iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus announced – Action button, Camera Control, 48MP Fusion camera and more

Apple announced the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus during its September 9 “It’s Glowtime,” event today alongside the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The models feature the latest A18 chip, a customizable Action button, a 48MP Fusion camera, Camera Control, and more.

“iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus mark the beginning of a new era for iPhone with Apple Intelligence delivering powerful, personal, and private experiences to our users,” said Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing. “With new ways to discover the world around you and capture memories using Camera Control; a 48MP Fusion camera that gives you two optical-quality cameras in one; a big boost in battery life; and powerful, efficient performance thanks to the A18 chip, this is the perfect time for customers to upgrade or make the switch to iPhone.”

Design

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus maintain a familiar yet refined design, closely resembling the iPhone 15 series with its flat edges and Dynamic Island display. However, a key update is the vertically aligned rear camera system, reminiscent of the iPhone X, which adds a sleek and modern look.

The new models are also built with a stronger Ceramic Shield display, making them 50% tougher than previous versions. Available in a range of vibrant colors like Green, White, Pink, Blue, and Black, the design is further complemented by the addition of the Action button and a new Camera Control button, allowing users to capture photos, zoom, and adjust settings effortlessly.

Display

Beyond AI and camera upgrades, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus now feature the Dynamic Island, Super Retina XDR OLED displays with up to 2000 nits of brightness, and improved durability with a ceramic shield. The Action button from the iPhone 15 Pro also makes its debut on these base models, allowing users to customize functionalities, from launching apps to adjusting camera settings.

A18 chip

At the core of these new devices is the A18 chip, designed for enhanced AI capabilities, delivering up to 30% faster performance compared to the A16 chip. Apple’s “Apple Intelligence” suite introduces generative AI features integrated with iOS 18, such as an enhanced Siri, text rewriting tools, and the new Image Playground for creating AI-generated images. Users can also enjoy new custom emoji generation via text prompts and email summaries.

Camera

Apple has also revamped the camera technology in these models. The iPhone 16 includes a 48MP primary sensor with ultrawide and telephoto capabilities, supporting spatial photo and video capture for playback on the Apple Vision Pro.

Additionally, the new Camera Control button, located beneath the power button, offers quick access to autofocus, capture, and zoom functions.

Speakers, microphone, and connectivity

The iPhone 16 series boasts enhanced audio capabilities with its advanced speaker system. The devices are equipped with stereo speakers that deliver rich, immersive sound, supporting Dolby Atmos for a more dynamic audio experience. The improved speaker configuration ensures clear and powerful audio whether you’re listening to music, watching videos, or taking calls.

The microphone system has also been upgraded for superior sound quality. The iPhone 16 models feature a triple-microphone array, which enhances voice clarity and reduces background noise, making calls and voice recordings clearer and more precise.

Connectivity options are robust, with the iPhone 16 series supporting the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard for faster and more reliable wireless internet. Additionally, the phones are compatible with Bluetooth 5.3, offering improved range and stability for connecting to accessories. The devices include NFC for contactless payments and quick pairing with other devices. For wired connections, the iPhone 16 continues to utilize Apple’s Lightning port, with support for MagSafe wireless charging and the Qi2 standard for broader accessory compatibility.

Apple Intelligence

Apple Intelligence features, such as Visual Intelligence, allow users to quickly learn information about objects in their camera’s viewfinder. These AI capabilities will be rolled out gradually starting in December 2024, with full support across all iPhone 16 models.

Price and availability

The iPhone 16 will start at $799 for the 128GB model, while the iPhone 16 Plus will be priced at $899 for the same storage capacity.

Pre-orders for the iPhone 16 series will open on September 13, 2024, with official sales commencing on September 20, 2024. The new models will be available through Apple’s online store, retail locations, and authorized resellers.