الوسم: Apple iPhone

The iPhone 16 Pro Max has hit the market for only a few days, and JerryRigEverything’s Zack Nelson has quickly put it to the test with his signature durability assessments.

Since being posted online on Saturday, Nelson’s testing video has garnered over two million views. This demonstrates a significant interest among viewers eager to witness how Apple’s latest, largest, and most expensive iPhone withstands severe trials, including scratching, burning, and bending.

Watching Nelson scrape a box cutter blade across the iPhone 16 Pro Max is a nerve-wracking experience—it’s tough to look away from him testing any device. However, this exercise does provide valuable insight into the durability of the glass and frame under extreme duress. Nelson highlighted Apple’s assertion that this year’s Ceramic Shield glass is 50% tougher than its predecessor and twice as resilient as any other smartphone glass. Yet, in his testing, he found that it scratched relatively easily with his various tools.

As is typical for his style, Nelson delivers some biting commentary directed at Apple during his durability evaluation. For instance, as he examined the device’s three rear camera lenses, he quipped: “The cameras are aligned this way to capture spatial video for the three people who own Vision Pros.” He continued, “I’ll admit that recording at 120 frames per second in 4K would be impressive if Samsung hadn’t already achieved that first with their S24 Ultra. But that’s just how things roll at Apple—yesterday’s technology at tomorrow’s prices.”

In true fashion, Nelson next introduces a flame to the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s display. Impressively, even after more than 10 seconds of direct heat exposure, there are no visible signs of damage. Though, as he cautions, it’s best not to try this at home.

Given the unexpected outcome of last year’s bend test with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, where the back glass shattered on the first bend, there was keen anticipation surrounding the performance of the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Did it pass the test? You’ll need to view the video for the answer…

Beginning today, September 19, anyone can download the public betas for iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS 15.1. A major highlight of these public betas is the inclusion of Apple Intelligence features, which were previously exclusive to developer betas for these software updates.

Although the official rollout of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS 15.1 isn’t scheduled until October, this is an ideal opportunity for those eager to test Apple Intelligence without the risks associated with a developer beta.

Once you download these latest public betas, you’ll gain access to an array of Apple Intelligence features, including:

• Writing Tools
• Enhanced Siri functionality
• Natural language search, Clean Up tool, and the ability to create Memory Movies in the Photos app
• Priority messages, email summaries, and Smart Reply options in the Mail app
• Message summaries and Smart Reply in the Messages app
• Transcription summaries in the Phone and Notes apps

We previously tested Apple’s Writing Tools and found it to be a mixed bag. These tools can help you proofread and even rewrite your text in different tones—whether you want to sound friendlier, more professional, or concise. You can access Writing Tools through any app that has a text input field. For iPhone users, simply highlight your text, and in the context menu that appears, select the new Writing Tools option.

The improved Siri included in these public betas features a new design, the option to type your requests, and enhanced knowledge about Apple products. For instance, if you ask Siri, “How do I take a screen recording?” you’ll receive detailed, step-by-step guidance. Siri is also more adept at understanding commands when you misspeak or hesitate. For example, if you stipulate, “Siri, set an alarm for 5:30 … no, actually set an alarm for 6:30,” the assistant will more effectively interpret your request.

However, it’s worth noting that some anticipated features are absent from these public betas. Notably, the integration of ChatGPT with Siri is not included, nor are Siri’s personal context capabilities, which enable the assistant to reference your messages, calendar, and more.

Furthermore, tools for image creation, such as Image Playground and Genmoji, are not available at this time. The much-anticipated Priority Notifications feature is also notably absent. All these functionalities are expected to be rolled out sometime in the coming months or next year, without a specific timeline given.

The Apple Intelligence features can be accessed on all models of the iPhone 16, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. iPads equipped with an M1 chip or newer, as well as Macs with an M1 chip or later, can also utilize these features.

If you’re interested in downloading the public betas for iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, or macOS 15.1, head over to the Apple Beta Software Program website, sign in with your Apple account, and follow the prompts. After installing the public beta, navigate to the Settings app, select Apple Intelligence & Siri, and tap on the Join the Apple Intelligence Waitlist button. You should receive access to Apple Intelligence features within a few hours, along with a notification to confirm that you’re able to use them.

iPhone 16/iPhone 16 Plus

This year’s standard iPhone range dazzles with stunning new colors and introduces an innovative Camera Control that aligns with its Pro siblings. For the first time, the phones incorporate an Action Button. Additionally, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus boast the new A18 chipset, enhanced RAM, macro photography capabilities, improved battery life, and more.

