At its September 9, 2024 “It’s Glowtime” event, Apple announced the iPhone 16 lineup, Apple Watch Series 10, a black-titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2, AirPods 4, and a USB-C AirPods Max refresh. It also announced hearing-health features for AirPods Pro 2 and confirmed September 16 release dates for iOS 18 and watchOS 11. This is a historical recap: most hardware arrived September 20, while Apple Intelligence features rolled out later.
Apple’s September 9 event at a glance
The prerecorded Apple Park keynote focused on iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods. Many iOS 18 features and Apple Intelligence had already been previewed at WWDC in June. Prices below are original U.S. launch prices, not current retail prices.
| Announcement | What it was | U.S. starting price | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16 / 16 Plus | Standard models with A18, Action button and Camera Control | $799 / $899 | Preorders September 13; available September 20 |
| iPhone 16 Pro / Pro Max | Titanium Pro models with A18 Pro and upgraded cameras | $999 / $1,199 | Preorders September 13; available September 20 |
| Apple Watch Series 10 | Thinner watch with larger display, faster charging and water sensors | $399 | Preorders September 9; available September 20 |
| Apple Watch Ultra 2 in black titanium | Existing Ultra 2 in a new finish | $799 | Preorders September 9; available September 20 |
| Apple Watch Hermès Ultra 2 | Ultra 2 configuration with Hermès band and exclusive face | $1,399 | Announced for the September 20 hardware launch |
| AirPods 4 / AirPods 4 with ANC | Open-ear AirPods, with ANC on the higher-priced version | $129 / $179 | Preorders September 9; available September 20 |
| AirPods Max refresh | Existing headphones updated with USB-C and new colors | $549 | Preorders September 9; available September 20 |
| AirPods Pro 2 hearing features | Software and firmware update, subject to requirements | Free update | Regulatory and regional rollout followed |
| iOS 18 / watchOS 11 | Free software updates | Free | September 16 |
Apple’s launch overview summarizes the original products and availability.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus
The iPhone 16 has a 6.1-inch display and the iPhone 16 Plus a 6.7-inch display. Both came in black, white, pink, teal and ultramarine, with 128GB, 256GB or 512GB storage. They use the A18 chip and gained the Action button and Camera Control.
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![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/416RQ0rtsUL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
The iPhone 16 camera system
The 48MP Fusion main camera supports 24MP photos and a 2x optical-quality telephoto option. The 12MP ultrawide camera adds autofocus and macro photography. All four iPhone 16 models can capture spatial photos and video for Apple Vision Pro and use the new generation of Photographic Styles.
What Camera Control does
A physical click opens the Camera app or takes a photo; a lighter press exposes controls, and the capacitive surface supports gestures such as swiping to adjust settings. Apple also showed third-party app support, including Snapchat. Visual intelligence was announced as a later feature, not a launch-day capability; it arrived with iOS 18.2 in December 2024.
The iPhone 16 started at $799 and the 16 Plus at $899. Preorders opened September 13, 2024, and retail availability began September 20. See Apple’s iPhone 16 announcement.
iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max
The Pro models have 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, titanium construction, and black, natural, white or desert titanium finishes. Both use A18 Pro, have Always-On and ProMotion displays, thinner bezels and Camera Control. Storage ranges from 128GB to 1TB.
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The 48MP Fusion camera has a faster quad-pixel sensor. Both Pro models add a 48MP ultrawide camera with autofocus and higher-resolution macro photography, plus a 5x telephoto camera. They can record 4K video at 120 frames per second in Dolby Vision and capture spatial photos and video. Apple also highlighted studio-quality microphones and audio-capture features. Apple said the Pro Max had the best battery life in an iPhone at launch; that is a launch-era Apple claim.
The iPhone 16 Pro started at $999 and the Pro Max at $1,199. Preorders began September 13 and availability began September 20. Apple’s Pro announcement has the original specifications.
Which iPhone 16 model made sense?
| Buyer priority | Best fit | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest price for the new generation | iPhone 16 | A18, Camera Control and Apple Intelligence support without Pro pricing |
| Larger screen without Pro pricing | iPhone 16 Plus | Same core experience in a 6.7-inch format |
| Advanced cameras and high-refresh display | iPhone 16 Pro | Pro camera system, titanium and ProMotion |
| Largest screen and longest battery claim | iPhone 16 Pro Max | 6.9-inch display and Apple’s launch-era battery claim |
| Spatial capture | Any iPhone 16 model | Spatial photos and video were not Pro-exclusive |
Camera Control and Apple Intelligence support were not Pro-only. Apple Intelligence required compatible hardware, software, language settings and region. The standard models did not have ProMotion, titanium or the Pro camera system.
