Do you really need an upgrade? How the new iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods differ from the last models

If you pop into an Apple store this Friday or look on its website, you will notice the launch of a few new products, including the iPhone 16, Apple Watch Series 10 and the AirPods 4. We covered the announcement of the new products earlier this month, but now everything is readily available for pre-order. If you need an iPhone upgrade or prefer the better cameras of the Pro model, this is the best time to scoop up Apple’s latest tech.

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iPhone 16

iPhone 16 Pro

The iPhone 16 and 16 Pro models have a new design, with a slightly larger and brighter display and an all-new customizable action button, which you can find on the side of the phone similar to the size of volume rockers. The new phone also has tougher glass so you are at less risk of cracking your screen, a titanium build that makes it lighter and more durable and has a bigger and better battery life than the previous iPhone iteration. 

The new iPhone models will all have Apple Intelligence thanks to the A18 Bionic chip, which essentially gives your iPhone AI capabilities. According to Apple, the Apple Intelligence or “AI” update is not ready today but should be available soon. Some of the Apple Intelligence features give you various benefits that make generating photos, writing and communication via text better. Some of its key AI features include proofreading, changing the tone of an email or creating custom generative emojis.

The camera system has also been overhauled with an upgraded 48-megapixel main camera, a 5x telephoto lens for advanced zoom capability and a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera. The iPhone 16 starts at $799, and the iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999. All new models are available for pre-order right now.

Apple Watch Series 10

Apple Watch Ultra 2

The Apple Watch Series 10 updates one of our favorite smartwatches (the Series 9). The latest model has a thinner design, making it more comfortable to wear for longer periods. The watch will also update once per second when you turn on Always On mode instead of once per minute like in previous models. 

The Series 10 now comes with a 42MM and 46MM OLED screen, which is thinner and brighter when viewed at an angle. Apple’s health-focused design has continued this year with all-new sleep apnea detection, which uses the watch to look out for breathing disturbances. There’s also up to 30 minutes of fast charging, and according to Apple, you can expect about 18 hours of battery life from a full charge. 

The Watch Series 10 starts at $399 and is available for pre-order today in various finishes including Silver, Jet Black and Rose Gold. There is also a new titanium version available in Natural, Gold and Dark Slate Grey

There weren’t any significant updates to the Ultra 2 besides a new satin black finish and a titanium black Milanese loop strap. It is available for pre-order starting today.

AirPods 4

AirPods 4 Active Noise Canceling

The latest AirPods have significant upgrades including a more comfortable design and improved audio quality. The active noise canceling version of the AirPods 4 can adjust the sound and adapt to your environment similar to a feature found in the AirPods Pro models. The new AirPods with noise canceling essentially give you an AirPods Pro experience at a much more affordable price point. You would expect the lack of a proper seal to be a problem for the Apple AirPods 4 and its open-ear design, but the noise-canceling effectively blocks sound. Both versions are sweat and dust-resistant and use USB-C charging, while the noise-canceling version also supports Magsafe charging. The basic AirPods 4 costs $129 and the noise-canceling version costs $179, both models are available for pre-order.

I am an editor at NBC Select who writes and edits stories on various tech topics including smartwatches, Bluetooth speakers and projectors. I have covered major shopping holidays and other events for over five years. I also frequently test new tech products including headphones, speakers and computers.