed, and now has a plastic casing instead of aluminium. While the Apple Watch Ultra hasn’t received its generation refresh, it has received a new colour. Then, there’s not one but two AirPods, fourth generation – one pair of the regular ones and the other pair with the ‘Pro’ features. Oh, and the AirPods Max now have USB-C.
Now that the event is over, here’s a recap of the announcements made by Apple at the “It’s Glotime” event.
iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus: A18 chip, Apple intelligence and camera control button
The new vanilla iPhones – iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus – look reminiscent of their predecessors, except for the redesigned camera island, which is now shaped like a pill like the iPhone X. Here on the iPhone 16 this design is to enable spatial capture. The screen measurements are the same, 6.1 inches for the iPhone 16 and 6.7 inches for the iPhone 16 Plus, with the dynamic island.
Both vanilla iPhones now have an Action button replacing the much-loved ring/silent switch. Along with the Action button on the iPhone 16, there is also a Camera Control button, which is a capacitive button that works like the shutter button on cameras. So, as the name suggests, it opens the camera app and then lets you take a picture, focus, zoom in and out. Swiping it moves between photo and video modes.
While the cameras at the back look different, they are still the same 48MP main and 12MP ultrawide units as the iPhone 15. On the front too, there is still the same 12MP camera for selfies.
The biggest upgrade for the new vanilla iPhones is its chip. With the A18, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will have support for Apple Intelligence, released in October. The A18 chip also has better graphics performance, and can now run AAA titles previously released for the Pro iPhones.
With the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, Apple is also refreshing the colour shades and this time the palette is darker. The colour options are – black, white, green, blue and pink.
The iPhone 16 starts at Rs 79,900, and the larger iPhone 16 Plus starts at $89,900.
iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max: Bigger screen, new Pro chip and upgraded cameras
Although the new Pro iPhones look similar to before, they are bigger than ever. iPhone 16 Pro measures 6.3 inches (up from 6.1 inches), and the 6.7-inch screen on the previous Pro Max model is now 6.9 inches on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Well, that doesn’t mean they will be bigger to hold, as this increase is because of thinner bezels, not that Apple has made them physically larger.
Like last year’s iPhone 15 Pro models, this year’s Pro iPhones will also come with Apple intelligence. But, running the show on the new iPhone 16 Pro models is a new A18 Pro chip that’s even better in AI chops.
Unlike the vanilla model, which has a new look for the camera island but the same sensors, the Pro model has the same look but new sensors. The 12MP ultrawide on both Pro models is being upgraded to a new 48MP camera. Then, the 3x telephoto on the smaller Pro model is being replaced with a 12MP 5x lens, the same as the larger iPhone 16 Pro Max. The 48MP main sensor, however, remains the same.
The Pro models also have a camera control button, as do their regular counterparts.
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max come in a new “Desert Titanium” shade, which replaces Blue Titanium. Other colour options are black, white, and natural titanium.
Surprisingly, the new Pro models are priced the same in the US, but are priced lower in India than before. The iPhone 16 Pro starts at Rs 1,19,900 (down from Rs 1,34,900 for the iPhone 15 Pro), and the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at Rs 1,44,900 (down from Rs 1,59,900 for the iPhone 15 Pro Max).
iOS 18 release date confirmed
iOS 18 is releasing for iPhones next week on September 16. However, this build will not have any of the Apple Intelligence features.
Apple Watch Series 10 – bigger screen, titanium case and more
The Apple Watch Series 10 features the “largest and most advanced display ever for Apple Watch”, which is one mm larger than before – at 42mm and 46mm. The Series 10 is also the thinnest Apple Watch ever and is smaller than the Series 9. While it will come in an aluminium casing, the Watch Series 10 also features an all-new titanium build that weighs 20 per cent less than the stainless steel option. The Watch Series 10 will come in a total of six colours – jet black, silver aluminium and rose gold for the aluminium case; the titanium case will come in natural, slate and gold colours.
The Series 10 features the S10 SiP, which Apple says can deliver “many of the intelligent features you use every day”. While there’s no mention of how long it will last, Apple says it will take less time to charge – 80% charge in 30 minutes.
Sleep apnea detection is debuting with the Series 10, and it will eventually make its way to the Series 9, the Watch Ultra 2. It’s a reminder that some of the Watch Ultra 2’s features are coming to the Watch Series 10, such as the built-in depth gauge, water temperature sensor, and the Oceanic+ app.
The Apple Watch Series 10 starts at Rs 44,900 and is up for pre-order from today and will go on sale from September 20.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 gets a new satin black finish
While Apple hasn’t completely redesigned the Watch Ultra 2, it has given it a much-awaited paint job. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 comes in a sleek satin black finish with a titanium Milanese Loop band in the same colour, which is made of corrosion-resistant titanium.
There are two AirPods options – standard and ANC
The latest pair of AirPods, aka AirPods 4 have come out and there are two of them. Apple says they are the “most comfortable AirPods ever.” The fourth-generation AirPods have H2 Chi and an updated acoustic architecture, both of which should give you better audio quality. Then, there are also features like personalized spatial audio and improved voice isolation for calls.
The AirPods 4 also get active noise cancellation, although you will have to pay extra for it. The standard without ANC is priced at Rs 12,900, while the one with ANC is priced at Rs 17,900. However, buying the ANC option will also get you Transparency mode and Adaptive Audio.
The charging case is Apple’s smallest ever and now has USB-C. The case offers up to 30 hours of total battery life, and has wireless charging. In addition, it also has a built-in speaker for Find My.
Pre-orders will begin from September 13 and sales will begin from September 20.
AirPods Pro 2 will soon become “clinical grade” hearing aids
Even though Apple didn’t have a new pair of AirPods Pro to show off, it did announce some new features coming to the nearly one-year-old pair of AirPods Pro 2. So, Apple is bringing some health updates to the AirPods Pro 2, including a “clinical grade” hearing aid feature.
The hearing aid capability of the AirPods 2 is for users with mild to moderate hearing loss. Apple is also including a hearing test feature that will help detect hearing loss, and this test can be taken in less than 5 minutes.
Apple is also introducing a passive hearing protection mode that will always be enabled, reducing noise in noisy environments.
The new health features for AirPods Pro 2 are expected to arrive as a free software update in the coming months.
AirPods Max get new colors after four years
Although the AirPods Max didn’t get their proper update, they do have new colors to choose from – Midnight, Blue, Purple, Orange, and Starlight. Plus, they also have USB-C for charging.
