Apple has released its latest lineup of devices, including the iPhone 16, Apple Watch Series 10, and AirPods 4. Customers around the world gathered at Apple stores on Friday to get their hands on the new products.
From the all-new iPhone 16 lineup built for Apple Intelligence to the stunning new Apple Watch Series 10 and groundbreaking AirPods models, there was so much to be excited about today. Grateful to be with our incredible teams & customers celebrating at Apple Fifth Avenue! pic.twitter.com/SLR5rGUQW2
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) September 20, 2024
The iPhone 16 introduces new Apple Intelligence features, such as the ability to rewrite text, remove objects from photos, and interact with an improved Siri.
I loved spending time with our customers on launch day at Apple Fifth Avenue, and seeing their reactions to the new iPhone 16 lineup. Our teams did an amazing job making today truly unforgettable! pic.twitter.com/5PDuGZYyou
— Greg Joswiak (@gregjoz) September 20, 2024
These enhancements will be available on the iPhone 16 and last year’s iPhone 15 Pro devices through software updates in October. However, initial reports suggest that demand for the latest iPhones may be lower than expected. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo noted that first-weekend sales were down about 12% compared to the iPhone 15.
Other analysts also indicated that shipping times could translate to lighter demand for the more expensive iPhone Pro models. When asked about initial sales, Apple CEO Tim Cook said, “I don’t know yet. It’s only the first hour, so we’ll see.”
Please enjoy my iPhone 16 Pro unboxing. Thank you for the scissors @zollotech. pic.twitter.com/hKrEgmTbU1
— Steve Moser (@SteveMoser) September 20, 2024
UBS analysts suggested that investors should not overreact to what appears to be lighter sales.
They attributed last year’s longer wait times to supply chain disruptions, which may have slightly distorted the data. The Apple Watch Series 10 offers a larger screen than earlier models and supports new features like Sleep Apnea detection.
New features of iPhone 16
The AirPods 4 feature a smaller charging case and an option for noise cancellation. Despite the mixed reception, the iPhone 16 Pro introduces some notable innovations. The new model offers a slightly brighter and dimmer display, a faster A18 Pro chipset, more memory to support AI tools, and better battery life.
The iPhone 16 Pro also introduces the programmable Action Button to all models and adds a second, capacitive button for enhanced camera control. This new button functions as a shutter but can also adjust exposure, depth of field, photo filters, zoom, and switching between photo and video modes. However, the absence of generative AI and the slow rollout of Apple’s version indicate that the company may be playing catch-up in this area.
The iPhone 16 family remains an iterative update rather than a substantial leap forward in innovation. First impressions of the iPhone 16 Pro Max suggest that the camera function is significantly different from last year’s model. The Camera Control button takes some getting used to, but users can make adjustments in the accessibility settings to improve its operation.
Getting familiar with the new camera UI also requires some time, but it is expected to become second-nature soon. The ability to adjust settings without changing the framing of the shot is a significant improvement, especially when adjusting exposure. While the current weather in London is not ideal for photogenic shots, comparisons between the iPhone 16 Pro Max and its predecessors will be made as soon as the opportunity arises.
