Now that the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max have been out for several months, rumors about the iPhone 16 are starting to emerge. Although it’s still some time away from its official release, it’s interesting to have a look at the leaks to see the specs and features that might possibly come with the next generation.
From what it seems if we trust the early leaks, the iPhone 16 will be a big evolution compared to the iPhone 15 series, with some features that will distinguish the Pro and entry-level models.
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How Many iPhone 16 Models Will Apple Launch?
There shouldn’t be too many surprises in terms of the number of models in the iPhone 16 series. It’s expected that there will be four models, as is traditional for Apple, but rumors suggest that the iPhone 16 Pro Max could be replaced by an “Ultra” model.
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max or iPhone 16 Ultra
Apple will continue to differentiate its Pro line from the entry-level iPhones through differences in finishes, processors, screens, cameras, and more. It’s unclear whether Apple will keep the Pro and Pro Max models, with differences mainly based on size and some additional camera features in the Pro Max, or if there will be a new Ultra model.
Rumors about an Ultra model seem to be dwindling after the launch of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, which come in a titanium finish.
What will the iPhone 16 design look like?
iPhone 15 Pro Max
The first possible clue about the iPhone 16 design comes from Mark Gurman, who expects the next generation to undergo a major change in size. This information was already hinted at by Ming-Chi Kuo in May and was later confirmed by Gurman.
Unless the front bezels are substantially altered, the iPhone 16 series is expected to be slightly larger in 2024. Specifically, the screens are expected to be 6.3in and 6.9in, which is 0.2 inches larger than the screens found in the current iPhone 15 series. This would result in higher devices, which may be disappointing for those who prefer compact phones.
Also in terms of the iPhone 16 design, Apple could be adding a new haptic button, located just below the power button. Codenamed “Project Nova”, this button is currently in the initial testing phase, and its use is not yet clear. It’s referred to as a “capture button”.
The button could be sensitive to the pressure of keystrokes, and there might be some evolution in the way it operates. Apple changed the classic mute/sound switch for a customizable Action button in 2023, so this change is not entirely unexpected.
The entry-level iPhone 15 models now have the Dynamic Island implemented, which means that there may not be many significant changes on the iPhone 16 display. While the frames may be somewhat smaller, the battery capacities are not yet known, so the thickness of the new models is still a mystery. It’s unlikely that there will be many other design changes.
The latest leaks suggest a peculiar design for the iPhone 16, which mixes elements seen in the iPhone X. There’s a possibility we see a major design change on the back of the iPhone 16. However, the source is not entirely reliable, and it’s unclear what these changes will be. After years of repeating the same design, Apple may want to renew the aesthetics of its entry-level models.
As for the Pro models, its design is expected to be virtually identical to the existing model. The iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max should come in a titanium finish and, maybe, even in a new color.
What Are the Rumored iPhone 16 Features?
iPhone 15 Pro Max.
It’s expected that Apple will continue its tradition of using the Pro processors from the previous generation in this year’s entry-level iPhones. This means that the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus would use the Apple A17 Pro chipset, while the new A18 Pro chip (if Apple decides to still use this naming convention) would be exclusive to the Pro and Pro Max models.
For the first time, there could be differences in size between the Pro and standard models. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus would keep the same sizes as the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, (6.1in and 6.7in respectively). The iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, on the other hand, could have larger displays (6.3in and 6.9in).
The latest rumors suggest that ProMotion, a feature that allows for a 120 Hz refresh rate, would remain exclusive to the Pro models. This would mean that the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus would use a 60 Hz LTPS OLED display instead. This is in contrast to many entry-level Android phones which now come with a 120 Hz refresh rate as standard.
There are currently no leaks about peak brightness, but there’s a race between manufacturers to see who can reach the highest number. This has led to screens with peak brightness over 4,000 nits, but the automatic brightness we actually perceive (HBM) does not exceed 1,300.
Apple has achieved 2,000 nits with the iPhone 15 series and maintained the same figure on the Pro models. Although the iPhones do not seem to shine as brightly in HDR, they still have the highest HBM brightness according to our testing. They should continue increasing the nits if they want to win the so-called brightness race in 2024, but there are few rumors in this regard.
Some significant camera changes are expected. The iPhone 16 Pro is expected to include the tetraprism telephoto lens from the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max may feature a 300 mm telephoto lens with better autofocus and slightly more zoom.
The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will continue to feature dual cameras (wide and ultra-wide), and no increase in resolution is expected. Apple usually increases the size of the sensors in each generation, which facilitates a greater entry of light when we jump to a new model.
New rumors suggest that the iPhone 16 Pro Max will have the best battery ever in an iPhone. However, there are no firm details on the milliamp hours of the battery, although changes in processor efficiency could help.
How Much Will the iPhone 16 Cost?
In 2023, Apple lowered the prices of the iPhones in some countries, but that wasn’t the case in the US. Although there’s little information about the pricing of the upcoming iPhone 16 line, we assume the models will have the same price tag as before.
- iPhone 16: from $799
- iPhone 16 Plus: from $899
- iPhone 16 Pro: from $999
- iPhone 16 Pro Max/Ultra: from $1,199
When Will the iPhone 16 Be Released?
The launch date for the iPhone 16 has not been announced yet, but it’s expected to be in the first two weeks of September. Last year, the iPhone 15 line was launched on Tuesday, September 12 at 13:00 ET / 10:00 PT. Although nothing has been confirmed, the iPhone 16 could be unveiled on either Tuesday, September 10th or Tuesday, September 17th 2024.
Image | Xataka