Apple has officially introduced its much-anticipated iPhone 16 lineup at the 'It's Glowtime' event, revealing four new models: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. This latest release signifies Apple's push toward integrating generative artificial intelligence, aiming to enhance sales and maintain its competitive edge in cutting-edge technology.

The iPhone 16 series retains last year's pricing structure, with the 128GB base models starting at approximately ₹65,000 ($799) for the iPhone 16 and ₹74,000 ($899) for the iPhone 16 Plus. A key design shift for the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus is the adoption of a vertical camera layout, replacing last year's diagonal configuration. This upgrade is expected to enhance spatial video capture capabilities.

The Pro and Pro Max variants bring significant improvements in key areas such as camera technology, chipset performance, AI integration, battery life, and display size, potentially leading to a price hike for these premium models.

Price Reductions on iPhone 15 and 14

As part of the iPhone 16 launch, Apple has slashed prices on its previous models. The iPhone 15, initially launched at ₹79,900, has dropped by ₹10,000 to ₹69,900. The iPhone 15 Plus also enjoys a similar reduction, now priced at ₹79,900, down from ₹89,900. Additionally, the iPhone 14 is available for ₹59,900, with the iPhone 14 Plus priced at ₹69,000.

iPhone Models Discontinued

Following the release of the iPhone 16, Apple has discontinued three iPhone models: iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPhone 13.

Pre-Order and Availability

All four models of the iPhone 16 series will be available for pre-order starting September 13, with official sales beginning on September 20.

iPhone 16 Pricing in India

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will start at ₹79,900 and ₹89,900, respectively, similar to last year's prices. The 256GB variant of the iPhone 16 is priced at ₹89,900, while the 512GB model will cost ₹1,09,900. The iPhone 16 Plus is priced at ₹99,900 for the 256GB option and ₹1,19,900 for the 512GB version. These devices come in five colors: black, white, pink, teal, and ultramarine.

Key Highlights from Apple's Event

The iPhone 16 introduces a physical camera button, enhancing user control over the camera functions. While AI-based features are set to be integrated with Apple Intelligence, these will initially be rolled out in the U.S. next month, with further expansion to other regions over time.

In addition to the iPhone, Apple also refreshed its AirPods lineup with improved comfort, hearing aid functionality, and a more compact charging case. The new Apple Watch Series 10 was also unveiled, featuring a thinner design, a brighter screen, faster charging, and a titanium option for high-end models.

iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max Features

The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max stole the spotlight with Apple's largest-ever displays, measuring 6.3 inches for the Pro and 6.9 inches for the Pro Max. These models boast ultra-thin borders and feature the advanced Always-On 120Hz ProMotion display technology. Powered by the new A18 Pro chip, these devices offer faster performance and increased efficiency thanks to second-generation 3nm transistors and a 16-core neural engine capable of 35 trillion operations per second.

The Pro models also include groundbreaking video and audio capabilities, such as 4K120 video capture with Dolby Vision support for cinematic-quality recordings. Additionally, the new MagSafe ecosystem offers clear and silicone cases with sapphire crystal for enhanced camera protection.

Performance Boosts and Design Changes

The iPhone 16 lineup has received a significant upgrade in processing power with the A18 chipset, built using 3nm technology. The 6-core CPU includes 2 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, resulting in a 30% faster CPU and 40% faster GPU compared to the previous generation, all while being more energy efficient.

One of the most noticeable design changes is the vertical pill-shaped camera housing, featuring a 48MP Fusion camera with 2x optical zoom and a 12MP ultra-wide lens, enabling macro photography. For the first time, the Action Button—previously exclusive to the Pro models—has been extended to all iPhone 16 models, allowing users to control the camera, zoom, and adjust settings like exposure and depth of field.