Rank #2
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Light Blush Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31caPPnRysL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
Apple Watch Series 10: thinner, larger and faster to charge
Series 10 came in 42mm and 46mm cases. Aluminum finishes were jet black, rose gold and silver; titanium finishes were slate, gold and natural. Apple said it was nearly 10% thinner than Series 7, 8 and 9 and used the S10 SiP with a four-core Neural Engine.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThe Series 10 display
Apple described it as the largest Apple Watch display at the time. Its wide-angle OLED offered up to 30% more active display area than Series 4 through 6, up to 9% more than Series 7 through 9, and up to 40% greater brightness at an angle than Series 9. The always-on display refreshed more quickly, and Apple introduced Flux and Reflections faces.
Apple continued to advertise up to 18 hours of battery life. It said the watch could reach about 80% charge in 30 minutes, provide up to eight hours of normal use after 15 minutes, or up to eight hours of sleep tracking after eight minutes.
Depth, water temperature and sleep-apnea notifications
Series 10 added a depth gauge rated to 6 meters and a water-temperature sensor. Sleep-apnea notifications were also supported on Series 9 and Ultra 2. The feature analyzes wrist movement and the Breathing Disturbances metric for patterns that may be associated with moderate to severe sleep apnea. It is not a diagnosis and was intended for adults 18 and older who had not already received a diagnosis. The FDA cleared Apple’s feature on September 13, 2024; the FDA said it was not intended to diagnose, treat or manage sleep apnea, and lack of a notification does not rule out the condition. See the FDA roundup and 510(k) record. Seek medical advice about concerning symptoms.
Series 10 started at $399 and became available September 20. Apple’s announcement covers its display and charging claims. Apple said older 41mm and 45mm bands fit the new 42mm and 46mm cases.
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Apple did not announce an Ultra 3. The existing 49mm Ultra 2 gained a black-titanium finish with a blasting process and diamond-like carbon coating, matching black hardware for Trail Loop, Alpine Loop and Ocean Band, and a Titanium Milanese Loop in black and natural titanium. Apple also announced a Hermès Ultra 2 with a nautical-inspired band and exclusive face.
The Ultra 2 retained its 3000-nit display, dual-frequency GPS and advertised battery life of 36 hours, or up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode. Black or natural titanium started at $799; Hermès Ultra 2 started at $1,399. This was a finish and accessory update, not a new generation. See Apple’s black titanium announcement and Ultra 2 specifications.
Rank #3
![Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS 46mm case] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Fitness Tracker, ECG App, Always-On Retina Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31Cud2WnszL._SL160_.jpg)
- WHY APPLE WATCH SERIES 10 — Bigger display with up to 30 percent more screen area.* A thinner, lighter, and more comfortable design.* Advanced health and fitness features provide invaluable insights.* Safety features connect you to help when you need it.* Faster charging gives you 80 percent battery in about 30 minutes.*
- ADVANCED HEALTH INSIGHTS — Take an ECG anytime.* Get notifications if you have high or low heart rate or an irregular heart rhythm.* Understand your menstrual cycle and get retrospective ovulation estimates.* See overnight health metrics like heart rate, respiratory rate, and more with the Vitals app.* Track sleep and get notifications if Apple Watch detects signs of sleep apnea.*
- A POWERFUL FITNESS PARTNER — Measure all the ways you move with Activity Rings, which are customizable to match your lifestyle. Get advanced metrics for a range of workouts with the Workout app. Track the intensity of your workouts with training load. Use depth and water temperature sensors for your aquatic adventures. And Apple Watch comes with three months of Apple Fitness+ free.*
- STAY CONNECTED — Send a text, take a call, listen to music and podcasts, use Siri, and get notifications on the go. Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS) works with your iPhone or Wi-Fi to keep you connected.
- INNOVATIVE SAFETY FEATURES — Fall Detection and Crash Detection can connect you with emergency services in the event of a hard fall or a severe car crash. Emergency SOS lets you call for help with the press of a button.* Check In automatically notifies a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.*
watchOS 11 was not a Series 10 exclusive
watchOS 11 shipped September 16, 2024, and supported Apple Watch Series 6 and later with an iPhone XS or later running iOS 18. Features varied by model, sensor, language and region.
- Vitals: overnight health metrics and alerts when multiple measurements move outside a user’s typical range.
