Even though Apple only released the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, there are already reports that the iPhone 16 series will debut in 2024. Though it’s difficult to accept, it’s real!
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.
iPhone 16: release date
Apple is anticipated to reveal and ship the iPhone 16 range this fall, similar to previous iPhone releases.
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models will likely 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 differently.
iPhone 16: price
Except for the iPhone 15 Pro Max model, which now starts 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 production expenses even though the prices of the iPhone 15 component were at their highest point. However, that might not occur in 2024, thus all iPhone 16 models might experience a minor bump.
It’s not clear, though, how large of a potential increase there might be.
iPhone 16: design
It appears that Apple may alter the iPhone 16 base model’s appearance. According to a MacRumors report, three separate prototype versions with unique designs are displayed. All three, however, have a vertical twin camera arrangement in common. The vertical arrangement is probably the result of the Apple Vision Pro headset’s spatial video recording.
The three prototypes differ in a few key ways. One sports a pill-shaped camera similar to the iPhone X. The other two have individual lenses, much like the iPhone 12. Additionally, these prototype designs feature regular mechanical volume buttons with a capacitive Action button and a new Capture button, or a single volume button with haptics.
The design with the new Capture button, mechanical volume buttons, and capacitive Action button is the most likely, according to MacRumors. This would be the black model in the renders. The mmWave antenna would be moved to the left edge of the body since the Capture button would be on the right edge.
We may also infer from these prototypes what colors Apple plans to use—at least for the iPhone 16 base model. Pale yellow, pink, and black are among them. Although the other colors are unknown at this time, we should anticipate more since Apple usually offers the base model iPhone in more than three hues.
Different from what we saw above, MacRumors reported on February 6 that Apple appears to have moved focus to a slimmer camera bump design. As with the previous three prototypes, the most recent iPhone 16 prototype has a vertical camera layout, but it is housed in a pill-shaped camera module.
Like the previous prototype designs, the LED flash would be positioned next to the bump and the main and ultrawide lenses would be arranged vertically with two distinct camera rings.
Additionally, these designs from MacRumors correspond with blueprints that were leaked on X by @MajinBuOfficial (formerly Twitter). The iPhone X and iPhone XS models are reminiscent of this smaller camera bump.
The Action and Capture buttons also appear to have undergone minor alterations in the updated prototype. These new prototypes appear to sport a smaller Action button that resembles the one on the iPhone 15 Pro right now. It is also possible for the Capture button to have pressure sensitivity and to be flush with the iPhone 16 frame. This suggests that Apple may have given up on the concept of a capacitive Action button.
The Pro versions may get somewhat bigger, but it appears that the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will stay the same size as the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. The iPhone 16 Pro display is expected to grow from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s display is expected to move from 6.7 inches to a whopping 6.9 inches.
The physical dimensions of the body will also somewhat increase with greater display sizes. This indicates that while the thickness will stay the same, the body will be slightly bigger and taller than the existing iPhone 15 Pro variants. Greater dimensions will also increase weight.
Speaking of screens, it has been speculated that the OLED panels in the iPhone 16 series will employ micro-lens technology. Better brightness and more economical power use would follow from this.
New haptic buttons, which were first intended to be included in the iPhone 15 Pro versions, should also be included in the iPhone 16. However, that was postponed until 2024 due to technological difficulties.
According to rumors, the iPhone 16 Pro might come with the former unified button design. Both the new capacitive button—currently referred to as a “capture” button—and the Action button—which will be featured on all iPhone 16 models—will employ the new haptic, solid-state button technology.
According to a rumor from MacRumors, the new Capture button may even be able to simulate high-end camera features. A Weibo leaker said that the button could recognize various pressure levels to mimic a two-step shutter button from standalone digital cameras.
Video could be recorded using the Capture button, according to Mark Gurman. According to the Information, the Capture button may also add features like swiping the button to zoom in and out or focus on a subject with a lighter push. The Weibo user “Instant Digital” has now verified both of these reports. The fact that the Capture button allows you to concentrate and record video is a strong testament to Apple’s dedication to iPhone photography.
Though Gurman and The Information appear to have a stronger track record when it comes to Apple leaks, Instant Digital appears to have a mixed record.
iPhone 16 specifications
We should see an A17 chip for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus base models. It’s possible, though, that this chip 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 process for a conventional “A17” processor, which might 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 rumored that Apple has worked on a new thermal design to aid 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 might feature a metal battery cover. The heat sinks on the iPhone are now made of copper, however graphene has a greater thermal conductivity.
Although there have been reports that Apple has been developing its own 5G modem chips internally, 2024 will not be the year that it happens. Instead, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75 modem might be used by the iPhone 16 Pro to enable 5G connectivity that is quicker and more effective.
The Qualcomm X70 chip 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: cameras
As was previously reported, there are rumors that the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus base models will have a vertical camera configuration like the iPhone X or iPhone 12. The triple-lens camera technology found on the iPhone 16 Pro versions will remain in place.
With a new 48MP ultrawide lens for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple may be adding a significant camera update. This is a significant departure from the iPhone 15 Pro’s current 12MP sensor.
The photos produced by a 48MP ultrawide camera would be more detailed, particularly when captured in low light.
An enhanced eight-part hybrid lens with two glass and six plastic parts for the 48MP primary camera, along with the telephoto and ultrawide lenses, may also be coming to the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
The most intriguing claim is that, instead of only the larger Max model, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will both offer at least 5x optical zoom capabilities. To further set the two Pro versions apart, the iPhone 16 Pro Max might also be receiving a super telephoto camera, which would provide a noticeable boost in optical zoom.
iPhone 16: 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 can be achieved with layered batteries. Faster 20W MagSafe and 40W wired charging rates might also result from this.
For quite some time, Apple has not kept up with its rivals when it comes to charging speed. We might be in for a nice treat if the iPhone 16 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 their predecessors, but 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 appears 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 regarding the iPhone 16 Pro’s potential, for whatever reason. However, given @MajinBuOfficial’s inconsistent track record with Apple leaks, this is purely conjecture.
iPhone 16: software and updates
As the iPhone 16 series is scheduled for release in the fall and Apple usually holds its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in the summer to present new software, we can anticipate the release of iOS 18 concurrently with the iPhone 16.
Even while the majority of other tech firms have been making significant investments in AI, Apple has mostly kept quiet. However, with iOS 18 and Siri, all of this might change as Apple has been working to strengthen it with more intelligent AI driven by large language models (LLM). While new LLM features may eventually make their 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 apps, and more are some of the potential AI features. 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.
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