iPhone 16 series announced with new camera controls, AI integration and more

Apple officially unveiled the iPhone 16 today during its Glowtime event, confirming new features like an updated camera button, as well as price, specs, and more.

The iPhone 16 is designed “from the ground up” for Apple Intelligence, Apple's AI initiative. It is made from aerospace-grade aluminum and features an updated Ceramic Shield that is said to be 50 percent tougher than the first-generation version.

A key new feature is a customizable action button, first introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro, that gives users access to functions like recording a voice memo or translating a phrase. It also introduces a new camera control on the right side, below the power button, that integrates what Apple calls “Visual Intelligence.” This lets users point their camera at an object, like a restaurant, and bring up details about it.

A tactile click with haptic feedback, the new camera button is effectively a tiny version of a Macbook trackpad. It can distinguish between a full click and a lighter press, with a light press allowing for a cleaner preview, while a double press lets you adjust zoom, depth, and other features.

iPhone 16 specs revealed along with Apple Intelligence integration

The processor has been upgraded from an A16 Bionic to the A18, which is said to make it 30 percent faster than the iPhone 15 and 50 percent faster than the iPhone 14. It will have 17 percent more system memory bandwidth and uses second-generation 3nm technology.

Here are some other relevant statistics.

• A18 processor
• 5-core GPU that is up to 40 percent faster than the iPhone 15.
• Display with 6.1″ or 6.7″ for the iPhone 16 Plus model.
• 2000 nits in a sunny environment, down to 1 nit in the dark.
• 48MP main camera. Can combine a 48MP and a 12MP photo into a 24MP image.
• Support for AAA games like Resident Evil 7 and Assassin's Creed: Mirage, which previously only worked with the iPhone 15 Pro. It also supports ray tracing.
• A “big improvement” in battery life.

Apple also took the time to talk about the integration of Apple Intelligence into the iPhone 16, which leverages data that Apple says is “never stored or shared.” It follows what Apple revealed at WWDC in June and offers improved search capabilities, such as the ability to find specific moments in a video. It can also summarize notifications, emails, and other messages, and will integrate with Siri so it can follow you even if it stumbles over your words alongside other updates. Apple Intelligence will be available via a free update.

Apple iPhone 16