The biggest announcements from Apple iPhone 16 launch
Apple has unveiled its ambitious plans for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in its new iPhones at the launch of iPhone 16, although British users will be waiting a while to try the new features.
Apple CEO Tim Cook also launched four new, upgraded iPhone 16 models – as well as updated versions of Airpods and Apple Watches – saying: "The next generation of iPhone has been designed for 'Apple Intelligence' from the ground up. It marks the beginning of an exciting new era."
The phones include features such as dedicated camera buttons, highlighting Apple's ambitions to take on the 'serious' photography market.
However, there is no announced timeline for any AI features to arrive in the UK. US users are expected to get access to some of the AI features in October, with the revamped version of Apple's voice assistant Siri arriving early next year, according to insiders.
New AI features
The event foregrounded 'Apple Intelligence' - Apple’s response to rivals such as Samsung and Google, which baked AI features into their flagship smartphones this year.
Apple Intelligence offers writing tools that can summarise web pages or suggest emails, along with generative AI emoji known as GenMoji.
With Genmoji, users will be able to simply say commands such as ‘Cowboy frog’ and see their creation as an emoji.
A new AI ‘visual search’ will enable iPhone users to take a photo of something and search for it online, similar to Google’s Lens feature on Android phones.
Apple has said it aims to protect users' privacy, with much of the processing done ‘on device’, so private details are not compromised.
There are also a large number of upcoming upgrades to Apple’s Siri, which is being revamped with generative AI features.
Chief among these will be the ability to talk to the digital assistant by typing on the phone, but users will also be able to search intelligently through their files using Siri.
Siri will be able to interact with multiple apps at once, and has had a visual overhaul: when users summon Siri, instead of a glowing ball at the bottom, the edges of the display will glow instead.
Apple Intelligence will be able to run multiple AI models on compatible iPhones (which include all of this year’s models).
Apple also revealed that the data centres which power Apple Intelligence will run on renewable electricity.
Four models of iPhone 16
Apple unveiled four new iPhones, with slight upgrades including a new chip, which is 30% faster than last year’s, and an 'Action Button', which was previously seen on last year’s Pro Models, but is now available on all the new iPhones.
The Action Button performs actions such as silencing the phone or opening the camera.
But, as predicted, this year’s crop of iPhones is evolution, not revolution in hardware terms, with the biggest changes coming in the form of AI software.
The basic iPhone 16 models come with improved battery life, plus satellite messaging that can be used in areas where Wi-Fi and mobile connections are not available.
The satellite messaging feature will initially only be available in the US and Canada.
The larger iPhone Pro and Pro Max devices have slightly bigger screens – the iPhone 16 Pro is 6.3 inches and the iPhone Pro Max is 6.9 inches.
The ‘big’ new feature on the bigger phones is a dedicated camera button for stills and video, which is touch sensitive with light presses activating functions such as zoom and aperture.
Pre-orders for the new phones open on Friday, with the handsets going on sale on 20 September.
The iPhone 16 is £799, the larger iPhone 16 Plus is £899, while the higher-end Pro models come in at £999 for the Pro and £1,199 for the Pro Max.
New Airpods
Apple also introduced a new version of its multi-million-selling wireless earbuds – Airpods 4.
The company bills these as the "most comfortable Airpods ever", with Apple’s designers apparently having used 3D modelling and laser topography to improve the fit.
The headphones now come with the smallest USB-C charging case yet, and are powered by the new H2 chip. They also have personalised spatial audio, which can deliver movie-style surround effects.
The basic Airpods come in at £119 with the noise-cancelling version at £169.
Apple also updated its ultra-luxury Airpods Max headphones, with the new version coming in at £549 and ditching the old Lightning port for USB-C.
Updated Apple Watch
Apple also unveiled a thinner version of its Apple Watch, armed with a bigger screen which can display an extra line of text.
The watch also comes with new medical features including sleep apnea detection, which can warn people if they stop breathing during sleep.
The Apple Watch Series 10 is a mere 9.7mm thick (10% thinner than the last version) and also charges faster, topping up 80% in just 30 minutes.
The watch is designed to be more viewable from different angles with Apple claiming the screen is 40% brighter from an angle.
It will be available in three finishes - natural, gold, and dark slate gray - plus a titanium version and will be available from 20 September and start at £399.
