Apple has unveiled its new lineup of iPhone 16 smartphones, featuring the impressive A18 chip, which the company claims can run games at 30% higher sustained performance.
The lineup includes the standard iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Apple reported that the six-core CPU is 30% faster than the A16 Bionic chip and can handle the same workload while reducing power consumption by 30%. The five-core GPU is up to 40% faster and 35% more efficient.
Apple asserted that hardware-accelerated ray tracing technology makes games on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus render light behavior more accurately, achieving frame rates five times higher compared to software-based ray tracing. Overall, the chip provides up to 30% better performance in gaming.
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will support "AAA" games that were previously available on the iPhone 15 Pro, including titles like Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil Village, and Assassin’s Creed Mirage. According to AppMagic estimates, these games collectively achieved 2.2 million downloads and $1.4 million in total revenue. Looking ahead, Apple stated that the new phones will support upcoming titles like Tencent's Honor of Kings: World, featuring "ultra graphics mode."
As for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, they will be equipped with the A18 Pro chip. Apple reported that the GPU is up to 20% faster compared to the A17 Pro, while the CPU can perform the same workload faster by 15% with 20% lower power consumption.
Apple’s Artificial Intelligence
Among the key features of Apple’s latest smartphones is support for Apple Intelligence, which will be available as a free software update starting next month in American English across most regions.
Key use cases include the ability to rewrite, proofread, and summarize texts in Apple applications and third-party apps. Users will also be able to record, transcribe, and summarize audio, including phone calls.
As previously announced, iOS 18 will also provide access to generative AI technology from OpenAI, such as ChatGPT, which can be used with Siri and writing tools.
Availability and Pricing
The iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be available in over 58 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, China, and Germany, starting September 20. Pre-orders will open on September 13.
Pricing will start at $799 for the iPhone 16 and $899 for the iPhone 16 Plus. The iPhone 16 Pro will start at $999, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max will start at $1,199.
Enhanced Gaming Performance
The new iPhone 16 is equipped with the powerful A18 chip, providing a 30% improvement in gaming performance compared to previous models. This enhancement allows for a smoother and more sustainable gaming experience, with the CPU operating faster and consuming less power.
Additionally, hardware-accelerated ray tracing significantly enhances visual performance, enabling iPhone 16 users to run "AAA" games at higher frame rates and with ultra-high-definition graphics.
With a GPU that is up to 40% faster, the iPhone 16 offers a professional gaming experience that rivals dedicated gaming devices, making it an ideal choice for mobile gaming enthusiasts.