Apple’s September iPhone event has come and gone, and I went into it with very low expectations. However, after using some of the devices, there’s a lot more to unpack than I initially thought. Let’s dive into the biggest announcement: the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max.
IPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max: Bigger Screens, New Colors, and a Familiar Chip
This year’s new color for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max is Desert Titanium a cream-colored back with a bronze-ish trim. Surprisingly, there were no bright or vibrant color options like blue or green hues for the Pro models, sticking instead to more neutral tones.
While the devices are technically bigger this year, they didn’t feel noticeably larger when holding them. If I hadn’t known about the size increase, I might not have realized it just by looking. But once you flip them over, the bigger screens are instantly recognizable. Both the Pro and Pro Max boast larger displays this year, and what really stands out are the thinner bezels. They’re very noticeable the moment you pick up the phone.
Performance and Battery Life: A18 Pro Chip and 8GB of RAM
Under the hood, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are powered by the A18 Pro chip. Apple claims this is a significant step up in both CPU and GPU performance, and since it’s more energy-efficient, these devices should offer longer battery life compared to the previous generation. The new battery life claims do look promising.
However, one surprising spec is that the Pro models still have 8GB of RAM. With the new AI hardware inside, which typically consumes a lot of memory, I expected a bump in RAM. To put it in perspective, Google’s Pixel Pro devices offer 16GB of RAM literally double. It’s intriguing to see Apple’s approach to AI integration, which clearly doesn’t require as much RAM as I expected.
Apple’s New Visual Intelligence Feature
One new AI feature Apple introduced at the event is Visual Intelligence. This is similar to Google Lens you point your camera at an object, and it identifies what you’re looking at. For instance, you could snap a picture of a dog, and Visual Intelligence will tell you the breed. It can also provide information about restaurants or show you reviews if you capture an image of a menu.
The implementation is not groundbreaking, but Apple has introduced a new physical button to launch this feature. You tap and hold the button to activate Visual Intelligence. Interestingly, Apple doesn’t call this a button but rather Camera Control. You can use this Camera Control to launch the camera app, take pictures, or record videos. It also allows you to navigate the camera’s user interface through a capacitive multi-function sensor.
While the idea behind Camera Control is innovative, my hands-on experience felt complicated. The button requires a specific amount of pressure to work, and finding the balance can be tricky. It’s a right-hand-oriented interface, making it less intuitive for left-handed users. Although I think it’s a cool feature, the learning curve is steeper than typical Apple UX design.
Camera Upgrades: 48MP Ultra-Wide and 4K Cinematic Mode
The camera systems on the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are noteworthy. First, the tetraprism lens, which was exclusive to the Max model last year, is now on both models. Second, there’s a new 120fps 4K cinematic mode, which requires a lot of processing power but is impressive to see on a phone. Lastly, the ultra-wide camera on both Pro models now features a 48MP sensor, which should significantly improve the quality of ultra-wide shots an area where Apple has lagged compared to the competition.
IPhone 16: New Colors and Action Button
The standard iPhone 16 models come in more vibrant colors than their Pro counterparts, including Pink, Teal, and Ultramarine. The Teal color, in particular, stands out as my favorite. These devices also inherit the Action Button from last year’s Pro models, replacing the traditional mute switch.
The camera setup on the regular iPhone 16 has changed as well. The cameras are now vertically aligned, reminiscent of the iPhone 11. This design likely improves spatial video capture, which is becoming more important as Apple pushes into AR and stereoscopic effects.
The iPhone 16 is powered by the A18 chip (non-Pro) and includes 8GB of RAM, a significant performance boost compared to previous base models. Apple claims it delivers 30% faster performance and longer battery life. However, the iPhone 16 models still feature 60Hz displays and USB 2.0 transfer speeds. While slower transfer speeds might only bother tech enthusiasts, the 60Hz screen feels outdated when even budget Android phones offer 120Hz displays.
AirPods 4: Entry-Level Audio with ANC
In the audio department, Apple introduced AirPods 4, their entry-level wireless earbuds. These come with improved sound quality and features like adaptive audio and transparency mode thanks to the H2 chip. What’s interesting is that one variant of the AirPods 4 includes active noise cancellation (ANC), a feature typically reserved for sealed earbuds like the AirPods Pro.
ANC is difficult to implement effectively without a sealed design, so it’ll be interesting to see how well Apple pulls this off. Historically, open-ear designs struggle with producing enough bass to block out lower frequencies, which is crucial for effective noise cancellation.
AirPods Pro 2: A Game-Changer for Hearing Aid Features
AirPods Pro 2 also received a noteworthy software update, transforming them into **hearing aids**. Using an app, you can run a clinically validated hearing test that customizes the AirPods Pro 2 to your hearing needs. This is a game-changer for accessibility, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see other companies following suit in the future.
Apple Watch Series 10: Thinner, Bigger, and Faster Charging
The Apple Watch Series 10 comes with some exciting changes. It’s now thinner but also bigger, with the 41mm model upgraded to 42mm, and the 45mm model bumped up to 46mm. The display has been improved to offer better viewing angles, though it wasn’t immediately obvious to me in the demo area.
A new Jet Black color option has been added, and the watch now includes larger charging coils for faster charging. The depth gauge feature, previously exclusive to the Apple Watch Ultra, is now available on the Series 10, allowing it to track water depth up to 6 meters (20 feet)
Apple Watch Ultra: Minimal Updates, New Color
As for the Apple Watch Ultra, it didn’t see any major changes. There’s a new matte black color, but the overall design and features remain the same.
Cases and Final Thoughts
Finally, Apple quietly discontinued the FineWoven cases introduced last year. I wasn’t a fan of the material, so I’m not disappointed to see them go.
That’s the wrap on Apple’s September event. From new iPhones to updates across their lineup, there’s plenty to look forward to. Stay tuned for in-depth reviews on these products soon!
