Apple has launched its iPhone 16 series, which includes the non-pro iPhone 16 and iPhone 16+, and iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. There are subtle improvements over the iPhone 15 series that might not be very obvious.
The new iPhone 16 series is powered by Apple’s latest A18 and A18 Pro chips and deeply integrated with Apple Intelligence. Here is a complete breakdown of the Apple iPhone 16 and iPhone 16+ launched at the Apple Glowtime Event.
Design and Display
At first glance, you wouldn’t notice the changes over the last generation iPhone 15, but there are a few changes, especially in the camera unit. Cameras on the iPhone 16 are now arranged vertically rather than diagonally.
iPhone 16 now has a dedicated Camera Control on the right side of the phone alongside the Action Button, which debuted last year. More on the Camera Control later.
The iPhone 16 features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, while the iPhone 16 Plus has a larger 6.7-inch screen. Not a lot of changes in the display area. The Super Retina XDR OLED technology improves brightness and contrast for richer visuals and more vibrant colours, making everything from videos to games look exceptionally sharp.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus still have a 60Hz refresh rate, which is just revolutionary!
These models are available in five bold colours—black, white, pink, teal, and ultramarine—appealing to a broad range of users. According to Apple, the Ceramic Shield on the front, combined with an enhanced back glass, is 50% tougher than the first generation and 2x stronger than glass on other smartphones.
Apple’s Dynamic Island, first introduced in the iPhone 14, has also been improved. This feature seamlessly integrates notifications, FaceTime calls, and other critical updates at the top of the screen, providing quick access without interrupting the flow of content.
iPhone 16 is Powered by the new A18 Chip
Under the hood of both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus is the A18 chip, which is built on second-generation 3-nanometer technology. This breakthrough chip brings significant improvements in both power efficiency and performance, making the iPhone 16 series more capable of handling complex tasks than any of its predecessors.
- A 6-core CPU that is 30% faster than the A16 Bionic chip, delivering a speed that surpasses any competitor.
- A 5-core GPU offering 40% faster performance, making the iPhone 16 series capable of handling high-end gaming and advanced graphics tasks.
- A 16-core Neural Engine that is two times faster than the A16 Bionic chip.
- Ray-tracing hardware acceleration, which significantly improves visual effects in mobile games, offers more accurate light and shadow rendering at 5x the frame rate of software-based ray tracing.
All the performance numbers are based on what Apple claims and we need to see real-world tests to see how it holds up against other flagship chips.
iPhone 15 Adds the Action Button and Camera Control
The iPhone 16 lineup also introduces a new Action button, which allows users to quickly access key features like the camera, flashlight, or voice memos. This adds a layer of customization and convenience for everyday use.
With the iPhone 16 series, there is a new button on the phone – Camera Control. This new feature integrates a tactile switch and capacitive sensors to make camera controls like zoom and exposure easy to adjust with a finger swipe. It even supports in-app functionality for third-party tools like Snapchat and Instagram.
iPhone 16 Camera
Apple iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus have a 48MP Fusion Camera system which includes:
- A 2x Telephoto lens that offers optical-quality zoom without compromising image quality, effectively giving users two cameras in one.
- An Ultra-Wide camera with autofocus, which captures macro shots with stunning detail and gathers up to 2.6x more light, ensuring higher-quality images even in low-light conditions
Communication and Safety Features
Beyond performance and photography, Apple has expanded its communication and safety capabilities in the iPhone 16 series. Emergency SOS via satellite, which was previously introduced in the iPhone 14, is now more advanced. Users can send text messages via satellite when outside cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, and even use end-to-end encryption for these communications.
Additionally, Apple is rolling out Roadside Assistance via satellite later this fall, expanding the feature beyond the U.S. to the U.K. This service connects users with roadside assistance providers even when they’re off the grid.
Apple Intelligence is Much More Integrated Into iPhone 16 Series
Perhaps the most groundbreaking feature of the iPhone 16 series is Apple Intelligence, Apple’s new personal AI system. Built to work seamlessly across the iPhone 16 lineup, Apple Intelligence leverages on-device processing and cloud-based models to enhance the user experience without compromising privacy.
Writing Tools
These tools allow users to rewrite, proofread, and summarize text across apps like Mail, Notes, and even third-party apps. The integration is system-wide, ensuring that users can benefit from these tools no matter where they are typing.
Siri Enhancements
Siri is now more contextually aware and conversational. It maintains context between commands, allowing more natural interactions. The virtual assistant also features a new design, with a glowing light wrapping around the screen when activated
Priority Notifications
Apple Intelligence ensures that important messages and notifications are elevated. Summarized notifications allow users to scan through updates quickly, and Priority Messages in Mail identify time-sensitive information
Genmoji
Users can now create their own emojis, called Genmoji, simply by typing a description or using a photo. This feature adds a new level of personalization and fun to messaging
Apple has promised that more Apple Intelligence features will roll out in the coming months, including Image Playground, which allows users to create images on the go and expanded Siri capabilities that will understand and take action based on content on the screen.
Apple iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus Price and Availability
The Apple iPhone 16 starts at $799, while the iPhone 16 Plus begins at $899. Both models will be available for pre-order on September 13 with shipping starting on September 20. These phones come in storage options of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.