If you're excited about Apple Intelligence on your iPhone and were hoping for a way to get in a little cheaper, you'll need to stick to the iPhone 16.

Apple has discontinued the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, meaning that iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models are the only way to get access to the new AI features.

That's thanks to the new phones having enough RAM (8GB, as it turns out) and means that anyone looking to leverage Apple's clever new features on a Pro phone may have to spend a little more than they anticipated.

Apple discontinues multiple products after Glowtime event

It's not just the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max that got the axe this week, as the company also finally removed 2021's iPhone 13.

Apple Watch Series 9 was removed from sale, with the Apple Watch Series 10 taking its place, while AirPods 2 and 3 have been superseded by AirPods 4 and the original AirPods Max are finally gone, too - after almost 4 years. A new USB-C version replaces them.

One thing not entirely gone is FineWoven, however. The controversial material isn't used for iPhone cases anymore, but can still be seen in a number of accessories.

More from iMore

• iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro preorders are now live — as well as Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods 4, and more
• iPhone 16 has a secret charging upgrade Apple didn't even mention
• Apple hints that the iPhone SE 4 is closer than ever

When you pick up your new iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models, you may feel like the box is missing something.

After removing power bricks some time ago, and earbuds, too, Apple has seemingly decided to finally remove the classic white Apple stickers from their device packaging, too.

That's via a report from 9to5Mac, who reported that you'll be able to request the stickers when buying your phone but that carriers won't have them, and neither will third-party retailers.

The end of an era

As 9to5Mac points out, it seems Apple won't be offering stickers across any products soon.

The company didn't include them in the M4 iPad Air, M2 iPad Air, or the Vision Pro, but it's still a little bit of whimsy the company has seemingly left behind in its understandable pursuit of environmental goals. 

Apple still aims to become carbon neutral by 2030, with this year marking the removal of additional plastic from iPhone packaging.

What did you do with your old Apple stickers? I'm pretty sure I have a bundle of them somewhere - who knows, they might be worth something one day!

More from iMore

• iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro preorders are now live — as well as Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods 4, and more
• iPhone 16 has a secret charging upgrade Apple didn't even mention
• Apple hints that the iPhone SE 4 is closer than ever

We're almost a week out from the Apple Glowtime event that finally lifted the lid on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models, and many have been curious about how much RAM is in each device.

It's perhaps more interesting this year because Apple has previously mentioned a certain RAM threshold is why iPhone 16 can run Apple Intelligence features while the iPhone 15 can't, but a new interview with Apple's Senior Vice President of Hardware Technologies, Johny Srouji, has confirmed the amount in each of the new phones.

Geekerwan spoke with Srouji (thanks 9to5Mac), who explained the rationale behind packing 8GB of RAM into all iPhone 16 models.

Johny Srouji on 8GB of iPhone RAM

“Our goal is to build the best products, delivering the absolute best user experience. As it relates to Apple Intelligence, DRAM is one aspect. And when we look at what we’re building, whether it’s silicon, hardware, or software, we don’t want to be wasteful in many ways," Srouji explains.

"We have lots of data that tells us what is going to enable a certain feature, and Apple Intelligence is one of those very, very important features that we want to enable."

"And we look at different configurations, both for computation and memory bandwidth and memory capacity. And then we make the right trade-off and balance of what actually makes the most sense. So, Apple Intelligence was a major feature that led us to believe that we need to get to 8GB."

Srouji also notes how 8GB of RAM will help other facets of the iPhone experience, including "high-end, AAA-titled games".

He also extolled the virtues of Apple's efficiency cores, pointing to single-thread performance throughout the Apple lineup.

“When you look at the single-thread of performance core across all of our silicon, it’s the absolute best in the industry. We’re leading the industry. If you look at the efficiency cores, same, we’re at the absolute best. We’re leading in a big way."

More from iMore

• iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro preorders are now live — as well as Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods 4, and more
• iPhone 16 has a secret charging upgrade Apple didn't even mention
• Apple hints that the iPhone SE 4 is closer than ever

The wait is over! After the Apple Store went down earlier today, you can now pre-order the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max.

After being announced at Apple's 'It's Glowtime' event on September 9, plenty are looking forward to what the new handsets offer. This includes a new 'Camera Control' button on both models, enabling users to quickly access a camera app and camera functions, as well as a faster A18 and A18 Pro chip respectively.

With these new phones now available to pre-order, Apple has also brought down the price of other iPhones in the lineup, such as the iPhone 15, last year's flagship — now available for $699.

However, if you've decided to hold off on upgrading, you can also pre-order the Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Ultra 2 in Satin Black, AirPods Max USB-C, and AirPods 4.

How do you pre-order?

Pre-ordering is a simple affair, much like in previous years. Your best option is to do it through the Apple Store and the Apple Store app. Once you've selected your iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro, you can choose whether to have AppleCare Plus, which extends the handset's warranty to three years and includes accidental damage protection.

If you're on a carrier plan, these companies likely have some enticing deals to tempt you to upgrade to the new iPhones. In the U.S., carriers like AT&T and Verizon are already offering some great trade-in deals. Meanwhile, in the UK, O2 is offering double data on new and upgraded contracts. In addition, Three is offering up to £747 when trading an older iPhone for a new handset. If you're also looking at an Apple Watch Series 10, Three is offering the wearable for a £25 upfront cost, followed by £18.17 per month, with six months of free smartwatch pairing when a customer takes a 24-month smartwatch pairing plan on its network. As you can see, there are already plenty of appealing deals out there if you want the phones and other products on a monthly plan.

However, we recommend acting fast if you want a certain color — the new Desert Titanium shade, exclusive to iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, is likely to sell out fast, potentially delaying its shipping date from September 20 to October.

If you've decided which iPhone you're getting, let us know in the iMore Forums!

More from iMore

• Apple hints that the iPhone SE 4 is closer than ever
• Apple Intelligence will arrive in beta next month, and iPhone 16 owners get something special
• Apple releases new firmware for AirPods Pro 2 with features for iOS 18

The Apple Store has gone down ahead of iPhone 16 pre-orders, which begin at 5 am PDT on Friday. 

Apple unveiled its new best iPhones earlier this week. As is customary, there's a one-week pre-order window before the phones go on sale next Friday. With demand expected to be just as high as most other years, customers who want to get their iPhone on day one should look to pre-order as soon as the website comes back online to be in with a shot. 

The launch time of 8 am ET, or 1 pm in the UK, will also apply to carriers for those who want to get their iPhones attached to their contracts. 

iPhone 16 pre-orders, but that's not all

The launch today will also signal the start of pre-orders for Apple's new Apple Watch Series 10 and AirPods 4. The former is a larger Apple Watch with a more advanced display, faster charging, and more. AirPods 4 iterate on the design of Apple's popular in-ear headphones and the for the first time bring noise cancelling to the masses without a rubber tip. 

Friday will also see pre-orders of the new Apple Watch Ultra 2 color, but there are no other changes to speak of. 

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro delivers a hefty upgrade to the internal processor of both models thanks to the A18 lineup. There are also significant camera upgrades including a new 48MP Ultra Wide lens and a new Camera Control button for tactile pointing and shooting. 

Apple's new iPhone 16 lineup boasts a big charging upgrade that Apple didn't even mention when it unveiled its new flagship lineup earlier this week. 

Apple's iPhone 16 was unveiled on Tuesday, replete with a new series of A18 processors, a new Camera Control button, new colors, big camera upgrades, and Wi-Fi 7 across the board. 

Apple has also introduced significant battery life increases across the entire lineup, but one charging upgrade it didn't mention comes by way of speedier wired juice. Turns out the iPhone 16 lineup supports 45W charging via USB-C across the board. That's a big increase on the 29W supported by the previous generation. 

iPhone 16's big charging upgrade

The news, spotted by ShrimpApplePro on X, is exciting for prospective iPhone owners for two reasons. Not only is this a big jump on the current wired charging speeds, letting you power up your phone faster than ever before, but it's also rare to see hefty upgrades like this applied to the entire lineup. We'd expected iPhone 16 Pro to support faster charging, so the revelation that all four phones are getting the upgrade is great news. 

Likewise, Apple has also beefed up MagSafe charging with iPhone 16. Each model now supports charging up to 25W via MagSafe, compared to 15W in the previous generation models. Coupled with big battery life gains, iPhone 16 users can expect their phones to last for longer day-to-day, and for charging to take less time when that juice does run out. 

Another major reason for the more power-efficient performance is the advent of the new A18 chip, which uses much less energy at similar speeds compared to the previous A17 Pro in the iPhone 15 Pro, and the A16 in the iPhone 15. 

iPhone 16 pre-orders begin Friday, with pricing across the lineup identical to last year's models. 

AT&T has revealed the slate of deals, offers, and incentives its offering to customers trying to get their hands on Apple's brand-new iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro. 

Apple unveiled its new flagship lineup earlier this week. Headline upgrades for the iPhone 16 include the new Camera Control button and a powerful A18 chip that delivers hefty performance gains over the iPhone 15, powering gaming and AI features through Apple Intelligence. Likewise, the iPhone 16 Pro gets a boost thanks to new screen sizes, an A18 Pro chip, and better battery life across the board. 

AT&T is offering its usual suite of trade-in deals and discounts, with iPhone 16 pre-orders opening on Friday, September 13.

AT&T's iPhone 16 deals

At a glance, AT&T is offering the following iPhone 16 deals:

• iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro: On us, guaranteed with eligible trade-in 
• iPhone 16 Plus: Up to $830 OFF, guaranteed with eligible trade-in 
• iPhone 16 Pro Max: Up to $1000 OFF, guaranteed with eligible trade-in + NEW AT&T Fiber customers are eligible to get the iPhone 16 Pro Max on us.    

If you buy the new iPhone 16 on one of AT&T's installment plans, you can add Next Up Anytime, which lets you upgrade to the new iPhone every year. 

Of course, the amount of trade-in value you'll get for a new device depends on its age and condition, so it pays to check your specific model before trying to turn it in. AT&T is also offering customers the new Apple Watch Series 10 and the new Apple Watch Ultra 2 color. 

Other highlights from the event include new AirPods 4 (both with and without noise canceling) and some big health upgrades to AirPods Pro 2. 

Apple just hosted its September event, announcing the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods 4, and more. But there was a surprise new product from Beats that didn't get mentioned in the keynote: iPhone 16 cases.

These Beats-branded cases are meant to protect your precious new device, naturally. They’re rocking a hardshell polycarbonate back,” which is essentially tough plastic that’ll probably survive a decent drop. The real kicker, though? They’re compatible with Camera Control, which is a huge plus.

Of course, Apple didn’t forget MagSafe – these cases are fully kitted out with that too. Plus, Apple wants you to know they’re “precisely crafted” for the iPhone 16. So, they should hug your phone like a second skin, caressing its buttons and edges with the utmost care.

If you fancy a bit of choice, you’ve got four colourways to pick from: Midnight Black, Summit Stone, Riptide Blue, and Sunset Purple. At $49 a pop (that’s about £39 or €46), they’re right in line with Apple’s other offerings, but with that Beats flavour sprinkled in. If you’re quick on the draw, you might even get one in hand as soon as Wednesday.

What else is new from Apple?

The iPhone 16 launch event saw plenty of announcements from Apple. There's a new Camera Control on the new iPhones, which gives better access to taking photos and videos. The screens across the line-up are better than ever, and more durable. Apple is showing a fondness for new colors this year, with plenty of options to pick from.

Apple Watch Series 10 was a big upgrade, with a bigger screen than ever before. The body is the slimmest it's ever been, things are faster on the inside, and moves the antennas to the backside of the case. Apple Watch Ultra 2 got a new colour option, and a third-gen Apple Watch SE never materialized.

