9 travel-focused upgrades coming to Apple’s iPhone 16, AirPods, Watch lineup

10.09.2024 - 14:33 / thepointsguy.com

Every fall, Apple unveils its highly anticipated updates to its flagship products, including the iPhone, AirPods, and Watch lineup.

This year was no exception, with the tech giant hosting a special "It's Glowtime" press event on Monday at its Cupertino, California, headquarters, where TPG was in attendance.

The event didn't just usher in new phones (the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro lineup) and watches (the Apple Watch Series 10) — it also marked the first time that Apple has updated its entire AirPods lineup during a single event. (All of the new devices launch on Friday, Sept. 20.)

Each device received several upgrades, and nine of the changes are big enough to be on travelers' radars. Here they are.

Related: Which is the best credit card for Apple purchases?

This year, Apple seems to think that bigger is better.

The company's new iPhone and Apple Watch devices feature the largest displays to date. For the Apple Watch Series 10, the display measures about 10% larger than its predecessor. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max sport 6.3- and 6.9-inch displays, respectively.

The additional screen real estate on the iPhones was largely made possible by thinning the borders on the devices. Aside from the larger displays, the form factor has remained largely unchanged. Meanwhile, the Apple Watch Series 10 is Apple's thinnest watch yet — the device measures 9.7 millimeters thin.

The larger displays maintain a sleek profile without adding extra weight or bulk, which will likely be welcome news for travelers.

Apple updated its entire lineup of AirPods on Monday, but the biggest change comes to the entry-level models.

The new AirPods 4 received a complete overhaul, making them arguably even more appealing to travelers than before. The now come in an Active Noise Cancellation configuration, which the company says should drown out most of the ambient noise during travel. (The noise-canceling AirPods 4 will cost $179, while the regular model will cost $129.)

Though $179 is still pricey, the AirPods 4 will become Apple's cheapest headphones with this key feature, which could become a hit among those locked into the Apple ecosystem.

"Where'd I leave my AirPods?" That's the question my wife asks me about once a week. (Usually, the answer is her purse.)

With the new noise-canceling AirPods 4, you won't have to worry about that because the charging case has a built-in speaker that supports Find My. You'll be able to track your AirPods just like you do an AirTag, and if you misplace them, you'll be able to play a sound to help you find them.

This is a welcome upgrade for travelers who are prone to losing things along their journey.

Longer batteries lead to happier travelers, especially when you're stuck on a plane with