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Apple unveiled new products at its Glowtime event on Monday, including the newest iterations of the Apple Watch and AirPods. As usual, the star of the show was the iPhone, which will be available in four iterations: the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The new phones will be available for pre-order tomorrow and hit shelves on September 20.
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Every year sees subtle tweaks and the occasional big leap, so it’s not always clear when (and if) you should upgrade. Preorders start on September 13, but you can pre-pre-order by making your selections at Apple’s website now, and your cart will be saved when the pre-order window opens. Here’s what’s brand new, better, and the same with the iPhone 16.
Related: Apple Rarely Holds Sales, But You Can Get Its Tech for Up to 55% Off Right Now
What’s New: Apple Intelligence, Camera Control Button, and A18 Chip
Apple, known for driving innovation, found itself in the unfamiliar spot of playing catch-up. With many brands rolling out AI features, the Cupertino company took its time following suit, but the new iPhone 16 is Apple’s first smartphone built for the AI age. Dubbed Apple Intelligence, Apple’s AI is designed to enhance writing tasks and create visuals, while improving Siri. Apple has also set itself apart with its commitment to privacy, and privacy and security features are built into Apple Intelligence.
There are caveats, however. Apple Intelligence is the big new feature, but it won’t actually be available until next month when iOS 18 comes out. The new iPhones are built from the ground up with Apple Intelligence, but older models aren’t excluded; Apple Intelligence will be available on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, as well as on iPad and Mac with the M1 chip and later.
Also new to the iPhone is a Camera Control button, a simple but clever upgrade that makes it easier to take photos. The capacitive button can open the camera app and take photos, a game-changer for anyone who’s fumbled trying to open their camera app only to miss the perfect shot. Camera Control will be available on all iPhone 16 models. The iPhone 16 will utilize the new A18 chip, which Apple says “delivers a huge leap in performance and efficiency.”
What’s Better: Longer Battery Life, Updated Camera
Apple was short on specifics but has touted a big improvement in battery life. Of the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, Apple says “With the new internal design and advanced power management of iOS 18, the batteries are optimized to offer a big boost in battery life.” With regards to the Pro models, Apple is even bolder, stating they’ve made a “huge leap in battery life,” with the Pro Max model offering “the best battery life on iPhone ever.”
In terms of durability, the Ceramic Shield screen is touted as being “2x tougher than glass on any other smartphone.” Photo quality remains a big focus for Apple, and the camera hardware has been upgraded with a 48MP “Fusion camera.” Apple says it “enables a 2x optical-quality Telephoto option, which is like having two cameras in one.”
All iPhone 16 models are inheriting the iPhone 15 Pro’s customizable Action Button, which means iPhone users now get two quick-access buttons, Camera Control and the Action Button. It’s an interesting pivot back to physical buttons, given that Apple famously did away with the home button after the iPhone 8.
What’s The Same: Price, Size, Display
One pleasant detail that’s remained the same is the price. The new iPhone 16 starts at $799, the same price as the iPhone 15 when it originally dropped. It’s also the same price as Samsung’s Galaxy S24. With the 16 starting to hit shelves, Apple has cut the price of the iPhone 15 by $100.
Other details that have remained the same are USB-C, Dynamic Island, and the Super Retina XDR display. On the iPhone 16 and Plus models, iPhone has kept the same screen size as the iPhone 15. However, the screen on the iPhone 16 Pro Max is 6.9″, compared to 6.7″ for the 15 Pro Max. Likewise, the iPhone 16 Pro has a 6.3″ screen compared to the 15 Pro’s 6.1″ screen.
The iPhone 16 is also the exact same size as the iPhone 15, but if you were hoping to use the same phone case, you’re out of luck. The addition of a new capacitive button requires a compatible case. Fortunately, the best phone case brands are ready to go, which means you can already order an iPhone 16 series case before you even get your hands on the new phone. Here are a few options.
Casetify Wavy Grid by Poketo
$68.00
Casetify lets you select a case by how much protection you need, and offers fun collaborations and the ability to customize your case. This design was made in collaboration with LA-based home design studio Poketo. It’s available for all four versions of the new iPhone.
Bellroy Phone Case
$79.00
Bellroy’s designs are all about streamlining your everyday, and this phone case features a sleek trap door design that can stash up to three cards. There are three colors to choose from, and this case is available for all versions of the new iPhone.
iPhone 16 Silicone Case with MagSafe
$49.00
Apple’s cases come in a wide range of eye-catching colors, including bright yellows and purples, as well as muted shades of blue, brown, and black. It’s designed to work “seamlessly” with the new capacative Camera Control button.
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