AirPods also saw some big changes. AirPods 4 gain active noise cancellation, and launch an even cheaper $129 model without ANC. AirPods Max get a minor refresh with USB-C and new colours, while AirPods Pro 2 got a third iteration with new hearing tech added.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch X, Apple Watch Ultra 3, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

Apple just hosted its September event, announcing the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods 4, and more. In the iPhone 16 keynote, Apple said the new devices have bigger batteries, but didn't go into the specifics. Now, we can see the battery life stats offer hours of extra battery.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max now gives you up to 33 hours of video playback, while its smaller sibling, the 16 Pro, stretches to 27 hours. The iPhone 16 Plus also clocks in at 27 hours for video, and even the regular iPhone 16 can handle up to 22 hours.

If you’re all about audio, the Pro Max takes the lead again with a staggering 105 hours of playback, with the others offering anywhere from 80 to 100 hours, depending on the model.

The iPhone 16 series doesn’t just settle for battery life improvements, either; it’s also packing faster charging, thanks to a new MagSafe charger that supports Qi2 wireless charging. If you were tired of watching your battery percentage crawl up slowly, this is the fix you've been waiting for with 25W speeds.

How does the iPhone 16 battery compare to iPhone 15?

The biggest leap in battery life comes with the Pro models. The iPhone 16 Pro Max gets 4 extra hours of video playback compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, taking it from 29 to 33 hours. Audio playback also jumps by 10 hours, from 95 to 105.

The iPhone 16 Pro follows a similar trend, with video playback climbing from 23 to 27 hours and audio playback ticking up from 75 to 85 hours.

For the iPhone 16 Plus, the difference is more subtle. Video playback goes from 26 to 27 hours, while audio remains steady at 100 hours, just like the iPhone 15 and 14 Plus.

The standard iPhone 16 offers more noticeable improvements over its predecessors, with video playback increasing to 22 hours – 2 more than the iPhone 15 and 14, and 3 more than the iPhone 13. Audio playback stays the same as the iPhone 15 and 14 at 80 hours, but it still surpasses the iPhone 13’s 75 hours.

Whichever of the new best iPhones you get, you can be sure that your shiny new iPhone 15 will give you a good few extra hours of battery.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch X, Apple Watch Ultra 3, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

If you're buying a new iPhone 16 model in the US, it'll come without a SIM card tray, and you'll need to switch to an eSIM – as is the new Apple norm. But if you're picking one up anywhere else, you'll still get a device with the tray.

Ever since the iPhone 14, Apple has been nudging the US toward a SIM-free existence. The latest best iPhone doesn't come with a SIM card tray, but that isn't the case anywhere else. In fact, the US iPhone 16 models have different model numbers, indicating that they're the odd ones out. It still seems weird, as eSIMs are used all over the world. I've been using an eSIM since 2020 in the UK, even on devices with a SIM card tray.

But the SIM card tray isn't the only difference to US and non-US iPhone 16s. All iPhone 16 models outside of the US lack support for 5G mmWave. This tech promises blistering download speeds, but only if you're standing on top of a 5G tower in the middle of an open field. 5G mmWave has been a mixed bag, so this isn't a particular loss for anyone. But, it still seems odd for Apple to continue to only add it to US iPhone models.

eSIMs are still supported

While it sounds inconvenient at face value, removing the SIM card tray and switching to eSIM can actually be highly beneficial to iPhone users. Notably, you can use up to eight eSIMs on your device, so you can have multiple numbers and networks support on one device. This is particularly useful if you travel frequently to different countries, or you are Walter White. You can swap your number and network without removing your SIM card, and gone are the days of losing that pesky SIM pin you need to pop the tray open. 

Removing the SIM card tray also makes manufacturing the iPhone easier for Apple, saving time and money, and it's one less port for water and dust ingress, keeping your iPhone's internals safer and sounder.

Fortunately, you can still use eSIMs on any recent iPhone model with a SIM tray. So, you've got the option to go fully digital if you wish.

I've been a "Pro" iPhone person for years — all the years, almost. Other than a short stint as an iPhone 13 mini user, I've chosen the iPhone Pro option every year the company has offered one.

And it wasn't just for the iPhone. I also used to be the person that owned the MacBook Pro, Apple Watch Ultra (not technically Pro but you know what I mean), the AirPods Pro, the iPad Pro — if Apple slapped a Pro on the name, that was the one I was buying.

However, over the years, the regular versions of Apple's products started to gain a lot of the features of the Pro versions. First came the 6th generation iPad mini, which won me over as a reading device. Then came the M2 MacBook Air, which pulled me away from my Intel MacBook Pro.

Today, after announcing the iPhone 16, I think Apple is getting me to admit that I'm no longer what the company would consider a "Pro" user.

I'm downgrading in name only

After seeing all of the features announced with the iPhone 16 — Apple Intelligence, the Camera Capture button, the Action Button, and the camera features — I realized that the features offered in the iPhone 16 Pro like Pro Motion, the Always On display, and the even more insane camera features weren't things I would actually use or feel justified in spending the extra $200.

The iPhone 16 is great. I actually prefer how Aluminum holds up to smudges to Titanium as my iPhone 15 Pro has gotten smudgy all over the sides. The regular iPhone is also smaller and lighter, two things I appreciate having loved the iPhone 13 mini. I'm also not a photographer or videographer who is ever going to come close to using the features that the iPhone 16 Pro camera system packs in.

So, while I plan to downgrade in name and features, switching from a Pro iPhone to a regular iPhone is actually going to feel like a bit of an upgrade to me. I'll save money and get a phone that is better tailored for what I use it for. I'll also feel less anxious about smashing it to bits since it is slightly less premium.

The iPhone 16 isn't the only place I'm thinking of downgrading from a Pro. I'm also considering downgrading from the Apple Watch Ultra 2 to the Apple Watch Series 10. It's once again a case of getting almost all of the features that matter to me in a more affordable and lighter option — things that I appreciate.

After next week, it could be that the only Pro Apple product I retain are the AirPods Pro. While Apple did come out with AirPods 4 and bring noise cancellation to the regular earbuds, it appears that the noise cancellation on the AirPods Pro 2 are still much better. As someone who uses my AirPods Pro 2 on the plane to cut out engine noise (and boy are they good at it), I think I'll stick with them for now.

Other than that, however, I think it's time to admit that I'm no longer a Pro user, and that's just fine.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch X, Apple Watch Ultra 3, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

Apple's "It's Glowtime" just took place at Apple Park, featuring a bunch of announcements that could tempt a lot of fans to upgrade devices across the board.

Apple CEO Tim Cook and his team revealed the new iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro, the Apple Watch Series 10, and a line of new and refreshed AirPods, all launching on September 20. iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11 and macOS Sequoia will also be available on September 16.

We've covered every device that was launched individually, and also rounded up everything that was announced in case you missed the event. But was the new Apple clobber any good? Here are my thoughts on each of the new Apple devices unveiled at the iPhone 16 launch event.

iPhone 16, Apple Watch Series 10, and AirPods 4 impressions

The Apple Watch Series 10 is an impressive new device, but it's a little bitter-sweet. My expectations were high, with years of Apple Watch X rumors. While I'm a fan of the device we got, I'm yearning for what could have been.

Apple's latest smartwatch comes packing the new S10 chipset and a larger wide-angle OLED display for brighter off-angle viewing. We always get a new chipset, so that's nothing special, but I like the better viewing angles. Apple also says that the display on the Series 10 is bigger than the one on the Apple Watch Ultra 2. I'm a huge fan of that, seeing as I've currently got the Apple Watch Ultra on my wrist. Like previous devices, it's available in two sizes: 42MM and 46MM.

You can now play media out of the speaker, and there's all-new Sleep Apnea detection. A new Titanium model replaces Stainless Steel, offered in natural, gold, or dark slate. Unfortunately, there's no brushed titanium option for the Series 10 – so I still prefer the design of the Apple Watch Ultra better.

Speaking of the Apple Watch Ultra, we didn't gen a new third-gen model. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is staying, but now comes in a Satin Black finish. While I've been excited about this new color since we first heard rumors about it, I've grown more fondly of titanium recently. I'll be sticking with the original color option, but am still glad to see the Black edition make its debut.

There's also a new range of Milanese bands to compliment this new shade. I instantly fell in love with these, and will be getting one immediately. Having always been a fan of titanium bands and Milanese straps, this option is perfect for me.

The iPhone 16 line introduces several upgrades over the iPhone 15, such as the Action Button and a new "Camera Control" button that enables users to take photos and videos instantly. It can determine between a light and a hard press, as it's a haptic button. For example, a light press will show you a preview; or you can press harder for additional controls.

I'm a little torn over this button. On the one hand, it'll make controlling the camera easier, and I've been missing the quick camera launch after mapping my Action Button to Arc Search. But on the other, it's yet another button to get used to, and doesn't do anything the Camera app doesn't already offer. I think that I'll have to wait until my new iPhone arrives to make my mind up on this one.

New camera updates add a 48MP snapper here, with the promise of better aperture and snappier photos. The ability to record Spatial Video or take Spatial Photos is impressive for a non-Pro device, but I have no use for this without an Apple Vision Pro headset. Also, the new camera bump layout gives me major WALL-E vibes.

iPhone 16 also comes with 8GB of memory and an A18 chip, enabling Apple Intelligence when it's made available later this year in iOS 18.1. The decision to continue offering 128GB base storage is infuriating, but to be expected as a way to differentiate from the Pro models.

This year's selection of colors certainly makes a statement. The new iPhone 16 is certainly a lot bolder than the iPhone 15's muted pastel colors – something many fans criticised. The new flagship Ultramarine blue color is my personal favorite, and the option I'd pick

But the iPhone 16 Pro Max (and smaller sibling) is where my particular focus is, being the device I'm going to buy this year – upgrading from the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Screen sizes have seen an increase from 6.1 and 6.7 inches to 6.3 and 6.9 inches, respectively. Wider bezels mean that the devices aren't actually any bigger than before. Since I've always opted for the Pro Max for the extra screen real estate, this move is something I'm very fond of – I'm getting more iPhone screen without the device starting to get too big.

There's also a new Desert Titanium color, replacing Blue Titanium from last year. I initially ordered my iPhone 15 Pro Max in Blue Titanium, but quickly switched to the Natural Titanium to match my Apple Watch Ultra – a decision I'm glad I made. But the new Desert Titanium is tempting me, which is a hot take. Most are criticising the color, but I'm actually rather fond. I said what I said.

The fact that both main cameras are now 48MP is better, as I take thousands of photos on my iPhone each month. I'm excited to see the faster aperture speed for snappier shots, and how much brighter photos are. While I've been using the 5x tetraprism camera for a year now, I am glad it's now available on the smaller iPhone 16 Pro – it should have been from the beginning. Also, 4K Slo-Mo at 120fps is technically very impressive, but I don't think I've ever recorded in slow motion. Ever.

I won't rehash my thoughts on the Camera Control button or any other features that are identical to the regular iPhone 16 devices. Although I will say that I'm glad pricing has remained where it is.

As for the new AirPods, my feelings are a little mixed. The new AirPods 4 offer a more comfortable design, new case Find My features, and wireless charging. And (plot twist) there are two variants: one with ANC and one without.

I'm very glad to see the new $129 AirPods 4, and I think this model makes sense (in theory). $179 is still a little steep for the cheapest AirPods in a world where decent wireless earbuds can be had for around $50. While $129 is still pricier, it makes AirPods much more accessible for those that don't care about the latest and greatest features.

But (and this is a big but), the AirPods line-up is now far too confusing. AirPods 4 have the same name, but one has ANC and is $179 while the other has no noise cancellation and is $129. AirPods Pro 2 can now be had in three configurations: Lightning case, MagSafe and USB-C case, and USB-C case with the new hearing features. And then there's AirPods Max at the high end. Try explaining all that to your grandma or in less than 20 words.

Apple is using the same name for too many devices at once. The $129 AirPods 4 should be AirPods SE, while the $179 AirPods 4 should maintain their 4th-gen name. As for the Pros, Apple should just slap a 3 on there already, as a third minor upgrade is dragging on a little. As for AirPods Max keeping their name, I'll allow it since the only changes are USB-C and colors – but next time must add a number on there.

