photo: Apple iPhone 16
Apple officially unveiled its long-awaited iPhone 16, powered by advanced artificial intelligence features. CEO Tim Cook hailed the new model as the beginning of “an exciting new era,” emphasizing that the next generation of iPhones has been built from the ground up to integrate Apple Intelligence, the company’s AI software. Alongside the new phone, Apple also announced improvements to its Siri virtual assistant, with testing of new features beginning next month.
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will be priced similarly to their predecessors but come equipped with a more powerful chip and an aluminum body. One of the most anticipated hardware upgrades is a customizable button designed to control the camera. Meanwhile, the higher-end iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, made from titanium, offer enhanced AI capabilities, including smart suggestions for photo shoots and professional-level audio editing tools.
A test version of Apple Intelligence will initially be available for U.S. English users, with other English-language versions launching by December. By next year, localized versions for languages such as Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish will follow, with Siri improvements being gradually introduced over time.
Analysts believe that the AI-powered features in iPhone 16 could entice existing users, particularly those who haven’t upgraded in several years, to make the switch. However, some experts caution that delays in rolling out all the features may cause potential buyers to wait before purchasing.
Apple’s event took place just hours before Huawei’s announcement of its tri-fold smartphone, underscoring the competitive pressure the U.S. tech giant faces, especially in the Chinese market.
In addition to the iPhone 16 lineup, Apple introduced updated Apple Watch and AirPods models, both featuring enhanced health-monitoring capabilities, such as the detection of long-term conditions like sleep apnea and emergency response functions.
With iPhones accounting for over half of Apple’s $383 billion in sales last year, the new AI advancements are seen as crucial in maintaining the company’s dominance in the high-end smartphone market.
