The newest flagship, the iPhone 16 series, is definitely the highlight of Apple’s fall launch in 2024.
The iPhone 16: a leap towards Generative AI integration
As in previous years, this year Apple will also launch four iPhone 16 models, respectively, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, as well as for the first time for the new machine fully equipped with the A18 series chips, is expected to “Apple Intelligence” feature is one of the highlights of the iPhone 16. Intelligence” function is expected to be one of the highlights of the iPhone 16.
After experiencing a downturn in performance, Apple has been hoping to turn the tide with its first AI-enabled iPhone 16. Earlier this month, Apple announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2024, showing total revenue of $85.8 billion, up 5 percent from the same period last year, and net profit of $21.4 billion, up 8 percent. Among them, Greater China became the only region where Apple’s performance declined, with revenue down 7% year-on-year, and it was the fourth consecutive quarter of year-on-year revenue decline for Apple in the Chinese market. Generative AI, which enables tools to create content such as text, images and audio based on user input, is expected to play a key role in the iPhone 16’s new features.
Apple showcased the Apple Intelligence feature at its developer conference (WWDC) in June. While Apple introduced the feature in the iOS 18.1 developer beta, and iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max users were able to experience some AI enhancements when they upgraded, the upcoming iPhone 16 will be the first smartphone from Apple to feature generative AI at its core.
Angelo Zino, a technology analyst at CFRA Research, commented that “this will be more of an evolutionary process than some large iPhone cycle.” He noted that important AI features are likely to be rolled out gradually, with some updates (such as enhanced Siri functionality) likely to be introduced in 2025.
Siri, the virtual assistant, could be one of Apple’s key entry points into the AI space. Siri could be significantly enhanced through the integration of OpenAI’s latest ChatGPT-4o model, potentially allowing the virtual assistant to provide a more personalized and contextually relevant response based on user data and interactions, and perhaps even learn about user preferences and personalities over time to provide a better user experience.
On the pricing front, Zino predicts that the addition of AI features could lead to an increase in the price of the iPhone 16 across the board.
Enhanced camera capabilities: what to expect
In terms of exterior dimensions, the iPhone 16 will maintain the same 6.1-inch display size as the iPhone 15, but the overall display size of both Pro models will increase by about 0.2 inches. The iPhone 16 Pro is expected to come with a 6.27-inch display, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max is expected to come with a 6.85-inch panel. Apple will likely round those numbers up to 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches, respectively.
There will also be significant changes to the rear camera arrangement on the iPhone 16, according to AppleInsider’s leak last week. Unlike the diagonal layout on the iPhone 15, the device will feature a vertically aligned rear camera.
Both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus retain dual cameras on the back, with the primary wide-angle camera offering 1x and 2x zoom, and the secondary ultra-wide-angle camera offering 0.5x zoom. The primary camera will remain 48 megapixels with an f/1.6 aperture and 2X optical quality telephoto, and the aperture of the ultra-wide-angle lens will be increased to f/2.2 from the previous f/2.4.
There are still three cameras on the back of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max – a wide-angle camera, a super wide-angle camera, and a telephoto camera. The main sensor remains unchanged at 48 megapixels with an f/1.78 aperture, and it can also take 2X optical quality 12-megapixel telephoto photos with 1.22 micron pixels.
In keeping with new trends in smartphone photography, the iPhone 16 Pro models will feature a 5X telephoto lens, an upgrade that reflects Apple’s continued focus on improving camera technology.
The ultra wide-angle lens will increase to 48 megapixels and will have the same pixel merging feature as the main camera. The pixels will be 0.7 microns for full-resolution shots and 1.4 microns for quad-pixel use.
New product lineup: beyond the iPhone 16
In addition to the iPhone 16, Apple is also likely to unveil a number of new products at the event, such as the new Apple Watch Series 10 lineup, which is expected to have a larger screen, with the 41mm version likely to increase to 45mm and the 45mm version to 49mm, and the new AirPods 4, which could be available in two versions.
With the imminent launch of new products, Apple is expected to adjust some of the product line as usual, and may be in the official website to shelve some of the old models to make way for new products, the old models to third-party channel sales.
Of course, Apple will launch what new products this year, as well as more product parameters will be held on September 10 at 1:00 am on the 2024 Apple conference to reveal the answer, together to wait and see.
