I'm an Apple and AI Fanboy - Does the iPhone 16 Float my Boat? The Daily Dose of Digital - 10/09/24

Well, here we are again! Yesterday’s Apple Event 2024 saw the grand unveiling of the iPhone 16 series, which, as an Apple fanboy, I’ve been eagerly awaiting. I’ve got the full kit – MacBook Pro, iPad, AirPods, Apple Watch – and let’s face it, probably have spent thousands on Apple gear over the years. It’s safe to say that I’m fully invested in the ecosystem. But more than just an Apple enthusiast, I’m equally passionate about the potential of AI and how it's shaping our digital future.

So, how does the iPhone 16 stack up, especially with the much-touted infusion of Apple Intelligence (AI-powered features)? Today's Daily Dose will dig into the details and figure out if this new addition to the Apple family truly floats my boat. (People still say that, right? Or am I ageing myself there?)

The iPhone 16: What We Know

Apple has launched four models in the iPhone 16 lineup:

• iPhone 16
• iPhone 16 Plus
• iPhone 16 Pro
• iPhone 16 Pro Max

In typical Apple fashion, the Pro models come with the highest spec and most advanced features, while the standard iPhone 16 and 16 Plus offer a more budget-friendly (by Apple standards) option. I've currently got a 'Pro' model and as someone who takes a load of photos and videos, editing on the go, and needs both memory capacity and performance it works for me - BUT, the pricing may be a factor...

Pricing for the iPhone 16 starts at ￡999, and you can push that well into the ￡1,800+ range for the top-tier Pro Max with 1TB of storage. Which, let's be honest, is bonkers money for a phone when my MacBook Pro probably costs a similar amount. (The definition of a 'phone' is something to debate another day).

But let’s not forget that Apple also announced updates to the Apple Watch 10 and AirPods Pro. The Apple Watch comes with enhanced health-tracking sensors, including glucose monitoring, and the new AirPods have significant battery improvements and adaptive noise cancellation – something that will resonate with anyone like me who’s a regular commuter or traveller.

The Power of Apple Intelligence: AI-Powered Features

Now, here’s what really piqued my interest. This year's buzzword for Apple (and the world in general, clearly) is "AI" or as they’re reframing it: Apple Intelligence. This AI tech is designed to boost performance across various apps and functions, bringing smarter features to iPhone 16 users. Some key AI-infused updates include:

• Personalised Suggestions: Apple Intelligence learns from your daily habits to deliver personalised reminders, app suggestions, and notifications tailored just for you.
• Advanced Functionality from the Camera: The new AI tech will enable you to use the visual and audio inputs of the device to prompt AI-powered insights. Point your camera at a building, in a location, at an object, and Apple Intelligence will return detailed information and prompts to find out more. Useful for travellers and inquisitive folk.
• Photo and Video Enhancements: The new Pro models boast next-gen computational photography, delivering real-time adjustments and intelligent photo processing that rivals professional-grade cameras.
• Health and Fitness Insights: The iPhone, together with the updated Apple Watch, gives deeper insights into your health data, powered by AI-driven analytics that track patterns and suggest lifestyle changes.
• AI-Powered Multitasking: Finally, the AI engine now works in tandem with iOS to optimise multitasking and app-switching, making everything from gaming to productivity apps feel faster and more responsive.

NBC News said: "Apple’s AI features are designed to turn its often-blundering virtual assistant Siri into a smarter and more versatile sidekick, automate a wide range of tedious tasks and pull off other crowd-pleasing tricks such as creating customised emojis within seconds."

Whilst the media is referring to a lot of the features as 'tricks' inferring they are 'nice to haves' and not particularly useful additions to day-to-day life, Apple CEO Tim Cook promised the AI package will unleash “innovations that will make a true difference in people’s lives.” leading to a standing ovation at the event.

Security was, of course, on the radar when it came to AI - sharing so much personal data to artificial intelligence often raises alarm bells. Apple reinforced it's security credentials when it comes to the AI infusion.

According to many sources (and Android fans) Apple’s new approach mimics many of the features already available in the?Samsung Galaxy S24 released in January ?and the?Google Pixel 9 that came out last month.

“Apple could have waited another year for further development, but initial take up of AI- powered devices from the likes of Samsung has been encouraging, and Apple is keen to capitalise on this market,” said PP Foresight analyst Paolo Pescatore.

The Latest Features: A Quick Breakdown

Here’s a rundown of what Apple has packed into the new iPhone 16 series, with a focus on AI and other standout updates:

• Apple A18 Bionic Chip: This new chip features an AI neural engine that enhances everything from performance to battery life.
• Dynamic Island Expansion: More apps now integrate with Apple’s Dynamic Island for notifications and app functionality, but with more intelligence, adjusting to your habits and interactions.
• New 'Camera Control' Side Button: There is a new button gracing the iPhone's hardware: Camera Control. This is like a physical shutter button on cameras - a hard press takes a photo, a long press takes a video, and you can now make a light press to enable a cleaner viewfinder without all the user interface elements. Within this light press, you can slide your finger on the Camera Control button to swipe through zoom levels; if you do a double light press, you can move through other modes. You can use this light press to maintain the focus on a specific subject when capturing video.

• Glowtime Display (Pro Models): A next-gen OLED screen with up to 2000 nits of brightness, improved color accuracy, and AI-adjusted refresh rates.
• LiDAR 2.0 for AR and Photography: The Pro models have an improved LiDAR scanner to support better AR experiences and AI-assisted photography, giving you sharper night mode shots.
• USB-C Charging: Apple finally brought USB-C charging across the lineup (no more Lightning cables, folks).

Pros of the iPhone 16

• AI-Driven User Experience: Apple Intelligence makes the iPhone 16 feel smarter and more personalised than ever, learning how you use your device and adjusting settings and notifications accordingly.
• Stunning Display and Camera: The Glowtime display on the Pro models is arguably the best in the market right now, paired with AI-enhanced cameras that could easily replace a DSLR for everyday photography.
• Battery Life: Apple claims up to 20% longer battery life on the Pro models, and the AI tweaks help conserve power when your phone isn’t in heavy use.

Cons and Android Comparisons

As always, there’s some skepticism floating around, especially from the Android camp. Many Android users argue that the features Apple is marketing as "innovative" have been around on Samsung, Google, and Huawei devices for over a year.

• AI: Android users point out that AI-driven features, like Google’s Tensor chip (found in Pixel devices), have offered similar personalised suggestions and intelligent multitasking since 2023.
• Photography: Apple’s computational photography upgrades are excellent, but once again, Google Pixel devices have led the market for AI-powered photo processing.
• Price: Let’s not ignore the fact that the iPhone 16 lineup comes with a hefty price tag, which could be a dealbreaker for some. Android alternatives often provide similar or even better specs at a lower price point.

Let's be honest: I’ll Probably Upgrade Anyway

Yes, Android fans, I hear you. Some of these features might not be revolutionary, especially compared to what’s already available on the latest Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel. But, as someone deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, the real selling point for me is how seamlessly everything works together. From my MacBook Pro to my Apple Watch, AirPods, and iPad, Apple’s ecosystem remains unparalleled.

While other phones might boast similar tech, it’s the ease of integration across devices that keeps me loyal. That, combined with Apple’s approach to privacy, their attention to detail in design, and the boost from Apple Intelligence, make the iPhone 16 series an irresistible upgrade.

So, does the iPhone 16 float my boat? In all honesty, I think it does – and I’m very likely to upgrade once the models hit the shelves. Will you be upgrading to the latest iPhone?