Apple iPhone 16: What the new AI smartphone can do

However, this year’s innovations hardly met with any glowing eyes. Apple did present the iPhone 16, its first smartphone that is said to be ideally suited for the use of artificial intelligence. But with other products, such as the Apple Watch, the Cupertino-based tech company has not been able to meet previous expectations. And last but not least, the announced AI functions are still a long time coming – at least in Germany.

While the new iPhone series looks similar to its predecessors (except for the arrangement of the cameras), at least one new button is noticeable. Apple engineers have put a whole range of functions into the taste on the lower edge of the new models. Thanks to a dedicated haptic sensor, users can not only take photos, but also control the zoom or change the exposure and color filters of the photos with a swipe of the finger. The functions are supported by AI and are called “Visual Intelligence” by Apple. For example, users can use the button to take a photo of a concert poster or an animal in public to find out more details about it.

The new 48-megapixel main camera is said to react faster than ever before, allowing for new and particularly sharp photos and videos. On the iPhone Pro in particular, videos in 4K resolution and 120 frames per second are said to bring completely new possibilities in post-production – for example, users can add slow motion afterwards. The iPhone 16 and 16 Pro also have a wide-angle camera that works seamlessly with the main camera: Apple calls this Fusion.

The iPhone Pro has a five-fold zoom over the “normal” iPhone, as was the case with the iPhone 15. In addition, Apple will also allow ambitious users to directly edit the sound with the premium model. The iPhone Pro now records sound spatially with four microphones. Users can then select whose voice should be highlighted in the video – that is actually new.

The iPhone Pro, which was to become clear during the presentation, is a tool for intensive users who want to constantly document their everyday lives in the highest quality. How many customers really use the phone like that, and how many see it as just a status symbol, is something only Apple knows. But the message that Apple wanted to convey with the help of a music video by pop star “The Weeknd” produced entirely on the iPhone is clear: professionals continue to choose Apple, even though Android devices such as Google’s Pixel Pro are now almost identical in terms of hardware and software.

The rest of the iPhone presentation, otherwise the core of Apple’s fall product launch, is nevertheless very predictable: There is a new housing color palette with pink, green and light blue, as well as new screens with narrower edges. Like its predecessor, the iPhone Pro has a supposedly more robust titanium housing. Apple also gave the devices a new, faster and more economical Apple A18 chip – all of this has been done in a similar way before.

Apple CEO Tim Cook had already announced the main innovation, the integration of artificial intelligence in the new iPhone, in early summer: Apple’s smartphone will become a sensor for its own in-house Apple intelligence. With the revised iOS 18 operating system, AI functions are finally set to reach the masses.

The integrated AI provides summaries of emails in the preview or prioritized notifications. Apple’s voice assistant Siri is also supposed to provide much smarter answers to user questions than before thanks to the AI ​​connection. Apple gives the example of a friend recommending new music via chat message and Siri finding and playing it on request. All data is supposed to be processed directly on the phone so that privacy is maintained.

However, users in the European Union will not experience many of the new AI functions at first. The company is holding them back, citing legal uncertainties caused by the new EU law on digital markets. The Digital Markets Act (DMA) sets out rules for large platforms. Apple is particularly concerned that the requirements to open up to other manufacturers and service providers could compromise the protection of user data. The company first wants assurances that it can offer the advanced functions exclusively.

The new iPhone models are also said to have significantly longer battery life than their predecessors – but Apple did not say exactly how long. There was time for it. The important topic of battery life was dealt with in less than 30 seconds, after a new game from the Chinese gaming giant Tencent had been touted for minutes as being particularly suitable for the iPhone.

Depending on the version, customers will have to dig deep into their pockets for the new iPhone. The top model iPhone 16 Pro Max costs from 1449 euros in Germany, the iPhone 16 Pro with a slightly smaller screen from 1199 euros, the iPhone 16 at 949 euros and the iPhone 16 Plus with a slightly larger display at 1099 euros.

But there are also high hopes for another device: the Apple Watch. The smart watch is celebrating its tenth anniversary. Unlike the iPhone, however, the model is not called “X”, like the Roman numeral 10, but simply Series 10. Apple has probably dispensed with the special name because it is no longer fond of really big leaps.

Apple Watch Series 10 has brighter display and new speakers

The most striking thing is the appearance of the Apple Watch Series 10. The new version not only has a larger display than its predecessors, but is also the thinnest model that Apple has released to date. The case is just 9.7 millimeters thick, ten percent less than the Series 9. The Retina display is also said to be 40 percent brighter. “We have pushed the boundaries of technology,” said Apple manager Jeff Williams at the launch.

Apple has installed the new S10 chip under the screen, which is designed to make the watch ready for AI functions called Apple Intelligence. The company has also noticeably improved charging times. The watch should be able to charge to 80 percent in 30 minutes, and the battery should last around 18 hours when fully charged. Apple has also installed new speakers that allow wearers to listen to music loudly.

On the functional side, Apple has introduced a new sleep apnea detection system. In the future, the Apple Watch will be able to monitor breathing pauses during sleep, almost like a snoring detector. Manufacturers of wearables have been working on sleep apnea functions for some time. At the beginning of the year, Samsung received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for monitoring with the Galaxy Watch.

Apple says it expects to receive approval for its sleep apnea function soon. The function will then be available in more than 150 countries and regions. This does not necessarily require the new version of the Series 10; the immediate predecessor model and the Apple Watch Ultra 2, the premium model, should also be able to handle the function.

Analysts have already speculated a lot about groundbreaking features of the new Apple Watch. According to Bloomberg Apple analyst Mark Gurman, Apple is working on a blood pressure measurement function. However, because there were problems testing the sensor, the launch has been delayed, claims Gurman. Analysts also had hopes for a new function that would enable diabetics to measure their blood sugar levels. But here too, the technical challenges still seemed too great.

Apple also initially decided not to include any new hardware in the premium model, the Ultra. The new watch will only be available in one color, black. Apple seems to have at least kept the old prices for the completely revamped Series 10. Depending on the features, the smartwatch is available from 449 euros. The new model is available in black, rose gold and silver. In addition to the usual aluminum case, Apple will also offer a version of the Series 10 with a titanium case. Apple used the supposedly stronger and more durable material for the first time in its iPhone Pro models last year.

Apple has also thoroughly revised its audio devices. With the fourth series of its AirPods, the company promises the “best AirPods ever”. Apple has used 3D modeling and laser measurements to develop the “best form” of the in-ear headphones, as it says. In addition, the AirPods have some functions that were previously reserved for the premium series. These include voice isolation, personalized spatial audio, and responding to Siri by nodding or shaking your head. This is made possible by the powerful H2 chip that Apple has installed in the small earphones.

However, Apple has come up with a special function for the AirPods Pro. They have a kind of hearing aid function. After users have carried out a specially designed hearing test using the iPhone, the AirPods Pro can be converted into a personalized hearing aid, Apple announced. The created “hearing profile” is then automatically applied to music, films and phone calls on all of the user’s devices.