- Training Load: a way to consider workout intensity and duration over time.
- Activity rings: pause rings without losing award streaks and customize goals by day.
- Other additions: smarter Smart Stack, redesigned Photos face, Translate, Check In, expanded Double Tap support, custom pool workouts, Tides, pregnancy support and sleep-apnea notifications on compatible watches.
Apple’s watchOS 11 announcement lists compatibility and qualifications.
AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
Both versions used an open-ear design, H2 chip, a force sensor in the stem, an improved acoustic architecture, low-distortion driver, high-dynamic-range amplifier and USB-C case. The standard AirPods 4 offered up to 24 hours with the case and cost $129.
AirPods 4 with ANC cost $179 and added Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness. Their open-ear fit avoids a sealed in-ear feel but does not provide the same passive isolation as AirPods Pro 2. Neither AirPods 4 model included the Pro 2 hearing-test and hearing-aid system. Apple’s AirPods announcement has details.
AirPods Max received a modest USB-C refresh
The 2024 update added USB-C charging and five colors: midnight, starlight, blue, purple and orange. The U.S. price remained $549, with availability September 20. Apple did not announce a new chip, fit or acoustic architecture, so this was not a full second-generation redesign.
AirPods Pro 2 gained three hearing-health features
This was a software and firmware update for existing AirPods Pro 2, not a new generation. Availability depended on compatible hardware, firmware, Apple devices, supported operating systems and region.
Hearing Protection
Designed to reduce exposure to loud environmental sound, its availability and attenuation depended on region, fit and listening mode. Apple warned it was not intended for extremely loud impulse sounds such as gunfire, fireworks or jackhammers. See Apple’s hearing-protection limitations.
Rank #4
![Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS, 46mm] - Silver Aluminum Case with Denim Sport Band, S/M (Renewed)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41QK6T8A0yL._SL160_.jpg)
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 80% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
Hearing Test
The test uses a pure-tone audiometry-style process, takes about five minutes in a quiet environment and produces a profile that can be saved in the Health app and shared with a healthcare professional.
Hearing Aid
Intended for adults with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss, the feature can use a test result or professional audiogram to personalize amplification. The FDA authorized the feature in the United States on September 12, 2024. These features do not replace professional medical care in every situation. See the FDA authorization and Apple’s requirements.
iOS 18: what shipped on September 16
Apple had previewed iOS 18 at WWDC; the September event confirmed its public release date and connection to the iPhone 16. The free update arrived September 16, 2024, for iPhone XS, iPhone XR and later models. Highlights included Home Screen and icon customization, a more flexible Control Center, Lock Screen controls, redesigned Photos, RCS and satellite messaging, expanded Tapbacks and text effects, Mail categorization, Passwords, locked and hidden apps, Game Mode, and new Safari and Maps capabilities. Apple Intelligence required separate compatible hardware and settings. See Apple’s iOS 18 overview and compatibility list.
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Apple Intelligence rolled out after iOS 18
The iPhone 16 family was designed for Apple Intelligence, but the features were not all available at hardware launch. The first features arrived in iOS 18.1 on October 28, 2024, initially with U.S. English and compatible device and Siri language settings. Launch-era supported iPhones included iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max and all iPhone 16 models.
The first set included Writing Tools, notification and message summaries, a more capable Siri and Clean Up in Photos. Genmoji, Image Playground, ChatGPT integration and visual intelligence followed in iOS 18.2 on December 11, 2024. Apple’s iOS 18.1 announcement and iOS 18.2 announcement document the staged rollout. Later support expanded; launch-era requirements should not be confused with current compatibility.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.The September 2024 availability timeline
- September 9: Apple held the event; preorders opened for Series 10, black Ultra 2, AirPods 4 and refreshed AirPods Max. iPhone preorders were set for September 13.
- September 12: Apple published its upgrade guide and confirmed retail timing.
- September 12: The FDA authorized the AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Aid Feature in the United States.
- September 13: iPhone 16 preorders opened; the FDA cleared Apple’s sleep-apnea notification feature.
- September 16: iOS 18 and watchOS 11 became available.
- September 20: The iPhone 16 lineup, Series 10, black Ultra 2, AirPods 4 and refreshed AirPods Max became available.
- October 28: The first Apple Intelligence features arrived in iOS 18.1.
- December 11: iOS 18.2 added visual intelligence, Genmoji, Image Playground and ChatGPT integration.
Apple’s upgrade guide is the primary source for product timing. A keynote demonstration did not necessarily mean a feature was available on hardware launch day.
