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At its annual September event, Apple introduced several updates to its Apple Watch, AirPods, and iPhone lineup. With new features, designs, and performance improvements, there’s a lot to check out, so let’s discuss every new Apple product in detail.
1The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus
Starting with the iPhone 16, the most noticeable change is the camera arrangement, which has returned to a vertical layout, allowing you to capture spatial photos and videos for the Apple Vision Pro.
It also includes the Action button now, but additionally, it gets a new Camera Control button right below the side button, enabling a whole suite of camera features. Like a DSLR, you can half-press the button to focus on your subject. Additionally, by sliding your finger across the button, you can zoom in and out or select various settings, such as adjusting the aperture.
Apple claims the new A18 chip offers significantly faster CPU and GPU performance, though I doubt you’ll see much difference in everyday use. However, where the A18 stands out is its ability to driveall the Apple Intelligence features, making it a worthwhile upgrade from the iPhone 15. Apple has crammed a bigger battery, and combining it with a more efficient chip should help the iPhone 16 last longer on a single charge.
Although the iPhone 16 still has just two cameras, it effectively offers the option to choose between four lenses. The 48MP main camera also allows for 2x telephoto shots by cropping the image without losing much quality. Meanwhile, the ultra-wide camera, which now also features autofocus, can take both macro shots and standard 0.5x wide-angle shots.
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are available in Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, White, and Black. Both models start at 128GB, with the former priced at $799 and the larger model starting at $899, maintaining the same price as last year.
2The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max
The iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max now feature slimmer bezels and larger displays—6.3 inches for the Pro and 6.9 inches for the Pro Max. Like the iPhone 16, both models feature the new Camera Control button. They also pack the new A18 Pro chip, which offers higher memory bandwidth for improved Apple Intelligence performance.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is your best bet if battery life is a priority, as it offers the best battery life on any iPhone, with up to 33 hours of video playback, according toApple.
Unlike last year, both models now feature the same 5x telephoto lens and can now also take macro shots at full 48MP resolution. Video recording is where these models really shine; both can record 4K videos at up to 120FPS, and you’re able to adjust the playback speed later, adding a lot of versatility. Additionally, the entire iPhone 16 lineup benefits from an improved Ceramic Shield, making the screen more resistant to drops.
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max come in Natural Titanium, White Titanium, Black Titanium, and a new Desert Titanium color. Pricing starts at $999 for the 128GB iPhone 16 Pro and $1199 for the 256GB iPhone 16 Pro Max.
3The Apple Watch Series 10
My favorite announcement from the event was definitely the Apple Watch Series 10, which received some huge upgrades. It’s now thinner and lighter, with a larger screen that lets you view more content at once. Despite a reduced speaker size, the acoustic performance remains the same, and the best part is that you can play media like music and podcasts directly from the watch’s speakers.
Like the Apple Watch Ultra, the Series 10 includes a depth sensor to measure underwater depth and a temperature sensor to gauge water temperature. It can also automatically detect sleep apnea and provide a detailed report that you can share with your doctor for further evaluation. It can now even charge all the way from zero to 80 percent in just 30 minutes.
The Apple Watch Series 10 comes in Silver, Rose Gold, and Apple’s iconic Jet Black color, starting at $399. You can also opt for a more premium titanium finish, which starts at $699.
4The Apple Watch Ultra 2 Gets a New Color
Although we didn’t get a new Apple Watch Ultra 3 this year, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is receiving some notable upgrades. It now comes in a striking new Black Titanium color, which many felt was needed since the original Apple Watch Ultra.
Besides this fresh color option, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 now supports sleep apnea detection and audio playback through its speakers, similar to the Apple Watch Series 10.
5All-New AirPods 4
The budget AirPods have been completely redesigned and offer better value than before. They now feature a shorter stem with media controls and a charging case equipped with aUSB-C port, making it more convenient, especially if you have an iPhone 15 or later, as you’re able to use a single cable to charge all your devices. The case also includes a built-in speaker to help youlocate it using Find My.
The biggest upgrade, however, is the option for a higher-tier model withactive noise cancellation. As someone who prefers hard tips to silicone tips on the AirPods Pro, this is particularly appealing, as the lack of noise cancellation was the only reason I hadn’t switched back to the AirPods 3. The standard AirPods 4 is priced at $129, while the version with active noise cancellation is available for $179.
6AirPods Max With USB-C
Although Apple didn’t introduce a second-generation AirPods Max, the first-generation model has received some minor updates. It now features a USB-C port, aligning with the AirPods 4, and is available in five new colors: Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, and Orange, while maintaining the same $549 price tag.
7Health Features for AirPods Pro 2
Accessibility has always been a core part of the Apple ecosystem, and the new hearing health features Apple announced for the AirPods Pro 2 are impressive. To help prevent hearing loss, the AirPods Pro will soon be able to automatically detect and reduce loud and harsh sounds without altering the sound you’re listening to.
For those with existing minor or moderate hearing loss, the new Hearing Test feature can create a personalized hearing profile, effectively turning your AirPods Pro into a clinical-grade hearing aid. So, if you or someone you know has some form of hearing loss, this feature is definitely worth trying when Apple releases it via a software update in fall 2024.
All these new devices will be available for sale starting September 20. While preorders for the Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods 4, and AirPods Max are already live onApple Store Online, you’ll have to wait till September 13 to order the new iPhones.