Rant over. I like the fact that Find My is now on AirPods 4 – a must-have feature that's come to my rescue a fair few times. I like the new AirPods Max colors, and I'm sure many fans will too. Although I'm disappointed, there aren't any audio improvements to Apple's expensive and premium over-ear cans. AirPods Pro 2 (v3)'s new hearing features look really useful, and I'm excited to try them out. But. Call. Them. AirPods. Pro. 3. For. The. Love. Of. God. Please.

My thoughts on the newest Apple devices summarised

The Apple Watch Series 10 and iPhone 16 line bring solid upgrades like a larger OLED display and the anticipated S10 chip for the watch, and enhanced camera systems for the iPhones. But across the board, Apple's newest devices are somewhat bittersweet.

The Apple Watch Series didn't quite live up to the buzz of Apple Watch X rumors, leaving a sense of "what could have been," and the confusing AirPods line-up with identical names, but different features adds unnecessary complexity. Still, some new features like Find My for AirPods and sleep apnea detection for the Watch stand out.

All in all, I'm a happy camper. The new releases bring a mix of excitement and mild frustration, but overall offer compelling new features that are welcoming to see.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch X, Apple Watch Ultra 3, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

Earlier today, Apple hosted its "It's Glowtime" special event. At the event, Tim Cook and the team announced the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods 4, and more.

If you are on the edge of your seat to pre-order the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, or iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple has a way to lock in that pre-order configuration ahead of time to make things even faster when preorders go live on Friday, September 13th.

Tonight, the company launched its pre-approval process for those who want to pre-order an iPhone 16. The process allows you to check your eligibility, choose the iPhone model and configuration you want, confirm your upgrade with your carrier, and get pre-approved for the iPhone Upgrade Program.

Going through this process gives you a noticeable advantage over others who try to complete all of these steps when the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro goes live for preorders at 5:00 AM PDT on Friday, September 13th (spooky). Those who complete this process are able to log in at that time, confirm their order, and keep moving about their day.

Should I get pre-approved?

Trying to complete all of these steps when preorders go live could set you up for delayed shipping if enough people get their preorders in before you. It's always a mad dash to grab the exact iPhone you want and you are competing with potentially millions of other people, so make sure to give yourself every advantage.

The nice thing about this program is that you can still change up your iPhone up to the point of preorders going live — you'll just need to go through the pre-approval process for the loan again. You can also still choose to either ship your iPhone to your home or pick it up from your local Apple Store.

You can get pre-approved for your iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Pro on the iPhone Upgrade Program through the Apple Store app or on the Apple Store website.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch X, Apple Watch Ultra 3, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

The iPhone 16 launch event saw plenty of announcements from Apple. There's a new Camera Control on the new iPhones, which gives better access to taking photos and videos. The screens across the line-up are better than ever, and more durable. Apple is showing a fondness for new colors this year, with plenty of options to pick from.

Apple Watch Series 10 was a big upgrade, with a bigger screen than ever before. The body is the slimmest it's ever been, things are faster on the inside, and moves the antennas to the backside of the case. Apple Watch Ultra 2 got a new colour option, and a third-gen Apple Watch SE never materialized.

AirPods also saw some big changes. AirPods 4 gain active noise cancellation, and launch an even cheaper $129 model without ANC. AirPods Max get a minor refresh with USB-C and new colours, while AirPods Pro 2 got a third iteration with new hearing tech added.

But the latest Apple event doesn't just mark the beginning of Apple's latest devices; it also marks the end for a bunch of products.

Every Apple product discontinued after the iPhone 16 event

While everybody's attention has been on everything announced at the iPhone 16 event, I've been diving in to the products Apple discontinued after the event. Here's everything I've found so far:

• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro Max
• AirPods (2nd-generation)
• AirPods (3rd-generation)
• Apple Watch Series 9
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 13 mini
• FineWoven iPhone 16 cases (so far)

While an online Target listing made us think Apple's wired EarPods might be on the way out, they're still available on Apple's store for now. Those that prefer wires can enjoy $19 earphones from Apple for a while longer.

As I find more Apple products discontinued after the iPhone 16 event, we'll update this list.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch X, Apple Watch Ultra 3, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

Apple's 'It's Glowtime' event has wrapped up at Apple Park, featuring a bunch of announcements that could tempt a lot of fans to upgrade devices across the board.

In just under two hours, Apple CEO Tim Cook and his team revealed the new iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro, the Apple Watch Series 10, and a line of new and refreshed AirPods, all launching on September 20. iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11 and macOS Sequoia will also be available on September 16.

If you missed the event, we've rounded all the announcements up below in bite-sized chunks.

Apple Watch Series 10

The Apple Watch Series 10 features a new S10 chip and a larger wide-angle OLED display, available in two sizes: 42MM and 46MM. You can now play media out of the speaker, and there's all-new Sleep Apnea detection. A new Titanium model replaces Stainless Steel, offered in natural, gold, or dark slate. The watch can be pre-ordered right now for $399 for the GPS model or $499 for the cellular model. Both versions will be available on September 20.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 (in black!)

If you were expecting the Apple Watch Ultra 3 — surprise! The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is staying but now comes in a Satin Black finish. There's also a new range of 'Ultra' Milanese bands to compliment this new shade. Additionally, a new band by Hermes will be made available too, complete with an exclusive watch face for the Ultra model. Otherwise, the watch still features the S9 chip and a bright display that can reach 3000 nits, as well as the same 36-hour battery life, or 72 hours on Low Power mode.

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus

The iPhone 16 line introduces several upgrades over the iPhone 15, such as the Action Button and a new 'Camera Control' button that enables users to take photos and videos instantly. It can determine between a light and a hard press, as it's a haptic button. For example, a light press will show you a preview; or you can press harder for additional controls. iPhone 16 also comes with 8GB of memory and an A18 chip, enabling Apple Intelligence when it's made available later this year. Pre-orders for iPhone 16 and 16 Plus begin on September 13, with a September 20 release date.

iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max

The iPhone 16 Pro line is mostly the same as the iPhone 15 Pro but with a few worthwhile differences. First off, screen sizes have seen an increase from 6.1 and 6.7 inches to 6.3 and 6.9 inches respectively. There's also a new 'Desert Titanium' color, replacing Blue Titanium from last year. Like the iPhone 16, a new 'Camera Control' button can be found below the Power button, with the same tactile and gesture features when taking photos and videos. Pricing starts at $999 for the 128GB Pro or $1,199 for the 256GB Pro Max version. 

AirPods 4 and AirPods Max 2

The entire AirPods line saw a big update at Apple's 'It's Glowtime' event. First off, AirPods 4 now comes in two versions — one with and one without Active Noise Cancellation. The case now features a USB-C port and Find My support, as well as a speaker that can emit a loud chime when you can't find your new AirPods.

AirPods Max have been refreshed with Midnight, Blue, Purple, Orange, and Starlight color options, and a USB-C port, which finally replaces its Lightning port. Both AirPods 4 and AirPods Max are available for pre-order today, shipping on September 20.

Finally, AirPods Pro 2 will get three new software features later this year designed to help with your hearing. The first is Hearing Protection, which ensures that your audio isn't so loud that you cause permanent damage to your ears. The second is a hearing test that anyone can take for no more than five minutes. You'll be able to view the results in the Health app on your iPhone running iOS 18, which can then be shared with your health provider. Lastly, the third feature allows you to use AirPods Pro 2 as a hearing aid. They will be able to isolate speech and other important audio around your surroundings. Apple says these three updates will arrive later this year in over 100 countries.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements from earlier today. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Ultra 2, iOS 18, and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

We pretty much got what we expected from Apple's Glowtime event today, with the reveals of the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, AirPods 4, AirPods Max and Apple Watch Series 10. One thing we didn't expect, however, was FineWoven.

While last year's iPhone models were a hit, Apple took no small amount of criticism for its FineWoven accessories. The material, intended to replace leather on the company's case lineup, didn't feel particularly premium and would quite often fray.

In fact, for the first time in my life, I bought an Apple case, only to have to request a refund. And yet, from the ashes, Apple has brought back FineWoven a year later - sort of.

Apple has resurrected FineWoven

If you were hoping for a FineWoven case for your new iPhone 16 model, you'll be disappointed - Apple has deemed that experiment a failed one it seems.

Still, you can grab a FineWoven MagSafe wallet in one of four new color options on the Apple Store; Dark Green, Black, Dark Blue, or Blackberry.

Even more surprising are a range of new FineWoven Key Ring options for your AirTags at $35 each and in the same color options as above, with the added addition of Chartreuse.

Is this Apple testing the waters for a FineWoven comeback? That remains to be seen, but it appears there's life in it yet.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 10, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

Update: Apple's new Voice Memos update appears to be restricted to iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models. We're not sure why, but it's likely tied to the improved microphone array and A18 Pro chip.

As part of Apple's Glowtime event, we got to see the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models, and the company revealed how it'd be leveraging Apple Intelligence on its latest and greatest devices.

While things like the Visual Intelligence feature look great, one particular feature struck a literal chord with me - the update to Voice Memos.

You see, I was a professional musician up until COVID hit. You can hear me singing the theme for a documentary, and I have been playing shows regularly for over a decade. Now that I'm a homeowner, I have a full-time job, and I freelance for the likes of iMore, and I'm a parent, I just don't have time to go through the rigamarole of finding backing tracks to sing to since I can't get to practices regularly.

Voice Memos update could inspire a whole new generation of musicians

Now, iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will offer what Apple dubs "studio quality mics", with the option to edit sound within videos.

It'll also let you layer tracks onto an existing recording, potentially taking a lot of the time-intensive components of recording a quick vocal track of a pop song I enjoy.

More importantly, it could inspire new singers and musicians to mix things up a little bit and help them shape their own sound in a way expensive multitrack recorders did back when I was younger.

It feels like there's a very high ceiling for new musicians now, and Apple could really help inspire those just starting out.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 10, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

It wouldn't be an Apple September event without an iPhone Pro. This year, the company has unveiled the iPhone 16 Pro.

The first big improvement to the iPhone 16 Pro is a boost to the screen size with a 6.3-inch display for the regular Pro and a 6.9-inch display for the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The bezels are also thinner — in fact, they are the thinnest borders on any iPhone product ever made. They also get the latest generation of Ceramic Shield and a new microblasted texture.

The iPhone 16 Pro comes in four colors: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, and a new Desert Titanium which features a warmer hue on the band. The phone also features a new machined chassis with better thermal performance. It features larger batteries and better power management for a boost in battery life. Apple says it results in the best battery performance they've ever achieved for an iPhone.

The new phone also comes with a new chip: the A18 Pro. This new chip features 2nd generation 3nm transistors — the first phone in the world to use the technology. It's packed with a 16-core neural engine and is capable of reaching 35 TOPS or a trillion operations per second. It also features more memory than the previous generation.

The company says that the A18 Pro is 15% faster with Apple Intelligence operations compared to the A17 Pro. With its 6-core GPU, it's also 20% faster graphically than the iPhone 15 Pro. For example, Death Stranding is capable of 2x faster ray tracing on the iPhone 16 Pro.

The A18 Pro features 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores. The CPU is 15% faster than the A17 Pro chip which results in the same performance at 20% less power usage. Apple has added a new display engine to power its Pro Motion and Always On technologies with faster USB-C 3 performance and a new video encoder and image signal processor.

For the camera, the iPhone 16 Pro packs a new 48MP Fusion Camera so the new iPhone has 2 48MP cameras now (main and Ultra-Wide). It features a Quad Pixel Sensor. The 12MP telephoto lens is now capable of 5X telephoto zoom on both the Pro and Pro Max. Later this year, the Camera Control button is getting a two-stage shutter control (just like a DSLR).

