Apple Unveils iPhone 16 Series, Intensifies Android-to-iOS Switch Campaign

Apple's new iPhone 16 series is here with a feature we already want Android OEMs to copy

This OnePlus 12R deal knocks $50 off and includes free Buds 3 wireless earbuds This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available. Like it or not, every Android phone uses the iPhone as a measuring stick -- you have the Galaxy S24s and Google Pixel 9s of the world that try to go blow-for-blow with it, the OnePlus 13s and the Nothing Phone 2s that attempt to undercut it, and countless budget phones waiting to pick up the scraps. So when Apple launches a new iPhone line like it did today in Cupertino, it's important that us Android fans pay attention. Related Hands-on with Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.1 Apple gives you true OS-level AI 1 We're looking at Apple's releases today through the lens of an Android user, so we won't be getting into the details of what's changed from an iOS user's perspective here -- instead, we'll try to keep it high-level. Importantly, Apple has kept with its past release patterns for the most part, launching a base iPhone 16 model and a larger iPhone 16 Plus alongside the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The first two are true flagships, but you will only find some of Apple's most cutting-edge features on one of the Pro options. But today's Apple event wasn't just about phones -- it also saw the launch of new AirPods models, including the premium on-ear AirPods Max, and the new Apple Watch Series 10 smartwatch. What's new with the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max? Buttons are all the rage Last year's iPhone 15 Pro models featured a new action button that replaced the alert slider with a customizable shortcut key. This button makes its return this year and is now available on the non-Pro iPhone 16 models as well. On the opposite side of the new iPhones (along the right edge towards the bottom if you're holding the phone in portrait mode), there's an all-new camera button that lets you snap shots in a hurry so you don't miss the moment. Whether that's using your right thumb while holding the phone upright or with your index finger while holding it in landscape mode is up to you. Apple is billing the iPhone 16 lineup as its first devices built from the ground up for Apple Intelligence, its new AI platform meant to compete with the likes of Google Gemini and Galaxy AI. Apple Watch Series 10 revealed It's not all about iPhones To kick off its presentation, the company showed off the all-new Apple Watch Series 10, and the headlining feature here is a larger screen with smaller bezels. Source: Apple / YouTube Much like Samsung's Galaxy Watch 6, the new Apple Watch is capable of detecting sleep apnea. The watch uses data from its accelerometer to detect breathing disturbances while you sleep, though Apple has yet to receive FDA clearance for this feature, something Samsung managed back in February. For swimmers, a new Depth app will launch automatically and leverage new depth sensor hardware when the watch detects that it's underwater, showing the depth of your dives and water temperature. A new Tides app gives you tidal information to further complement its swimming features. A new Apple Watch Ultra 2 colorway was also shown off at the event: A satin black finish with matching new bands, including a Milanese Loop band sold separately. Related Samsung won't let me replace my Apple Watch Ultra with a Galaxy Watch Ultra Stock issues are getting out of hand 24 AirPods 4 and updated AirPods Max USB-C options at either end of the pricing spectrum Apple's new AirPods 4 bring the company's entry-level earbuds in line with some of its more expensive options. Despite a design that still lacks silicone ear tips to make a seal with your ear canal, the new AirPods 4 feature active noice cancelation (ANC). Apple is also including its Adaptive Audio and Spatial Audio features with its base model earbuds now. For the first time, the charging case itself can now be wirelessly charged with an Apple Watch charger or the type of smaller Qi chargers that work with the Galaxy Watch and other earbuds. And to the delight of everyone except companies that make adapters, Apple has finally equipped the AirPods 4 charging case with a USB-C port. An updated version of the super-premium AirPods Max also made its debut at the event. Not much has changed, but there are now four colors available and you finally charge them via USB-C. They're still $549, though. Apple / YouTube

Apple really wants you to switch from Android to one of its new iPhone 16 models

Apple's lackluster iPhone 16 updates leave the door wide open for Google Key Takeaways Apple targets Android users with iPhone 16 series by emphasizing easy switching process. iPhone 16 boasts AI features, USB-C port, and superior video quality to lure Android users. Siri showcases iPhone 16's functionalities to aid Android users in transitioning smoothly. After months of leaks, Apple officially unveiled the iPhone 16 series at its Glowtime Event. The new flagship smartphone competes directly with the Google Pixel 9 series and the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, bringing a host of new hardware and software (read AI) features. Interestingly, this time, Apple seems particularly focused on encouraging Android users to make the switch, as highlighted multiple times during the keynote and through the dedicated "Switch from Android" section on its website. Related Apple iPhone 16 event: 5 takeaways for Android fans Nothing to make you hop the fence, but lots of interesting ideas Both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro pages feature a dedicated "Switch from Android to iPhone" tab, sitting right up there with the other main tabs like Specs, Overview, and Pricing. While this isn't entirely new -- it was also present on the iPhone 15 Pro's page at launch -- iPhone 16's "Switch from Android" page shows how easy it is to make the jump. The page puts carrier and trade-in deals front and center, making the transition more appealing. There is, however, a minor error in the trade-in deal mentioned on the website, stating "up to $95 off," but the actual trade-in page offers much more significant savings: up to $390 off for the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and $285 off for the Google Pixel 8 Pro. Apple wants you to make the switch The page then highlights other key features of the iPhone 16, such as Apple Intelligence -- Apple's take on AI -- which could convince Android users already familiar with AI features to switch to an iPhone. It also highlights the Move to iOS app for easy data transfer and emphasizes the iPhone 16's durability and battery life. Additionally, the page highlights iOS 18's new customization options -- a feature long enjoyed by Android users -- and the inclusion of the USB-C port on the iPhone 16, a standard that most Android phones have used for over five years. It also focuses on the superior video quality of the iPhone 16, something that most Android smartphone owners have criticized. Related Apple's lackluster iPhone 16 updates leave the door wide open for Google Pixel has a chance In addition to the dedicated "Switch from Android" tab, Apple also talked about how easy it would be to switch to the iPhone 16 on stage. During the keynote, Apple showcased how Siri, powered by Apple Intelligence, can guide users step-by-step through basic tasks like deleting duplicate photos. This would make it easier for new users (read: those switching from Android) to quickly learn and use the essential functions of their new iPhone. While Apple holds a significant share of the US market (with around 60% market share), Android still dominates globally, with 70% of users. It seems Apple is making a strong push to convince these Android users to switch to the iPhone. The new iPhone 16 series will be available for pre-order starting Friday, September 13, and will hit store shelves on September 20. Apple iPhone 16 Apple's new iPhone 16 features a new Camera Control button that combines hardware and software sensors to give you fine-grain control over the Camera app. It also grants you quick access to Visual Intelligence, a subset of the Apple Intelligence AI suite, that allows you to quickly ask questions about the world around you. See at Apple