It’s only been a few months since Apple launched its latest iPhones, the iPhone 15 series, but tech enthusiasts are already eagerly looking towards the next generation – the iPhone 16. The upcoming iPhone 16 is expected to arrive in Fall 2024 and there are already leaks and rumors floating around the internet that suggest significant improvements over its predecessors.
Apple is rumored to be planning significant design changes, potentially similar to the shift from iPhone X to iPhone 11. The company is also said to be focusing on improvements in camera capabilities, battery life, thermal design, and more. It is expected that the iPhone 16 will have a new and faster processor, possibly the Apple A18 Bionic chip, with more AI computing cores than the current models. Additionally, rumours suggest that the iPhone 16 models will boast larger display sizes for the ‘Pro’ models, with significant camera improvements, and possibly a new button.
Let’s go into everything we know and have heard so far about Apple’s upcoming iPhone lineup.
According to reports, Apple is in the process of developing A-series chips that incorporate advanced N3E technology for the iPhone 16 series. These chips are expected to boost the speed and battery life of the devices. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus may have the A17 chip, which could differ from the A17 Pro chip in the Pro models. According to Analyst Jeff Pu, all models should be named A18, with Pro models getting an extra GPU core and an improved Neural Engine for enhanced AI capabilities.
The iPhone 16 lineup might also undergo a change in the button layout. The iPhone 15 Pro’s Action Button may become a standard feature on all models. Additionally, a new ‘Capture Button’ is reportedly coming out, which resembles a physical camera shutter and offers multi-level pressure sensitivity for focusing and capturing photos. The mute switch might be removed in favour of these new functionalities.
In the camera department, too, Apple is expected to introduce a significant design change. In the iPhone 16 series, the traditional diagonal camera setup may be replaced with a new vertical arrangement. Spatial Video Capture and other features are said to be enabled by this design change for Apple’s Vision Pro headset. A potential “Tetra Prism” 5x optical zoom lens could significantly improve zoom capabilities. The Pro models may have a 48-megapixel Ultra Wide lens to improve low-light photography, similar to the technology utilized in the Wide lens.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max might even feature a unique 48-megapixel wide-angle camera with a hybrid lens, along with enhanced telephoto and ultra-wide lenses. Both Pro models may gain access to the previously exclusive 5x telephoto lens, and the Pro Max may even come with a super telephoto periscope camera for superior zooming.
The Pro models may experience a size increase, with the iPhone 16 Pro reaching 6.3 inches and the Pro Max reaching 6.9 inches. The increased size will translate into a slightly larger and heavier body, but they will maintain the same thickness and overall design. Apple might implement micro-lens technology to improve brightness and reduce power consumption in the OLED panels.
The possibility of an Always-on display feature in the upcoming iPhone 16 has been hinted at by recent reports. This feature would allow users to glance at their phone for information without having to wake the device fully.
The Pro model may utilize a new battery technology for extended battery life and support 40W wired and 20W MagSafe charging. According to a leaked image, the Pro model’s battery has been redesigned and has a capacity of 3355mAh. Improved thermal management is expected through a rumored graphene thermal system, potentially accompanied by a metal battery case in the Pro models. All standard iPhone 16 models might receive a RAM boost to 8GB.
Following industry trends, Apple is also rumored to enhance its AI capabilities in the iPhone 16 lineup. While it is unclear if there will be exclusive access to all advanced AI features in iOS 18 for the iPhone 16, rumors suggest that certain features powered by large language models will have limitations. Regardless, iOS 18 is expected to introduce new AI functionalities such as smarter Siri integration, personalized Apple Music playlists, and AI-powered content creation tools.
Will the iPhone 16 fold?
Probably not. The latest rumors suggest that Apple has been working on iPhone Flip models in two different sizes, though there have been difficulties in making the devices meet Apple’s demanding standards. It’s possible that the company is working on a tablet that folds and has a screen similar to that of an iPad Mini. Even though virtually every major phone-maker — from Google to Oppo to OnePlus and Samsung — have launched their own bendable handsets, Apple has been characteristically quiet about whether there will ever be an iPhone Flip or an iPhone Fold.
