The iPhone 16 is here — but it's not finished | The Vergecast
11 Sep 2024 (7 days ago)
Intro
- The speakers are discussing their experiences at the Apple event and their current locations.
- One speaker describes their makeshift podcast studio in a hotel room, highlighting a lamp glued to the table as an unexpected obstacle.
- The same speaker mentions interacting with various individuals, including Apple Fellow Phil Schiller, and expresses excitement about discussing camera buttons.
Apple Event Vibes and Media Presence
- The atmosphere at this particular Apple event was unusually enthusiastic, especially compared to previous events.
- The crowd composition was different, with a noticeable increase in international press, TikTok creators, and a generally younger, more video-focused demographic.
- Apple has built a new facility called The Observatory to accommodate the growing number of attendees at their events, as the Steve Jobs Theater proved to be too small.
iPhone 16 and 16 Plus Features
- The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus feature a new camera control button, an action button, a ceramic shield, and the A16 Bionic chip.
- The iPhone 16 has a 48-megapixel main camera and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, which Apple claims is equivalent to four cameras.
- The ultra-wide camera on the iPhone 16 has a true macro mode, unlike previous models that only had a simulated macro mode.
Camera Control Button and AI Integration
- A new physical button, the "camera control" button, has multiple functions based on pressure sensitivity and capacitive touch.
- This button enables control of various camera features, including zoom, photo styles, lens switching, and potentially exposure and focus locking in the future.
- Apple's AI features, including visual intelligence and Siri's ability to guide users, will be released gradually, with some features launching in beta with iOS 18.1 in October.
Camera Upgrades and Features
- The iPhone 16 Pro models now have the same zoom lens, eliminating the need to purchase the larger Pro Max model for that feature.
- The 48-megapixel ultrawide lens on the iPhone 16 Pro models is a significant upgrade, offering greater detail and overall improved image quality compared to previous models.
- Apple has introduced numerous new camera modes and photo processing features, including a dedicated "natural" mode, expanding the creative possibilities for users.
iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max
- Apple designed and engineered their own LED screen for the Steve Jobs Theater, which is very bright.
- Apple has re-engineered the photo pipeline so users can change photo styles after taking a picture.
- The iPhone 16 Pro Max is very large, and all of the new iPhones are well-designed.
Battery Life and Processor
- The iPhone 16 Pro Max is said to have the best battery life of any iPhone.
- The A8 chip in the iPhone 16 is powerful enough for current AI features on smartphones.
- Apple is releasing a software update that will give the Airpods Pro 2 hearing aid functionality.
AirPods 4
- The original AirPods had a reputation for falling out of people's ears, which created a fear of losing them, even among those who found them comfortable.
- The AirPods Pro, on the other hand, fit more snugly in the ear canal, eliminating the fear of them falling out but creating a sensation of pressure for some users.
- People who are self-conscious about their AirPods potentially falling out often try to secure them by covering their ears or adjusting them frequently, similar to how people adjust clip-on earrings.
Apple Watch Series 10
- The Apple Watch Series 10 has a new design, but it looks very similar to the old design. It is thinner and has a bigger screen.
- The Apple Watch Series 10 is available in several colors, including black, which has generated excitement.
- The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has not changed significantly from the previous model, but it is now available in black.
Sleep Apnea Detection
- The Apple Watch Series 10 now includes a sleep apnea detection feature.
- The Apple Watch Series 10 has a faster charging speed, charging to 80% in 30 minutes.
- The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is now available in black, featuring a black sapphire glass back.