Everything you need to know from the Apple Event 2024: iPhone 16, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and more
Of power and poise
Once again, Apple has taken the tech world’s headlines by storm with its Apple Event, where the new iPhone 16 series and more were announced. Named “It’s Glowtime”, the highly anticipated keynote had Malaysians up and at their screens at 1am, 10 September. On top of the exciting new devices, the tech giants also officially revealed that Apple Intelligence—which was announced at its recent WWDC event—will be available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac starting next month.
Besides the iPhone announcement, the major event also covered a majority of the Apple universe with updates to the Airpods Max as well as the launches of the Airpods 4, Apple Watch Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2. To help you digest all the information we got, here’s a roundup of everything you need to know about each new device—including prices and when they’ll be available in Malaysia!
IPHONE 16 AND IPHONE 16 PLUS
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus arrive in five bright new colours, powered by a brand new, custom-built A18 chip, and Apple Intelligence integration. With upgrades to its safety features, new button additions, and a longer battery life, the smartphones prove themselves, once again, to be the ultimate companion for your daily life.
Colours and storage
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are both available in black, white, pink, teal, and ultramarine. Storage options include 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB.
Design
Their external builds feature the latest-generation Ceramic Shield, whereas internal design upgrades allow for more battery space and heat dissipation. With that being said, it comes as no surprise that these iPhones also come with better battery life. The phone also includes the Action Button, previously seen on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models.
Display
The Super Retina XDR display with OLED technology and the Dynamic Island remain from the previous iPhone models. In terms of brightness, the phones can achieve up to 2000 nits in broad daylight and go all the way down to one nit in darkness. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus comes with a 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays respectively.
Camera
As with previous iPhone upgrades, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus both have an upgraded camera system. It features a 48MP Fusion camera with 2x optical-quality telephoto capabilities alongside a 12MP Ultra Wide camera. The new Photographic Styles function also allows for complete personalisation of your images, giving you complete and specific control over the colour grading and skin tones. These styles can be rendered during live preview or in the camera roll. Either way, you’ll still be able to reverse your edits later should you change your mind.
In terms of their camera capabilities, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus—alongside the rest of the iPhone 16 family—get major improvements, including Camera Control. This feature—accessed via yet another new button on the other side of the phone—makes accessing your camera and its functions a whole lot easier. With this new button, you can open the camera app, take a photo, record video, and even adjust other control options such as zoom and exposure. Upgrades later this fall will also integrate visual intelligence so you can access information about your surroundings—from restaurants to dog breeds—in an instant.
Performance
The iPhone 16 series is powered by an all-new A18 chip, which raises the bar in power and efficiency. It is fitted with a 16-core Neural Engine, which is optimised for large generative models and can run ML models up to two times faster than the A16 Bionic chip. Meanwhile, its 6-core CPU is 30 per cent faster than the A16 and is capable of carrying out the same workload with 30 per cent less energy used. Lastly, the 5-core GPU is up to 40 percent faster and 35 percent more efficient than the A16 Bionic.
Battery life
The iPhone 16 Plus is capable of up to 27 hours of video playback on one charge, while the iPhone 16 supports up to 22 hours.
Price: From RM3,999 (iPhone 16) | From RM4,499 (iPhone 16 Plus)
Availability: Pre-orders begin at 8pm, 13 September with in-store availability from 20 September.
Find out more here.
IPHONE 16 PRO AND IPHONE 16 PRO MAX
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max come with larger display sizes, Camera Control, vibrant graphics, and more upgrades that earn them the title of the most powerful phones in Apple’s lineup.
Colours and storage
Four finishes are available for both models: black titanium, natural titanium, white titanium, and desert titanium. Storage options include 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage.
Design
Its lightweight titanium design gives it a sleek overall look, coupled with the latest generation of Ceramic Shield, which makes it twice as tough as glass on any other smartphones. Internally, upgrades have been made to its configurations with larger batteries for a big boost in battery life as well as heat dissipation and efficiency.
