In 2007, the very first iPhone came out. Now, 17 years later, not much has changed from the original model. With each new iPhone release, Apple faces the challenge of delivering groundbreaking innovations that justify the exorbitant cost of $800-$1000. The iPhone 16 — Apple’s latest addition to the lineup, launched on Sept. 20 — has received mixed reviews from tech enthusiasts, leaving consumers questioning whether it offers enough new features to warrant the significant investment.
Apple promoted several notable features for the new iPhone 16 as key selling points, including Apple AI, new exterior colors and camera control. But are any of these new features worth the costly price tag of over $1,000?
Online discussions and memes have highlighted a sense of repetition surrounding the iPhone 16, indicating that many users feel the new model is less than groundbreaking. What does each new model offer outside the new exterior colors and incremental changes? The only thing new about the iPhone 16 is the addition of Apple AI. As an Apple user, I do not believe Apple AI will have more practical benefits than other AI tools like ChatGPT.
Apple was once known for its innovation. We’ve seen minimal changes in the past decade with each new product. While Apple AI is a significant update, the feature isn’t monumental. The artificial intelligence added to the phone will allow Siri to do more complex tasks, improve photo organization, search and editing capabilities, optimize camera settings to take better photos and videos and gather data from the health app. However, this update will not be available for the iPhone 16 until next year. Astonishingly, Apple decided to market AI as a significant selling point when it was unavailable during the launch.
Beyond the economic implications, the exploitation of Congolese women and children in the sourcing of materials for Apple products should be a factor in not purchasing the new phone. About four months ago, the Democratic Republic of Congo gathered information from Apple whistleblowers sourcing materials from conflict areas in eastern Congo. The sourcing of cobalt in Congo is known to be incredibly dangerous — leaving children, women and others in life-threatening conditions. As a result, protesters have led demonstrations worldwide to raise awareness about Apple’s complicity in human rights violations, including in cities like Palo Alto, Emeryville and San Francisco.
If you are not turned off by the child labor and sexual assault of Congolese women and children used to mine materials for complicit tech companies, alternative options for tech is available. Other companies like Samsung, Google and Motorola have surpassed Apple in innovation. The Google Pixel 9 Pro, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip and Motorola Razr include models with foldable screens. The Google Pixel series features advanced computational photography and integrates Google Assistant, Google Lens, Google Maps and Google Workspace into its system. These phones are around the same price point or less than the iPhone 16. Those not loyal to the Apple brand or deciding to cut ties can easily find alternative smartphones.
While Apple AI is the central selling point for the new phone, it will not be available until 2025. The beta version will be available in October of this year. Considering that the AI feature is one of the most touted, many will be happy to hear that it will be available for iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max users with the iOS 18 update.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said demand for the new iPhone has been lower than expected. According to a supply chain survey of Apple’s online store, sales have decreased by 13%, mainly because Apple Intelligence was unavailable upon launch.
Because not everyone can afford a brand-new iPhone every year, consumers purchase older models instead. The iPhone 15, for example, will likely have significant price reductions following the launch of all the iPhone 16 models. These older iPhones offer sufficient performance and similar features while saving consumers hundreds of dollars. Sticking with an older model may be the best decision for those prioritizing affordability without sacrificing quality.
While the iPhone 16 offers incremental improvements like Apple AI and new exterior colors, I don’t believe these features justify the cost or human rights violations. The device’s lack of groundbreaking innovations and the ethical concerns surrounding the sourcing of its materials make it a difficult sell for many consumers, including myself.
Honest review of #iPhone16. pic.twitter.com/NpH4NbiqnN
— Akdas (@Akdas_Hayat) September 9, 2024
Top photo: The entrance of the Apple Store in Palo Alto, taken on Sept. 21, 2024. The iPhone 16 released on Sept. 20, 2024. (Photo by Sabrina Hossain/ The Express)
Sabrina Hossain is the Social Media Editor for The Express. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter @WritersBlock678.
