Apple’s Glowtime Event brought with it the usual updates that we expect from the tech giant with some tweaks to the iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch.
The iPhone 16 and Pro features a new Camera Control button on the right-hand side of the device that can be used to open the camera app and take a photo/video but also has the capability to be touch-sensitive controlling features like zoom, focus and brightness giving you more control of your camera than ever before.
The Ultra Wide lens has been bumped up to 48MP fusion and the 5x telephoto lens is now included in both models. If you use the phone to record video you’ll be happy to know that it now shoots in an impressive 4k/120FPS for capturing cinematic slow motion.
Battery should be significantly improved as they state up to 10 hours better depending on the model. There’s a new Magsafe charger as well that will charge a bit faster and lots of features that fall under “Apple Intelligence”.
In fact the base model Apple 16 is so packed full of features including the A18 chip, so there are a lot of positives for choosing the base model on a device that we’d usually only recommend in pro. We’ll know more when we get hands-on though.
Obviously, with the Apple Vision Pro being a big talking point in VR over the last year, there are now changes to the Apple 16 cameras that will allow for capturing spatial video to better blend into the virtual reality environments.
In Australia, the pricing is pretty standard with the Apple 16 starting at $1,399, the Plus starting at $1,799
Apple Watch Series 10
The new thinner Apple Watch has had a major redesign featuring a larger screen space the displays are 42mm and 46mm.
“Around the world, Apple Watch has had an immeasurable positive impact on people by helping them stay healthy, active, safe, and connected to the things that matter to them — and it’s helped save countless lives along the way,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer. “Apple Watch Series 10 builds on a decade of breakthrough innovations to offer the most advanced version yet, with even more intelligence, our biggest wearable display, and a design that’s slimmer and sleeker than ever.”
Apple Watch Series 10 is nearly 10 per cent thinner than Apple Watch Series 7, Series 8, and Series 9, while offering all the advanced capabilities users love, adding new features, and maintaining all-day 18-hour battery life. An innovative metal back integrates the antenna into the housing of the device itself, combining the two layers into one. The back is perfectly matched in material, finish, and colour to the rest of the case, making it appear like the device is made from a single piece of metal.
The larger display offers up to 30 per cent more active screen area than Apple Watch Series 4, Series 5, and Series 6, and up to 9 per cent more than Apple Watch Series 7, Series 8, and Series 9. This improves readability and usability: In apps like Messages, or Mail, users can see an additional line of text or increase the font size without sacrificing content. The larger display also makes it easier to type a message, pause a workout, or enter a passcode.
The new metal back of Apple Watch Series 10 integrates a larger and more efficient charging coil that speeds up charging; 15 minutes of charging provides up to eight hours of normal use, and 30 minutes takes Apple Watch Series 10 up to 80 per cent of its battery life. Faster charging makes it easier than ever to use Apple Watch throughout the day as well as overnight, with eight minutes of charging powering up to eight hours of sleep tracking.
Apple Watch Series 10 is available in 42mm and 46mm sizes in the new jet black, the new rose gold, and a silver aluminium case, as well as new titanium in natural, gold, and slate and they start at $649.
AirPods 4
the new AirPods 4 feature the new H2 chip and are updated to fit for all-day comfort and a totally transformed audio experience.
Personalized Spatial Audio places sound all around you for more immersive listening. With up to 30 hours of listening time, and an all-new smaller charging case with USB-C.
The AirPods 4 have Active Noise Cancellation and more as an option in a second model. Transparency mode provides the most natural way to hear the world around you. Adaptive Audio blends Transparency mode and Active Noise Cancellation in real time, tailoring noise control to your environment.
AirPods 4 are $219 while the AirPods with Active Noice Cancellation are $299.
There’s a lot more to unpack from the event so check back for more as we get hands-on with the devices over the next few weeks and listen to our great tech podcasts on the free iHeart app for our deep dives.