With video, Apple is bringing its Cinematic feature to Slow-Motion video. The camera is capable of recording 4K in 120 frames per second with Dolby Vision. You can even do Slow Motion after the fact to switch between frame rates. You can even record in Pro Res and have it stored directly on an external storage device.

The iPhone 16 Pro features 4 studio-quality microphones that feature a lower noise floor and support Spatial Audio Capture. The new audio mix feature lets you edit the sound from a scene using artificial intelligence. It lets you separate sounds in a video and adjust them. The Voice Memos app will now let you layer a track on top of a previous one without the original recording bleeding into the new one.

The company has announced an update to its MagSafe lineup as well. The new MagSafe charger is faster and comes in a 2 meter cable for the first time (thank you, Apple). It is also releasing new Clear and Silicone cases for the iPhone 16 lineup. The iPhone 16 Pro also features Wi-Fi 7 like the regular.

The iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999 with the Max version coming in at a starting price of $1199. It is available to preorder on Friday with a September 20th release date.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch X, Apple Watch Ultra 3, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

As part of Apple's Glowtime event, the company dug deep into Apple Intelligence features.

While there wasn't a great deal that's new after its big WWDC unveiling, we did learn that Apple Intelligence will arrive in beta next month.

It'll debut in US English and then move to most regions around the world. In December, Apple will bring localized English versions to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK.

It'll be released in Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish next year - and if you're in the market for an iPhone 16, you'll get a unique feature.

iPhone 16 adds Visual Intelligence

iPhone 16 owners will have access to a visual lookup feature called Visual Intelligence that will let users leverage AI to find restaurant reviews, event details, and even, um, dog breeds using the camera.

It can work with third-party options, too, letting you tap into Google or ChatGPT for assistance or information. It's coming later this year, but is only available for iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 10, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

At today’s Apple event, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus made their grand entrance, sticking with the classic 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch sizes, but now faster, thanks to the A18 chip, and packed with more buttons than you can shake a stick at. The customisable Action Button is brought in from the iPhone 15 Prs. Apple’s thrown in a new Capture Button for camera controls – just swipe and tap, because apparently pressing buttons is old school now.

The device is built for Apple Intelligence, and has been redesigned from the ground up. Colors on this device are more vivid than ever. You can pick from a total of five colors, including three new options: ultra marine, teal, and pink, white and black.

The latest iPhone has inherited the customisable Action Button from last year’s iPhone 15 Pro line-up. You can pretty much make this button do whatever you fancy—keep it as a ringer switch, like the old days, or reassign it to something more exciting. But Apple’s also introduced a new Camera Control button. It’s not a physical button you press, though; instead, you can tap, double tap, and slide your way through camera functions like it’s a touchscreen mini-game.

Clicking the Camera Control button opens the camera, and if you hold it, you'll launch into taking a video. It can distinguish between a light and hard press, as it's not a physical button. A light press, for example, will show you a cleaner preview; or you can press twice for additional controls.

The Camera Control button also enables an iPhone 16-exclusive Visual Intelligence feature. You can use it to snap instant photos that Apple Intelligence will analyse. It'll give you more information on what you're looking at, or let you interact with events. For example, you can add the event on a poster to your calendar. Images aren't stored on your device, however. It's very similar to Google Lens. You can even ask ChatGPT for guidance on what you're looking at.

Officially dubbed the 48MP Fusion Camera, the main sensor is still 48MP, but it now merges 12MP shots for brighter, crisper images. You’ve got dual telephoto options and a faster aperture to boot. On the video front, you can now shoot in 4K at 60fps with Dolby Vision HDR, so your videos are looking top-notch.

The 12MP ultrawide camera gets a nice bump too, with autofocus and a larger aperture that lets in 2.6x more light. Macro photography has finally made its way to this device, and you can even capture Spatial Photos or Videos for that extra depth. Oh, and there’s a slick new AI feature that scrubs out wind noise from your videos—so no more battling the elements when you’re trying to get that perfect shot.

Under the hood, things get a proper speed boost with Apple’s new A18 chip. It’s had a bit of a workout, making it perfect for all the AI Apple Intelligence magic coming in iOS 18. The A18 packs a 16-core neural engine built to handle large generative models with ease. Crafted with 2nd-gen 3nm tech, it’s all about smaller transistors, which means it’s faster and more energy efficient. It uses 35% less power than A16 for battery improvements, and Apple says it's better than any competitors.

We’re talking a 6-core CPU that’s 30% faster than the iPhone 15’s, and a GPU that’s a whopping 40% quicker. So, yeah, it’s safe to say this thing’s a performance beast. There's a new thermal design to improve gaming performance, and hardware-accelerated ray tracing has been added.

New this year, iPhone 16 has Wi-Fi 7 support built-in – up from the previous Wi-Fi 6E. Apple says its emergency satellite connectivity is even more reliable in this device.

You can pre-order iPhone 16 from Friday, and the device will be available from September 20. The standard size goes for $799, while the 16 Plus will set you back $899. Storage starts at 128GB, just like last year.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch X, Apple Watch Ultra 3, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

Just like before any Apple event, the Apple Store has been taken down. You won't be able to order anything from Apple online until later today. With today's "It's Glowtime" event kicking off at 10am PST/1pm EST/6pm BST, expect the store to go back up 90-120 minutes afterwards.

We're expecting to see an iPhone 16 reveal event in just a few hours, and that's not all. Expect a first look at new Apple Watch models, too, and potentially even new Apple Intelligence features.

There's plenty to look forward to this year with the iPhone lineup. Between the arrival of AI features under the Apple Intelligence banner, to the usual camera and chip improvements and the potential for a new Capture button, it could be another solid iPhone year.

As for the Apple Watch, the long-anticipated Apple Watch X could offer a drastic change, while we're also expecting an Apple Watch Ultra 3, too!

How to watch Apple's iPhone 16 event

The iPhone 16 event will take place today (September 9), at 10 am PT/ 1 pm ET/ 6 pm BST.

The easiest way to watch the iPhone 16 keynote on Monday is through YouTube, with the stream likely to go live 15 minutes before kick-off time. We've also got a page where you can find the stream, and we'll be bringing you all the announcements.

If you already have an Apple device, you can watch the Glowtime event on your iPhone, Mac, or iPad through Apple's website, and it'll be streaming on tvOS' Watch Now section, too.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch X, Apple Watch Ultra 3, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

More from iMore

• Where to pre-order iPhone 16 – when and where we think you'll be ...
• iPhone 16: Release date rumors, news, and more
• iPhone 16's new button leaks again ahead of September 9 event ...

The iPhone 16 event, Glowtime, is just hours away at the time of writing, but Apple may be in for mixed fortunes this week.

While the company will undoubtedly be excited to show off what's new in its iPhone and Apple Watch lineups this year, it'll likely be less keen on the outcome of a new date with the European Commission - September 10, 2024.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in his latest Power On newsletter, that's when Apple will find out its fate regarding what are deemed to be unpaid taxes on more than $100 billion between 2004 and 2014, when the company was accused of working with Ireland to avoid paying.

Apple's big 48 hours

"The commission fined Apple close to $14 billion for what it deemed to be unpaid taxes," Gurman explains.

"Since then, the case has worked its way through courts and an appeals process, and the giant fine amount — a record-sized penalty — has been stuck in an escrow account."

Tuesday will see Apple's fate decided following a variety of appeals, and this was also the day the company had originally intended to reveal the iPhone 16.

As it turns out, September 10 will also see the first presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, so Apple was keen to avoid that date after all.

Still, Apple reportedly "doesn't know how it will fare in the case", meaning it could be slapped with one of the largest corporate fines in history.

More from iMore

• Every iPhone 16 event announcement just leaked, including Apple Watch X, Apple Watch SE, and budget AirPods
• Apple probably just leaked the iPhone 16 release date
• FineWoven cases have been selling so poorly that it looks like Apple will discontinue them

Apple is set to announce the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro handsets at its event on September 9. So it's only a matter of time until we see what the company has been working on since the launch of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro a year ago.

But the Cupertino tech giant has a lot more up its sleeve, apparently. While we've expected the event (dubbed "It's Glowtime") to feature the announcement of the AirPods 4 and Apple Watch X, we're more confident about this than before. That's because Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has seemingly just revealed every announcement we can expect next week.

So, here's everything you can allegedly expect to appear at the iPhone 16 launch event next week, including Apple Watch X, Apple Watch SE, and budget AirPods:

What to expect at the iPhone 16 event

Naturally, the iPhone 16 will be the biggest announcement. Expect Apple to drop four iPhone 16 models: the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will look practically the same as their 2023 siblings, rocking 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch screens with the same aluminium design. They will, however, come with a faster processor, 8GB of memory, and the Action button from the Pro models (finally). Vertical cameras for fancy spatial video recording are also a thing now.

The Pro and Pro Max are where things get interesting. The screen sizes are inching up to 6.3 inches for the Pro and 6.9 inches for the Max, with thinner bezels for that slightly sleeker feel. The real action is happening in the camera department: a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera, 5x optical zoom for the smaller Pro, and a new DSLR-style Capture button. Oh, and new colours too: the Pro models trade in blue for gold titanium.

It’s a big year for the Apple Watch too, with new versions across the board: the SE, Series 10, and Ultra 3.

The Series 10 gets the most attention as it marks the 10th anniversary of Apple’s smartwatch line. There's some debate as to whether or not this will be named the Apple Watch Series X. Most rumors seem to suggest so, but Gurman's report calls in the Series 10. Watch this space.

We’re talking a thinner case and bigger screens for the flagship model, though not much else in terms of AI. It's disappointing, as we were hoping for Apple Intelligence features. I'm still holding out hope.

The Ultra 3? Just some internal tweaks. Expect sleep apnea detection to be a major new feature, even if blood-oxygen sensing doesn’t return. The new Apple Watch SE is the first update in two years. Expect slightly improved performance under the hood and the usual focus on fitness tracking and basic health features, but don’t hold your breath for any of the high-end features like blood-oxygen sensing or advanced AI tech.

Prepare for new entry-level and mid-tier AirPods. Both will have a look inspired by the AirPods Pro and bring USB-C charging (about time, right?). The mid-tier version steps things up with a speaker on the case, Find My support, and noise cancellation. There’s also a growing focus on hearing health, with future updates turning AirPods into makeshift hearing aids, but those features are probably delayed.

Some rumors suggested we'd see new AirPods Max, but no word from Gurman on this. It could be a surprise reveal next week.

Mac fans will have to wait a bit longer. The M4 chip transition for Macs and MacBooks is expected to debut in October, not at this event. An updated iPhone SE and a fresh AirTag are also in the works for next year. Meanwhile, there’s no sign of a new Apple TV model, and the iPad lineup is saving its upgrades for a launch next year.

More from iMore

• Where to pre-order iPhone 16 – when and where we think you'll be ...
• iPhone 16: Release date rumors, news, and more
• iPhone 16's new button leaks again ahead of September 9 event ...

Apple is notorious for keeping leaks under control. Even in today's world where almost every detail of the upcoming Pixel phone from Google leaks, most of the rumors surrounding the next iPhone are just that: rumors.

If something does leak, it's usually ultra-rare and comes from a reliable source like Mark Gurman or...Mark Gurman. Even rarer is for Apple to leak something about its own products. That pretty much never happens...unless you're trying to open an Apple Store in time for an iPhone launch.

Apple Mall of Scandinavia is opening soon in Sweden. According to the store page, "Our brand new Stockholm store here in the Mall of Scandinavia will open its doors soon. We look forward to welcoming you and helping your ideas grow and thrive."

The opening date gives it away

The most interesting thing about the Mall of Scandinavia opening is its opening day: September 20th. While that might not mean anything in and of itself, it means a lot when you consider when Apple is holding its iPhone 16 event.

Apple is set to host its iPhone 16 event on Monday, September 9th. The company usually opens preorders for the iPhone that Friday, so we should expect preorders to open on Friday, September 13th. It also usually then launches the iPhone a week later, so we should expect the iPhone 16 to officially go on sale on Friday, September 20th.

