Apple iPhone 16 launch recap: Full summary including four phone models with Apple Intelligence and new action button

LOOKS GOOD

There’s a new feature called Visual Intelligence.

Imagine you’re walking, Apple says, and see a restaurant you haven’t been to.

Point the iPhone at it and hold the camera control button to instantly pull up information about it.

You could also scan a flyer for an event to add it to your calendar – and it’ll extract details about the event time and location.

Point your camera at a dog, click, and find out its breed.

This camera control will also let you use third-party features, like snapping a bike and then immediately searching it in Google.

You can also analyze what you’re seeing with ChatGPT for extra info.

CAMERA IN CONTROL

The new Camera Control button lets you launch the camera with a click – and a second click takes a photo.

A click-and-hold while the camera is open will begin recording video.

It can distinguish between a full click and lighter press.

These lighter presses will reveal a clean preview with no UI elements.

And it’ll also reveal a new overlay, like allowing you to slide to adjust controls such as zoom.

Press lightly again to choose your settings.

Apple said that apps like Snapchat will also add Camera Control functions in.

BIG BOOST

The iPhone 16 Pro also has some device-specific Apple Intelligence AI features.

They’re powered by Apple’s new custom A18 Pro – an upgrade on the regular A18 featured on the iPhone 16.

It has a 16-core neural engine for helping with AI, especially generating things (like new images, for instance).

Apple Intelligence features run up to 15% faster compared to the A17 Pro on last year’s iPhone 15 Pro.

ROLL OUT ROLL OUT

Most of Apple's AI functions will roll out as part of a free software update to iOS 18, the operating system that will power the iPhone 16 rolling out from October through December.

U.S. English will be the featured language at launch but an update enabling other languages will come out next year, according to Apple.

WHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT APPLE INTELLIGENCE?

Apple is trying to preserve its longtime commitment to privacy by tailoring its AI so that most of its functions are processed on the device itself instead of at remote data centers.

When a task requires a connection to a data center, Apple promises it will be done in a tightly controlled way that ensures no personal data is stored remotely.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE - THE TRUE STAR OF THE SHOW

While the hotly anticipated iPhone 16 was unveiled on Monday it was Apple's core artificial intelligence offerings that really took centre stage.

Apple Intelligence was first revealed at the company's developers conference in June.

These features include the ability to search for images in your library by describing them, creating custom emojis, summarizing emails and prioritizing notifications.

Apple Intelligence will also upgrade Apple's virtual assistant Siri to get it to better understand requests and give it some awareness of on-screen actions taking place on the phone, hopefully making it more useful.

GOING PRO

Apple has also upgraded its AirPods Pro with some health features.

There’s a new feature called Hearing Protection, which is on by default across listening modes.

It uses machine learning to actively reduce loud noises around you – like if you were at a concert.

Apple is also adding a clinically validated hearing test with your AirPods Pro.

It’s an easy five-minute check you take at home.

Tap the screen when you hear a series of tones at different volumes and frequencies.

Once you’re done, you’ll see easy-to-understand results in the Health app.

There’s also a clinical-grade hearing aid feature coming to AirPods this autumn.

And it’ll be customized based on your own hearing test.

SNAP HAPPY

To recap, here’s a look at all of the new camera improvements on iPhone 16…

WE'RE BACK

Over the next few hours we'll bring you all the latest updates and reaction from "It's Glowtime".

Here's a summary of all the new products launched at the event:

• iPhone 16
• iPhone 16 Plus
• iPhone 16 Pro
• iPhone 16 Pro Max
• Apple Watch Series 10
• Apple Watch Ultra 2
• AirPods 4
• AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancellation
• AirPods Max

THAT'S A WRAP

That's all from the Apple iPhone 16 live blog.

We've seen a load of big announcements today - and The Sun's Head of Technology and Science, Sean Keach, is on the ground testing them out now as we speak.

Keep a look out for follow-up pieces, video and reaction coming very soon.

SO PRO

The iPhone 16 Pro will cost you $999, and the Pro Max is $1,199.

They’re available for pre-order on Friday 13, and go on sale in stores on Friday, September 20.

Grab those wallets.

SUPER SHOOTER

The iPhone 16 Pro model has a new 48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera.

There’s also a 5x Telephoto camera, which is now available on both the Pro and Pro Max models. Last year, it was only on the Pro Max.

And the Camera Control button from the iPhone 16 is also featured on the Pro models.

So you can quickly control your snaps and camera settings with the pressure-sensitive button on the side of the phone.

And there’s 4K 120 frames-per-second that lets you shoot epic Hollywood-style slow-motion shots.

BIG BOOST

The iPhone 16 Pro also has some device-specific Apple Intelligence AI features.

They’re powered by Apple’s new custom A18 Pro – an upgrade on the regular A18 featured on the iPhone 16.

It has a 16-core neural engine for helping with AI, especially generating things (like new images, for instance).

Apple Intelligence features run up to 15% faster compared to the A17 Pro on last year’s iPhone 15 Pro.

