Apple event live updates on iPhone 16 launch, iOS 18, Apple Watch 10, AirPods 4, Apple Intelligence and more
Live updates from Apple Park.
Update: The iPhone 16 live event has ended, but the coverage at Engadget has only begun. Start with the tl;dr on the event, Everything Apple just announced, then scroll backwards through this story if you want to see how the event unfolded in real-time. The earlier version of the introduction appears below.
Apple's biggest unveiling of the year has started: The iPhone 16 launch event. The company has already shown off details on the new Apple Watch 10, AirPods 4 and iPhone 16, as well as updates on iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence features that it first introduced to the world \ back in June. The company's iPhone 16 launch event began at 1PM ET, and Engadget's Cherlynn Low and Billy Steele are reporting live from Cupertino. Scroll down to see their latest updates in reverse chronological order. Need even more info? Pull up a second screen to watch the iPhone 16 event live, and stay with Engadget for full wall-to-wall coverage.
LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER267 updates
And, for our final post — for today, at least — from the Apple Event here's senior editor Billy Steele's video report on the Apple Watch Series 10.
Thanks for joining us today!
iPhone 16 Pro hands-on: Small button, big change
Tired of reading about the new iPhones? Here's Cherlynn's video report with her first impressions of the iPhone 16 Pro
Let's chat about Apple's iPhone 16 event | Engadget Podcast
In this bonus episode, Engadget senior editor Devindra Hardawar and contributing reporter Kris Holt break down everything new (and not so new) in the iPhone 16 lineup. Is Apple Intelligence alone enough to entice iPhone owners to upgrade? Does anyone actually need the camera button? And why are we so intrigued by the Apple Watch Series 10 (which is undoubtedly the most interesting product Apple launched today)?
You can either watch the (no-longer) live recording of the episode on YouTube, or catch the regular audio-only version — both are embedded below. As always, if you have any suggestions or topics you'd like covered on the show, be sure to email us.
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Apple AirPods 4 hands-on: Seriously impressive ANC performance
AirPods 4 hands-on photo (Billy Steele for Engadget) Two models of AirPods were largely expected at today's iPhone 16 event, one of which would add active noise cancellation (ANC) to the "regular" AirPods for the first time. There are other upgrades for the $179 version, but after a brief demo of the ANC setup on the AirPods 4, I wager the noise-blocking tools will be the key selling point for most people.
Apple is using this version of the AirPods 4 to bridge the gap between the AirPods and the AirPods Pro. As such, this model has some features that were previously exclusive to the company's priciest buds. Those include Siri interactions that allow you to accept or reject calls with a head nod, Adaptive Audio, Voice Isolation and more — all thanks to the H2 chip that powers the Pro model. All of these will be welcome improvements for people who prefer the open fit of the AirPods 4, but the ANC is the most impressive addition in my book.
Read the full story: Apple AirPods 4 hands-on: Seriously impressive ANC performance
I have just wrapped up some of my post-event duties and finished up my hands-on. That means it's time for lunch at Apple's designated media area at its visitor center, and, of course, here's what's on the menu. Crowd favorite white chocolate macha cookies are back this year, along with chocolate chip cookies. There are prosciutto and cheese sandwiches, as well as roast turkey and pesto sandwiches. For appetizers, we have Mediterranean nachos and a chickpea tabbouleh. Head to the Engadget Instagram account for pictures!
The iOS 18 release date is September 16. Is your iPhone compatible?
iOS 18 preview (Photo by Mat Smith/Engadget) We finally know iOS 18 will be available to everyone — or, everyone with the right phone — on September 18. This year's release brings a ton of new features like homescreen customization, which you can read about in our early hands-on iOS 18 preview. The new OS is essentially compatible with every phone that runs iOS 17, but only certain models will get access to Apple Intelligence, the company's new suite of AI features. Katie Teague, a senior writer at Yahoo, put together a useful guide to iOS 18 compatability which you can read below.
Read the full story: The iOS 18 release date is September 16. Is your iPhone compatible?
Apple quietly kills its terrible FineWoven iPhone cases
Several iPhones with MagSafe cases and accessories. (Apple) Hey, there were good intentions! When Apple revealed its new cases for the iPhone 15 series, the FineWoven case was pitched as a leather substitute that used 68 percent post-consumer recycled content.
