On the one hand, Apple promises carbon neutrality across its entire footprint by 2030. On the other hand, it tirelessly organizes a back-to-school conference every year to launch new iPhones, with a narrower lineup and new features that taper off.
Just a week ago, Apple unveiled its new back-to-school products with its Watch Series 10, AirPods 4 and of course the iPhone 16. The brand releases at least one new model every year, not to mention the “Plus”, “Pro”, “Max” versions, etc.
The first iPhone dates back to 2007. Since then, not a year has passed without a new smartphone. iPhone 3G in 2008, 3GS in 2009, 4 in 2010, 4s in 2011, 5 in 2012, 5c and 5s in 2013, 6 (Plus) in 2014, 6s (Plus) in 2015, 7 (Plus, 8 in 201s) Plus ) and X in 2017, XS (Max) and
And what’s next? ” We allow ourselves to think in authorized circles » that a new iPhone would be in preparation. Well done, Sherlock! Come on, let’s take bets: an iPhone 17, at the beginning of the 2025 school year?
The iPhone 16s is here, but…
In the newsroom, the feeling after the conference was mixed. We can sum it up in three words: “yeah, ok… meh”. The new iPhone 16 and 16 Pro are not a revolution compared to the previous generation, far from it. Above all, it is the first generation that supports Apple Intelligence… which is not yet available and will not arrive in France for several months.
This lack of novelty is all the more visible with the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max which, as a reminder, will also be entitled to Apple Intelligence. So the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max have a slightly larger screen (0.2″) and a physical button dedicated to photography as “big” new features. Some improvements to the photo section, autonomy… But nothing revolutionary not, that’s for sure.
With the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, Apple resyncs its generation of chips with smartphones: A18 for all iPhone 16s, with A18 Pro for the iPhone 16 Pro. We have already detailed the technical features. For several years, the “n+1” iPhones have used the “n” Pro iPhone chip. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are therefore updated on the NPU (35 TOPS) and memory (8 GB).
We also note a tightening of the range, with iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max in line with RAM: 8 GB, to take advantage of Apple Intelligence. The physical button isn’t the preserve of Pro models, it’s found across the range.
In short, we have the impression that we have iPhone 16 and 16 Plus with limitations that are increasingly difficult to understand in 2024 (60 Hz screen, USB 2), for smartphones whose price starts around 1,000 euros. Even more so with the convergence between the A18 and A18 Pro SoCs.
…the revolution will wait
As has been the case for several years, the latest iPhones don’t really target customers who already have the previous generation or even the previous (or even the penultimate) generation. Of course, there are brand lovers who will quickly take the plunge, just to always have the latest model. This is an opportunity to quote the famous meme “Shut up and take my money”.
Nothing new under the sun, you might say, and you’re not wrong. But then why continue to constantly introduce new models every year, with a conference around the beginning of the school year? Certainly for economic reasons, not ecological reasons. However, it is the second table that highlights Apple in a big way.