Apple Unveils AI-Boosted iPhone 16 Amid Competition with Huawei and Google
Apple’s "Glowtime" Event
Apple on Monday unveiled its artificial intelligence-boosted iPhone 16, showcasing the long-awaited phone hours after Chinese rival Huawei’s tri-fold phone began racking up orders. The new iPhone 16 is designed from the ground up for Apple Intelligence, marking the beginning of an exciting new era, according to Chief Executive Tim Cook.
New Features and Pricing
The iPhone 16 will use the new A18 chip and feature an aluminum back, as well as a new customizable button that can be used for camera controls. Huawei’s website showed on Monday that it had garnered more than three million pre-orders for its Z-shaped tri-fold phone, underscoring Huawei’s ability to navigate US sanctions and solidify its position against Apple in China.
The iPhone 16 lineup is the first Apple smartphones designed around these AI features, although those are expected to also be available on iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, the top-end versions of the previous-generation devices. The device starts at US$399, is thinner than its predecessor, and has an up to 30% larger screen than previous generations.
New Apple Watch and AirPods
Apple also unveiled new Watches and AirPods. The new Series 10 Watch starts at US$399, is thinner than its predecessor, and has an up to 30% larger screen than previous generations. Apple highlighted the Watch’s ability to help with sports and health issues, including finding longer-term conditions such as sleep apnea as well as detecting and responding to emergencies such as a fall.
The new AirPods 4 have a new design for more comfortable wearing and improved acoustics. Apple also rolled out hearing-aid features that it has submitted for US regulatory review.
Competitive Landscape
Apple fans globally have been waiting to see the new phones with AI, which Cook hinted at as he began the show. "The Chinese market is hungrier for AI features than the US market," said Ben Bajarin, CEO and principal analyst at Creative Strategies. For Apple, "it will be very difficult to bring it to China immediately, so they’ll be going off the merits of the hardware."
Rivals including Alphabet’s Google are also showcasing AI features to try to upend Apple’s dominance in the high-end smartphone market. Google, developer of the Android operating system which competes with Apple’s iOS, traditionally announced its Pixel smartphones in the autumn. This year, it pushed the event to August ahead of Apple’s announcement.
Timeline and Release
Apple Intelligence features are expected to launch in a software update to the iPhone and iPad operating system likely in October and a full upgrade of Apple’s voice assistant Siri is likely to come only early next year, according to media reports. Apple Intelligence must be approved by Beijing in order to be released in the Chinese market. In July, OpenAI blocked access to ChatGPT in China, a move that could impact the chatbot’s integration into Siri. Apple has not announced an AI partner for China.
Conclusion
The new iPhone 16 is a significant update for Apple, which is betting that the AI feature will drive consumers to upgrade amid a slowdown in iPhone sales. However, the competitive landscape is intensifying, with Huawei and Google also showcasing AI features. Apple must navigate these challenges to maintain its dominance in the high-end smartphone market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the new features of the iPhone 16?
A: The iPhone 16 will use the new A18 chip, have an aluminum back, and feature a new customizable button that can be used for camera controls.
Q: How much will the iPhone 16 cost?
A: The iPhone 16 starts at US$399.
Q: When will Apple Intelligence be available?
A: Apple Intelligence features are expected to launch in a software update to the iPhone and iPad operating system likely in October and a full upgrade of Apple’s voice assistant Siri is likely to come only early next year.