Apple debuts iPhone 16 with AI software

Apple unveiled its artificial intelligence-boosted iPhone 16, showing off the long-awaited device hours after Chinese rival Huawei's tri-fold phone began racking up orders.

Apple and technology companies around the world are racing to add AI to products, and phones are expected to be one of the most important battlegrounds. The Cupertino, California-based company also is betting the AI feature will drive consumers to upgrade amid a slowdown in iPhone sales.

Apple Intelligence, the company's AI software, will be used to improve its personal assistant, Siri, as well as enhancing features such as understanding and identifying objects captured by the phone camera.

A test version of Apple Intelligence will be available in the U.S. version of English next month. It will be available for other localized versions of English in December, with versions in languages including Chinese, French, Japanese and Spanish next year.

The iPhone 16 will use the new A18 chip and have an aluminum back, as well as a new customizable button that can be used for camera controls. The iPhone 16 will start at $799 and the iPhone 16 Plus will start at $899.

Apple also unveiled iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, titanium models with a faster chip, the A18 Pro, and more AI capability, such as offering suggestions on how to set up a photo shoot more effectively and audio-editing capabilities aimed at professional-level video production. The iPhone 16 Pro will start at $999 and the 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199.

Apple also unveiled new Watches and AirPods with health-focused capabilities, as well as hardware-design improvements. Apple highlighted the Watch's ability to discover longer-term health conditions such as sleep apnea as well as detecting and responding to emergencies such as a fall.