With Apple making sure that its new store in Sweden is opening on September 20th, it's not hard to guess when the iPhone 16 is launching. It would be weird for the company to miss such an opportunity, so Apple itself is basically confirming to everyone (before Tim Cook officially announces it on stage next week) that the iPhone 16 is launching on the 20th.

In addition to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro, Apple's "It's Glowtime" event is also expected to feature the announcement of the AirPods 4 and Apple Watch X.

More from iMore

• Where to pre-order iPhone 16 – when and where we think you'll be ...
• iPhone 16: Release date rumors, news, and more
• iPhone 16's new button leaks again ahead of September 9 event ...

We're less than a week away from Glowtime, people! That's right, we're ready to see an iPhone 16 reveal event in just a few days, and that's not all - expect a first look at new Apple Watch models, too, and potentially even new Apple Intelligence features.

With the event kicking off on September 9, here's everything we know so far - including how you can tune in and enjoy it, even if you didn't get one of Apple's slick invites.

How to watch Apple’s iPhone 16 event “Glowtime”

The easiest way to watch the iPhone 16 keynote on Monday is through YouTube, with the stream likely to go live 15 minutes before kick-off time.

You'll find the stream below here, and if you log in you can opt to be reminded when it goes live, too.

If you already have an Apple device, you can watch the Glowtime event on your iPhone, Mac, or iPad through Apple's website, and it'll be streaming on tvOS' Watch Now section, too.

iPhone 16 — Into the unknown

There's plenty to look forward to this year with the iPhone lineup. Between the arrival of AI features under the Apple Intelligence banner, to the usual camera and chip improvements and the potential for a new Capture button, it could be another solid iPhone year.

As for the Apple Watch, the long-anticipated Apple Watch X could offer a drastic change, while we're also expecting an Apple Watch Ultra 3, too!

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch X, Apple Watch Ultra 3, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

Apple's iPhone 16 Capture button has once again leaked ahead of the September iPhone event on Monday, revealing its placement and a novel solution Apple has found for its official iPhone cases. 

Apple is expected to reveal a new iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max on September 9 alongside a new Apple Watch, AirPods, and more. 

Numerous upgrades are expected, but perhaps the most noteworthy hardware change will be the advent of a new Capture button dedicated to taking photos and videos, replete with pressure sensitivity to control focus, just like a DSLR camera. A new case leak now seems to confirm the button's inclusion in the lineup, its placement, and the solution Apple will adopt for its official iPhone cases. 

iPhone 16 Capture button

An image shared by notable leaker DuanRui on X reveals unspecified iPhone 16 cases that include a slot for the rumored Capture button on the right-hand side, below the iPhone's Power/Lock button. While these cases include a gap for the button, a translated caption from the leaker indicates that "the official protective case of Apple’s iPhone 16 series will not have this opening and will be made into an integrated design, which will not affect the normal use of this capacitive button." 

Whether or not this is true remains to be seen, but with just a few days left to go, we can definitely file the new Capture button in the 'certain' category when it comes to iPhone leaks. 

Apple always releases its own official line of iPhone cases to complement its flagship smartphone, and it could be that support for the Capture button in those is delivered by way of a covered button, just like the other physical controls on the iPhone currently. With the iPhone event just days away, we don't have long to find out. 

Apple announced the iPhone 16 series handsets at its event on September 9. 

You can pre-order the iPhone 16/iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 16 Pro/iPhone 16 Pro Max starting this Friday, September 13. We suggest you do so if you want to get your hands on the very latest iPhone on launch day, September 20.

When do iPhone 16 pre-orders open?

Pre-orders start at 1 pm BST/8 am EST/5 am PST, so you'll need to set your alarm, particularly if you live over on the West Coast.

Sure, you can take your time and order later, but history has shown us that the delivery times for the more popular models tend to slip pretty quickly past the September 20 release day. So if you want your new iPhone as soon as possible, order right on time.

Where will you be able to pre-order from?

As for where you can actually get your hands on the iPhone 16 series, Apple’s own website is going to be your best bet, as always. Apple's Apple Store app is an easy and smooth option as well, if you prefer to do your shopping on the smaller screen. In fact, Apple recommends that you use the app rather than their website.

But if you fancy shopping around (or you’re hoping to squeeze a slightly better deal out of your carrier) you’ll likely find the usual suspects ready and waiting. Think of your local mobile network stores like EE, Vodafone, and O2 in the UK, or Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile if you’re stateside. 

This year Apple has made it easier than ever to shop around your carrier options directly within Apple's website and app. So you can actually shop around without having to jump around to different around websites.

If you'd rather buy the handset outright, you can look at other retail stores. Amazon usually offers the device for pre-order, but doesn't have it up yet. Amazon also has a middling history when it comes to availability. In the US, Best Buy has the iPhone 16 available for pre-order already; and B&H Photo will probably follow soon. While in the UK, try looking at Argos, Currys, John Lewis, or even Very.

How much does the iPhone 16 series cost?

The iPhone 16 lineup has the same starting prices as in recent years. That's $799/£799/AU$1,499 for the base model iPhone 16. The Pro devices start at $999/£999/AU$1,849. 

More from iMore

• iPhone 16: Release date, specs, price, and more
• Everything Apple announced at its iPhone 16 'It's Glowtime' event
• Official: Apple unveils iPhone 16, which is designed from the ground up for Apple Intelligence
• Apple's iPhone 16 Pro is here with a new Desert Titanium color

With Apple set to announce the new iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models at an event on September 9, all eyes are already on what the company will unveil. We've seen plenty of rumors detailing what could be in the offing, and a return of the gold iPhone is one rumor that just won't go away.

We've seen multiple rumors as to what the new gold iPhone 16 Pro will actually look like, some nicer than others. We've seen colors that are more brown than gold, but a new leak might be a winner for people who want a gold that actually looks gold.

The leak, via X user Majin Bu, appears to show a dummy unit finished in a gold titanium finish the likes of which we've yet to see leak. And it's undoubtedly the nicest of all the examples we've seen to date.

Pick a color, any color

Notably, this color also closely matches one that has almost simultaneously been reported by 9to5Mac based on information from a previously accurate source. That could add credence to the claim that the dummy unit shown in the X post embedded below is the real deal.

Regardless, we won't have to wait too much longer to find out. In a little more than a week, Apple will show off the new iPhone colors for real, including the mystery gold we're all so keen to see.

Alongside the new iPhones Apple is also expected to take the wraps off the rumored Apple Watch X and an updated version of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 during its September 9 event.

More from iMore

• iPhone 16 Pro color leak gives us our best look yet at this year's lineup
• iPhone 16 Pro Max could finally debut a color we've been waiting for since iPhone 13
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We all know that an Apple patent does not a product or feature make, but that doesn't mean that we can't look at what the company has been working on and extrapolate what that could one day mean. And in the case of the latest patent, it means that a future iPhone case could have Touch ID and support for capacitive buttons built right in.

Amid ongoing rumors that the iPhone 16 lineup will feature a capacitive Capture Button, a new Apple patent suggests the company has plans for a case that will work with such a button. What's more, there's support for essentially passing a Touch ID signal through the case and onto the iPhone button beneath it, too.

Such a feature has obvious implications, not least the fact that any future Touch ID-powered iPhone would still be protected from iPhone droppers everywhere while still providing support for what is still one of the best biometric security systems we've ever seen.

Getting all touchy-feely

The patent in question, first spied by Patently Apple, relates to both the iPhone and the iPad.

Currently, putting a case on a button that has Touch ID built in renders it useless. A similar issue can befall capacitive buttons that need to sense a user's touch — and the pressure with which it's being touched — which is likely to be an issue for the rumored Capture Button.

The patent understands that cases could accidentally trigger actions and has a solution to that — by building new capacitive buttons into the case itself. Such buttons could theoretically also support swipes and other gestures for adjusting media playback volume and more, too.

It is, as ever, important to remember that Apple patents almost everything its engineers come up with which means there is no guarantee these case ideas will ever see the light of an Apple Store. But it doesn't hurt to wonder, right?

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With Apple set to announce the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro handsets on September 9, it's now only a matter of time until we see what the company has been working on since the launch of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro a year ago. But while we know Apple normally sticks to a familiar cadence, it seems things might change slightly this time around.

With Apple's "It's Glowtime" event taking place on September 9, we'd have expected that the new iPhones would then be made available for preorder the following Friday, September 13. But a new report suggests that Apple might break from tradition and make preorders available a day sooner.

If accurate, that will mean that iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro preorders will be made available for preorder on Thursday, September 12.

It's (almost) preorder time

This suggestion comes via German website Macerkopf which claims that Thursday will be the big day.

"Before Apple unveils the new models on September 9th, we heard that the pre-sales start this year could take place on a Thursday rather than a Friday," the report explains via machine translation. "Specifically, we are talking about September 12th, 2024. The actual sales start could then be on September 19th."

Right now, it's unclear whether this will actually turn out to be the case or not but we won't have to wait too much longer to find out for sure. Apple's September 9 event will include preorder and availability dates for everything the company announces including new iPhones, any new Apple Watches, and more.

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Apple's annual iPhone event is official. It's Glowtime, people! The event, which is expected to feature the unveiling of the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, Apple Watch X, and AirPods 4, is set to kick off on September 9th at 10:00 AM PST.

The event will be streamed live and is most likely to be a prerecorded video rather than a fully live event. Apple has shifted to this format since the start of the pandemic and seems keen on sticking to it.

If you want to tune in to the keynote, Apple is making it very easy for anyone to tune in and watch on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, or any non-Apple device you may own.

How to watch Apple's 'It's Glowtime' event

The first way to watch the September keynote is through the Apple TV app. While the listing is not yet present on the TV app, the company usually begins to list it on the day of the event, so keep an eye out for it. In addition, the Apple TV app is available on a ton of devices, so you should be able to tune in on many of your favorite streaming devices.

Another way to watch the keynote is through the Apple Events website. Apple always makes its events available on its website so that those without access to the app still have a way to stream the event live. In addition to watching the event on the site, Apple usually adds some buttons so that you can share it to social media, grab a link to the page, or add it to your calendar.

The last way to watch the WWDC keynote is through YouTube. Apple has been streaming all of its live events on YouTube for a few years now. It's an obvious move as YouTube is the dominant way to watch videos online and is especially popular for the tech community. 

In addition to watching it live, you can set a reminder to ensure you get notified when the event starts. The notification will come in the form of an email and a push notification if you have the YouTube app installed on your iPhone or iPad. You can do all of that through the placeholder video that Apple has added to YouTube below:

What if I miss the live event?

If you happen to miss the live event, you'll still be able to watch it through the TV app, the Apple Events website, and YouTube. Apple also commonly makes it available on Apple Podcasts. We'll make sure to post another article detailing how to rewatch the event once it's over.

We'll certainly be tuning in, so we'll see you on September 9th in Cupertino!

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Apple today announced that it will hold its annual iPhone event on September 9, and there is plenty to look forward to. Whether it's Apple Intelligence or the speedy new A18 chip that you're most excited about, photographers might have something else that makes them giddy — a big camera upgrade.

Rumors had already suggested that the iPhone 16 Pro would gain a new tetraprism 5x camera lens for the first time, borrowing it from the iPhone 15 Pro. The same lens will also be used in the iPhone 16 Pro Max, too. Now, a new report claims that the same company will be used for both lenses.

What's more, the lens will be provided by the same company that has already produced them for the iPhone 15 Pro, suggesting that it shouldn't have too many issues this time around.

Zooming in on LG Innotek

The company in question is LG Innotek, The Elec reports, adding that it will be the sole supplier for the tetraprism lenses this year.

Tetraprism lenses, or folded lenses, use prisms to be redirected within the lens to artificially distance the lens from the camera's sensor. That allows for increased levels of zoom without the need for an increased camera module thickness — a feature that allows phones to be made thinner without impacting camera performance.

