Even though the release of the iPhone 16 series is months away, there are already rumors circulating about the upcoming devices.
Although it’s quite early to be certain, we’re already hearing some talk about the iPhone 16 and its Plus model getting more memory. The Pro and its Pro Max model will have some amazing improvements in their cameras and larger-than-life displays.
Here’s a summary of what we know so far about the upcoming iPhone.
iPhone 16 release date
The upcoming iPhone is likely to come out in September 2024. Apple usually has a big event to show off the new phones, and then the iPhones are sent to stores about a week or two afterward.
Before, Apple had sometimes changed this schedule because of reported problems with making the phones, like issues with getting all the parts they needed. For instance, the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 14 Plus were released in October, but usually, iPhones come out in September each year.
Price
The iPhone 15 series costs a lot, but a report from Nikkei Asia suggests that the iPhone 16 might become even more expensive because it could cost more to make.
Fomalhaut Techno Solutions, a Japanese research firm, suggests that if Apple keeps bearing these increased production costs, it might decide to raise the price of the iPhone 16 series and pass some of that extra expense on to customers.
Specs and features
The 2024 iPhones are going to be faster and better at connecting. The iPhone 16 series is expected to have a new processor, likely the A18.
They’ll probably have 8GB of RAM. This means you can do lots of things on your phone without it slowing down. But the chip that makes the phone fast might use more battery. So, the battery life might not be as good as before.
According to Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple might include support for Wi-Fi 7. It could offer super-fast speeds up to 30Gbps. It’s designed to reduce delays and glitches for things like AR/VR, 4K and 8K video streaming, cars, cloud services, and games.
Jeff Pu also mentions that the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will have Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X75 modem. This means you can expect quicker and more efficient 5G connections.
New thermal design
There are rumors suggesting that Apple is developing a graphene thermal system for the new lineup. Additionally, the Pro models might have metal battery casings to mitigate overheating. This could be a response to the widespread overheating issues observed in the iPhone 15 Pro, which Apple previously addressed through a software update.
An upgraded camera
Jeff Pu predicts that the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will have a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera that’s better at capturing light. This means you’ll get better pictures in darker places. The Pro models might also have a 12MP ultrawide camera.
The standard iPhone 16 models will feature a vertical camera layout, resembling the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini. This is a departure from the diagonal layout used in the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14. While the reason for this change is not clear, one theory is that it may enable the devices to capture spatial video for the Apple Vision Pro.
iPhone 16 to feature 60Hz displays
As per a report from industry insider Ross Young, Apple is expected to reserve the high-refresh-rate 120Hz ProMotion display for the Pro models in the upcoming iPhone 16 series.
Meanwhile, 2024’s iPhones are anticipated to sport a 60Hz panel, featuring a pill-shaped cutout for the dynamic island, reminiscent of the one seen on the iPhone 15.
Continuing its trend, Apple is likely to include a slightly improved screen that offers better color accuracy and a higher level of brightness.
A LiDAR sensor
In 2020, Apple first introduced LiDAR, a sensor for measuring depth, with the iPhone 12 Pro. The iPhone 16 series may bring this technology to the base models, as suggested by online concepts featuring a dual-camera setup and a LiDAR sensor.
This addition would enable users to capture 3D or spatial videos on their iPhones. Moreover, a software update for the iPhone 15 Pro series is expected to introduce a similar feature, allowing users to enjoy 3D videos on the upcoming Vision Pro.
Talk of iPhone 16 Ultra
Apple might release a premium iPhone 16 “Ultra” alongside the regular iPhone 16 models—iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The “Ultra” version could come with extra camera enhancements, a larger screen, and possibly a design without ports.
Bigger screens
According to a trusted source called Unknownz21, the fancier versions of the flagship phones are going to be a bit bigger and may feel a little harder to hold. The lower-tier models are likely to have the same screen sizes as the ones before them.
Ross Young, who is famous for talking about screens and what Apple is up to, was the first to say that Apple’s next Pro models would have bigger screens.
Their displays will get slightly bigger by about 0.2 inches. They could reach 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches for the Pro and Pro Max, respectively. These changes in screen size will affect the phone’s dimensions.
The iPhone 16 Pro will stay 8.25mm thick, slightly thicker than the iPhone 14 Pro. It gets 3mm taller and less than 1mm wider. The iPhone 16 Pro Max keeps the same thickness, but it’s 3.1mm taller and slightly wider, resulting in a weight increase of just 4g, still lighter than the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
New kinds of buttons
Apple had originally thought about putting what they call “solid-state buttons” on the iPhone 15 Pro models. But instead, they gave us a customizable action button. Solid-state buttons are more like flat surfaces that use special technology to make it feel like you’re pressing a real button when you touch them. It’s a bit like what you find on the iPhone SE series with the Home button. Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple is planning to introduce these special buttons on the Pro models instead.
iPhone 16 Face ID Under-Display
Apple is reportedly working on a significant change – embedding Face ID underneath the phone’s display. If this happens, it would give iPhone users a larger display area to use.
This concept has been discussed in the past. And although it wasn’t included in the iPhone 15 Pro models, it might make its debut in the high-end 16 versions.
Kuo suggests that we can expect a “real full-screen iPhone” in 2024. And it could feature both an under-display front camera and an under-display Face ID. Korean publication The Elec also backs the idea of the iPhone 16 Pro having embedded Face ID.
AI Integration rumors
The big talk in recent months has been all about generative AI. Mark Gurman suggests in his Bloomberg Power On newsletter that Apple is figuring out how to bring this technology to Apple products, from iPhones to Mac computers. These software upgrades would include a smarter Siri and a Messages app that can complete sentences automatically.
Forbes reports that apps like Apple Music could benefit from AI creating playlists automatically. Similarly, Pages and Keynote could use AI to assist users in writing or generating presentation slides.
Final word
The iPhone 16 is shaping up to be an exciting upgrade. With more RAM for better performance, advanced cameras for stunning photos, and faster Wi-Fi, it’s got a lot to offer. Keep an eye out for the larger screens and innovative solid-state buttons in the Pro models.
Packed with increased RAM for superior performance, enhanced cameras promising stunning photos, and faster Wi-Fi capabilities, it brings a lot to the table. Keep an eye out for the larger screens and the innovative solid-state buttons expected in the Pro models. We can’t wait to hear more about it.
This article has been updated with the latest information on Nov. 27, 2023.
