Update: The iPhone 16 live event has ended, but the coverage at Engadget has only begun. Start with the tl;dr on the event, Everything Apple just announced, then scroll backwards through this story if you want to see how the event unfolded in real-time. The earlier version of the introduction appears below.
Apple's biggest unveiling of the year has started: The iPhone 16 launch event. The company has already shown off details on the new Apple Watch 10, AirPods 4 and iPhone 16, as well as updates on iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence features that it first introduced to the world \ back in June. The company's iPhone 16 launch event began at 1PM ET, and Engadget's Cherlynn Low and Billy Steele are reporting live from Cupertino. Scroll down to see their latest updates in reverse chronological order. Need even more info? Pull up a second screen to watch the iPhone 16 event live, and stay with Engadget for full wall-to-wall coverage.
LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER267 updates
And, for our final post — for today, at least — from the Apple Event here's senior editor Billy Steele's video report on the Apple Watch Series 10.
Thanks for joining us today!
iPhone 16 Pro hands-on: Small button, big change
Tired of reading about the new iPhones? Here's Cherlynn's video report with her first impressions of the iPhone 16 Pro
Let's chat about Apple's iPhone 16 event | Engadget Podcast
In this bonus episode, Engadget senior editor Devindra Hardawar and contributing reporter Kris Holt break down everything new (and not so new) in the iPhone 16 lineup. Is Apple Intelligence alone enough to entice iPhone owners to upgrade? Does anyone actually need the camera button? And why are we so intrigued by the Apple Watch Series 10 (which is undoubtedly the most interesting product Apple launched today)?
You can either watch the (no-longer) live recording of the episode on YouTube, or catch the regular audio-only version — both are embedded below. As always, if you have any suggestions or topics you'd like covered on the show, be sure to email us.
Apple AirPods 4 hands-on: Seriously impressive ANC performance
Two models of AirPods were largely expected at today's iPhone 16 event, one of which would add active noise cancellation (ANC) to the "regular" AirPods for the first time. There are other upgrades for the $179 version, but after a brief demo of the ANC setup on the AirPods 4, I wager the noise-blocking tools will be the key selling point for most people.
Apple is using this version of the AirPods 4 to bridge the gap between the AirPods and the AirPods Pro. As such, this model has some features that were previously exclusive to the company's priciest buds. Those include Siri interactions that allow you to accept or reject calls with a head nod, Adaptive Audio, Voice Isolation and more — all thanks to the H2 chip that powers the Pro model. All of these will be welcome improvements for people who prefer the open fit of the AirPods 4, but the ANC is the most impressive addition in my book.
I have just wrapped up some of my post-event duties and finished up my hands-on. That means it's time for lunch at Apple's designated media area at its visitor center, and, of course, here's what's on the menu. Crowd favorite white chocolate macha cookies are back this year, along with chocolate chip cookies. There are prosciutto and cheese sandwiches, as well as roast turkey and pesto sandwiches. For appetizers, we have Mediterranean nachos and a chickpea tabbouleh. Head to the Engadget Instagram account for pictures!
The iOS 18 release date is September 16. Is your iPhone compatible?
We finally know iOS 18 will be available to everyone — or, everyone with the right phone — on September 18. This year's release brings a ton of new features like homescreen customization, which you can read about in our early hands-on iOS 18 preview. The new OS is essentially compatible with every phone that runs iOS 17, but only certain models will get access to Apple Intelligence, the company's new suite of AI features. Katie Teague, a senior writer at Yahoo, put together a useful guide to iOS 18 compatability which you can read below.
Apple quietly kills its terrible FineWoven iPhone cases
Hey, there were good intentions! When Apple revealed its new cases for the iPhone 15 series, the FineWoven case was pitched as a leather substitute that used 68 percent post-consumer recycled content.
When leather gets old, it gets... nicer? There's a patina. When Finewoven cases got even a few days old, it got scratched and blotchy. It's not a huge surprise, then, that there are no new FineWoven colorways, or any iPhone 16-compatible FineWoven cases, period. They're gone.
More thoughts from hands-on land: you can just call me a glutton for buttons.
Aaron Souppouris
My favorite thing about Cherlynn's iPhone 16 Pro hands-on is her subheadline, which really sums up my feeling about iPhone events: "It doesn't physically depress, but sure feels like it does."
Aaron Souppouris
iPhone 16 Pro hands-on: How does a faux camera control button feel so real?
Next up is Cherlynn, who's quite enamored with the iPhone 16 Pro's new camera button:
"Apple's latest attempt to slightly differentiate the iPhone 16 series is... a faux button it's calling Camera Control. But unlike last year's new button, this one doesn't actually physically depress, and uses a mix of sensors and haptic feedback to simulate the sensation of movement. And in my brief hands-on right after Apple's iPhone 16 launch event, I have to say I actually thought it was a real button.
I got a quick look at the iPhone 16 Pro here in Apple Park, and got a deep walkthrough of the new camera control and its corresponding interface. When I first picked up the iPhone 16 Pro Max, I felt like it looked sleeker and thinner than my iPhone 15 Pro Max, which was nice. My fingers were then drawn to the new 'button,' which has a groove that surrounds it, which helps with identification by touch."
Apple Watch Series 10 hands-on: Bigger, lighter and thinner than ever
First up is Billy, who's taken a look at the new Apple Watch Series 10. Here are his first impressions:
"If you were hoping for three new Apple Watches today, you might be disappointed. However, Apple did reveal the largest Apple Watch display ever on the Series 10 wearable. The device is also thinner, delivering the bigger and slimmer update the company loves to give new devices. It's lighter too, so all three of the design changes should make the wearable more comfy to... wear. And of course, the new display will be a key selling point for this updated model.