However, LG Innotek will only provide the lenses for the initial run of iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models. The report claims that the fourth quarter will see Apple switch to Foxconn and Cowell in an attempt to reduce manufacturing costs.

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Apple has just sent out invites for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro launch event called “It's Glowtime.” It’ll take place on September 9, 2024 live from Apple Park.

Things will kick off at 10am PST/1pm EST/6pm BST on the day. While the live event will be held exclusively for the media and other invited attendees, you’ll be able to watch a live stream at home. Apple will broadcast everything on YouTube and the Apple TV app.

As always, the iPhone 16 event invite doesn’t give much away. All we know is when the event is taking place, and what Apple is calling it this year. But, based on the design of the invite, there are a few hints we can try to decipher. It's very obviously the new colors and design from the new Siri in Apple Intelligence. This is going to be a big focus at the event.

What to expect from the iPhone 16 launch event

We’re expecting four iPhone 16 models to launch at the event. All signs point to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus handsets, and a choice of iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max at the high end. An iPhone 16 mini will again be absent, unfortunately.

These new smartphones will see a slate of changes to the cameras on both the front and rear, new sizes, slimmer bezels, and even faster performance. Expect to hear a lot more about Apple Intelligence, and perhaps some iPhone 16-exclusive new AI features.

We also expect a new Apple Watch 10 and maybe a Watch Ultra 3, too. We may also get the AirPods Max 2 and cheaper AirPods Lite (or AirPods 4). It’s possible we could get new iPads, too, but this is much less likely. Gurman clarified in his report that M4 Macs are not expected until later in the year, likely October.

There will, of course, also be the announcement of the availability of the new version of the iPhone’s software – iOS 18. Expect to hear about iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, and macOS Sequoia at the same time, since all will be released in September.

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iPhone 16 and its siblings are likely to be revealed on September 10, but it sounds like Apple already has a pretty good idea of which models you'll be buying.

That's according to a report from The Elec. It suggests that LG Innotech, the exclusive supplier of the iPhone 15 Pro Max's Periscope Lens which is expected to come to the smaller iPhone 16 Pro is gearing up for a big year for Pro phones.

The Elec's report says "The initial volume is estimated to reach 70% of the iPhone 16 series production by the end of this year."

The component only being found in the iPhone 16 Pro models, and being ordered in quantities to cover 70% of the iPhone 16 production size, suggests Apple expects the Pro and Pro Max to be big sellers.

The big question

The report continues "The parts industry estimated that Apple’s production plan for four finished iPhone 16 series by the end of this year was 90.1 million units."

"By model, 24.5 million units (27%) of the general type, 5.8 million units (6%) 26.6 million units of Pro (30%), 33.2 million units of Pro Max (37%), etc. The proportion of two types of professional line-up is 67%."

The report also suggests that while LG Innotech will be the exclusive supplier for now, Cowell or Foxxcon will likely be considered in time.

Which iPhone are you likely to pick up? Let us know in the comments.

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The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro launch event will most likely take place on September 10, says top Apple leaker Mark Gurman.

In a new report for Bloomberg, the analyst revealed that Apple is making plans for the events. While invites have not yet been sent out to confirm the date, you can expect the iPhone 16 launch to take place on September 10. He also clarified new Apple Watches and AirPods will arrive at the event. We expect it to be another live event from Apple Park, with live streams for you to watch at home.

With the iPhone 16 launching on Tuesday, September 10, we expect pre-orders to go live on Friday, September 13. The new devices would then be available from Friday, September 20, if Apple follows its usual schedule.

What to expect from the iPhone 16 launch event

We’re expecting four iPhone 16 models to launch at the event. All signs point to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus handsets, and a choice of iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max at the high end. An iPhone 16 mini will again be absent, unfortunately.

These new smartphones will see a slate of changes to the cameras on both the front and rear, new sizes, slimmer bezels, and even faster performance. Expect to hear a lot more about Apple Intelligence, and perhaps some iPhone 16-exclusive new AI features.

We also expect a new Apple Watch 10 and maybe a Watch Ultra 3, too. We may also get the AirPods Max 2 and cheaper AirPods Lite (or AirPods 4). It’s possible we could get new iPads, too, but this is much less likely. Gurman clarified in his report that M4 Macs are not expected until later in the year, likely October.

There will, of course, also be the announcement of the availability of the new version of the iPhone’s software – iOS 18. Expect to hear about iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, and macOS Sequoia at the same time, since all will be released in September.

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As the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro launch gets closer, we're starting to get more rumors about the upcoming devices. And now, less than a month before the expected launch, it looks like we know every camera improvement across the iPhone 16 line-up.

A new report from AppleInsider reveals some new information about the cameras across the iPhone 16 devices, as well as rehashing some information we already knew.

The iPhone 16 Pro models are slated for a significant boost in their ultrawide camera, which will offer a 48MP sensor. That’s the same megapixel count as the main camera, which should make wide-angle shots crisper. The aperture is expected to bump up to f/2.2 from f/2.4, so low-light photography won’t feel like you’re stumbling around in the dark anymore. This upgrade would also support 48MP ProRaw photography.

Meanwhile, the standard iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are set to get macro photography for the first time – a feature that was previously exclusive to the Pro models. The iPhone 16 is expected to stick with the 48MP main sensor and f/1.6 aperture from the iPhone 15.

Speaking of things sticking around, the 48MP main camera on the Pro models likely isn’t going anywhere, either. You’re expected to get the f/1.78 aperture, which means great performance in a variety of lighting conditions. But, the iPhone 16 Pro is set to ditch the old 3x telephoto lens in favor of the 5x tetraprism camera that debuted on just the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard of an impending 48MP ultrawide upgrade for iPhone 16 Pro, nor is it the first time we’ve heard about the 5x upgrade coming to both models for this year. The IMX903 sensor upgrade was also rumored back in January. The switch would make for better and brighter photos on the iPhone 16 Pro Max overall, while also significantly increasing low-light performance. The move would continue Apple’s trend of offering ever-so-slightly better camera performance from its biggest and best handset.

What else is coming to the iPhone 16 cameras?

Apple is also expected to introduce an entirely new image format—JPEG-XL. This new format will join HEIF, JPEG, HEIF Max, ProRaw, and ProRAW Max. Why another format, you ask? JPEG-XL promises to bring improvements in image quality without bloating file sizes. The iPhone 16 Pro models are also set to support 3K video recording at 120 frames per second, complete with Dolby Vision.

Finally, there's the camera-adjacent rumor we've heard an awful lot about. Apple is set to introduce a new capacitive Capture button on all four models. This button would be designed specifically for camera apps, with a suite of features to make it a serious tool for photographers. You’ll be able to select which camera app it opens, (including third-party ones), lock focus and exposure before snapping the shot with a force-sensitive half-press, or slide along the button for other functions.

Apple is expected to unveil the new iPhone 16 device in early September, replete with iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence, which was unveiled earlier this year at WWDC 2024.

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The conventional wisdom is that Apple is getting ready to announce the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro handsets next month with September which means that people are getting ready to upgrade. But just how many people are truly planning to ditch their old phone for a shiny new one?

That was one of the questions posed by a survey that sought to get to the bottom of people's buying plans ahead of the iPhone 16 launch, and the figures suggest that there are plenty of people looking forward to upgrading day.

What's more, the survey's results suggest that the lack of a day-one Apple Intelligence launch isn't going to put buyers off, with the vast majority willing to wait until the expected October or November release of Apple's first real entry into the brand new world of AI.

It's upgrade time

The figures come courtesy of a survey by SellCell, and they make for a positive reading for Apple. Based on a pool of more than 2,000 US-based iPhone owners, almost 62% of people say that they intend to invest in a new iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro device. Those upgrading say that competitive pricing will be a key deciding factor, while a surprising 26.8% of people said that they will be pleased if Apple has been able to deal with overheating issues that plagued the current generation.

Notably, the fact that the iPhone 16 handsets won't boast Apple Intelligence on launch day isn't a problem for buyers. More than 82% of those who responded said that they "would gladly wait a month or so post-release for the iPhone 16 series’ rumored AI features."

Those Apple Intelligence features are set to arrive as part of the iOS 18.1 update that is now in developer beta. The only current models that will support the features will be the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, meaning owners of other models will have to upgrade if they want to enjoy the generative AI and Siri upgrades that Apple Intelligence will offer.

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The name of the iPhone 16 Pro’s new color has been leaked, and it’ll reportedly be called Desert Titanium.

According to a post by Majin Bu on X, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will allegedly come next month in a new dark gold color called ‘Desert Titanium’. Majin Bu described it as a “kind of dark gold, similar to the old purple color, relatively discreet and deep”. It’s expected to replace the Blue Titanium that’s exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max handsets, while the other colors are expected to remain the same.

iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max come in a Titanium finish, with four colors attributed to the material. Desert Titanium sounds like a natural fit to the lineup. It gives the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max an exclusive color that many users have been hoping to see.

Expect iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max to arrive next month, alongside iOS 18, the newest update for compatible iPhones.

What else is rumored about iPhone 16 Pro?

If a new color alone isn’t tempting you to upgrade to an iPhone 16 Pro or 16 Pro Max next month, several other new features could help change your mind.

Leaked reports suggest that the 16 Pro’s display will increase from 6.1 to 6.3 inches, in part thanks to a thinner bezel. In addition, a new Capture button is rumored to be a separate switch on the right-hand side of the device to make it easier to take photos and videos. This button may be pressure-sensitive, which could allow users to focus on an object or take a series of photos, depending on how hard the button is pressed.

Both the iPhone 16 Pro and the 16 Pro Max will reportedly feature the 5x 120mm telephoto lens, currently exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The ultrawide lens is also rumored to get a 48MP upgrade, which could result in far sharper images.

While that might not be enough for iPhone 15 Pro users, if you have an older device these rumored upgrades, alongside the Desert Titanium color, could finally tempt you to buy an iPhone 16 Pro next month.

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As we all wait for Apple to officially unveil the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro at an expected September event, there is a lot to look forward to. New, faster chips, camera upgrades, and of course the Apple Intelligence features that will ship when iOS 18.1 arrives before the end of the year. But it isn't all good news.

For all of the improvements that we expect this year, one area where the iPhone consistently lags behind the competition is charging speed. Sure, the best iPhones have USB-C ports these days, but they still top out at around 30W when charging. That's pitiful when compared to the kinds of speeds that Android phone owners can expect. And one phone manufacturer has just upped the ante considerably.

Realme might not be a company that many iPhone owners are too familiar with, but it's been responsible for some cool Android handsets in recent years. It's also a company that knows a thing or two about charging and it has announced what it calls SuperSonic Charge — technology that can charge a phone so quickly that it'll go from empty to 100% in less than five minutes.

And boy am I jealous.

Four minutes, 30 seconds

The 320W charging offered by Realme is faster than fast, charging a 4.420mAh battery in just four minutes and 30 seconds. For comparison, Apple says that owners of modern iPhones can expect to get 50% of their battery life back in around 30 minutes. Those figures are fine, but they soon look pedestrian when compared to Realme's new technology.

Realme is no stranger to fast chargers, of course. Last year saw the launch of the GT Neo 5, a phone that ushered in 240W charging that went from zero to 100% in less than 10 minutes. I'd take that in an iPhone, to be honest. I don't need 320W, Apple. I'm not greedy.

These incredible speeds aren't without their problems, though. Apple will point to a likely degradation in battery health thanks to the heat that will no doubt be generated by such a high-speed charger. And given the fact that Apple has a history of poor battery longevity, it's perhaps easy to see why the company hasn't rushed to push any boundaries here. But as we edge ever closer to 2025 it's fair to say that the rate at which iPhones charge is a little on the slow side. Too slow, I'd argue.

Ultimately, Apple will also note that most people charge their iPhones overnight and that incredibly fast charging isn't needed. But as big as the batteries inside Apple's biggest phones are, they can still struggle to see out a day when used heavily — especially when gaming. The prospect of being able to top an iPhone 16 Pro Max off in the time it takes to find a wallet (assuming you don't have an AirTag) before rushing out the door is appealing, to say the least.

