Artificial Intelligence
iPhone 16 goes on sale
The iPhone 16 will not launch with its much-touted Apple Intelligence functionality, which Apple said would be added soon in a software update.
Apple announced Apple Intelligence during the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June. The new feature has been in a limited beta test for developers for the past few weeks.
On Thursday, Apple made available a public beta version of Apple Intelligence aimed at a wider audience. However, most customers will not have access to it until the full suite of features is released next month.
Additional capabilities are expected to be rolled out later as part of a staggered launch plan that will extend into the next year.
When Apple introduced the iPhone 16 line, it highlighted that the devices were the first to be designed “from the ground up” for Apple Intelligence. Some iPhones from the previous year, including the 15 Pro and Pro Max models, will also be capable of supporting these features.
The appearance of the new phones closely resembles that of the iPhone 12 design from 2020. Notable enhancements include improvements in battery life and camera features, in addition to a new button.
Pricing for the standard iPhone starts at R20,999, while the Pro Max model is priced at R31,499.
In previous years, customers ordering phones from Apple’s online store experienced significant shipping delays due to supply shortages. However, this year the issue seems to be less prevalent, possibly indicating improved supply availability.
New orders for the standard iPhone 16 models are expected to be delivered by early October, with the Pro versions set to arrive around mid-October.
Apple also introduced lower-end AirPods and updated its watches this month. The new AirPods 4 are available in two versions, priced at $129 (R2,260) and $179 (R3,136), with the latter model featuring noise cancellation previously found only in the higher-end AirPods Pro priced at $249 (R4,362).
While the latest Apple smartwatches offer a larger display and a thinner design in the Series 10, the changes between the Series 9 and the new models are relatively minor. The Ultra model now includes a black color option. These updates may appeal to customers with older Apple Watches or those new to the product category.
Looking ahead, Apple is not done with new product releases for 2024. The company is planning a significant overhaul of its Mac computers later this year.
Apple intends to introduce its AI-focused M4 processor from the iPad to the MacBook Pro laptops and iMac desktops. Additionally, a major redesign of the Mac mini, featuring a smaller design and new chips, is in the works, marking the most substantial change in the product’s two-decade history.
