Apple officially revealed the iPhone 16 during today's Glowtime event today, confirming new features like an updated camera button along with the price, specs, and more.
The iPhone 16 is being designed for Apple Intelligence, Apple's AI initiative, "from the "ground up." It is being made from aerospace-grade aluminum and will feature an updated Ceramic Shield it claims is 50 percent tougher than the first generation version.
One new feature is a customizable action button, which was first introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro. It allows users to access functions like recording a voice memo or translating a phrase. It's also introducing a new camera control on the right side below the on/off switch, which integrates features like"Visual Intelligence," allowing users to aim their camera at an object like a restaurant and pull up details on it.
The new camera button is a tactile click with haptic feedback, and is in effect a tiny version of a trackpack. It can distinguish between a full click and a lighter press, with a light press enabling a cleaner preview, while a double taplets you adjust zoom, depth, and other features.
iPhone 16 specs revealed alongside Apple Intelligence integration
The processor has been updated from an A16 bionic to the A18, which it says makes it 30 percent faster than the iPhone 15 and 50 percent faster than the iPhone 14. It will have 17 percent more system memory bandwidth and uses second-generation 3nm technology.
The iPhone 16 camera will utilize a a 48-megapixel main camera and autofocusing ultra-wide camera that offers what Apple claims is the “equivalent” of four lenses. It includes the ability to fuse a 48 MP super high-res image with a 12 MP image that captures more light to create a 24 MP image. It's also capable of capturing spacial photos and videos.
Here are some other relevant stats.
- A18 CPU
- 5-core GPU that's up to 40 percent faster than iPhone 15.
- Display with 6.1" or 6.7" for the iPhone 16 Plus model.
- 2000 nits in a sunny envirionment, down to 1 nit in the dark.
- 48 megapixel main camera. Can fuse a 48MP and 12MP photo into a 24MP image.
- Support for AAA games such as Resident Evil 7 and Assassin's Creed: Mirage that previously only worked with iPhone 15 Pro. It also supports ray tracing.
- A "big boost" in battery life.
Apple also took the time to talk about the integration of Apple Intelligence in iPhone 16, which utilizes data that Apple claims is "never stored or shared." It follows on from what Apple revealed at WWDC back in June, featuring enhanced search tools like being able to find specific moments in a video. It can also summarize notifications, mail, and other messages, and will be integrated into Siri, allowing it to follow along even if you stumble over your words among other updates. Apple Intelligence will be available via a free update.
The iPhone 16 will be available in ultramarine, teal, pink, white, and black variants. The base model will start at $799 and the 128 GB model iPhone 16 Plus will be $899.
iPhone 16 Pro details: An even faster processor, video updates, and the largest iPhone display to date
Apple also revealed new details on the iPhone 16 Pro, which will include an A18 Pro chip and will be available in black, white, desert, and grey titanium finishes. Its screen will be 6.3" for the normal model or 6.9" for the larger version, making it the largest iPhone display to date.
It includes a 5x telephoto with 120 MM focal length on both the Pro and the Pro Max and a new 48 MP ultra-wide camera with a quad-pixel sensor and autofocus. The iPhone 16's camera control lets you slide between the different lenses. New photo styles will let users adapt colors and shadows in real-time, and Apple says that professional color grading can be added in real-time.
In addition to the photos, the iPhone 16 Pro will feature numerous updates to video, including slow-motion capture and 4K 120 capture in full HDR with frame-by-frame color grading. It will also be possible to adjust playback speed after capture.
Here are some other relevant stats.
- A18 Pro CPU
- 6-core GPU that runs up to 20 percent faster than the A17 Pro. It also uses 20 percent less power'
- A new Voice Memos update will let users layer a track over an existing recording. You can also record your voice over a previously-recorded guitar track.
- Spacial audio capture abilities that work with your own theater setup.
The iPhone 16 Pro will be available for $999, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max will be available for $1199. All of the models will be available for pre-order starting Friday with a release date on September 20. For more, check out the rest of Apple's announcements, including updates to AirPods, the Apple Watch, and more.
Kat Bailey is IGN's News Director as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.