When leather gets old, it gets... nicer? There's a patina. When Finewoven cases got even a few days old, it got scratched and blotchy. It's not a huge surprise, then, that there are no new FineWoven colorways, or any iPhone 16-compatible FineWoven cases, period. They're gone.
Read the full story: Apple quietly kills its terrible FineWoven iPhone cases
More thoughts from hands-on land: you can just call me a glutton for buttons.
My favorite thing about Cherlynn's iPhone 16 Pro hands-on is her subheadline, which really sums up my feeling about iPhone events: "It doesn't physically depress, but sure feels like it does."
iPhone 16 Pro hands-on: How does a faux camera control button feel so real?
The iPhone 16 Pro (Cherlynn Low for Engadget) Next up is Cherlynn, who's quite enamored with the iPhone 16 Pro's new camera button:
"Apple's latest attempt to slightly differentiate the iPhone 16 series is... a faux button it's calling Camera Control. But unlike last year's new button, this one doesn't actually physically depress, and uses a mix of sensors and haptic feedback to simulate the sensation of movement. And in my brief hands-on right after Apple's iPhone 16 launch event, I have to say I actually thought it was a real button.
I got a quick look at the iPhone 16 Pro here in Apple Park, and got a deep walkthrough of the new camera control and its corresponding interface. When I first picked up the iPhone 16 Pro Max, I felt like it looked sleeker and thinner than my iPhone 15 Pro Max, which was nice. My fingers were then drawn to the new 'button,' which has a groove that surrounds it, which helps with identification by touch."Read the full take: iPhone 16 Pro hands-on: How does a faux camera control button feel so real?
Here's a look at the new colors for AirPods Max, complete with USB-C connectivity. (Billy Steele for Engadget) We haven't been able to try the new AirPods yet, but we're hoping to offer some impressions later today. (Billy Steele for Engadget) Apple Watch Series 10 hands-on: Bigger, lighter and thinner than ever
Apple Watch Series 10 (Billy Steele for Engadget) First up is Billy, who's taken a look at the new Apple Watch Series 10. Here are his first impressions:
"If you were hoping for three new Apple Watches today, you might be disappointed. However, Apple did reveal the largest Apple Watch display ever on the Series 10 wearable. The device is also thinner, delivering the bigger and slimmer update the company loves to give new devices. It's lighter too, so all three of the design changes should make the wearable more comfy to... wear. And of course, the new display will be a key selling point for this updated model.
That display is the standout update to me. The 40 percent brighter panel at various angles will make it so much easier to see Watch info at a glance. I tried on the Series 10 in the demo area here at Apple Park in both the 46mm and 42mm sizes. The larger of the two isn't that much of burden for me as I'm rocking a 45mm Series 7 on the daily. Still, the OLED display is a massive upgrade over what I'm used to, and it will offer better performance over recent Apple Watches too. I also got a look at that screen update feature, which also you to see time and other info even when the display is in ambient mode."Read his full take: Apple Watch Series 10 hands-on: Bigger, lighter and thinner than ever
Who needs chairs? Cherlynn and Billy are still working their way through all of the products Apple announced today, but we have a few early impressions of the iPhone 16 Pro and Apple Watch Series 10.
Cherlynn and Billy at the Apple Event. (Cherlynn Low for Engadget) Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Billy Steele for Engadget) Apple Watch Series 10 (Billy Steele for Engadget) Everything Apple revealed at the iPhone 16 launch event
Apple iPhone 16 Pro (Apple) The iPhone 16 launch event is now over. While the smartphones took center stage (per usual), Apple also showed off the newest version of the Apple Watch, plus two new pairs of AirPods. The company also went into detail on its latest mobile chipset that powers the new iPhones, and reminded folks what they can expect when iOS 18 launches later this month. If you weren't able to catch the announcements live, Engadget has you covered.
Read the full story: Everything Apple revealed at the iPhone 16 launch event
Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, closing out the September iPhone event. (Apple) iPhone 16 Pro prices, available in stores September 20. (Apple) And yes we're back to Tim, who's recapping today's announcements. People are leaving the space, zipping up their bags. We're eager to leave and get hands-ons with the new devices. As am I! Stay tuned to Engadget.com, our social profiles and more to get all our hands-on coverage later today!
Catch up on all the news from Apple’s iPhone 16 event!