According to The Verge, the iPhone 16 is “fully up to speed” with its “dependable camera and flexible photographic styles” along with the “useful” Action Button. However, the absence of Apple Intelligence, which was expected to launch with this series, will instead roll out in future updates of iOS 18. The site also pointed out that the persistent 60Hz refresh rate on the entry-level models remains a drawback and described Camera Control as a “mixed bag.”

TechRadar hailed the Camera Control as a “transformative feature” that will appeal to creators. It also praised the Action Button as a “great addition,” while noting the strength of the A18 chip and the selection of new colors. Nonetheless, similar to The Verge, TechRadar criticized the lack of a refresh rate upgrade for the less expensive models and felt that the iPhone 16 does not significantly outshine the iPhone 15.

CNET lauded the Camera Control, especially its compact interface, finding it “entertaining to explore.” They also appreciated the Ultrawide camera’s performance in low-light conditions and the new Photographic Styles across the iPhone 16 series. On the downside, they criticized the absence of an always-on display and the lack of enhancements in wired charging speed.

iPhone 16 Pro/iPhone 16 Pro Max

Now, let’s dive into what reviewers are saying about the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Engadget highlighted the rapid camera performance and high-quality video recording capabilities of both models. The customizable features introduced with iOS 18 and the new Photographic Styles were met with praise. Nevertheless, Engadget noted the iPhone 16 Pro’s somewhat limited battery life, while the Pro Max scored high on this aspect. They also pointed out that Camera Control, while promising, still requires improvements.

In a review by Wired, the Pro models received a solid 8/10 rating. The review commended their outstanding performance and battery longevity. New camera functionalities were seen as both enjoyable and beneficial, along with faster wireless charging options and additional features in the Photos app on iOS 18. However, the delay in Apple Intelligence was mentioned, as well as questions about whether the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s expansive 6.9-inch display might be excessive.

CNBC also applauded the enhanced battery life of the iPhone 16 Pro Max and both models’ excellent camera systems, particularly the new Camera Control feature. Special mention was made of the 48MP wide-angle lens in the Pro model for delivering clearer images in wide shots. However, as with other reviews, the absence of Apple Intelligence drew criticism, and the slight difference in display size wasn’t deemed significant compared to last year’s models.

Initial impressions suggest that users will appreciate the Camera Control feature, benefit from the improved battery performance of the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and enjoy the updates offered by iOS 18 on the latest models. Nonetheless, the missing Apple Intelligence suggests these devices still have areas for enhancement, leaving the overall assessment of all four phones in suspense.

At this week’s “It’s Glowtime” event, Apple introduced the iPhone 16 series, showcasing an array of exciting features. However, they did not unveil every detail regarding the new devices.

According to reports from ShrimpApplePro, certification documents indicate that the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max will support wired fast charging up to 45W. This represents a significant upgrade from earlier iPhone models, which had charging capabilities capped at 27-29W. This new information has been confirmed by the China Quality Certification Centre.

While Apple hasn’t explicitly mentioned the 45W charging capacity on its website, it does state that the new models can charge up to 50% in just 30 minutes when using a 20W adapter or higher with a USB-C charging cable. Alternatively, they can achieve similar performance with a MagSafe charger rated at 30W or more. It’s worth noting that these charging adapters must be purchased separately.

Prior to the iPhone 16 series announcement, there were whispers about enhancements in battery performance, particularly for the Pro models, with speculation of 40W wired charging capabilities.

Despite the move to 45W charging being a positive advancement, it still falls short compared to competitors like the OnePlus 12, which boasts an impressive 80W wired charging capability.

The iPhone 16 series is set to hit the market starting September 13, with the first shipments scheduled for September 20. The new phones will feature a variety of innovations, including upgraded processors, a new Camera Control feature, fresh color options, and enhanced camera capabilities across all models.

Additionally, the event revealed the AirPods 4, an updated version of the AirPods Max, and new features for the AirPods Pro.