Not just new iPhones, but Apple also has a wholly redesigned Apple Watch Series 10 in the store – it’s bigger than before.The Apple Watch SE has also been refreshed, and now it has a plastic casing, instead of aluminium. While the Apple Watch Ultra hasn’t got its generation refresh, it did get a new colour. Then, there are not one but two AirPods, the fourth-generation ones – a pair of usuals and another pair with ‘Pro’ features. Ohh, and AirPods Max now has an USB-C.
With event now over, here’s a roundup of all that Apple announced at the “It’s Glowtime” 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 now has a pill shape much like the iPhone X. Here on the iPhone 16 this design is to enable Spatial Capture. The screens measure the same, 6.1 inches for the iPhone 16 and 6.7 inches for the iPhone 16 Plus, with the Dynamic Island.
The two vanilla iPhones now have the Action Button replacing the much loved Ring/Silent Switch. Joining the Action Button on the iPhone 16 is the Camera Control button, a capacitive button that works similar to a shutter button on cameras. So, as the name implies, it opens up the Camera app and then let you take a picture, focus, zoom in and out. Swiping it moves between photo and video modes.
While the cameras on the back looks different, they are still the same 48MP main and 12MP ultrawide units as the iPhone 15. On the front, too, it’s still the same 12MP camera for selfies.
The biggest upgrade for the new vanilla iPhones is its chip. With A18 under the hood, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, will have the support for Apple Intelligence due for release in October. The A18 chip also has better graphics performance, and now can play AAA titles previously released for the Pro iPhones.
With the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, Apple is also refreshing the colour hues and this time the palette is dark. Colour options are – black, white, green, blue and pink.
The iPhone 16 starts at Rs 79,900, and the bigger iPhone 16 Plus starts at $89,900.
iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max: Bigger screens, a new Pro chip, and upgraded cameras
While the new Pro iPhones look the same as before, they are bigger than ever. The smaller iPhone 16 Pro measures at 6.3 inches (up from 6.1 inches), and the 6.7-inch screen on the previous Pro Max models is now 6.9 inches on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Well, that doesn’t mean that they’d be bigger to hold, as this increase is because of the slimmer bezels, not that Apple has physically swelled them.
Like the last year’s iPhone 15 Pro models, this year’s Pro iPhones will work with Apple Intelligence. But, running the show on the new iPhone 16 Pro models is a new A18 Pro chip that’s even better at AI chops.
Unlike the vanilla models, which have a new look for the camera island but the same sensors, the Pro models have the same look but new sensors. The 12MP ultrawide is being upgraded to a new 48MP camera on both the Pro models. Then, the 3x telephoto on the smaller Pro model is being replaced with a 12MP 5x lens, same as the bigger iPhone 16 Pro Max. Although, the 48MP main sensor remains the same.
The Pro models also have the Camera Control button, as their vanilla counterparts.
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max comes in a new “desert titanium” shade, replacing the blue titanium. Other colour options are black, white and natural titanium.
Surprisingly, while the new Pro models cost the same in the US, they 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 comes at a starting price of Rs 1,44,900 (down from Rs 1,59,900 for the iPhone 15 Pro Max).
iOS 18 gets a release date
iOS 18 is releasing for iPhones next week on September 16. Though, this build won’t 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 for Apple Watch,” a mm bigger than before – 42mm and 46mm. The Series 10 is also the thinnest Apple Watch yet and smaller than the Series 9. While it’ll come in the aluminium casing, the Watch Series 10 also gets an all-new titanium build, which weighs 20 per cent less than the stainless steel option. The Watch Series 10 will come in 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 comes with the S10 SiP, which Apple says can deliver a range of “intelligent features you use daily.” While there’s no mention of how long it’ll last exactly, Apple says charging it should take less time – 80% in 30 minutes.
Sleep apnea detection is debuting with the Series 10, and it’ll eventually trickle down to the Series 9, Watch Ultra 2. That reminds that some of the Watch Ultra 2 features are coming to the Watch Series 10, like built-in depth gauge, water temperature sensor, and the Oceanic+ app.
The Apple Watch Series 10 starts at Rs 44,900, and it goes on pre-orders today, and will be available for purchase starting September 20.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 gets a new satin black finish
While Apple didn’t give the Watch Ultra 2 a complete makeover, it did give a much anticipated paint job. Coming in hot is the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in sleek satin black finish with titanium Milanese Loop band in the same colourway, made from corrosion-resistant titanium.
AirPods gets two options – standard ones and one with ANC
The newest pair of AirPods, aka AirPods 4 are out and there are two of them. Apple says they are “the most comfortable AirPods ever.” The fourth-generation AirPods have the H2 chi and an updated acoustic architecture, both of this should get you better audio quality. Then, there’s also features like Personalised Spatial Audio and improved voice isolation for calls.
The AirPods 4 also gain active noise cancellation, though it’ll cost extra. The standard ones without ANC costs Rs 12,900, while the ANC ones are priced at Rs 17,900. Although, buying the ANC option would also get you Transparency mode and Adaptive Audio.
The charging case, is Apple’s smallest yet and now has USB-C. This case should provides up to 30 hours of total battery life, and have wireless charging. Also, there’s a built-in speaker for Find My.
Pre-orders start September 13, with sales scheduled to begin September 20 onwards.
AirPods Pro 2 to soon be “clinical grade” hearing aid
Even though Apple didn’t had a new pair of AirPods Pro to show, it did announce some new features coming to it’s almost over a year old pair of AirPods Pro 2. So, Apple is bringing a couple of health updates to the AirPods Pro 2, which includes a “clinical grade” hearing aid feature.
The hearing aid capability of the AirPods 2 are for users with mild to moderate hearing loss. Apple is also including a hearting test feature that’ll help detect hearing loss, and the test can be taken in under 5 minutes.
Apple is also introducing a passive hearing protection mode, which’ll be always enabled, reducing the noise in loud environments.
The new health features for the AirPods Pro 2 are expected to arrive as a free software update in the coming months.’
AirPods Max get new colours after four years
While AirPods Max didn’t get their due update, they do have new colours to choose from – midnight, blue, purple, orange and starlight. Also, they have USB-C for charging.