Apple once again sent the tech world into a frenzy at its "Glowtime" event. While the unveiling of the iPhone 16 range took centre stage, the announcements included both hardware and software. Apple surprised with new features and devices but also with some unexpected developments - both positive and less pleasant. Below we will give you a comprehensive overview of the most important news, from the new iPhones to the Apple Watch and the updated AirPods.
Apple's products and innovations are highly anticipated around the world, and this year's event was no exception. But while many rumors were confirmed, the company surprised fans with some unexpected innovations. Whether you're looking for a new iPhone, want to upgrade your Apple Watch, or are curious about the latest developments in AirPods, you'll find all the important details in this article.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus – Improvements for everyone
The biggest announcement of the evening was certainly the unveiling of the new iPhone 16 models. Both the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Plus come in new colors. You can choose between black, white, pink, teal and ultramarine - colors that perfectly match Apple's minimalist aesthetic. Under the hood, both models feature the powerful A18 chip, which was specially developed to support the new Apple intelligence features. Apple itself describes the A18 chip as "built from the ground up for AI", which means you can expect improved performance and intelligent functions. AI-based camera and image processing processes are faster and more efficient than ever before. What is immediately noticeable is the adoption of many premium features in the standard models. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus get the action button that was previously only available on the Pro models.
New camera features, more battery
In addition, both devices have the new camera controls, which allow you to precisely control the zoom and other camera functions using a combination of a two-stage button and a touch-sensitive swipe field. Also worth mentioning is the integration of the 48-megapixel Fusion Camera, which ensures sharp and detailed photos. While the macro photography function has been added, the 48-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera remains exclusive to the Pro models. The Spatial Audio and new audio filter options for wind noise reduction round out the video recording experience. In addition, both models have larger batteries and thus offer you more runtime: The iPhone 16 has a maximum battery life of 22 hours, which is a slight improvement compared to previous models. Apple also enables faster MagSafe charging of up to 25W if you use a charger with at least 30W.
iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max – More power, more possibilities
The Pro models of the iPhone 16 were introduced with, as expected, stronger upgrades. In addition to the A18 Pro chip, which has a 6-core graphics processor while the standard models "only" have a 5-core graphics processor, the larger display sizes of 6.3 inches on the Pro and 6.9 inches on the Pro Max are particularly striking. In terms of design, Apple offers the Pro models in the following colors: In addition to the classic black titanium, there is also white titanium, natural titanium and the striking desert titanium, which is very close to the gold color option. One of the most important new features in the Pro models is the improved 48-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, which in combination with the 5x telephoto lens is also available on the standard Pro model, not just the Pro Max.
Apple improves battery life
For video recording, both Pro models offer Dolby Vision 4K video recording at up to 120 frames per second, ideal for dramatic slow motion recordings. The studio-quality microphones are also a nice extra that allows you to record even better audio. Another advantage of the Pro models is the extended battery life. The iPhone 16 Pro lasts up to 27 hours, the Pro Max even 33 hours in ideal conditions. Particularly interesting for professionals: The storage capacity of the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at 256 GB, while the Pro starts at 128 GB.
Apple Watch Series 10 – More than just a beauty upgrade
The Apple Watch Series 10 not only has a slimmer design and a larger screen, but also some impressive new features. In addition to introducing a polished Jet Black option for the aluminum models, the titanium version of the Watch now offers a "jewelry-like shine" that makes it appear particularly premium.
One particularly important new feature is the Watch's ability to detect sleep apnea. This is a significant improvement, as sleep apnea is difficult to diagnose and usually requires a visit to a sleep clinic. Now the Apple Watch can detect this condition by analyzing your sleep patterns. In addition, the battery charging speed has been improved. In just 30 minutes, the Apple Watch can be charged to 80 mAh - perfect for those who want to use their watch as a sleep tracker and can only charge it briefly in the morning. The new watch faces adapt to the ambient light conditions, resulting in better readability, and the watch's water resistance has been further improved.
(Note: The sleep apnea feature will be available not only on the Series 10 but also on the Series 9 and Ultra 2 – more about it here!)
Apple Watch Ultra 2 – Cosmetic Updates
There were no technical upgrades for the Apple Watch Ultra 2, but there were some cosmetic changes. The new black titanium surface is not only visually appealing but also particularly scratch-resistant thanks to a special "diamond-like carbon coating".
Also new is the Hermès Ultra 2, which combines a natural titanium case with a Hermès En Mer strap in a stylish blue nuit tone. Although it is a fashion accessory, the strap is still robust enough for intense water sports such as diving or sailing.
AirPods 4 and AirPods Max – More than just cosmetic updates
The AirPods 4 were introduced in two versions and replace the AirPods 2 and AirPods 3. Powered by the new H2 chip, the AirPods 4 offer features that were previously only available on the AirPods Pro, including personalized spatial audio and dynamic head tracking. You can also now control Siri by nodding or shaking your head. Also interesting is the new compact charging case with a USB-C port, which replaces the Lightning port. For those who want more, there is an AirPods 4 version with active noise cancellation (ANC).
The AirPods Max received a slight update with a switch to USB-C charging and new colors including midnight blue, starlight, blue, purple and orange. Unfortunately, there was no upgrade to the H2 chip here, which is pretty disappointing!
Surprises – The pleasant and the less pleasant
While most of the announcements were expected, there were some positive surprises, such as the small differences between the standard and Pro models of the iPhone 16 and the introduction of sleep apnea detection. Apple also finally launched the long-awaited hearing aid feature for the AirPods Pro 2 - a milestone in health and audio technology. On the other hand, there were also some disappointments. The camera control feature, which allows you to set the focus and exposure, will not be available directly at launch and will only come in a later update. The lack of updates to the AirPods Max and Apple Watch Ultra were also seen as a negative by some.
iPhone 16, Apple Watch and AirPods: An overview of the highlights
Yesterday's Apple event brought numerous new features and improvements, with the iPhone 16 range clearly taking centre stage. The integration of the action button, improved camera and video features and extended battery life make the new iPhone a highlight. The Apple Watch Series 10 brings important health features and a slimmer design, while the new AirPods 4 finally adopt many of the Pro features. While there were some disappointments, the improvements outweigh the negatives. If you're looking for the latest technologies and a major upgrade to your Apple products, you certainly won't be disappointed with the new announcements. Discover high-quality accessories in our Amazon Storefront! Find first-class products from leading brands, including for your HomeKit. (Image: Apple)
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