Even if it might mean it getting even warmer than an iPhone 15 Pro downloading something from the App Store.

Oh, and I'd like a fix for that little problem, too.

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Google announced its new Pixel line of smartphones yesterday on stage alongside new improvements to Gemini AI. During the presentation, the company made a sly dig at Apple and its upcoming Apple Intelligence features — a reminder that the AI race is well and truly underway.

The company said, "Gemini is deeply integrated with Google apps and Android and can handle complex queries without hand-off to third-party AI providers you may not know or trust." 

A sly jab at Apple's use of OpenAI's ChatGPT for more complex tasks like generating text, no? In iOS 18.1, which is set to be released later this year after the expected launch of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro in September, Apple Intelligence will allow users to rewrite, proofread, summarize, and even generate emojis. For more complex tasks, you'll be able to ask Siri to use ChatGPT, a Large Language Model (LLM) that is often met with privacy concerns.

Apple will ask the user for permission every time before accessing ChatGPT, but considering Apple's huge focus on privacy it does open concerns as to how other companies use people's data.

What's in Pixel's Gemini AI?

Gemini is already well-established, but Google's AI will be getting a few major upgrades in the Pixel 9. Gemini Live is a "mobile conversational experience that lets you have free-flowing conversations with Gemini." Imagine the film 'Her', although please don't try to replicate some of the intimate scenes.

There are also new AI photo features such as 'Add Me' in the camera app that allows you to take a photo and then superimpose the image with another photo in real time.

If you'd like to know everything Google announced at the company's Pixel 9 event yesterday, we've got you covered.

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Ahead of the next Apple event, Google has taken the covers off its brand-new flagship smartphones, its latest smartwatch, and a slew of new AI features coming to its Google Gemini platform. 

With iPhone 16, Apple Watch X, and Apple Intelligence about to land in the coming months, it's a great look at one of the main Android-powered rivals Apple will be going up against for your hard-earned cash. Here's everything Google announced. 

Google Pixel 9

The Google Pixel 9 has a snazzy new design that will look a little too familiar to Pro iPhone users. There's a Pixel 9 and a Pixel 9 Pro, the latter available in two different sizes for the first time ever (another marvelous innovation). 

All of the Pixel 9 models are powered by Google's Tensor G4 chip, which as you might expect is all about AI. Other big upgrades to the Pixel lineup include beefed-up RAM (12GB and 16GB respectively) and the brightest and best Super Actua displays Google has produced yet. 

The Pixel 9, Pro, and Pro XL retail at $799, $999, and $1099 respectively. 

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is Google's biggest-ever smartphone display. Powered by the same chip as the regular Pro, it features the thinnest-ever chassis of a foldable device and the biggest inner display of any mobile device. 

It features an upgraded ultrawide camera and gaming gets a boost thanks to optimizations to games like Minecraft and Asphalt Unite. 

That foldable display boasts Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus® 2 that's scratch and water-resistant. 

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold starts life at $1,799. 

Google Pixel Watch 3

The new Google Pixel Watch 3 includes a new 45mm display option, smaller bezels, and variable refresh rates. There are new recovery and wellness elements built into activity tracking which echo those introduced by Apple in watchOS 11. 

The headline feature is a new first-of-its-kind Loss of Pulse Detection, meaning Pixel Watch 3 can call emergency services if it detects a loss of pulse in its wearer, saving vital minutes for emergency responders. 

Prices start at $3349 and $399 for the respective sizes, and there are also LTE options. 

Pixel Buds Pro 2

The new Pixel Buds Pro 2 features a new Tensor A1 chip that powers the audio performance, noise cancellation, and AI on these new buds. They're lighter and smaller than the old version and the noise cancellation is twice as powerful. The Tensor A1 provides a dedicated 'highway lane' for processing your audio, which means the noise cancelling shouldn't compromise sound quality. You get up to eight hours of battery life on a single charge and 30 with the case. 

AI features provide a hands-free virtual AI assistant that can give directions, notify you of appointment, and make song recommendations. You can also talk direct to Google Gemini Live and have "free-flowing" conversations with your earbuds. 

Pixel Buds Pro 2 start at $229, and will be available on September 26. 

New Gemini AI features

Apple Intelligence isn't available to the public yet, but Google's AI platform is already well established. Gemini is getting some upgrades, notably Gemini Live, a "mobile conversational experience that lets you have free-flowing conversations with Gemini." You can have conversations about anything you want with Gemini Live, even in the background when your phone is locked.

The AI is also now more integrated with other Google Apps and tools such as Gmail, thanks to new extensions. Gemini can also help you out no matter what you're doing on your smartphone, with contextual awareness so you can ask about what's on screen, or summon your AI sidekick from anywhere. 

As you might expect, Google's new hardware is the best way to enjoy Gemini thanks to the processing power of its new smartphones. 

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50,000 new workers have descended on the world-famous ‘iPhone City’ of Zhengzhou, as manufacturing partners ramp up for the launch of the iPhone 16. 

As is tradition, every year Foxconn, Apple’s main supply chain partner, has put out the call for thousands of new staff — this year drawn in by bonuses and an increased hourly wage of US$3.63 an hour. 

Reports collated by SCMP indicate Foxconn, also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry, has pulled in 50,000 new workers in just two weeks to cope with demand. 

iPhone 16 launch looms 

“The flagship factory is known for aggressive hirings ahead of major product launches, giving a high turnover rate for its workforce of more than 1 million staff,” the report notes. 

Apple is expected to unveil the new iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro at an event next month. While hardware improvements are tipped to be marginal, the headline upgrade should be the advent of Apple Intelligence in iOS 18. While it’s not expected to be ready at launch, introducing AI to the iPhone will mark Apple’s first big foray into the world of artificial intelligence. 

AI features in iOS 18 include tools for proofreading and rewriting text, notification management, photo editing, and generative features for creating images and emojis. Tools already available in the iOS 18 beta also include AI voice recording and transcribing, summarization, and creating Memory Movies within the Photos app. 

While Apple Intelligence remains in its infancy and hasn’t even been released to the public yet, expert insight suggests that Apple could one day charge for some of its more advanced features. One such prediction this week suggests that any such charge for the service could still be at least three years away, but analysts warn prices could climb to as high as $20 a month.

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We reported yesterday that the iPhone 16 production is well underway ahead of launch this year, but a new report suggests Apple's best new features could arrive with next year's iPhone 17 lineup.

In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has suggested that this year's iPhone "won’t look meaningfully different than current versions or add major new features."

Apple Intelligence will be a big focus, and all models will get the Action Button, with slightly larger screens for the Pro models and fresh new colors, too.

As Gurman points out, these are nice improvements but not must-haves - but the iPhone 17 could make big changes.

iPhone 17 could debut new 'Air' model

Alongside a new iPhone SE model expected next year (one running Apple Intelligence, Gurman suggests), the iPhone 17 could see a bigger shakeup.

Gurman suggests that both the iPhone's Mini and Plus sizes haven't been popular with consumers, meaning Apple may look to add a new iPhone model that falls somewhere between the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro in terms of specs.

He dubs this the 'iPhone 17 Air', comparing it to the original MacBook Air's place between the MacBook and MacBook Pro. It's not the first we've heard about an 'iPhone 17 Slim'.

"The sales pitch will probably go like this: If you want something snazzier than a standard iPhone — but don’t really need the performance, screen size or cameras of a Pro model — you can get something that looks much cooler while still having the specifications of a regular iPhone," Gurman suggests.

Going forward, Gurman also believes this new 'Air' model could form the basis for iPhones in the future, too. 

"Eventually, Apple will want to squeeze the power of a Pro model into this smaller design. That feat will likely take until at least 2027 to achieve," he said.

"I also expect Apple to produce a foldable iPhone, but all signs internally point to a foldable iPad being just as big of a priority."

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The iPhone 16's eventual announcement is closer than ever, and Foxconn, the company Apple tasks with assembling its smartphones, has hired 50,000 workers to help meet what is likely to be a high demand.

Foxconn's Zhengzhou plant is considered to be where around 80% of iPhone assembly takes place, and August tends to be the busiest month to coincide with the upcoming reveal and launch of the latest models.

Those staggering new employment statistics come from BusinessKorea, which notes that in late July the company offered increased wages to attract more workers for the project, as well as offering bonus increases.

"Late in July this year, Foxconn posted recruitment information on major job sites and social networking services (SNS) platforms, offering an increased hourly wage of up to 25 yuan (approximately 4,800 won)," the report explains.

"Additionally, the Zhengzhou factory has offered bonuses of up to 7,500 yuan, a notable increase from the 6,000 yuan bonus offered a month earlier."

Why it's important

Aside from knowing that the iPhone 16 is being built, this will likely add a little more legitimacy to any manufacturer leaks henceforth.

After all, it's one thing to see an iPhone render or a dummy unit, but given these will be the finished devices (sans packaging, of course), we might get a little more information about features like the rumored Action Button coming to all models, or the new Capture Button.

That doesn't mean anything will leak, nor does it mean that every leak will be proven true, but we're likely to get more glimpses at the next iPhone generation in the weeks to come.

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You might be looking ahead to September in anticipation of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro, as Apple’s next best iPhone takes the stage. This year’s flagships are shaping up to be a hefty jump over iPhone 16 thanks to a new A18 chip, Capture button, and of course Apple Intelligence. 

However, most iPhone users don’t upgrade every year. If you’re on the fence about the iPhone 16, you’d probably appreciate some insight into Apple’s plans for the iPhone 17 next year. 

Here are 5 reasons you might want to wait until 2025 for a new iPhone. 

120Hz display

The main iPhone 17 rumor indicates Apple will introduce a 120Hz ProMotion display to the entire lineup, ditching the 60Hz screen that has held back the regular models for several years. If that’s true it would be one of the most seismic changes to the iPhone lineup in its history. 

iPhone 17 slim

Apple has four models in its current lineup, and 2024 should herald a new iPhone 16 Plus. However, the word on the street is that the Plus is out next year in favor of a brand-new iPhone 17 Slim. The iPhone 17 Slim will reportedly feature a new 6.6-inch display, larger than the regular 6.1-inch model currently on offer, but smaller than the Plus and Pro Max options. Naturally, it’ll also be very thin, Apple is expected to emphasize “ innovative form factor design rather than competing on hardware specifications.” 

48 megapixels

The iPhone 17 could bring two big camera upgrades that might give prospective iPhone 16 customers pause. Not only is Apple expected to introduce a third 48MP lens to the iPhone 17 Pro models, completing the trifecta, but the iPhone 17 is likely to inherit the second 48MP lens rumored for this year’s iPhone 16 Pro. 

Better selfies

That’s not the only camera upgrade either, as there are reports the iPhone 17 could feature a 24MP front-facing camera for better selfies, double that of the current offering. 

Under-display Face ID

The final big change coming to iPhone 17 could be an under-display Face ID configuration that would drastically reduce the size of the Dynamic Island, or perhaps even eliminate it altogether!

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Some of the iPhone 16 Pro’s colors have leaked and one of them could be the best iPhone we’ve seen in years.

Just yesterday the iPhone 16 colors were revealed by Sonny Dickson on X and today the leaker is back with three iPhone 16 Pro color variants.

In the image shared on X, there’s a White and a Natural Titanium, similar to the colors we’ve seen this year for the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, alongside a new matte black color. The black is far stealthier than anything we’ve seen before, almost a successor to the black iPhone 5 that everybody loved and everybody scratched.

These new colors are likely to be joined by a fourth option that is rumored to be bronze, although a similar color rumor has appeared over the last few years with nothing to show for it.

Stealth black or emerald green?