PRO PHONE

As expected, Apple has announced the new iPhone 16 Pro.

They've got bigger screens with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays for the Pro and Pro Max respectively.

At 6.9 inches, the iPhone 16 Pro Max has the biggest display ever featured on an Apple smartphone.

They're built from Grade 5 Titanium, which Apple says is nearly half the weight of stainless steel.

It comes in four finishes, Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, and the new Desert Titanium.

THE PRICE IS...RIGHT?

Apple says that the new iPhone 16 will start at $799, while the iPhone 16 Plus costs $899.

And both start with 128GB of storage.

That's the same as last year, both for pricing and storage.

NEXT TOP MODEL

The iPhone 16 runs on iOS 18 – which is also coming to older devices too.

There’s the ability to share video in emergency responders.

And you can also send texts via Satellite in the US and Canada.

SNAP HAPPY

To recap, here's a look at all of the new camera improvements on iPhone 16...

SPACED OUT

As a fun aside, the new vertical camera arrangement lets the iPhone 16 capture Spatial Videos.

This was previously only possible on the Pro iPhone.

These are immersive lifelike videos designed to be watched in the Apple Vision Pro headset.

It’s a neat addition, but not wildly useful until eventually you bag yourself a pair of premium Apple goggles.

Still, it’s nice future-proofing for if the device’s price ever comes down.

CAMERA IN CONTROL

The new Camera Control button lets you launch the camera with a click – and a second click takes a photo.

A click-and-hold while the camera is open will begin recording video.

It can distinguish between a full click and lighter press.

These lighter presses will reveal a clean preview with no UI elements.

And it’ll also reveal a new overlay, like allowing you to slide to adjust controls such as zoom.

Press lightly again to choose your settings.

Apple said that apps like Snapchat will also add Camera Control functions in.

LOOKS GOOD

There’s a new feature called Visual Intelligence.

Imagine you’re walking, Apple says, and see a restaurant you haven’t been to.

Point the iPhone at it and hold the camera control button to instantly pull up information about it.

You could also scan a flyer for an event to add it to your calendar – and it’ll extract details about the event time and location.

Point your camera at a dog, click, and find out its breed.

This camera control will also let you use third-party features, like snapping a bike and then immediately searching it in Google.

You can also analyze what you’re seeing with ChatGPT for extra info.

SIRI-OUSLY GOOD

Siri is smarter and talks much more naturally to you.

Apple gave an example of Siri showing you how to delete duplicate photos from your library.

And you could say something like "send Erica the photos from Saturday's barbecue", and it would know exactly what you're trying to do.

Siri also has a slick new animation that floods the edges of the screen with a colorful glow.

The first new features will be available in U.S. English in beta next month.

And localized English will come to the UK in December.

SMARTER-PHONE

Now Apple Intelligence is the focus – detailing the new AI features coming to your iPhone 16.

“The next generation of iPhone has been designed for Apple Intelligence from the ground up,” Apple chief Tim Cook said.

Apple says it will transform how you communicate and express yourself.

New AI-powered writing tools will re-write things in apps like Mail or Slack.

And you’ll be able to create new custom emoji – called Genmoji – just by writing a description.

You can also create pictures from scratch using the Image Playground feature.

These features were announced back in June at Apple’s WWDC event, but it’s the first time they’ve been confirmed for the iPhone 16.

You can also search for specific moments in videos on your iPhone just by typing a description of what you’re looking for.

SWEET 16

Apple has finally unveiled the new iPhone 16.

“The next generation of iPhone has been designed for Apple Intelligence from the ground up,” Apple chief Tim Cook said.

There are new ultramarine, teal and pink color options, in addition to white and black.

Its glass is twice as tough as that featured in any other smartphone, according to Apple.

It comes in two sizes: 6.1 inches for iPhone 16 and 6.7 inches for iPhone 16 Plus.

And the iPhone 16 has also received the Action Button – normally featured on Pro models only.

This can be assigned to features like turning on the flashlight or toggling silent mode on or off.

There's also another new button for camera controls, which is pressure-sensitive.

And the device is powered by Apple's new A18 chip.

GOING PRO

Apple has also upgraded its AirPods Pro with some health features.

There’s a new feature called Hearing Protection, which is on by default across listening modes.

It uses machine learning to actively reduce loud noises around you – like if you were at a concert.

Apple is also adding a clinically validated hearing test with your AirPods Pro.

It’s an easy five-minute check you take at home.

Tap the screen when you hear a series of tones at different volumes and frequencies.

Once you’re done, you’ll see easy-to-understand results in the Health app.

There’s also a clinical-grade hearing aid feature coming to AirPods this autumn.

And it'll be customized based on your own hearing test.

MAX POWER

There’s an update to AirPods Max, with new color options and USB-C charging.

These are Apple’s over-ear headphones, which are the most expensive in the line-up.

They’ll still cost $549, and not much else has changed – but the new port is a big deal if you’ve got a USB-C iPhone.

And they also go on sale on September 20.