Display
The iPhone 16 Pro measures in at 6.3 inches, whereas the iPhone 16 Pro Max comes in at 6.9 inches, making it the largest iPhone display ever. Its Super Retina XDR displays with Always-On and ProMotion technologies are maintained from the previous iPhone models. These Pro models also boast the thinnest bezels ever seen on Apple products.
Camera
The phones’ camera systems have also been improved with a new 48MP Fusion camera, which is capable of 4K120fps video recording in Dolby Vision—the best resolution and frame-rate combination ever seen on a smartphone. It is accompanied by a new 48MP Ultra Wide camera with autofocus that can also capture 48MP ProRaw and HEIF images. A 5x Telephoto camera rounds out the entire system. Not to mention, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max can also capture spatial photos and videos that can be accessed via the Apple Vision Pro.
The phones’ new image signal processor also enables frame-by-frame cinema-quality colour grading for 4K120fps footage. To further enhance your videos, the two Pro models are fitted with four new studio-quality mics for crisp and true-to-life audio. Just like the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, these phones are also equipped with the Camera Capture and Photographic Styles functions.
Performance
The Pro models are powered by a new A18 Pro chip, capable of industry-leading computing power that can support graphics-intensive gaming, professional-level photo and video editing, as well as Apple Intelligence.
A new 16-core Neural Engine, 6-core GPU, and a new 6-core CPU combine to make these phones the most powerful, most efficient, and fastest smartphones out there. The phone’s ML accelerators were also built for Apple Intelligence with power efficiency in mind. Not to mention, the new iOS 18’s Game Mode heavily benefits from these stunning visuals and consistent frame rates.
Battery life
Apple claims these new models come with up to four more hours of battery life than previous models. This translates to a maximum of 33 hours of video playback on the Pro Max model and 27 hours on the Pro.
Price: From RM4,999 (iPhone 16 Pro) | RM5,999 (iPhone 16 Pro Max)
Availability: Pre-orders begin at 8pm, 13 September with in-store availability from 20 September.
Find out more here.
APPLE WATCH SERIES 10
Carrying the title of the world’s best-selling smartwatch, you can expect nothing less than greatness from the latest Apple Watch Series 10. It is the thinnest Apple Watch ever made, so you are assured comfort no matter how long the wear.
Colours and design
The Apple Watch Series 10 is available in both aluminium and titanium finishes. Stealing the show is an all-new Jet Black polished aluminium, the first time such a finish has been presented. Also in the lineup are updated rose gold aluminium and a brushed silver aluminium. A new polished titanium finish replaces the stainless steel of previous models, available in natural, gold, and slate. The watches are available in new 42mm and 46mm sizes.
Display
A larger display offers up to nine per cent active screen area than the Series 9. It is also the first Apple product that features a wide-angle OLED display that can achieve 40 per cent more brightness than the Series 9. With new display upgrades also comes new watch faces for you to play around with. Plus, your time is now measured by the second!
Battery life and charging
The new Apple Watch Series 10 maintains its 18-hour battery life from the previous generation. It is also the fastest-charging Apple watch ever. All you need is 30 minutes for your watch to be charged up to 80 per cent.
Performance
A S10 SiP and built-in 4-core Neural Engine power the watch, supporting intelligent features that support daily tasks. Functions include the double tap gesture, on-device Siri, dictation, and more.
watchOS 11 and other upgrades
- The watch is equipped with a new depth gauge (up to six metres) and water temperature sensor.
- The Custom Workouts function now covers pool swims.
- The Tides app is introduced for better planning and awareness of open water conditions and forecasts.
- A new Oceanic+ app comes with new features for snorkelling, including nearby locations and relevant information.
- Training Load provides insight into your body’s abilities for the day, measuring the impact different workouts have on your body.
