Summary
A few months have passed since the release of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, which means that there are plenty of speculations circulating about the next iPhone 16. Things are getting hotter, with design leaks, alleged specifications, camera tweaks, and more.
With the iPhone 16, we anticipate some more significant changes than with the iPhone 15, therefore we’ve compiled all the major rumors and reports for your convenience. Now let’s get started.
Date of release for the iPhone 16
Apple is anticipated to reveal and ship the iPhone 16 range this autumn, similar to previous iPhone launches.
It’s likely that the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models will be released in September, barring any unforeseen circumstances. This was the case in 2020, when the iPhone 12 was released in October. Although things are always subject to change, this is what we currently expect. Expect Apple’s next iPhones to be released in September 2024, unless we hear otherwise.
iPhone 16: cost
With the exception of the iPhone 15 Pro Max model, which now begins at $1,200 for the 256GB version (there is no longer a 128GB variation), it was anticipated that the price of the iPhone 15 series would climb. If you want to call it that, the only iPhone 15 in the lineup to see a “price increase” was that one.
Apple was able to absorb the additional manufacturing expenses even though the prices of the iPhone 15 component were at their highest point. However, it may not occur in 2024, thus all iPhone 16 models could experience a minor bump.
It’s unclear, however, how large of a potential rise there may be.
iPhone 16: layout
The iPhone 16 lineup—most notably the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus—will see some significant upgrades in the near future.
The most recent leak seems to reveal which of the three prototype designs for the iPhone 16 that MacRumors has previously reported were real.
Apple is moving away from the diagonal camera orientation it has been employing for the previous several years with the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. As an alternative, it will adopt the vertical pill-shaped camera island that was originally shown on the iPhone X, although with larger lenses and sensors.
Previous sources suggest that the basic iPhone 16 models may get an Action button, even if it’s probable that the rest of their profile will stay the same.
Apple appears to be happy with the adjustments it made with the iPhone 15 Pro, so any design changes for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max could not be as significant. The new Capture button, which will be positioned underneath the sleep/wake button, seems to be coming to the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, however.
According to reports, the new Capture button would fit flush with the phone’s chassis and be capacitive rather than physical. It will probably be able to function as a camera shutter button since it is supposed to be a “capture” button, but it may also be programmable like the Action button.
This new capacitive button will need the wireless antenna to be moved to the other side. In comparison to the present iPhone 15 Pro, the Action button on the iPhone 16 Pro models could possibly be bigger.
According to earlier renderings, the basic iPhone 16 range may be available in soft pink, yellow, green, and blue colors. Internal sources suggest that the iPhone 16 Pro will use titanium once again, maybe in a new hue named “White Titanium.” A different report from previously also mentioned a hue called “desert titanium,” which is comparable to gold.
Additionally, Apple is improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the iPhone 16 lineup’s microphones over earlier models. This should make it easier for the device to hear you when you make Siri queries. And a more precise Siri would be greatly required, given rumors that iOS 18 may include more generative AI capabilities.
iPhone 16: shows
There could be upcoming adjustments to the iPhone 16 Pro models’ display sizes. The basic iPhone 16 models, however, won’t change.
It’s possible that the iPhone 16 Pro’s 6.1-inch display may grow to 6.3 inches. Instead of 6.7 inches, the bigger iPhone 16 Pro Max will measure 6.9 inches.
The smaller iPhone 16 Pro will be able to accommodate a bigger telephoto camera lens thanks to its upcoming size boost, which will enable the 5x optical zoom that was first seen on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The tetraprism lens was unable to fit because of the 6.1-inch size restrictions, however this may be fixed with a 6.3-inch chassis.
All of Apple’s devices will have smaller bezels, but the Pro versions will reap the most advantages. Apple is reportedly using a new display technology called Border Reduction Structure (BRS), which enables manufacturers to minimize the size of the black borders around the screen, according to a recent report.
Given that Apple is apparently using microlens technology in the iPhone 16 OLED screens, we may also see brighter displays and more energy-efficient battery usage.
Last but not least, according to a source from The Elec, the iPhone 17 line will be the first to adopt LTPO OLED panels with ProMotion and always-on displays across all models, even the lowest versions. Put another way, regrettably, the 60Hz refresh rate display should still be available on the lowest model iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.
iPhone 16 specifications
We should see an A17 chip for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus basic models. It’s possible, however, that this processor differs from the A17 Pro one found in the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Apple is probably going to adopt a less expensive technology for a conventional “A17” processor, which may end up in the regular iPhone 16 versions.