The regular iPhone 16’s color options that were leaked yesterday are pretty safe, although an emerald green option is a refreshing twist on the green shades Apple has used in the past. Both models alongside the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 16 Pro Max are expected to launch in September with iOS 18. This year’s devices will be headlined by Apple Intelligence, Apple’s new suite of AI-fuelled features that aim to bring AI to the mainstream. Apple Intelligence is expected to arrive a month later in October, so you won’t get to try out the features such as proofreading, Genmoji, and Siri’s new design on your new iPhone at launch.

Apple Intelligence won’t be the only headline-grabbing new addition, however, as the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max look set to get even larger displays. The smaller model is rumored to go from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches and the larger Pro Max from 6.7 inches to 6.9 inches. Hopefully, these new sizes bring better battery life to power the AI features too, with more space for beefier power units.

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It’s safe to assume that there will be a new line of iPhones coming later this year. The annual upgrade cycle has held firm since 2011, and we’re not expecting it to change for 2024.

The iPhone 15 and 15 Pro line are undoubtedly the best iPhones you can buy right now. The regular iPhone 15 replaces the notch of the iPhone 14 with a Dynamic Island that can show notifications and change shape depending on the app. With the 15 Pro line, the A17 Pro chip allows users to take advantage of Apple Intelligence, the company’s set of AI features expected to arrive for U.S. users later this year with iOS 18. In addition, the 15 Pro Max gained an exclusive upgrade in the form of a 5x 120mm telephoto lens. 

It’s a solid baseline right across the range then for the iPhone 16 line-up to build on. With the iPhone 16 line expected to arrive in just a matter of weeks, we’re turning our attention to the regular iPhone 16, looking to highlight what to expect from this year’s entry-level model compared to last year’s standard iPhone 15 handset. Aside from screen size, you can broadly expect the same differences here for an iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 15 Plus match-up, too.

Chip

With the iPhone 15 line using the A16 chip from the iPhone 14 Pro, and the iPhone 15 Pro using the newest A17 Pro chip, iPhone 16 looks set to use a new A18 chip. Code discovered in Apple’s backend has seemingly leaked this new chip for the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus. This makes sense, as Apple would logically want to have all of its newest iPhones support Apple Intelligence — something that, for now, only works with the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

For Apple to have its entire iPhone 16 line support its AI features would be a justifiable upgrade for anyone wanting to move on from their older iPhones. However, it’s not just Apple Intelligence that could make these phones an attractive upgrade. The A18 chip is also rumored to have huge performance gains that blow past what came before, including the A17 Pro, which supports games like Resident Evil 4. This improvement is apparently due to an advanced N3E manufacturing process that allows for faster clock speeds and better heat dissipation on the A18.

Design

You could argue that the design of the iPhone has mostly stayed the same since iPhone 12’s debut in 2020. The angular design with a shiny frame surrounding these phones has been a staple. iPhone 16 looks to carry on these design tropes but with slight differences.

This year, White, Black, Blue, Green, and Pink are the rumored iPhone 16 colors. The blue is reminiscent of a similar color that was offered in iPhone 12, while the pink seems to be more vibrant than what’s been previously available in this shade.

Another rumored feature is a thinner bezel of the display, which may apply to the entire iPhone 16 line. The iPhone 15 Pro line introduced a thinner bezel, so if the iPhone 16 is confirmed to have something even thinner, it could mean a slightly bigger display on both models.

Camera

The camera module for the iPhone 16 may have more changes in its appearance on the device itself, as well as a dedicated capture button being added to the phone. Some iPhone 16 and 16 Pro dummy models reportedly leaked in March, showing an extra button below the Power button. This is alleged to be a ‘Capture’ button, which is similar to what the Battery Case offered for iPhone 11 models back in 2019. If you had an iPhone 11 at the time, you could press this button and it would launch Apple’s Camera app. Once you were in the app, pressing the button again would capture a photo or video, depending on what function the app was set to. This addition makes sense, as many users upgrade for the camera capabilities of an iPhone. Although the Action button, available in iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, can be configured to open the Camera app, a capture button would allow the user to set the Action button to something else, such as a Shazam shortcut.

When examining the image that leaked the colors for iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, another noticeable difference is the vertical orientation of the two camera lenses. These hark back to how the cameras looked on the iPhone X and iPhone XS models. This may be to take advantage of the Spatial Video feature, available in the iPhone 15 Pro models. For anyone unfamiliar, this lets you record a 3D video that you can view in Apple Vision Pro, the company’s spatial computing headset. When you play a Spatial Video, it’s akin to looking through a window, as if the people in the video are there with you.

Battery

We can’t talk about an upcoming iPhone without mentioning the potential capabilities of the battery! However, rumors have been light this year on what the iPhone 16 could be packing. 

Back in February, we spotted a tweet that highlighted what the battery capacity may be. The iPhone 16 will reportedly have an increased capacity of 3561mAh. This is significantly more than the 3349mAh battery of the iPhone 15, although the iPhone 16 Plus may have a 4006mAh battery, which is less when compared to the iPhone 15 Plus’ 4383mAh battery.

If confirmed, we’re not sure why there’s a lesser amount for the 16 Plus, but we suspect it may be due to space reasons in the iPhone’s body, or that the new A18 chip could feature improved battery consumption, which is why there’s less capacity.

A potentially great upgrade if you have an iPhone 13 or lower

Although the above information is not yet confirmed, it suggests an iPhone 16 feature set that could be tantalizing to those who have an iPhone 14 and below. If you watched WWDC in June this year, Apple’s yearly developer conference, the company made sure to mention that Apple Intelligence currently supports iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, closing off these AI features to anyone who has an older iPhone.

It’s safe to assume that the entire iPhone 16 line will support Apple Intelligence, so if you want tools to help with your writing, summarize emails, and a better Siri, the next iPhone could be the one for you.

Other than that, a thinner bezel and a dedicated Capture button could also appeal, especially if you use your iPhone to take many photos and videos to share with friends and on social media.

Whatever the case, 2024 looks to be a significant year for the next iPhone. Are you tempted to upgrade? Let us know in the iMore forums.

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Apple’s iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro are due to be unveiled in September. They’ll replace the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models as the best iPhones in Apple’s lineup. However, as always, there will be some key differences between the two models that will make choosing between them very important. 

Naturally, the Pro will be more expensive than the regular model because it comes with more features and potentially some exciting upgrades. But what exactly are the rumored differences so far between the two models? Here are all the possible things you’ll have to consider, according to all the latest rumors.

Size

The iPhone 16 is expected to debut in the usual sizes of 6.1 and 6.7 inches, the latter being the iPhone 16 Plus. Normally, the Pro is the same size, but that could change this year. According to reports, the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max will both be bigger, 6.3 and 6.9 inches respectively. That means more screen real estate and likely larger batteries too. 

120Hz display

A key differentiating factor every year, the iPhone 16 Pro should feature the 120Hz ProMotion display that has been a hallmark of the Pro iPhone for several years. In contrast, the iPhone 16 won’t, stuck with the rather disappointing 60Hz refresh rate. If you want a regular iPhone with a higher refresh rate, you’ll have to wait until next year. 

Colors

As is the case with every release, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro will offer different color lineups. The former should be more vibrant and playful, while the latter will be more neutral and muted. The latest leaks suggest the iPhone 16 will come in white, black, blue, green, and pink. Meanwhile the iPhone 16 Pro will reportedly debut in black, white, and natural titanium, alongside a new rose or bronze color that replaces this year’s blue. 

Materials

The iPhone 16 Pro should feature the Titanium chassis introduced in last year’s iPhone 15 Pro, along with the same frosted glass back. The iPhone 16 is expected to keep this year’s design including its aluminum chassis and the color-infused rear glass. 

A18 chip

Apple is expected to debut a new A18 chip that will help power Apple Intelligence on iPhone. However, not all A18 chips are created equal. While the A18 will be a big bump over the iPhone 15’s A16, there should be an A18 Pro reserved for the more expensive models. 

Wi-Fi

Both iPhone models are expected to get an upgrade to their respective Wi-Fi chips. The iPhone 16 will reportedly feature Wi-Fi 6E from the iPhone 15 Pro, with the iPhone 16 Pro getting the exciting new Wi-Fi 7. 

5G

Likewise, there will likely be a difference in the 5G capabilities of each device. The iPhone 16 should get Qualcomm’s older X70 modem, while the iPhone 16 Pro is tipped to feature the X75, which features AI and performance boost modes.  

Storage

While both iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro will feature a range of storage options, we’d expect the iPhone 16 Pro to offer larger capacity options including 1TB and possibly even 2TB. The iPhone 16 will likely be limited to 512GB, or 1TB if the Pro gets the 2TB option. 

Camera

The camera configuration of each device is also usually a big differentiator. The iPhone 16 will feature two cameras, including a 48-megapixel main camera and a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens. The iPhone 16 Pro should have three cameras, including the additional wide lens. Crucially, the ultrawide lens on that model should get an upgrade to 48MP. The Pro should also feature 5x optical zoom across the board, another advantage. 

Everything you won’t have to choose between

While there will be some key differences between the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro, there will also be some similarities. Both will support iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence, both will feature USB-C, and both are also expected to come with the iPhone 15 Pro’s Action button and a brand new Capture button dedicated to photography. With an iPhone launch expected in early September, we don’t have long to find out what each looks like on paper. 

September is just around the corner and that means new iPhone season! This year, we expect to see the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max hit the shelves, and we’ve just got our first glimpse of the color options.

Taking to X, Sonny Dickson, a reliable Apple leaker, posted an image of all five iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus colors — let’s just say they are… Fine. This year’s iPhone lineup will come in the typical white and black alongside a new bright blue, an emerald green, and a baby pink.

iPhone 16's color options

The blue looks very similar to the old blue found on the iPhone XR, while the pink is a slightly more vibrant version of the one seen on the iPhone 15. The green, however, is a classy shade of emerald, and at first glance the most interesting option.

While it’s nice to see some variety, it never feels like Apple goes hard enough on color options in the base models of its iPhone lineup. With millions of colors and tints to choose from we still seem to get a rotation of the same variants year on year.

As for the more expensive titanium iPhone 16 Pro, we’ve still not seen images of what to expect. Every year, Apple opts for relatively safe options with its colors on the best iPhones and 2024 is likely to be no different. This year, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max launched in Natural Titanium, Blue Titanium, White Titanium, and Black Titanium. Despite the rumors of a maroon color last time out, we ended up with lots of shades of grey. For the Pros out there, Apple doesn’t think you should have the option of a bright color — it’s just not Pro enough, apparently.

The iPhone 16 lineup is expected to launch in September alongside the arrival of iOS 18 and with Apple Intelligence on the horizon, it could be a massive year for iPhone, mostly in its software rather than its color options.

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Apple just released the first Developer Betas for iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, macOS 15.1, and more. While most of the attention has rightfully been on the first Apple Intelligence features appearing, it appears that Apple has casually revealed the models for a whole slate of upcoming devices.

In some code found in iOS 18 by MacRumors contributor Aaron, we can see references to four models for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 series. While it doesn't tell us anything about the specific devices, we do know that the iPhone line-up will look pretty similar to how it currently does. If there's a Slim model or an Ultra model, it'll replace a current iPhone rather than being an additional option.

In addition to these upcoming iPhone models, there are also a bunch of iPads and Macs on the way. Per the code, we can see that four new iPad models are on the way, alongside 8 unreleased Macs. The model numbers suggest that 6 of these unreleased Macs will have the M4 chipset in some variant, while the other two will pack the next generation (presumably M5). And all of the iPad models will likely use the M5 chipset as well, per the model numbers.

Of course, we're trying to get some additional context from very limited information. Things may change between now and release, or Apple might be using different model numbers for devices with the same chipsets.

When should we expect these upcoming devices from Apple?

If Apple sticks to its familiar release cadence the new iPhones will be announced in September, likely alongside the release of the iOS 18 software update for existing iPhone owners.

There should also be two new Apple wearables launching around the same time. Rumors suggest that the Apple Watch X and the new Apple Watch Ultra 3 will debut in September alongside the new iPhones.

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