That display is the standout update to me. The 40 percent brighter panel at various angles will make it so much easier to see Watch info at a glance. I tried on the Series 10 in the demo area here at Apple Park in both the 46mm and 42mm sizes. The larger of the two isn't that much of burden for me as I'm rocking a 45mm Series 7 on the daily. Still, the OLED display is a massive upgrade over what I'm used to, and it will offer better performance over recent Apple Watches too. I also got a look at that screen update feature, which also you to see time and other info even when the display is in ambient mode."
Who needs chairs? Cherlynn and Billy are still working their way through all of the products Apple announced today, but we have a few early impressions of the iPhone 16 Pro and Apple Watch Series 10.
Billy Steele
Billy Steele
Everything Apple revealed at the iPhone 16 launch event
The iPhone 16 launch event is now over. While the smartphones took center stage (per usual), Apple also showed off the newest version of the Apple Watch, plus two new pairs of AirPods. The company also went into detail on its latest mobile chipset that powers the new iPhones, and reminded folks what they can expect when iOS 18 launches later this month. If you weren't able to catch the announcements live, Engadget has you covered.
And yes we're back to Tim, who's recapping today's announcements. People are leaving the space, zipping up their bags. We're eager to leave and get hands-ons with the new devices. As am I! Stay tuned to Engadget.com, our social profiles and more to get all our hands-on coverage later today!
Katie Teague
Billy Steele
We're going to have a lot of testing to do between now and next Friday.
Cherlynn Low
You'll be able to pre-order all the new iPhone 16s on Monday, and they'll be in stores on September 20.
Cherlynn Low
The packaging for the new iPhone 16 lineup is now 100 percent fiber based, and is slimmer, which can help reduce shipping impact. Joz is now recapping the iPhone 16 Pro, and I'd expect we'll be going back to Tim Cook soon. But first, prices? They start at $999 for the iPhone 16 Pro and $1,199 for the Pro Max.
Billy Steele
Cold brew energy levels are depleted at over 90 minutes into this event. Must replenish.
Katie Teague
Cherlynn Low
I have to say, all this cheering and applause after each video really drowns out the speaker that follows and I often miss what they're saying. I really need to get my ears checked, huh. Joz is explaining some updates to Magsafe, like a new charger for faster wireless charging, as well as cases that work well with the new camera control.
Billy Steele
Spicy MagSafe news everyone was waiting for.
Billy Steele
"A film making powerhouse." Feels like we've heard that before.
Katie Teague
Cherlynn Low
We're about an hour and a half into this stream and I'm thirsty (for water). I'm also gearing up to run to the hands-on area and get our stories up as soon as possible!
Billy Steele
I would be curious to know how much editing happens on the footage captured in iPhone that's used in a music video. Apple would never.
Cherlynn Low
Photographer Eddy Chen is also sharing his experience shooting with the iPhone 16 Pro and the new Photographic Styles.
Katie Teague
Cherlynn Low
We're now watching a video featuring The Weeknd, who used an iPhone 16 Pro to shoot a music video in slo-mo 4K 120.
Billy Steele
Creator segment!
Cherlynn Low
You can then choose to get rid of the music in the background and be left with just your vocals, ready to lay into whatever sound project you're working on. As someone who occasionally records herself singing, I'm really stoked about this.
Billy Steele
Really like this Voice Memo feature. Will be helpful for capturing all kids of ideas, musical or otherwise.
Cherlynn Low
With Audio Mix, you can isolate the voice of people on camera with an "in-frame mix" option. The "studio mix" option lets you mimic the effect inside a studio, as if you were inside a sound booth. "Cinematic mix" brings in environmental noise in the surroundings and keeps voices in the front. The demo was certainly impressive. A new feature is coming to Voice Memo, where you can record your voice on top of a separate track (like an instrumental backing file).
Katie Teague
Billy Steele
Microphone performance upgrades and spatial audio recording will be welcome additions
Cherlynn Low
We're back with Joz, who's talking about "a big leap forward with audio performance." iPhone 16 Pro combines hardware, software and intelligence to improve things. There are four "studio-quality" mics on the device that Joz says is great for vocal and acoustic recordings. The iPhone 16 Pro will also support Spatial Audio recording. This will enable "creative sound editing with our new audio mix feature." Joz says this is an industry first.
Katie Teague
Cherlynn Low
They quip at each other about how cinematic it is when you walk in slow motion, and the words "Cinematic slow motion" and "Shot on iPhone 16 Pro" appear on the screen. The new devices can shoot 4K in 120p, enabling much higher quality slow-motion footage. The A18 Pro's new image signal processor allows for frame by frame edits in Dolby Vision, too.
Cherlynn Low
We're being treated to a sample video of two people walking in front of explosions in slow-mo. I don't know who they are, sorry.
Billy Steele
Here's my video segment!
Cherlynn Low
Some updates are also coming to video capture, and Paulom Shah is here to explain.
Cherlynn Low
There are monochrome looks, natural ones or stylized options. There's an updated control interface to let you edit these styles yourself, and you can also edit the Photographic Styles after capture, instead of only before.
Billy Steele
All of these updates are summarizing why the Pro camera is better than what's on the regular iPhone, even with all the upgrades we heard about there earlier. More control, more tools, more quality.
Cherlynn Low
Camera control will be updated later this year with a two-state focus feature to lock autofocus. Sounds like some features weren't ready for launch, and sadly it's one of the more interesting ones. The camera app's Photographic Styles area also here, but have imaging upgrades to enable more creative styles.
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