The iPhone has grown predictable. Over the past seven years, it has generally looked the same, with incremental improvements to its cameras, processors and battery life.
But on Monday, Apple tried to turn the page on that predictability by introducing its first artificially intelligent iPhone.
The iPhone 16, which was unveiled in a prerecorded video at the company’s futuristic Silicon Valley campus, comes in four models that are designed to run the company’s generative artificial intelligence system, called Apple Intelligence. The company said that the phones will be able to sort messages, offer writing suggestions and use a more capable Siri virtual assistant.
In addition to announcing those changes to the iPhone, the company unveiled the Apple Watch Series 10, which has rounder corners and a larger, brighter display that is nearly 10% thinner. They also introduced a new AirPods Pro, capable of automatically reducing noise at concerts or near construction sites, and acting as professional grade hearing aids.
The iPhone 16 is debuting with fewer capabilities than the company marketed in June, when it announced its Apple Intelligence system. Starting next month, the phones will summarize notifications, offer writing recommendations and allow people to more quickly find photos. The AI also makes it possible to use the camera to identify specific types of flowers, plants or dog breeds.
Other capabilities will arrive over time, the company said, including Siri’s ability to field some requests related to personal information on the phone. Requests unrelated to personal information will be routed to ChatGPT.
Apple released four versions of the iPhone 16, all of which come with a new camera button. The entry level models, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, start at $799 and feature a faster processor, a more powerful camera and an “Action button” that can be programmed to automatically retrieve capabilities such as the phone’s flashlight. The higher-end models, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, start at $999 and feature a slightly larger display, a larger battery and the ability to capture studio-quality audio. They are available in stores Sept. 20.
This article originally appeared in The New York Times