Analyst Jeff Pu believes Apple will take a different approach and just refer to the new CPUs as A18 and A18 Pro. This would imply that, as opposed to using an A17 processor, which may be considered a “last generation” semiconductor, all iPhone 16 models would have some variant of an A18 chip.
Although the iPhone 15 models that were released on launch day experienced overheating, it is said that Apple has working on a new thermal design to assist with heat dissipation. For the entry-level iPhone 16 models, this might take the shape of a graphene thermal system, whilst the iPhone 16 Pro could feature a metal battery cover. The heat sinks on the iPhone are now made of copper, however graphene offers a greater thermal conductivity.
Although there have been reports that Apple has been developing its own 5G modem chips internally, that 2024 will not be the year that it happens. Instead, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75 modem may be used by the iPhone 16 Pro to provide 5G connection that is quicker and more effective. The Qualcomm X70 processor used in the iPhone 15 will still be used in the entry-level iPhone 16. Additionally, Wi-Fi 7 technology—which has a throughput of up to 40 gigabits per second—might be included in the iPhone 16.
iPhone 16: the camera
The dual camera arrangement on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will be shown in a vertical pill-shaped camera island, as was previously announced. The triple-lens camera arrangement on the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max seems to be the same as it has been for a few years.
The camera specifications don’t seem to have changed, despite the fact that the basic versions will feature a new camera configuration. For the Pro models, that isn’t the case, however.
Apple may replace the existing 12-megapixel ultrawide lenses on the iPhone 15 Pro with 48-megapixel sensors on the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max this year. This would be a significant boost. If so, there will be greater detail in ultrawide photos, particularly in dimly lit areas. With two glass components and six plastic elements in each lens, the iPhone 16 Pro Max may also see advancements in all three lenses.
There’s a fair likelihood that those who choose the smaller Pro model will also get an update to their camera this year. The iPhone 16 Pro’s 6.3-inch display will enable for the tetraprism camera to be incorporated into the chassis, resulting in 5x optical zoom capabilities, which is a welcome improvement over the iPhone 15 Pro’s 3x optical zoom.
iPhone 16: duration of battery life
With the iPhone 16 Pro versions, which are expected to feature stacked battery technology, we should finally see some improved battery life. Higher capacity and longer lifespans may be achieved using layered batteries. Faster 20W MagSafe and 40W wired charging rates could also result from this.
For quite some time, Apple has not kept up with its rivals when it comes to charging speed. We could be in for a nice treat if the iPhone 16 really solves this.
We also know very well what to anticipate from all of the iPhone 16 lineup’s batteries, according to @MajinBuOfficial, with certain modifications expected in each category. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Max, according to the leak, will have bigger batteries than its predecessors, while the iPhone 16 Plus will be left behind and have a smaller battery than previously. Additionally, the Pro Max model’s battery will no longer be shaped like a L; instead, it will once again be rectangular, similar to that of the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus.
As of right now, Apple seems that the iPhone 16 Pro Max will have 4,676 mAh (up from 4,422 mAh), the iPhone 16 Plus will have 4,006 mAh (down from 4,383 mAh), and the normal iPhone 16 will have 3,561 mAh (up from 3,349 mAh). There is no information on the iPhone 16 Pro’s potential, for whatever reason. However, given @MajinBuOfficial’s inconsistent track record with Apple leaks, this is purely conjecture.
Software and upgrades for the iPhone 16
We may anticipate iOS 18 to release with the iPhone 16 since Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) starts on June 10 and the iPhone 16 range will come in the autumn.
Even while the majority of other tech firms have been making significant investments in AI, Apple has mostly kept silent. However, with iOS 18 and Siri, all of this could change as Apple has been striving to strengthen it with more intelligent AI driven by large language models (LLM). While new LLM features may eventually make its way into all iPhone models, some will probably only be available in the iPhone 16 series.
Better interactions with Siri and Messages, better automatically created playlists for Apple Music, connection with productivity applications, and more are some of the potential AI capabilities. Along with the enhanced AI-powered Siri experience, there are also rumors of enhancements to the microphone, including increased signal-to-noise ratio and water resistance.
