Apple iPhone 16: Everything we know so far
AppleiPhone 16 might be months away but there’s no shortage of leaks and rumors. Here are all the rumors you need to know about Apple’s upcoming smartphone.
Apple announced the iPhone 15 series back in September 2023 with many new changes. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models received bigger upgrades than the non-pro phones. Titanium and the new A17 Pro chip became the main highlight of the iPhone 15 series.
The upcoming iPhone 16 lineup could bring even more features to the table. While there’s still time for the official debut, leaks and rumors already give us a good idea of what to expect from the upcoming iPhones.
Apple could bump up the screen sizes of the Pro models and revamp the design of all four iPhones. A new chipset may debut with the iPhones alongside changes in the display technology.
If rumors are to be believed, the iPhone 16 will also come loaded with AI features and offer improved camera performance.
iPhone 16: Release rumors
We expect the iPhone 16 to be released in September 2024. Apple always sticks to its routine with iPhone launches. The iPhone 15 came out on September 12, 2023, the iPhone 14 was revealed on September 16, 2021, and the iPhone 13 dropped on September 14, 2021. So, it’s pretty likely that we’ll see the iPhone 16 sometime in September 2024. But, Apple hasn’t confirmed the exact date yet.
iPhone 16: Price speculation
Nikkei Asia reported that the production costs for the iPhone 15 were higher than those of last year’s iPhone 14 models. However, Apple absorbed these increased costs to maintain the same prices as the iPhone 14 series. The company may pass on this price increase to consumers with the iPhone 16 lineup.
For reference, the base model of the iPhone 15 in the US starts at $799, and the iPhone 15 Plus starts at $899. The iPhone 15 Pro kicks off at $999, while the top-of-the-line iPhone 15 Pro Max costs $1,199.
iPhone 16: Design & display
A leak from a reliable source suggests that the iPhone 16 Pro might sport an extremely bright display. The upcoming iPhone is said to reach a peak brightness of 1200 nits, at least 20% more than the predecessor. The iPhone 15 Pro’s display maxes out at 1000 nits.
The peak display is measured for regular usage and SDR content. However, for HDR content, the display on the iPhone 16 Pro is expected to remain unchanged at 1600 nits, maximum. This means that users will experience an improved display for most scenarios, and the new OLED iPad Pro with 1000 nits of peak brightness might not remain the brightest display on an Apple device.
2024 could be the year of changes for the iPhones. Apple could introduce a new button on their smartphones, called the “capture button”. According to a previous report, the capture button will likely be positioned below the power button on the right side of the device.
However, according to a supply chain report, Apple might replace the existing physical buttons on both sides of the iPhone with capacitive versions that will offer iPhone 16 users haptic feedback.
Apple is reported to have moved the mmWave antenna to the left to make room for the new button. You may also see solid-state technology on the iPhone 16’s action button, something that was previously rumored for the iPhone 15.
The vanilla iPhone 16 might undergo a design revamp, possibly taking cues from the iPhone X with vertical camera lenses like the iPhone 12. Several leaked dummies of the iPhone 16 series reveal how the new models might look.
The Pro iPhones may get an increase in screen size, as reported by MacRumors. The iPhone 16 Pro could rock a 6.27-inch display (rounded to 6.3 inches), while the iPhone 16 Pro Max might go even bigger with a 6.85-inch display (rounded to 6.9 inches).
Apple may also use new micro-lens tech on the display for improved brightness and reduced power consumption.
iPhone 16: Camera specs speculation
AppleThe cameras on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are expected to see no major changes. The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, on the other hand, could see big improvements.
They could include an improved 48-megapixel ultra-wide lens, meaning improved images even in lower lighting conditions. The iPhone 16 Pro could also get a 5x telephoto lens, which is currently limited to the Pro Max model.
Rumors of a ‘super telephoto periscope camera‘ for iPhone 16 Pro Max have also been making the rounds, suggesting that the phone would boast higher zoom capabilities. Another rumor from Korea claims Apple might give iPhone 16 Pro Max a new anti-reflective optical coating technology to improve the quality of photos. The new coating will allegedly reduce artifacts like lens flare and ghosting.
iPhone 16: Specifications rumors
All four iPhone 16 models are expected to get new chipsets but they’ll not be the same. The iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to be powered by A18 Pro, based on TSMC’s 3nm process node. It’s too early to tell what kind of improvements it will bring over iPhone 15 Pro’s A17 Pro chip.
The chip situation is quite confusing for the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, though. The smartphones could use an A17 chip manufactured on TSMC’s inferior N3E process. This could help Apple keep the costs in check.
However, analyst Jeff Pu says the non-pro iPhones will be powered by an A18 chip with one less GPU core than the A18 Pro chip.
Apple/PexelsTF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says the iPhone 16 Pro models will be getting new Wi-Fi 7 technology, while the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are reported to feature Wi-Fi 6E. The non-Pro iPhones may, however, receive a RAM boost to 8GB.
Apple might be changing the batteries in all four iPhones. According to leaker Majin Bu on X, the standard iPhone 16 could have a 3561 mAh battery, which is better than the iPhone 15’s 3349 mAh battery. The iPhone 16 Pro Max might get a 4676 mAh battery, up from the 4441 mAh battery in the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Apple could also shrink the iPhone 16 Plus battery from 4383 mAh to 4006 mAh. The iPhone 16 Pro could possibly get a 4676 mAh battery unit instead of the 4441 mAh unit found in the iPhone 15 Pro.
The iPhone 16 series is rumored to bring a ton of AI features. Reports suggest that Apple will supercharge Siri with Generative AI, and other AI features might also make an appearance. Apple seems determined not to lag behind the Samsung Galaxy S24 series in this regard. The new iPhones will run iOS 18, which Bloomberg reports will be one of the biggest iOS updates to date.
Is the iPhone 16 series worth waiting for?
As we mentioned earlier, 2024 could be the year of change for the iPhones. If the rumors are to be believed, the iPhone 16 lineup is shaping up to be a significant upgrade. However, the non-Pro iPhones are still expected to receive only mediocre updates.
You might want to wait and see what’s in store if you are using one of the latest iPhones. Older iPhone users should consider getting the iPhone 15 models. They won’t be missing out on much.