Today, Apple has introduced the much anticipated iPhone 16 series. As usual, there are four new models, namely the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The local prices and pre-order availability details are also out, with a starting price of RM3,999 (more on that at the bottom of the page).
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus
As traditions go, the new generation has slight improvements here and there. Starting with the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, the displays are measured in 6.1 and 6.7 inches with new Ceramic Shields that are 50% improved and 2x tougher than the predecessors. Like the previous news reports, both iPhones indeed got the Action Button and a brand new Camera Control.
The Action Button is the same thing as before but the Camera Control is something else. As the name suggests, it's meant for accessing camera features in an instant but does more than that. Clicking once will launch the camera, double click for video, light press for other camera functions and you can also do sliding gestures for zoom-ins.
Features - Cameras, A18 and Apple Intelligence
Speaking of cameras, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus feature a 48MP (main) + 12MP ultrawide dual rear camera setup. The main camera also has a telephoto mode (12MP) with 2x optical zoom and allows users to produce a 48MP Fusion Photo, as both camera technologies are meshed together. Meanwhile, the ultrawide lens can capture 2.6x more light and allows macro photography as well.
Because the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus have Apple Intelligence features, Apple finally gave them a new chipset instead of using the older ones from the previous pro models. The new A18 chip is a 2nd-Gen 3nm node with a 16-core neural engine, 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU, enabling it to be twice as fast in machine learning. Apple is also going to launch another exclusive AAA game - Honor of Kings: World. Battery life is unknown but claimed to be bigger, longer and more efficient.
Most of the Apple Intelligence features are nothing new as they were mentioned at this year's WWDC. However, Apple did present a couple of new stuff. One of the features is Private Cloud Saving, an on-device processing safe haven that can be used by your request only. It's never stored in online servers so no one but you can access your data, not even Apple.
You can also "Relieve Memories", an Apple Intelligence tool to help you find your old photos that you can't remember. There are also organised "Summaries" for notifications and emails, and Siri is much smarter and more personal with Apple Intelligence. Apple is planning to expand the improved Siri's language capacity to more countries next year such as Japan, China and others.
Lastly, Apple integrated a new Visual Intelligence for Camera Control. It is an AI Function that serves similarly to Google Lens when taking a photo. When press hold the Camera Control, Visual Intelligence will appear and will add more details from online for anything and anyone that you took a shot of. Google actually appears to assist you and so as ChatGPT. Visual Intelligence is scheduled to be released later this year.
iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max
As for the pro models, these are Apple's largest and strongest (for body) iPhones to date. They measure 6.3 and 6.9 inches, respectively and have the same ProMotion Always-On panels with the aforementioned Ceramic Shield. The titanium body build is also Grade 5 which is tough.
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max have a brand new A18 Pro chipset. Like the A18, it's also a 2nd-Gen 3nm SoC with a 16-core neural engine and 6-core CPU that are 15% faster than the predecessor and 20% less power consumption. The only difference that is has a 6-core GPU which is 20% faster, offering 2x faster Ray Tracing and a new Advanced Media section on the chip for a new video encoder, faster USB speeds and other advanced capabilities.
Apple has been focusing the pro models as camera-centric speciality iPhones for a few years now and it seems the team has pushed it even further. While the main and ultrawide cameras have a 48MP sensor each, the company has added even more camera features than the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. This includes improved Photographic Styles, 4K120FPS video recording with slow-mo, and a new Spatial Audio Mix that allows the user to choose voice options while recording without a mic nearby or on the subject. Basically, just doing a lot more camera functions with Camera Control for video recording and photography.
Official prices for the Malaysian market
The pre-orders will start at 8 PM on 13 September 2024, while the official launch will be available starting on 20 September. Below is a list of prices for each model for your reference:
iPhone 16
- 128GB, RM3,999
- 256GB, RM4,499
- 512GB, RM5,499
iPhone 16 Plus
- 128GB, RM4,499
- 256GB, RM4,999
- 512GB, RM5,999
iPhone 16 Pro
- 128GB, RM4,999
- 256GB, RM5,499
- 512GB, RM6,499
- 1TB, RM7,499
iPhone 16 Pro Max
- 256GB, RM5,999
- 512GB, RM6,999
- 1TB, RM7,999
Besides the iPhone 16 series, Apple also announced other new products that are coming to Malaysia soon. You can check them out if you're interested to know more:
- Apple Watch Series 10 Malaysia release - Biggest display, thinnest design and more available from RM1799
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 Malaysia release - 36 hours battery life, watchOS 11, 3000 nits display and more from RM3799
- Apple AirPods 4th gen, AirPods Pro 2nd gen & AirPods Max Malaysia release - Personalised spatial audio, built-in case speaker, and more from RM599
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