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The new iPhone 16 is just around the corner, making your existing iPhone look old. But that isn’t necessarily bad, thanks to a range of AI features coming to the latest iPhone series. Apple on Monday sent out invitations for a September 9 event titled ‘It’s Glowtime’, where the company is expected to unveil the new iPhone 16 lineup and other products. The event will be held at the Steve Jobs Theater at its headquarters in Cupertino, California. As usual, Apple didn’t mention the iPhone 16 in the invitation or indicate which products it would unveil. However, the launch of the iPhone 16 lineup is certain at this point, and the event will start at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, or 10:30 p.m. IST. For Apple, the iPhone 16 series is going to be a significant release—not because of the larger displays or upgraded cameras expected on the new devices, but because of the impact of “Apple Intelligence.” Investors are particularly interested in how this feature will enhance the appeal of the iPhone 16 and the entire smartphone segment, potentially boosting iPhone sales in the long run. With demand for iPhones being flat, Tim Cook and his team need to attract customers to the Apple ecosystem, and new artificial intelligence features in the latest iPhones could be the catalyst for change. Following the announcement of Apple’s AI plans at the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference, shares in the company rose, primarily due to the promise that AI will drive iPhone sales. Generative AI has been a major showcase technology on smartphones, and brands like Google and Samsung have fully embraced artificial intelligence in their flagship models, such as the Pixel 9 and Galaxy S24 . This has further pressured Apple to embrace AI and bring it to iPhones. That being said, Cupertino is ready for the AI era, and Apple Intelligence will be a major differentiator in the iPhone 16 lineup, which is likely to include four different models: two entry-level models (iPhone 16 and 16 Plus) and two high-end models (iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max). All four models will support Apple Intelligence as part of a suite of features in iOS 18 . However, the AI features won’t be available on day one when the iPhone 16 goes on sale. Instead, these features will arrive later with the iOS 18.1 update, expected in mid-October. The first set of Apple Intelligence features, such as new writing tools, suggested replies in the Messages app, email summarisation, phone call transcription, and the all-new Siri backed by its partnership with ChatGPT maker OpenAI, has been rolling out to developers as part of the iOS 18.1 update. Other features, including Image Playground—the ability to create your own animated images within apps—and a custom emoji called Genmoji, are expected to arrive later this year or early in 2025. For Apple, the challenge will be rolling out Apple Intelligence globally and reaching developing markets like India, which are crucial for its growth story. While a boost in iPhone sales from the newly launched AI features is one part of the story, experts are also interested in how Apple plans to monetise the new Apple Intelligence features in its latest iPhone 16 series. It remains to be seen whether Apple will charge a subscription fee to use certain AI features and offer them as a premium service. If it does, the impact on its services business—an increasingly important segment for the company in recent years—can further accelerate the growth. But the impact of Apple Intelligence on the iPhone won’t be drastic. As the AI features roll out slowly, the changes will be subtle, but interactions are expected to become more personalised and the software to improve in speed and efficiency. The iPhone 16 lineup may not look significantly different from last year’s models. However, the higher-end Pro models will be relatively larger, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch screens compared to the current 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays on the Pro and Pro Max models. The cameras on the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will also see improvements, including the tetraprism from the 15 Pro Max’s telephoto lens being added to both sizes of the Pro, and the ultra-wide lens potentially increasing from 12 megapixels to 48 megapixels. The new iPhone Pro models are expected to feature an all-new button designed for shooting video and taking photographs, similar to a button on a DSLR camera. All four iPhones will be equipped with a new A18 processor and 8 gigabytes of memory to support Apple Intelligence features and ensure long battery life. Beyond the iPhone 16 series launch, industry insiders expect Apple to introduce new Apple Watch models, including a high-end Apple Watch Ultra 3, a more affordable plastic Apple Watch SE aimed at kids, and the Apple Watch Series 10, which will feature a larger screen and a thinner chassis. Apple could also unveil new AirPods, including a brand-new entry-level model that may compete with low-cost TWS options that have dominated the market and given rise to newer domestic brands in markets like India and China. In both the smartwatch and TWS segments, Apple has faced pressure from cheaper rivals in recent quarters. Anuj Bhatia is a personal technology writer at who has spent a decade covering gadgets, apps, and gaming. He specialises in writing longer-form feature articles and explainers on trending tech topics. His unique interests encompass delving into vintage tech and composing in-depth narratives on the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture. Prior to joining The Indian Express in late 2016, he served as a senior tech writer at My Mobile magazine and previously held roles as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. Anuj holds a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University. You can find Anuj on Linkedin. ... Read More None
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