Apple's autumn event has concluded, and the iPhone 16 series has officially debuted. There are no significant changes from what was expected by the market beforehand. The iPhone 16 series continues the trend of minor upgrades, offering more color options and still focusing on the selling points of the iPhone 16 Pro series. It will still rely on the influence of its premium brand to boost revenue. The rumored AI enhancement remains to be seen. The starting price remains unchanged at $799. The iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999, while the iPhone 16 Plus starts at $899.

The iPhone 16 comes in a variety of slightly updated colors that are brighter than those of previous years. Another notable update is the dual-camera layout on the back, which is once again arranged vertically, similar to the iPhone 12 in 2020. In some markets, Apple Intelligence will be introduced in October, with Chinese language support expected in 2025. As previously announced, the new A18 chip, fabricated using a 3nm process, offers a 30% performance boost over the CPU in the iPhone 15. TSMC's production capacity is prioritized for Apple.

In terms of design, there are no significant changes. The iPhone 16 retains the same overall design as the iPhone 15, featuring square edges, a rear glass panel that enables MagSafe wireless charging, an Apple Dynamic Island cutout at the top for the front camera and Face ID sensors, and a USB-C charging/data port at the bottom. While the return to vertically aligned rear cameras may seem like an odd revival of a design element that Apple had abandoned, other changes are subtle, including a slightly larger screen and a marginal increase in weight.

With every new flagship release, Apple introduces a new chipset, and this time is no exception. The iPhone 16 Pro series features the newly introduced A18 Pro chip, which boasts performance exceeding that of the A18 and delivers impressive results in generative AI workloads. Designed in collaboration with Apple Intelligence, the chip promises better performance, with a 15% increase in the speed of Apple Intelligence functions when combined with increased memory bandwidth. However, this claim requires further verification, as user experience with AI features is ultimately the most direct indicator.

The A18 Pro features a hexa-core GPU that runs 20% faster than the A17 Pro, suggesting potential improvements in 3A gaming on the iPhone 16 Pro. The device boasts a 48MP Fusion camera system with enhanced data read speeds. It also introduces a new 48MP ultra-wide-angle camera for marginal improvements in photography.

When asked to highlight significant upgrades in the iPhone 16 series, many fall silent, struggling to find impressive words. In summary, the most notable change is the slightly larger screens: the iPhone 16 Pro measures 6.3 inches, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max is 6.9 inches (compared to 6.1 inches and 6.7 inches for the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, respectively). The phones once again feature titanium bodies. The 16 Pro series is equipped with the A18 Pro chip, enhancing graphics performance.

If there's one more selling point to add, it's that Apple is launching these new phones as a foray into the AI realm, leveraging its Apple Intelligence capabilities, with some features set for a beta release in October. The market eagerly anticipates the impact of an upgraded Siri and integration with OpenAI's ChatGPT, but it may be October at the earliest before we see any tangible changes.

As predicted by Gurman and Ming-Chi Kuo, the release of the iPhone 16 series is more about continuing Apple's flagship product line rather than introducing revolutionary changes. At present, it represents a modest upgrade over the iPhone 15, with limited expectations for significant changes. The true era of Apple Intelligence remains far off, and it may be October at the earliest before we see any notable changes in applications. In this regard, Apple cannot yet compete with Android devices, though there is some anticipation in the market due to its collaboration with OpenAI's ChatGPT.