Apple Event Announced for September 9: 'It's Glowtime'
New iPhones are coming! #AppleEvent #iPhone16 #iPhone16Pro pic.twitter.com/19XGjAc2rA
— Ben Geskin (@BenGeskin) August 26, 2024
The iPhone 16 Pro is set to launch next month, with Apple hoping it will showcase its successful foray into generative AI. The inclusion of the Apple Intelligence suite is a key selling point, but with most new features tied to software updates that will take months to roll out fully, many question if it’s worth waiting for the iPhone 16 Pro or sticking with the iPhone 15 Pro. The iPhone 16 Pro’s biggest advantage is its generative AI support, which requires the high performance of the A17 Pro Apple Silicon chipset.
Apple announces iPhone event: It’s Glowtime. A day earlier than expected: Monday, Sept. 9. At the Steve Jobs Theater and streamed online. pic.twitter.com/Z7ZCiWyn81
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) August 26, 2024
The iPhone 15 runs on the older A16 chipset, creating a clear specs gap to justify the higher price of the flagship model. However, Apple’s generative AI software is still largely in development. Limited features will become available in October, with the addition of ChatGPT by the end of the year.
Apple's got a case of the Mondays! Official iPhone event invites are out for Monday, September 9: pic.twitter.com/YxR09DZdwf
— Joanna Stern (@JoannaStern) August 26, 2024
The full implementation of Apple’s AI isn’t expected until late Q1 next year, making some wonder if buying the iPhone 16 Pro for its AI capabilities is premature. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple’s retail staff are receiving advanced training on the iPhone 16 Pro and Apple Intelligence features, a change from previous years when training occurred just before launch. This suggests a heightened focus on AI in the upcoming iPhone.
Apple officially announced the next #AppleEvent for iPhone 16, Apple Watch and iOS 18 launch date is usually revealed during or after the event as well. Here is everything to expect from the It's Glowtime event.
Full video here: https://t.co/iaKWaYYCGb pic.twitter.com/PYcQGKbtzU
— Aaron Zollo (@zollotech) August 26, 2024
Launch date and AI focus
Another significant hardware upgrade for the iPhone 16 Pro is LG Innotek’s new tetraprism-equipped telephoto lens with x5 optical zoom, which improves upon the x3 lens of the iPhone 15 Pro.
So, if a zoom feature is crucial, the new iPhone 16 Pro may be appealing despite the early stage of the software. For current iPhone 15 Pro owners, waiting might be wiser. Once released, the AI software will be compatible with the 15 Pro, and any bugs in Apple’s first-gen AI are likely to be fixed in future updates.
Plus, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max price is expected to drop once the iPhone 16 Pro launches, making the older models more attractive. The iPhone 16 Pro’s hardware updates are incremental rather than revolutionary. Apple’s main play for the next year is software capabilities that will extend to older top-tier models.
If you don’t already own the iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max, you’ll find them at discounted prices after the iPhone 16 launches. In summary, while the iPhone 16 Pro represents the future, it might be worth waiting to see how this future takes shape before committing.
Cameron is a highly regarded contributor in the rapidly evolving fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. His articles delve into the theoretical underpinnings of AI, the practical applications of machine learning across industries, ethical considerations of autonomous systems, and the societal impacts of these disruptive technologies.
