Apple launches much-awaited iPhone 16 series; everything you need to know
The 16 series comes with similar pricing as the previous iPhone models when they were launched.
Apple has finally launched the iPhone 16 series globally in its special event labelled “It’s Glowtime.” The tech giants have unveiled four models in the new series, just like the previous ones. The base and models see a major upgrade in design and features, while the Pro and Pro Max models carry the ongoing legacy of the iPhone 11. The iPhone 16 series will be available for pre-order on September 13 at 5:30 PM in India, and sales will commence on September 20.
Price of the iPhone 16 series
The 16 series comes with similar pricing as the previous iPhone models when they were launched. In the US market, the base model, i.e., iPhone 16 is priced at $799 (around Rs 67,000), while its upper variant iPhone 16 Plus comes for $899 (around Rs 75,500). Meanwhile, the premium series starts with the price tag of $999 (around Rs 83,870), for iPhone 16pro 128GB, whereas the 16 pro max model will cost you $1199 (around Rs 1 lakh) for 256GB.
For the Indian market, the prices are comparatively high, as the base model comes with a price tag of Rs 79,900 while the plus model costs Rs 89,900 for 128 GB. Whereas the pro model starts at Rs 1,19,900 and the luxurious pro max model asks for Rs 1,44,900.
AI boost
With advancements in Artificial Intelligence, Apple has decided to incorporate Apple Intelligence in all four models of its new segment. Powered by AI the new device is expected to bag features like generating and understanding languages, images, and more. Apple is known for its security, and with the inclusion of AI, people were concerned with Apple’s security. However, Apple has assured users that their data is safe, as the company uses its private cloud computing and verifiable privacy promises.
Apple Intelligence has made it easier to search photos and videos through its description. With new advancements, Siri will offer step-by-step guidance, understanding even the fumbled words. Apple has also worked on prioritizing notifications and summarizing emails.
Meanwhile, a new feature identical to that of Google Lens is attracting the attention of netizens. Apple has labelled it as Visual Intelligence. It will allow the users to point their camera at objects like menus or event flyers to get details or add events to calendars. It will also help in getting the details of a product from the web. Initially, the product will offer US English as the only language but more languages will be added eventually.
iPhone 16 & iPhone 16 plus
The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus feature the rumoured design of a vertical camera setup. Following the footsteps of the 15 pro series, the base models in the 16 series are made with “aerospace-grade aluminium.” With a new never-seen colour on the deck, the creator’s weapon will feature a colour-infused backglass. This time, Apple has gone pop in the colour spectrum, unlike the pastel approach in the previous series. The new models come in ultramarine, teal, pink, white, and black colours.
Carrying the heritage of the previous models iPhone 16 comes with a 6.1-inch display, while the iPhone 16 Plus features a bigger 6.7-inch screen. The brightness can be shifted to as high as 2000nits to as low as 1nit depending on the environment in both the models.
A few extra buttons have been introduced in the series, starting with the pre-loved action button, which was first seen in the pro series of iPhone 15 this button will allow the users to access features like recording voice memos, identifying songs, or translating phrases much quickly. It can also be customized via shortcuts.
Other than that, the second new button or as we say, the most highlighted feature, offers a camera control feature, which enables several camera settings like zoom, f no., brightness etc. The newly launched button is placed just below the lock/unlock button on the right side. Protected by the sapphire glass this button opens up the camera with a single click while a second click captures a photo, and holding it will trigger video recording. The multifunction button also provides multiple gestures, such as a full click and a lighter press.
Powered by Apple’s latest A18 chipset, which uses second-generation 3nm technology, the iPhone 16 and 16 plus opens the door for new possibilities of multi-tasking and advanced gaming. The A18 chipset is packed with a 6-core CPU, wherein 2 cores are completely dedicated to performance while the other 4 are efficiency cores. Apple says its new iPhone is up to 30 per cent faster than the previous model.
Camera
The major highlight of an iPhone is always its camera, and with this new model, Apple has incorporated the power of a quad lens in its dual camera setup to open a window for a 2x telephoto lens never seen in this segment. The iPhone 16 has a powerful 48-megapixel main camera, which uses 48MP and 12MP, creating a much clearer output of 24MP image. The additional middle 12 MP sensor provides you with an option of 2x telephoto zoom. Apple always hears criticism for its low-light performance, the f/1.6 aperture will focus to counter that with better low-light shots.
The video specs are almost the same as the previous model but, a larger aperture has opened multiple possibilities for the ultra-wide lens allowing 2.6x more exposure of light for brighter and sharper photos.
According to Apple, the iPhone 16 has a dual camera setup equivalent of four camera lenses in one phone, which will allow it to capture special Spatial Video and Photos using the capabilities of both its lenses.
iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max
The iPhone 16 Pro models feature fewer upgrades and netizens are calling it identical to the previous model. However, certain underlying changes make it different. First of the many is the Camera Control button, which finds its way into all four models of the 16 series. the pros and above model comes in a Titanium colourway with four colours including a brand new Dessert titanium color. the other three colours are Black Titanium, White Titanium and Natural Titanium.
The top-end models got a major display upgrade, which makes them different in feel as compared to the previous series. The iPhone 16 Pro offers a larger 6.3-inch display, whereas the iPhone 16 Pro Max bags a 6.9-inch screen, which makes it the largest ever iPhone. Both the models have thinner borders and always-on 120Hz ProMotion displays.
iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are packed with the advanced A18 Pro chipset, built on 2nd-gen 3nm transistors. According to Apple, this chipset hosts a 6-core GPU, making it 20% faster than the A17 Pro. The new chipset also features next-gen machine learning accelerators, faster USB 3 speeds, and ProRes video recording support.
Unlike the other models, the pro devices will feature some crucial audio upgrades and new audio features like Spatial Audio during video recording, an Audio Mix that will incorporate machine learning to segregate background sounds from speech, and an “In-frame mix” that will give a studio like effect by isolating the voice of the person on camera.
Camera
It’s the sixth time Apple stuck with its triple camera layout. However, it has multiple upgrades from its previous heirs. The new iPhone 16 pro and above is packed with a new 48MP fusion camera with a second-gen quad-pixel sensor, allowing for 0 shutter lag in 48MP ProRAW and HEIF photos. Both the models also come with a 12MP sensor featuring a 5x telephoto lens with a 120mm focal length.
Battery
The California-based company has resisted disclosing the battery specs. However, the company has assured that battery backup is largely improved with more capacity and better power management. The company has also claimed that the iPhone 16 Pro Max will bag the best battery life ever on an iPhone.
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