iPhone 16 unveiled featuring A18 chip, new Camera Control button, and Apple Intelligence

Apple announced the iPhone 16 during its “Glowtime” event, unveiling a refreshed design, new features, and enhanced performance. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are available in 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch sizes, respectively, and are built from aluminum in five colors: Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, Black, and White. Both models feature a new Action button, replacing the traditional mute slider, and a Camera Control button designed to enhance photography and enable Visual Intelligence functionality.

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus Highlights:

• Pre-orders start on September 13, with general availability from September 20.
• Prices start at $799 for the iPhone 16 and $899 for the iPhone 16 Plus (128GB versions).
• A tougher Ceramic Shield display is used on the back, increasing durability by 50%.
• Vertical camera alignment allows Spatial Photo and Video recording, compatible with VR headsets.
• Display brightness ranges from 1 to 2000 nits, offering improved visibility.
• The new A18 chip includes more CPU and GPU cores, a faster Neural Engine, and increased efficiency, enabling hardware ray-tracing for enhanced gaming experiences.
• Cameras include a 48MP main sensor with in-sensor 2x zoom and a 12MP ultrawide camera with autofocus and macro mode, offering better light intake.
• Faster MagSafe wireless charging is supported with new 25W charging pucks, and compatibility extends to the Qi2 standard.
• Visual Intelligence, accessible via the Camera Control button, allows for instant lookups of information directly through the camera, although this feature will not be available at launch.

iPhone 16: Top New Features Apple Intelligence features, introduced earlier at WWDC, include smarter search functionalities in Photos, an improved Siri, and various generative tools like Image Playground, Genmoji, and Clean Up. These features are currently available in the iOS 18.1 developer beta, with a public beta expected in December.

Camera Control Button: A new capacitive Camera Control button is positioned below the Power button on the iPhone 16, enabling quick access to the camera and photo capture. A tap previews the shot without UI interference, while a swipe adjusts zoom levels. A double-tap opens a menu for additional controls.

Camera Upgrades: The iPhone 16 features a 48MP main camera with 2x in-sensor zoom capable of 4K 60fps video, and a 12MP ultrawide camera with a macro mode. Enhanced light intake capabilities result in brighter images, thanks to a wider aperture and larger sensor pixels.

Chipset Improvements: The A18 chip, a major leap from the previous A16, is built on a 3-nanometre process, offering superior efficiency and increased core counts across CPU, GPU, and NPU components. It includes hardware ray-tracing acceleration, delivering exceptional gaming performance, supported by a new thermal management system.

Action Button: The Action Button replaces the mute switch on the side of the iPhone 16, capable of toggling between loud and silent profiles. It can also be customized for various functions, such as activating the flashlight or launching apps, with further personalization available through Apple Shortcuts.

Apple’s iPhone 16 series showcases significant advancements in design, performance, and intelligent features, positioning it as a robust upgrade in the iPhone lineup.