Today, Apple revealed the Apple Watch Series 10 during its "It's Glowtime" event. The new watch boasts the fastest charging capabilities yet, with a battery life of up to 18 hours and a 30-minute charge providing over 80 percent battery. It will also be available in a sleek Titanium finish, CNN news reports shares all the details.
In addition, the event is focusing on Apple's integration of artificial intelligence into its flagship devices. The tech giant is set to introduce the iPhone 16, which is rumored to feature notable internal upgrades aimed at revitalizing consumer interest. The event will start at 1 p.m. ET, and although the exact meaning of the event's theme, "It's Glowtime," remains unclear, it has created anticipation.
Apple faces significant pressure to demonstrate that the new AI features and updates in the iPhone 16 justify an upgrade. With competitors already offering similar technology, Apple must prove its new features are compelling enough to persuade customers to make a purchase. Since the launch of the iPhone 12 with 5G in 2020, the company has struggled to provide substantial reasons for consumers to upgrade, leading to sluggish sales of new models.
Shares of Apple have been relatively stagnant but saw a 14% increase following the June 10 announcement of Apple Intelligence, with an overall rise of nearly 18% since the beginning of the year. If Apple succeeds, it stands to benefit greatly, with around 300 million iPhones globally having not been upgraded in over four years, according to analyst Dan Ives from Wedbush.
While Apple will likely highlight updates to products like AirPods and possibly Apple TV+ during the event, the focus will be primarily on the iPhone upgrade cycle. Analyst Gil Luria from D.A. Davidson emphasized, "Everything is about the iPhone upgrade cycle. Everything else is a subplot."
The AI iPhone
Apple has hinted at some capabilities of its new AI features, including more natural interactions with Siri, drafting emails, and enhanced photo search. The company's goal is to demonstrate these functionalities in real-life scenarios. According to Luria, "Expect to see demonstrations of how you can get summaries within your text chain, and easily resolve misunderstandings or disputes through chat."
The iPhone 16 is also expected to have a new processor to handle the increased data demands of AI features while maintaining battery efficiency. There may be subtle design changes, such as a wider screen or updated edges, to signal the new model's distinction.
Pricing
A key question is how Apple will price the iPhone 16. For the past four years, the starting price for new iPhones has been $799. Analysts suggest that Apple may increase prices slightly due to the new AI features and associated costs, but likely not significantly to avoid deterring customers with high prices.
Other Devices
Rumors suggest Apple may also update the Apple Watch and AirPods. The Apple Watch Series 10 is expected to be thinner with a larger screen, and new lower-end and mid-tier AirPods may be announced. Enhancements include new software features, such as answering calls with head gestures and tracking vital signs on the Apple Watch such as body temperature and heart rate.
