I wish Android had this.

Summary

In this video, Ryan Thomas reviews Apple's latest product announcements, including the iPhone 16 series, new Apple Watch, and updates to AirPods. While the phones don't offer drastic external changes, Thomas highlights Apple's focus on video enhancements, like 12K ProRes and improved audio processing. He critiques the lack of significant innovation, particularly regarding AI and dynamic tone mapping in video, while praising Apple's Pro video features. Thomas expresses frustration over Apple's incremental updates, comparing them to Android alternatives, and touches on the event's somewhat unnatural presentation style.

Takeaways

• 📱 Apple launched the iPhone 16 series, including the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max, but the design is very similar to last year's models.
• 💡 AI features, branded as Apple Intelligence, were discussed extensively, but won't be available at launch and will arrive later in some regions.
• 🎥 Apple is focusing heavily on video capabilities, especially with the ProRes format, 12 FPS in Ultra HD 4K, and audio processing improvements for iPhone video shooting.
• 🖥 The A18 Pro chip promises faster speeds, particularly for gaming, but mobile gaming on iPhones remains niche.
• 🔋 Battery and display improvements are minor, with the screen brightness and charging speed remaining largely unchanged from last year.
• 🎨 The new colors for the iPhone 16 Pro models, especially the bronzy shade, have sparked mixed reactions, while the vibrant colors of the base models are praised.
• 🎧 A significant update for AirPods Pro 2 focuses on hearing health, adding features like conversation awareness, hearing protection, and even the ability to use AirPods as a hearing aid.
• ⌚ Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 feature slight updates, with more focus on water activities and new color options.
• 📸 The camera system on the new iPhones remains largely the same, with AI improvements being the main change, but many Android users still wish for more manual control over video settings.
• 😕 The scripted nature of Apple’s announcement videos gave the presenter an uncanny and unsettling feeling, noting that it felt unnatural at times.

Q & A

What new devices did Apple announce at their recent event?

Apple announced the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max, along with updates to their Apple Watch and AirPods Pro 2.

What AI features did Apple emphasize in their new devices?

Apple introduced a new AI system called Apple Intelligence, which will be available on the iPhone 16 series and retroactively to the iPhone 15 Pro series. However, it won't be available at launch and will roll out later in certain regions.

What is the standout feature of the iPhone 16 in terms of video recording?

The iPhone 16 allows users to shoot 12 FPS Ultra HD 4K video with an external SSD and includes better audio processing for video recording using the internal microphone. It also builds upon Apple's ProRes format for more professional video control.

How does the iPhone 16 compare to Android phones in terms of video quality?

While the differences between Android and iPhone video quality are minimal in Auto modes, the ProRes format on the iPhone gives it an edge for professional video recording by offering log shooting and avoiding dynamic tone mapping, which often affects smartphone video quality.

What improvements did Apple make in terms of phone cooling for the iPhone 16?

Apple introduced a new cooling system that spans the entire back of the phone to manage heat during tasks like gaming, even though there were no significant thermal issues reported with previous models.

What new colors are available for the iPhone 16 models?

Apple introduced a bronzy shade for the Pro and Pro Max models, along with vibrant colors for the base models, including a standout pink color that has garnered attention.

What updates did Apple introduce for the AirPods Pro 2?

Apple introduced a free update for the AirPods Pro 2 that includes features like automatic conversation awareness, noise level detection, hearing protection, and the ability to use the AirPods as a hearing aid.

What changes were made to the Apple Watch Series 10?

The Apple Watch Series 10 has a larger display, faster charging (80% in half an hour), and a thinner profile. Apple also added more water activity features, but there were only minor updates to the Apple Watch Ultra 2, such as new bands and a finish.

What is the overall sentiment expressed in the transcript regarding the iPhone 16 launch?

The sentiment is mixed. While some features, like the professional video capabilities and SSD support, are praised, many aspects, including the AI rollout delays, incremental changes to design, and lack of groundbreaking features, lead to an overall sense of underwhelm.

How does the speaker feel about Apple's presentation style during their events?

The speaker expresses discomfort with Apple's presentation style, describing it as unsettling due to the pre-shot, heavily edited videos where presenters act with unnatural smiles and voice patterns, likening them to NPCs in video games.