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Did the iPhone 16 hype live up to its promises? Should we be satisfied with Apple's 2024 devices? To answer this – and much more – we contacted the prominent X tipster and leaker Yogesh Brar.
While he's certainly not calling the September 9 "It's Glowtime" event a complete flop (unlike some people I know), for him, the big presentation was "a mixed bag" with "some notable highlights", but "an overall feeling of incremental upgrades rather than groundbreaking innovation". And that – groundbreaking innovation – is something people want from Apple.
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According to Brar, the iPhone 16 series introduced some incremental upgrades, while the Apple Watch Series 10 and AirPods 4 offered a few notable improvements. Although the event was intended to highlight hardware releases, much of the attention was on software features, such as Apple Intelligence and Siri upgrades, which had already been showcased at WWDC. This shift in focus left many feeling that the launch was somewhat lackluster.
Furthermore, he noted:
It is important to acknowledge that Apple's strategy has shifted towards a more gradual, iterative approach to product development in recent years. The days of seeing groundbreaking hardware are behind us, now it's time for software to take the front seat.
Brar is not ignoring the fact that the iPhone 16 Pro offers notable improvements in display, camera, and performance over the iPhone 15 Pro, but there's more that one can ask for:
Whether these upgrades are significant enough to justify an upgrade depends on individual needs and priorities.
Yogesh Brar noted that the iPhone Pro models have always attracted users who seek extra performance from their devices. During the iPhone 16 Pro launch, it became evident that Apple was targeting creators and power users. If you're looking for top-tier photography, videography, or gaming capabilities, the iPhone 16 Pro is a logical upgrade choice, he argues.
For casual users or those on a budget, the 15 Pro still offers a more than satisfying experience.
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Yogesh expressed excitement about several upcoming features, particularly the potential for AI to offer contextual understanding across apps and devices. He sees this as the most exciting development and hopes Apple will execute it well.
The iPhone 16 line. | Image credit – Apple
While it may seem surprising that Apple used a two-year-old sensor in the iPhone 16 Pro, Brar pointed out that this is not unusual for the company. Apple tends to prioritize computational photography over annual sensor updates or high megapixel counts, a strategy often seen in Android flagships. Interestingly, some Android manufacturers are adopting this approach for their future devices, which makes sense given the effort required to perfect image sensors.
However, he did feel that Apple could have updated the image sensor on the iPhone 16 Pro, but believes they might be reserving that for a future model.
I don't think that will be an issue. Sure you will see some talks happening around it but the learning curve/ adjusting period is too short for people to notice. People’s buying decisions will depend on the overall value proposition of these new phones, rather than the weight.
Finally, we talked about Apple things besides the iPhone 16:
I think that the decision of not launching the Watch Ultra 3 was well calculated. The Ultra watch space is still a niche market. Plus, the bigger and much-needed changes were already implemented on the Watch Ultra 2. The cosmetic change will only help bring in more customers.
The compact tablet aficionados should be a bit worried:
The iPad mini's future is indeed uncertain. The trend towards larger phone displays has already blurred the lines between phones and tablets. The book-style foldables have also contributed greatly to this. That said, there's still a market for compact, portable tablets but only for specific use cases.
We also could not pass by the talk of the town in the face of the Huawei Mate XT tri-fold that's retailing for $3,000.
Yogesh Brar shared his preference for the standard book-style foldables over tri-fold models, explaining that they offer a better balance between portability and screen size. While tri-folds may look impressive, he feels they could be too bulky for everyday use. Additionally, the software would need further optimization to make the most of the larger screen space on tri-fold devices.
So, do you agree with Yogesh Brar? Are the days of groundbreaking hardware behind us? Are people going to ignore the fact that the new iPhone Pros are heavier? Let me know in the comments!
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Sebastian, a veteran of a tech writer with over 15 years of experience in media and marketing, blends his lifelong fascination with writing and technology to provide valuable insights into the realm of mobile devices. Embracing the evolution from PCs to smartphones, he harbors a special appreciation for the Google Pixel line due to their superior camera capabilities. Known for his engaging storytelling style, sprinkled with rich literary and film references, Sebastian critically explores the impact of technology on society, while also perpetually seeking out the next great tech deal, making him a distinct and relatable voice in the tech world.
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