Fans of Apple products were on high alert on Monday, when Tim Cook announced the latest lineup of iPhones, Apple watches, AirPods and other hardware. Not surprisingly, Apple continues to take the concept of smart tech to new and ever-soaring heights.
Apple New Products Available for Pre-order
In a splashy, 90-minute event titled “It’s Glowtime,” Apple execs highlighted the company’s own version of generative AI, Apple Intelligence. It will power a range of AI features integrated into iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia. Here are the newest models in hardware and some of the AI-powered features that make them stand out.
The iPhone 16 is available for pre-order on Apple.com, but the AirPods and Apple Watch 10 are also available for pre-order on Amazon. While you shouldn’t expect to find deals or discounts on these new products any time soon, new releases often mean discounts on older generations of products – especially around the Black Friday shopping season.
The Newest iPhone
The iPhone 16 ($799) has a few upgrades that make it different from last year’s model. The most obvious change is the addition of a customizable Action Button (which iPhone 15 Pro users already have). You can program this button to change the ringer setting, turn on the flashlight, launch the camera or toggle to Do Not Disturb. There’s also a new Camera Control button, which allows you to do things like snap a photo or take a video based on how hard you press it.
The iPhone 16 comes in three other versions: iPhone 16 Plus ($899), iPhone 16 Pro ($999) and iPhone 16 Pro Max ($1,199). You can pre-order on Sept. 13, and they officially go on sale on Sept. 20.
The Newest Apple AirPods
You can now pay a little extra to get the noise canceling feature on all versions of AirPods 4 (which was previously only offered on AirPods Max). AirPods 4 without noise cancellation cost $129, while AirPods 4 with noise cancellation cost $179. Some of the other new features include a new charging case (with a 30-hour battery life) and the ability to communicate with Siri by nodding your head to accept a call.
The over-ear AirPods Max headphones now come in several colors: blue, midnight, orange, purple and starlight. They also now charge with USB-C instead of Lightning.
The AirPods Max will remain the same as last year’s model. Apple has upgraded the AirPods Pro 2 with a test to check hearing loss, as well as the ability to function as a hearing aid.
AirPods 4 are available for pre-order now and will be released Sept. 20.
The Newest Apple Watch
On its 10-year anniversary, the Apple Watch has gotten a redesign with a screen that’s 30% bigger, allowing it to display an extra line of text. It’s also 10% thinner and 10% lighter, with rounded edges, so it’s easier to see the screen from an angle.
There’s also a new and larger charging coil, which charges the battery to 80% within 30 minutes. The battery life is estimated to be longer, too—up to 18 hours. And finally, it’s programmed to detect signs of sleep apnea. You’ll get an alert and a detailed report to share with your doctor.
The Series 10 Apple Watch can be pre-ordered now for $399. It’s actually available on Sept. 20.
Some Cool New AI Features Across iOS 18
- In Photos, you can use a new Clean Up tool to find and remove distracting objects in the background of a photo.
- In the Notes and Phone apps, you can record, transcribe and summarize audio. When you end the call, Apple’s AI generates a summary.
- In Mail, the Priority Messages will bring time-sensitive messages to you first. There’s also a tool called Smart Reply, which suggests quick responses you can click on rather than writing them out.
- In Camera, you point the camera at a restaurant, place of business or any kind of informational sign, and ask Siri for more information. If it’s a restaurant, for example, you’ll get everything from photos and menus to hours and reservation links.
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