Apple introduced the iPhone 16 at its “Glowtime” event in Cupertino on Monday. CEO Tim Cook emphasized that the new device is “designed around Apple Intelligence, from the ground up,” highlighting the generative AI features first announced at WWDC in June.
The handset is constructed from “aerospace-grade” aluminum, according to the company.
The iPhone 16’s display comes with a new ceramic shield that is 50% stronger, offering enhanced protection against scratches and drops. The screen is available in 6.1-inch and 6.8-inch sizes.
A notable design update is the addition of a dedicated camera button on the side of the device, allowing users to quickly capture photos or hold down the button to record videos. The button leverages Apple’s Taptic Engine to recognize swipes and pressure levels for different functionalities.
Powered by Apple’s new 3 nm A18 chip, the iPhone 16 features an improved neural network designed specifically for the company’s generative AI models. The chip includes a 6-core CPU with four efficiency cores, offering up to 30% faster performance than the iPhone 15 while also improving power efficiency. The new GPU boosts performance and enhances efficiency by 35%.
These improvements, combined with larger batteries, promise extended battery life, although Apple has yet to disclose specific battery sizes.
Apple Intelligence was a key focus during the event, as the iPhone 16 joins last year’s iPhone 15 Pro models in supporting the company’s new AI capabilities. The AI can run both offline on the device’s chips and through remote servers using the new Private Cloud Compute options.
The iPhone 16’s main camera is a 48-megapixel unit, with the dual lenses shifting from last year’s diagonal layout to a vertical arrangement. The camera offers 2x telephoto zoom with “optical quality,” leveraging the large image files for detailed shots.
The ultra-wide camera has also been upgraded with auto-focus and improved low-light performance, capturing up to 2.6x more light. It can shoot in macro mode, and the new vertical design enables the capture of Spatial Photos and Videos, which are compatible with Apple’s Vision Pro headset.
The iPhone 16 is priced starting at $799, with the iPhone 16 Plus available from $899.
