Apple holds several events every year, covering new devices, new software and not always is it a predictable thing. But the “September Event” is one you can almost, I say almost, set your watch by. Today, on an unusual Monday timeslot in the USA Apple’s “Glowtime” event heralded the introduction of the iPhone 16 range, New Apple Watches, AirPods and the official launch of Apple Intelligence
It’s a lot to pack into one keynote, but in their post-Covid era style, the keynote was a slick and well paced video presentation, introduced on-stage at the Steve Jobs Theatre by Apple CEO Tim Cook.
Some will say it’s just another update, and that it looks the same as last year – ignore those Android fanboys, the iPhone 16 is a critical device for Apple as we run at pace into an Artificial Intelligence (AI) era.
The device itself is physically similar to the iPhone 15, and continues the broad design cues introduced with the iPhone 12. The entry level iPhone 16 and 16 Plus come in a new more vibrant range of colours, A green, blue, pink, white and black. Improvements to the colourisation of the metal frame have made it possible to make these colours stand out far more than they did last year.
On the iPhone 16 Pro models we’re getting a White, Black, Natural and a new Brown, or Bronze colour.
Each of the four models features a dedicated shutter button which Apple calls “Camera Control” as we revealed in April this year. The placement of this button makes it a more “natural” photography experience when taking landscape photos with the main rear camera array, while selfie’s are a natural fit for right handed shooting – where the thumb can trigger the shutter rather than having to try and get a finger to a volume button or on-screen.
Third party apps can also access the Camera Control button, with Apple showcasing Snapchat using it to control who your snap is sent to.
Under the hood all models are leaps forward on last year, with the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus getting a NEW A 18 chip – skipping the A17 from the 15 Pro models, while the 16 Pro models get a new A 18 Pro chip which is made and suited to a larger amount of on-device processing for AI and other capabilities.
The new iPhone 16 pro models have even bigger screens, at 6.3 and 6.9 inches on the Pro and Pro Max models.
Pro models come in four colours, Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, Desert Titanium.
Rather than the new A18 chip that’s in the 16 and 16 Plus, the Pro models get a new A18 Pro silicon. This is created to allow for not just the AI features of Apple Intelligence, but also the advanced photo and video features.
This included 4K 120 frames per second cinematic mode filming.
Following it’s announcement at WWDC back in June there’s been a lot of Hype around Apple Intelligence.
We now know it will launch in US English only but Today Apple announced it would roll out in Australian English in December.
The system will be rolled out slowly, feature by feature but expect things like Message Summaries, Writing assistance and Photo Clean up to be early features.
I remember vividly being in the room at the Flint Centre Cupertino ten years ago when Tim Cook said the famous words “One More Thing” and went on to introduce the Apple Watch.
Today it’s the number one watch brand in the world.
The Tenth Generation Apple Watch gets a new design, the Series 10 has the biggest display and thinnest design yet, and is lighter too. 10% lighter than last year, while the Stainless Steel Apple Watch is replaced by a new Titanium Apple Watch Series 10 which is 20% lighter than the Stainless Steel.
The screen is slightly larger, but critically has a new Wide Angle OLED screen which makes things look brighter when viewed on an angle. Up to 40% brighter!
A complete redesign means a new charging connection is capable of the fastest charging on an Apple Watch too. Given we’re using them more of the day, the 80% charge in 30 minutes is a welcome change.
Health features of the Apple Watch now include the potential to detect Sleep Apnea, something that will require regulator approval, but will be a welcome addition.
Apple also announced a new Satin Black finish to the Apple Watch Ultra 2, as well as a Titanium Millanese loop watch band for Ultra. There’s no hardware update to the Watch Ultra 2, but thanks t a new Watch OS version many new capabilities.
Apple has given their entry level AirPods a simpler name with a number to track the version, with AirPods 4 bringing the non-silicon tip “Open Ear” style of the original AirPods into the modern era. With Apple’s H2 chip they are capable of Spatial Audio and advanced audio features such as cutting out background noise while on a call.
Additionally there’s a set of AirPods 4 that feature Active Noise Cancelling, something Apple has never had on the open ear format.
Both have USB-C charging, as well as Wireless charging which can be done with either standard Qi Wireless chargers, or your Apple Watch charger.
AirPods max get a long overdue update, four years after launch they now have USB-C charging, and a range of new colours.
There’s no hardware update to the popular AirPods Pro 2, instead a range of software features aimed at health are coming.
These include a Hearing protection, though a Clinically Valid hearing test on your iPhone paired with AirPods Pro 2. Additionally, AirPods Pro 2 can also be enabled in Hearing Aid mode where that Hearing Test dictates it.
Apple is seeking health regulator approval of these features now.
Here’s all the pricing and availability details for everything Apple announced today.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro
Pre-orders iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus start on Friday 13 September at 10:00pm AEST, with availability in stores beginning Friday, 20 September.
⁃ iPhone 16 starts at $1,399.
⁃ iPhone 16 Plus starts at $1,599
⁃ iPhone 16 Pro starts at $1,799
⁃ iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $2,149
Apple Watch Series 10
Pre-order Apple Watch Series 10 from today, with availability in stores beginning Friday, 20 September.
⁃ Apple Watch Series 10 starts at $649
AirPods 4
Pre-order for AirPods 4 for $219, with availability beginning Friday, 20 September.
Pre-order AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation for $299, with availability beginning Friday, 20 September.
AirPods Max
Pre-order AirPods Max with USB-C charging for $899, with availability beginning Friday, 20 September.
Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence comes to iPhone, iPad, and Mac starting next month in US English and will quickly expand to include localised English in Australia and New Zealand in December.
Trevor Long travelled to Cupertino as a guest of Apple Australia
Trev is a Technology Commentator, Dad, Speaker and Rev Head.
He produces and hosts several popular podcasts, EFTM, Two Blokes Talking Tech, Two Blokes Talking Electric Cars, The Best Movies You’ve Never Seen, and the Private Feed. He is the resident tech expert for Triple M on radio across Australia, and is the resident Tech Expert on Channel 9’s Today Show and appears regularly on 9 News, A Current Affair and Sky News Early Edition.
Father of three, he is often found in his Man Cave.
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