Apple Watch Series 10 versus Apple Watch Ultra 2
| Series 10 | Ultra 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Best suited to | Everyday wear, sleep tracking and a thinner case | Outdoor use, longer battery life and ruggedness |
| Case | 42mm or 46mm; aluminum or titanium | 49mm titanium |
| Display | Wide-angle OLED | 3000-nit display |
| Battery claim | Up to 18 hours | Up to 36 hours; 72 hours in Low Power Mode |
| Notable features | Depth gauge to 6 meters and water-temperature sensor | Dual-frequency GPS and outdoor-focused features |
| September 2024 starting price | $399 | $799 |
Series 10 was not simply a smaller Ultra: Ultra 2 offered a larger, more rugged case, longer battery claim and specialized outdoor features. Its black finish did not add a new processor or generation.
Best Value
- STAY CLOSER TO YOUR HEART HEALTH—The most accurate heart rate sensing in a wearable,* Series 12 now measures HRV as often as every five minutes for insights on stress and recovery, and takes background heart rate readings every five seconds.
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Better understand your body with invaluable health insights. View your overnight health metrics with the Vitals app and get a daily sleep score,* track your menstrual cycle,5 and take readings of your blood oxygen.*
- CHECK YOUR READINESS FOR THE DAY—Know when to rest or put yourself to the test. The readiness experience can help you determine your capacity to take on the day by analyzing your recent activity, vitals, and sleep.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone8—Series 12 helps you stay active, from running to hiking to strength training.
- KEEP HELP CLOSE AT HAND—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 12 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.*
AirPods 4 versus AirPods 4 with ANC versus AirPods Pro 2
| Model | Best fit | Main advantage | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirPods 4 | People who prefer an open fit | Lowest price and simple open-ear design | No ANC or Pro hearing-health system |
| AirPods 4 with ANC | Open-fit users who want noise control | ANC, Transparency and Adaptive Audio | No sealed fit or equivalent passive isolation to Pro 2 |
| AirPods Pro 2 | People who want silicone tips and hearing features | Sealed fit and Hearing Protection, Test and Aid features | Features require compatible hardware, software, region and eligibility |
| AirPods Max | People who prefer over-ear headphones | Over-ear listening and USB-C after the refresh | No full second-generation redesign was announced |
What Apple did not announce
- No Apple Watch Ultra 3 or new Apple Watch SE.
- No new iPad, Mac or HomePod hardware, or new service announcement.
- No full AirPods Max redesign or product officially called AirPods Max 2.
- Apple Intelligence was not available on every iOS 18-compatible iPhone.
- Visual intelligence was not fully available on iPhone 16 launch day.
- AirPods 4 with ANC did not receive the AirPods Pro 2 hearing features.
Then versus now: reading this recap in 2026
The prices and dates are from September 2024, not current retail recommendations. iOS 18 was the software introduced with iPhone 16, not the current major iPhone software. As of the dossier’s August 10, 2026 research date, Apple listed iOS 26.6 as current, while iOS 18 continued to receive security updates for some compatible devices. Check Apple’s software-release information for current releases and its Apple Intelligence requirements for current compatibility.
FAQ
Did Apple announce an Apple Watch Ultra 3?
No. Apple introduced the existing Apple Watch Ultra 2 in black titanium, plus matching bands and a Hermès configuration.
Was Apple Intelligence available when iPhone 16 launched?
No. iOS 18 shipped September 16, 2024; the first Apple Intelligence features arrived in iOS 18.1 on October 28. Visual intelligence and other features followed in iOS 18.2 in December.
Can Apple Watch sleep-apnea notifications diagnose sleep apnea?
No. The feature can notify eligible users about patterns, but it is not intended to diagnose, treat or manage the condition. No notification does not rule it out.
Are AirPods 4 with ANC equivalent to AirPods Pro 2?
No. AirPods 4 with ANC have an open-ear fit; AirPods Pro 2 use silicone tips and provide different passive isolation and hearing-health features.
The Bottom Line
Apple’s September 9, 2024 keynote covered iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods. Series 10 brought a thinner case, larger angled display, faster charging and water sensors; Ultra 2 gained a black finish rather than a new generation. The iPhone 16 family added A18 and Camera Control, while the Pro models added titanium, ProMotion and advanced cameras.
The rollout timing matters: iOS 18 and watchOS 11 arrived September 16, hardware followed September 20, Apple Intelligence began October 28, and visual intelligence followed in December. The AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Aid Feature was authorized by the FDA on September 12, 2024.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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