Prior rumors said Apple may not launch its own flexible screen device until 2025. Samsung has not forgotten about phone fans by releasing an app that will allow Apple phone owners to experience a Z Fold-like experience by placing two iPhones side-by-side.
iPhone 16 Pro models to get bigger screens?
Apple has maintained the two screen sizes for iPhone Pro models since 2020, when it launched the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro and the 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max. However, that’s rumored to change with the iPhone 16 Pro models, which might have bigger screens.
Display analyst Ross Young suggested earlier this year that the iPhone 16 Pro models will have larger screens, putting the sizes at 6.3 inches for the iPhone 16 Pro and 6.9 inches for the iPhone 16 Pro Max. That rumor was later corroborated by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who said that the iPhone 16 Pro models could grow by a couple of tenths of an inch diagonally.
It is believed that the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models will continue to use the current 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch sizes. If the size increase is accurate, it would be yet another move by Apple to differentiate its Pro iPhone models from its regular ones.
iPhone 15 screen sizes
- iPhone 15: 6.1 inches.
- iPhone 15 Plus: 6.7 inches.
- iPhone 15 Pro: 6.1 inches.
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: 6.7 inches.
Rumored iPhone 16 screen sizes
- iPhone 16: 6.1 inches.
- iPhone 16 Plus: 6.7 inches.
- iPhone 16 Pro: 6.3 inches.
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: 6.9 inches.
iPhone 16 gets more AI tricks
One of the most salient selling points of Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series and Google’s Pixel 8 lineup were each of their souped-up AI tips and tricks, and it wouldn’t be a major shock if Apple went in the same direction. According to Gurman’s Power On newsletter, iOS 18 will feature generative AI technology that should improve how both Siri and the Messages app can answer questions and auto-complete sentences.
A September report from Information suggests that Apple plans to use large language models, a crucial part of generative AI, to make Siri smarter. According to the report, this feature is expected to be included in an iPhone software update next year.
iPhone gets more power-efficient display?
Another change that could make its way onto iPhone 16 displays is increased power efficiency. Samsung Display is apparently developing a new material set, dubbed M14, specifically for Apple, according to a TheElec report, which says the new technology should arrive on iPhones launching next year. M14 will replace the blue fluorescent technology that’s used now with blue phosphorescence technology, creating an even more power-efficient screen than the current LTPO ones used on Pro models, the report says.
iPhone 16 gets better zoom?
It is possible for both the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max to have 5x telephoto lenses next year. According to Apple analyst Ming Chi Kuo, a tetraprism lens will make its way to both Pro models next year, instead of just the Pro Max model. Apple equipped the iPhone 15 Pro with a 12-megapixel 3x optical zoom, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max has a 12-megapixel 5x optical zoom camera, which is the equivalent of 120mm lens on a full-frame camera.
If this rumor is true, it could be a turning point in design. Apple’s launch of the 15 Pro Max with its 5x telephoto lens was attributed to the phone’s larger body, but the Pro did not.
iPhone 16 processors: A18 chip for all models?
It appears that all four iPhone 16 models will be getting a next-generation Apple chip, which will feature A18 branding, after a two-year break. According to a MacRumors report citing Jeff Pu, an executive analyst for Haitong International Securities, all four models will have an A18 series chip with Pro iPhone models getting an A18 Bionic Pro and base models getting a regular A18.
The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus currently have an A16 Bionic, which debuted on the 2022 iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max, while the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max run on the A17 Pro processor. According to Pu, the A18 chip will be made using TSMC’s innovative 3 nanometer process.
iPhone 16: Launch and release timeline
Apple’s iPhone event takes place in September almost every year, so we anticipate the same timeline for iPhone 16. New iPhones typically get released shortly thereafter, usually on Friday of the following week. Release dates for specific models may be staggered by Apple, particularly when introducing a new design or size. It’s possible that the iPhone 16 lineup will have multiple release dates.
What we know so far
Apple’s events are usually held on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. The iPhone 15 event was held on Tuesday, September 7. The iPhone 14 event was held on Wednesday, Sept. 7. And the iPhone 13 event was held on Tuesday, September 14.
The iPhone release dates are usually a week and a half after Apple announces.
In general, new iPhones are released on a Friday around the third week of September. For the iPhone 13, pre-orders began on September 17 and the phones went on sale on September 24.