- The Vitals app is another new addition, which provides key overnight health metrics and analyses your health in the context of your lifestyle. It also includes medication reminders and sleep metrics, which can detect conditions like sleep apnea.
- Audio can now be played in the watch’s built-in speakers, including songs and podcasts.
- The Series 10 also uses its new voice isolation neural network with the 4-core Neural Engine to reduce background noises so calls are clearer.
- Activity rings are more customisable.
- Summarised notifications are now available on Apple Watch.
Price: From RM1,799 (Apple Watch Series 10) | From RM999 (Apple Watch SE)
Availability: Coming soon
Find out more here.
APPLE WATCH ULTRA 2
Landing with a new, sleek black titanium finish, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the most capable watch in Apple’s lineup yet. It is kitted out with the most accurate GPS the world of sports watches has seen as well as the brightest display of any Apple product.
Colours and design
The watch comes in the scratch-resistant black titanium finish as well as a natural titanium.
Display
If adventure is calling, make sure to bring your Apple Watch Ultra 2 with you. It features the brightest display ever made for an Apple product, reaching up to 3000 nits. With that, you’ll never have to worry about not being able to make out what’s on your screen even on the brightest of days.
Battery life
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 can support up to 36 hours of regular use and up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode.
Performance
Using advanced satellite and signal models alongside positioning algorithms and Apple Maps data, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 provides you with the most accurate GPS ever known on a sports watch. No matter what sport you excel in or want to dabble in, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will be a prime companion to have with you.
watchOS 11 and other upgrades
- New workout insights with Training Load, Vitals, Tides, and Oceanic+ apps.
- Enhanced GPS abilities also means distance tracking is now available in more sports such as downhill skiing, snowboarding, and outdoor rowing.
- Activity rings are more customisable.
- Using the two built-in speakers, audio—including songs and podcasts—can now be played on the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Price: From RM3,799 (Apple Watch Ultra 2) | From RM6,399 (Apple Watch Hermès Ultra 2)
Availability: Orders for the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in black titanium start today, while in-store availability begins on 20 September.
Find out more here.
AIRPODS 4
The ever-popular AirPods are now available in two models: AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). Both models come with a new fit and more features to support your listening experience.
Design
A new open-ear design raises the bar in terms of fit and comfort, naturally fitting more users around the globe.
Sound quality and performance
Its new acoustic architecture alongside a high dynamic range amplifier and more ensure a omre immersive sound experience, Couple that with Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking and your listening is now customised to your daily routine and movements.
The AirPods 4 are powered by an H2 chip, promising intelligent audio experiences such as Voice Isolation and Siri Interactions. The former brings clearer and crisper call quality in all conditions, whereas the latter allows users to answer Siri’s prompts with a simple nod or shake of their head. The chip also allows for low wireless audio latency and stellar voice quality, enhancing your movie-watching and gaming sessions.
Charging
The AirPods 4 supports up to 30 hours of battery life. Plus, the case now comes with USB-C charging and is slightly smaller than the previous generation’s. Those with the AirPods 4 with ANC can use an Apple Watch charger or any Qi-certified charger to juice up their devices.
AirPods 4 with ANC
The ANC capabilities on the upgraded AirPods 4 model help to reduce environmental noise (think KL’s city traffic and rain), so your listening experience is as clear and personal as possible. This is achieved through upgraded microphones, the H2 chip, and advanced computational audio. New intelligence features are also introduced, including Transparency mode, Adaptive audio, and Conversation Awareness.
Price: RM599 (AirPods 4) | RM829 (AirPods 4 with ANC)
Availability: Coming soon to the Apple website and Apple Store app
Find out more here.
AIRPODS MAX
The AirPods Max get a reintroduction in five new stunning colours: midnight, starlight, blue, orange, and purple. They also now feature USB-C capabilities, making charging all the more convenient and quick.
Price: RM2,499
Availability: Coming soon to the Apple website and Apple Store app
Find out more here.
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