As we approach the fall of 2024, excitement is building for the launch of the new generation of Apple smartphones: the iPhone 16 series. While the details are still shrouded in mystery, numerous rumors have surfaced, giving us a glimpse of what to expect from these highly anticipated devices. Here’s a rundown of what we know so far.
Design
The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are set to receive notable design updates compared to their predecessors. One of the key changes includes a vertically aligned camera module, designed to enhance spatial video recording capabilities, especially when paired with Apple’s Vision Pro headset. Additionally, the classic silent/ring switch will be replaced with the Action button seen on the iPhone 15 Pro, and there will be a new dedicated Capture button for photo and video functions.
This new Capture button, also expected on the iPhone 16 Pro models, will be conveniently located on the right side, below the lock button. It will enable users to interact directly with the camera for focusing, zooming, starting recordings, and taking photos.
Pro models will also feature larger displays, with the iPhone 16 Pro increasing to 6.3 inches and the iPhone 16 Pro Max to 6.9 inches, compared to the 6.1 and 6.7 inches of the current generation. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will retain their respective 6.1 and 6.7-inch screens. The new displays will have ultra-thin bezels, creating a more immersive viewing experience without significantly increasing the overall device size.
Color options have been hinted at by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, suggesting black, white or silver, gray (possibly natural titanium), and pink for the Pro models, while the standard models may come in black, green, pink, blue, and white.
Performance
All iPhone 16 models are rumored to be equipped with the new A18 chip, utilizing a 3nm process for improved performance and energy efficiency. The Pro variants will feature a specialized version of this chip, optimized for AI tasks. The A18 is expected to leverage a new manufacturing process (N3E) to deliver superior performance and better battery life.
For connectivity, the Pro models will support WiFi 7 and will include the Qualcomm X75 modem, promising better coverage, lower latency, and improved energy efficiency compared to the previous Qualcomm X70.
The standard models will receive a memory boost, with 8GB of RAM, up from the 6GB in the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, matching what’s been available in the Pro models since last year.
Displays
The upcoming iPhones will offer a range of display sizes:
- 6.9 inches for the iPhone 16 Pro Max
- 6.7 inches for the iPhone 16 Plus
- 6.3 inches for the iPhone 16 Pro
- 6.1 inches for the iPhone 16
The Pro models will continue to feature ProMotion technology with adaptive refresh rates from 1Hz to 120Hz, while the standard models will remain at 60Hz. Reports indicate that Samsung will supply the OLED panels for the iPhone 16 Pro, which will be 20% brighter than those used in the iPhone 15 Pro, reaching a peak brightness of 1200 nits in SDR.
Camera Enhancements
In terms of photography, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will inherit the camera systems from the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus. This includes a 48MP main wide-angle sensor with 2x optical zoom and a 12MP ultra-wide sensor, along with a 12MP front-facing camera.
The iPhone 16 Pro models, however, will see more significant upgrades. Both Pro variants are expected to feature a new 48MP ultra-wide sensor, replacing the 12MP sensor in previous models. This upgrade will bring advanced pixel-binning technology, enhancing light capture and detail by combining four pixels into one, which also allows for ProRAW format photography.
Additionally, the iPhone 16 Pro will incorporate the periscope telephoto lens with a tetraprism design, previously exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, offering a 5x optical zoom.
Battery
While details about the batteries are still emerging, rumors from sources like Weibo suggest the following capacities:
- 3561 mAh for the iPhone 16 (+6% compared to iPhone 15)
- 4006 mAh for the iPhone 16 Plus (-9%)
- 3355 mAh for the iPhone 16 Pro (+2%)
- 4676 mAh for the iPhone 16 Pro Max (+5%)
Twitter user @lipilipsi suggests slightly higher capacities for the Pro models, with 3577 mAh for the iPhone 16 Pro and 4747 mAh for the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo notes that increased energy density could either extend battery life or allow for smaller batteries with the same endurance, freeing up space for other components.
AI and Software
The iPhone 16 series will mark the debut of Apple Intelligence, an AI-powered feature set introduced with iOS 18. This includes an upgraded Siri, enhanced by ChatGPT, and new capabilities for summarizing and rewriting text. New microphones are also expected to improve voice recognition.
iOS 18 will also bring greater customization options, support for RCS messaging in the Messages app, a revamped Photos app, a password manager, and more. Apple’s software update policy remains a key point of interest, especially as competitors like Samsung and Google promise seven years of updates for their latest devices. Apple has committed to at least five years of security updates for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and similar support is anticipated for the iPhone 16 series.
Release Date and Pricing
Apple typically unveils its new iPhones during a keynote event in September, usually on a Tuesday. Pre-orders are expected to start the following Friday, with the devices hitting stores a week later.
While pricing details are still speculative, it’s reasonable to anticipate similar pricing to the iPhone 15 lineup:
- Starting at $969 for the iPhone 16
- $1119 for the iPhone 16 Plus
- $1229 for the iPhone 16 Pro
- $1479 for the iPhone 16 Pro Max
Given the rising costs of components, a slight increase in prices is possible. For comparison, Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra saw a $50 price increase over the S23 Ultra, and the Pixel 8 Pro is $200 more than the Pixel 7 Pro.
Stay tuned for more updates as the launch of the iPhone 16 series approaches!
My name is Noah and I’m a dedicated member of the “Jason Deegan” team. With my passion for technology, I strive to bring you the latest and most exciting news in the world of high-tech.