If you’re excited to get your hands on Apple Intelligence, you’ll be waiting a few more weeks. But at its “Glowtime” event today, Apple did unveil its next-gen iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods, as expected. Preorders for everything start on Friday ahead of a Sept. 20 launch, so get your credit cards ready if you’re in the market for a smartphone or smartwatch upgrade. If you didn’t have time to watch this morning’s 90-minute presentation, here’s what you missed.
Apple Event 2024 Recap
iPhone 16 and 16 Pro
iPhone 16 (Credit: René Ramos/Apple)
Despite the event’s “Glowtime” moniker, which refers to the redesigned Siri, the headliner was Apple’s new smartphone lineup. Look-wise, the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro aren’t major departures from their predecessors. Most notable is the addition of a Camera Control on the bottom-right side, which allows for quick access to the camera app and lets you adjust settings by pressing lightly and sliding your finger back and forth. The lower-tier iPhones also get the Action button that’s already on the Pro models. There, you can customize it to do what you want, like turning on the flashlight.The prices are the same, with small tweaks to the colors. There’s also the usual camera and chip upgrades, with every model getting an A18 chip. For more, check out our hands on with the new iPhones and If $200 Android Phones Can Have Fast Displays, the $800 iPhone 16 Should Too.Apple Intelligence Arriving Fashionably LateApple’s suite of AI tools was supposed to launch with iOS 18, but it won’t arrive until October with iOS 18.1. And even then, it will only be a few of the features Apple expects to roll out over the coming months. Look for AI writing tools and some small updates to Siri. But marquee features, like ChatGPT integration, don’t have hard launch dates yet.Apple Watch Series 10
(Credit: Angela Moscaritolo/PCMag)
Apple says the Apple Watch Series 10 “is the thinnest Apple Watch yet” at 9.7mm thick, or about 10% thinner than last year’s Apple Watch Series 9. It had to shrink down some components to get it there, but the device’s speaker is still powerful enough to let people play music and podcasts directly from the smartwatch itself. With a wide-angle OLED display, it can emit more light at an angle, so you can see more when looking at it from the side. The most notable addition may be sleep apnea detection coming later this month, pending FDA approval. But that’s also rolling out to Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Black titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Credit: Apple )
Speaking of the Ultra, there’s no upgrade for Apple’s rugged smartwatch except for a new black titanium finish and updates to some of its loops.Like previous iterations, the Wi-Fi version of the Apple Watch Series 10 starts at $399. It comes in 42mm and 46mm sizes with a new jet black and rose gold option. For more, check out Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Series 9: Should You Upgrade?
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AirPods 4
(Credit: Rene Ramos/Apple)
Apple’s true wireless earbuds get an upgrade for the fall, with two versions of the standard AirPods. The basic AirPods 4 will cost $129, while a version with active noise cancellation (ANC) will cost $179. Apple has changed the shape and fit of its AirPods slightly, and Apple promises reengineered audio for better audio quality overall. The AirPods 4 run Apple’s H2 chip and come with a USB-C charging case. For more, check out our first listen with the ANC AirPods 4.Those looking to upgrade their AirPods Max only got some new color options and USB-C.Turn Your AirPods Into Hearing Aids
(Credit: Apple)
The move to allow over-the-counter hearing aids in the US has paved the way for Hearing Protection on the AirPods Pro 2. It’s also pending FDA approval, but once it rolls out, it’ll let you pair your iPhone, iPad, or Mac with the AirPods to run a hearing test. The “interactive” experience will produce a number representing hearing loss in each ear, a classification, and recommendations. Results will be stored in the Health app, and can be shared with a healthcare provider.
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About Chloe Albanesius
Executive Editor for News
I started out covering tech policy in Washington, D.C., for The National Journal’s Technology Daily, where my beat included state-level tech news and all the congressional hearings and FCC meetings I could handle. After a move to New York City, I covered Wall Street trading tech at Incisive Media before switching gears to consumer tech and PCMag. I now lead PCMag’s news coverage and manage our how-to content.
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