Apple presents its iPhones for 2024

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At its fall event under the heading "It's Glowtime", Apple presented this year's smartphones via video. All 2024 models have the new A18 processor: iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus get the standard version of the SoC (System on a Chip), while the more powerful A18 Pro is reserved for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Previously, the non-Pro models had to use the chip from the previous year. This is due to the considerable hardware requirements of Apple Intelligence AI. Of the previous iPhones, only the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are suitable for this. Like the A17, the A18 (Pro) has two performance and four efficiency cores. The GPU of the A18 Pro uses six cores instead of five. The Neural Engine for artificial intelligence still has 16 cores, but is said to calculate 17 percent faster.

All models have an additional capacitive switch called Camera Control, which can operate various functions such as the self-timer. The action button on the Pro models can now also be found on the other 2024 variants. It replaces the slide switch for the mute function.

The screen of the iPhone Pro has grown from 6.1 to 6.3 inches diagonally, while the iPhone Pro Max has grown from 6.7 to 6.9 inches. At the same time, the number of pixels increased from 2556 × 1179 to 2622 × 1206 and from 2796 × 1290 to 2868 × 1320 pixels respectively, and the bezels became narrower. Like the 15, Apple has equipped the iPhone 16 with a 6.1-inch display with 2556 × 1179 pixels, while the iPhone 16 Plus adopts the 6.7-inch screen (2778 × 1284 pixels) from the 15 Plus. OLED screens with self-illuminating pixels, DCI-P3 color space and Dynamic Island are used everywhere. However, 120 Hertz refresh rate (ProMotion) and Always-On mode are still only available on the Pro models. The brightness of the 15-series iPhones reached 1000 nits in normal mode, 1600 nits at peak levels with HDR and 2000 nits outdoors. This remained the same for the 16-series models.

Improved cameras

The ultra-wide-angle cameras of the two Pro models have a sensor with 48 megapixels, which in the past was only available in the wide-angle version. Previously, only the Pro Max had a 5x prism lens, which now also appears in the iPhone 16 Pro. iPhone 16 and 16 Plus now have macro mode for the ultra-wide angle, which was previously reserved for the Pro models. However, it remains at 12 megapixels, only the wide-angle (Fusion Camera) has 48 MP, so that 2x telephoto shots can be taken with 12 MP. The lenses are arranged directly on top of each other (side by side in landscape format) so that 3D images can be taken for the Vision Pro. Apple calls this Spatial Video or Spatial Photos.

The ProRAW photo format is still reserved for the Pro models, as is the LiDAR sensor. They can now record video in 4K resolution at 120 (instead of 60) frames per second. There are also four microphones with Spatial Audio Capture.

Wi-Fi 7 instead of 6 or 6E

WLAN 802.11be aka Wi-Fi 7 is now available on all models. Previously, the 15 Pro models came with Wi-Fi 6E and the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus with Wi-Fi 6. Unlike the latter, Wi-Fi 6E can also use the largely free 6 GHz band. Wi-Fi 7 also offers lower latency, better stability with many devices at a hotspot and faster data transmission thanks to higher bandwidth with channel widths of up to 320 MHz. A router of the same or higher standard as a remote station remains a prerequisite. The iPhone 16 and 16 Pro are the first Apple devices with Wi-Fi 7.

New colors

Instead of yellow, pink, green and black, the iPhone 16/16 Plus is now available in teak, pink, ultramarine, black and white.

The Pro models remain in titanium white, natural and a deeper black. Titanium desert sand replaces titanium blue.

What has remained

USB-C already made its way into the iPhones with the previous generation and remained, unfortunately also with USB 2.0 speed in the devices without Pro in the name. USB 3 is said to have become faster on the Pros. Features include 5G mobile communications, nano-SIM and dual eSIM, accident detection, satellite emergency call, Face ID facial recognition for unlocking, inductive charging with MagSafe up to 15 watts, water resistance with IP68, HDR10/Dolby Vision recording and playback. All models come with a U2 ultra-wideband chip for close-range location of trackers and other devices.

Prices

The iPhone 16 with 128 GB of memory costs 949 euros – like its predecessor. For the iPhone 16 Plus, the price remains unchanged at 1099 euros. The iPhone 16 Pro with 128 GB is available for 1199 euros; the iPhone 15 Pro with 128 GB cost the same at launch. For the iPhone 16 Pro Max with 256 GB, Apple still charges 1449 euros.

The surcharge from 128 to 256 GB flash is 130 euros, as before, with an additional 250 euros for 512 GB and another 250 euros for 1 TB.

Pre-ordering is possible from Friday, September 13, with sales starting on September 20.

(jes)