iPhone 16 designed around AI features, gets camera button
Apple on Monday unveiled its artificial intelligence-boosted iPhone 16 that also has a separate camera button.
“The next generation of iPhone has been designed for Apple Intelligence from the ground up. It marks the beginning of an exciting new era,” Chief Executive Tim Cook said at a product launch.
The iPhone 16 would use the new A18 chip and have an aluminium back, as well as a new customisable button that could be used for camera controls, he said. Apple also unveiled new Watches and AirPods. Apple fans globally have been waiting to see the new phones with AI, which Cook hinted at as he began the show. “We are thrilled to introduce the first iPhones designed from the ground up for Apple Intelligence and its breakthrough capabilities,” Cook said in opening remarks.
Apple unveiled Apple Intelligence at its developer conference in June, its take on generative AI that can conjure text, images and other content on command. But these upgrades will take time to reach consumers.
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.
The iPhone 16 starts at $799, iPhone 16 Plus at $899, iPhone 16 Pro at $999, iPhone 16 Pro Max at $1,199. iPhones accounted for more than half of Apple’s $383 billion sales last year, and the new devices are an important update for the Cupertino, California-based company that is betting the AI feature will drive consumers to upgrade amid a slowdown in iPhone sales.
The iPhone 16 lineup is the first Apple smartphones designed around these AI features, though those are expected also to be available on iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, the top-end versions of previous-generation devices.
