In case you missed it, Apple announced all the new iPhones we’ve been waiting for, a new Apple Watch that’s likely to steal a lot of headlines (bigger, thinner, better!), and surprising new developments in wireless headphones (three new models and a software update for the AirPods Pro that will propel the company into a new product category through software alone).
We’ll go into more detail on those shortly, but first, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro. This year, the two devices have remarkably similar new features. The iPhone 16 also gets an action button (on the left edge, above the volume buttons) and a new camera button.
That’s right, it’s not just a button. It’s packed with a variety of sensors and technology, and with a gentle slide or press you can adjust the camera controls and settings (zoom, exposure, aperture, etc.). Apple is already planning an update that will let you half-press to focus the camera and fully press to take a picture.
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Why did Apple redesign the camera module for the iPhone 16? As a cynic, I thought the change to stacking the lenses vertically was just a desperate gesture to show you have the latest iPhone, but there’s a reason for it: Apparently, this arrangement means the cameras can work together to capture spatial video and photos.
Both the iPhone 16 Pro (and Pro Max) come with a host of upgraded photography features. The 6.9-inch Pro Max and 6.2-inch Pro are (thankfully!) comparable, with the smaller Pro getting 5x optical zoom this year. The ultra-wide camera has been upgraded from 12 megapixels to 48 megapixels on both Pro models. The iPhone 16 Pro can shoot 4K video at 120 fps, so you can switch to slow-mo footage after you’ve recorded it – no slow-mo recording mode required.
The iPhone 16 Pro has a bigger battery, which helps deliver on the usual “best battery life ever in an iPhone” tagline. But Apple’s own specs cheat sheet is a bit more specific, saying “Pro Max has the best battery life ever in an iPhone,” which is something to scrutinize in reviews. But after last year’s move to USB-C, the lightweight titanium and action buttons aren’t such a compelling upgrade.
With that being said, what am I doing? I currently use an Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max alongside a Pixel 9 Pro XL, but it’s too big for me. Last year I used the iPhone 15 Pro Max instead of the iPhone 15 Pro just for the 5x camera zoom, but nothing else.
This time around, just like the iPhone 14 series, the specs of both iPhone 16 Pro models are roughly the same. And they should be. So I’m going to preorder the black iPhone 16 Pro with 1TB of storage. I might change my mind.
If you’re an iPhone owner like the Pro Max, you could probably wait a year, but now’s also a great time to upgrade to the base iPhone 16, which has new buttons, will work with Apple Intelligence in the coming months, and comes in some very beautiful colors.
Below you will find my actual experience using all the products.
Matt Smith
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The biggest news you may have missed
Apple Watch Series 10 hands-on: bigger, lighter and thinner than ever
iPhone 16 Pro Hands-on: Why do those fake camera control buttons feel so realistic?
Apple’s AirPods Pro update turns them into clinical-grade hearing aids
Everything Apple revealed at its iPhone 16 event
Notice the 9 percent?
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At yesterday’s event, Apple’s wearable got its biggest spec boost yet, with the largest display and thinnest design ever for an Apple Watch. The wide-angle OLED display is slightly larger than the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Apple says the new OLED technology makes the screen 40 percent brighter when viewed at an angle, and you’ll be able to see the second hand ticking even with your wrist down. The company is touting 18 hours of battery life, but someone needs to remind Apple that it won’t last an entire day.
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And additional ANC options that will confuse shoppers.
As rumored, Apple launched the fourth-generation AirPods this week. The ear shape has been redesigned to fit more ear shapes. The new entry-level AirPods also feature the H2 chip, which enhances features like spatial audio. The charging case has a USB-C port and is the smallest AirPods charging case to date. To put a damper on this plan, Apple announced a second model that supports active noise cancellation and Transparency mode. Not to be confused with the AirPods Pro, which are still on sale.
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Google has finally taken a step in the right direction, especially when it comes to battery life.
Engadget
Consider, too, our deputy editor, Cherlynn Low. When I put her on a flight to Cupertino to report on Apple-related news, she was finishing up her review of Google’s Pixel Watch 3. We compared Google’s latest wearable to the Apple Watch Series 9, and we think that with its longer battery life and comprehensive, intuitive health tracking features, Apple can compete in the wearable category.
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Within 9 minutes.
Sony has announced that there will be a PlayStation 5 technical presentation stream on the PlayStation YouTube channel today at 11am ET. All indications point to this being the official reveal of the PS5 Pro. Mark Cerny, lead designer of the PS5, will host the stream, which will focus on innovations in the PS5 and gaming tech. It will be under 10 minutes long.
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