It’s been a while since the launch of the latest iPhones and the expected presentation of the next generation is fast approaching.
As good as the iPhone 15 range is, there’s definitely still room for improvement. Apple has absolutely nailed some aspects of the iPhone, yet it still falls behind Android competition in other areas, especially when it comes to AI features.
So, understandably, many people are excited for the upcoming iPhone 16 launch. If that includes you, here’s everything you need to know about it.
When will the iPhone 16 be released?
When it comes to new iPhones, Apple’s release schedule is like clockwork.
September is traditionally when we see new models, and we have no reason to suspect the iPhone 16 will change that pattern. So, we’re very confident in predicting that the iPhone 16 will be unveiled in September 2024.
However, you won’t be able to get your hands on one immediately. Pre-orders usually last for around 10 days, although the iPhone 14 Plus in 2022 ended up being delayed until October. Apple will want to avoid a repeat of that in 2024.
How much will the iPhone 16 cost?
Apple has been quite consistent with its pricing over recent years. There were some price hikes recently, but they are (at least in large part) due to higher manufacturing costs and inflation.
It’s worth noting that the iPhone 15 Pro Max also starts at 256GB storage, which is why its price is higher than its predecessor:
These are the starting prices for the current iPhone 15 range:
- iPhone 15 – $799/£799
- iPhone 15 Plus – $899/£899
- iPhone 15 Pro – $999/£999
- iPhone 15 Pro Max – $1,199/£1,199
Pricing is likely to remain relatively consistent on the iPhone 16 range, although a potential new iPhone 16 Ultra model may complicate it. The name change (from Pro Max) could mean an even heftier price tag, as the name signifies the absolute best an iPhone can possibly be.
However, according to leaker yeux1122 on South Korean platform Naver, the titanium frame on the iPhone 16 models will be cheaper to produce than the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, potentially leading to cost savings for consumers.
What specs and features will the iPhone 16 have?
There’s still at least 3 months until the expected release date of the iPhone 16 range, but we already have many clues and reports on what Apple might be preparing.
Most of them concern the Pro versions, although there’s still some big news on the standard models. Here’s what we’ve found so far.
Design
Apple has been exploring various camera bump designs for the standard iPhone 16 models. Its latest prototype, shared by Majin Bu on X, showcases a vertical camera arrangement set into a pill-shaped bump.
This camera bump incorporates two distinctive camera rings for the wide and ultrawide lenses, taking inspiration from earlier prototype designs (via MacRumors). Throughout the prototyping phase, Apple has maintained a vertical camera layout, without altering the position of the flash or the camera lenses in this latest iteration.
The same leaker subsequently posted images of what are supposedly moulds and mock-ups for the regular iPhone 16, showing dual vertical lenses once again:
Majin Bu clarifies in the replies that while there’s some uncertainty regarding the first photo, the second one supposedly has supporting evidence. Bu also says there’s “no further news at the moment” regarding the Pro models (as of 18 February).
This design pays homage to previous iPhone models, notably the iPhone X, which also featured a pill-shaped camera design with a slim module. While the iPhone 12 also employed a vertical camera setup, it had a broader square bump to accommodate the flash and microphone.
MacRumors also stated that recent iPhone 16 prototypes have seen minor adjustments to the Action Button and Capture Button. They feature a smaller Action Button than the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, alongside a new pressure-sensitive capture button.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Mark Gurman suggested the Capture button could be used to record video. The Information also mentioned it might enable zooming and focusing with swipes. Both sources have a strong track record for Apple news, so we can be fairly confident that this is accurate.
Elsewhere, Apple is expected to replace the mute switch with the Action button in the upcoming iPhone 16 and 16 Plus models, matching what we see on the current Pro versions.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Additionally, writing in a December 2023 Medium post, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested improvements to the microphone, potentially enhancing water resistance and signal-to-noise ratio to complement the upgraded AI-powered Siri experience.
Lastly, according to a recent Chinese leak (via GSMArena), the iPhone 16 Pro will measure 149.6 x 71.45 x 8.25mm and weigh 194g, making it slightly larger and heavier than the iPhone 15 Pro, which measures 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.25mm and weighs 187g.
On the other hand, the iPhone 16 Pro Max might be 163.02 x 77.58 x 8.26mm and weigh 225g, compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25mm and 221g.
Display
There are no expected size changes for the regular iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, with these devices retaining the same dimensions as their predecessor.
However, according to leaker Unknownz21, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will feature larger displays. The iPhone 16 Pro is set to sport a display measuring 6.27 inches (rounded to 6.3), while the iPhone 16 Pro Max is projected to boast a 6.85-inch display (rounded to 6.9).
9to5Mac released preliminary CAD renders of the iPhone 16 Pro Max back in May 2023, although they’ve since been deleted. However, the article also suggests a 6.9-inch display.
With the enlarged display sizes, the physical dimensions of the iPhone’s body are expected to increase as well. Both models are predicted to be taller and wider than the iPhone 15 Pro models.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
There was speculation that Apple will move its Face ID sensors under the display, but 9to5Mac suggests this won’t happen until after 2026. In the meantime, there’s no indication that Apple will follow the lead of many Android phones and introduce an under-display fingerprint sensor.
What’s more, according to a Korean site The Elec (via MacRumors), the OLED panels on at least some of the iPhone 16 models will use micro-lens technology. This will supposedly allow them to deliver enhanced brightness and increased power efficiency.
Additionally, a Chinese leaker (via GSMArena) and Ice Universe say that the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max will feature the thinnest screen bezels ever seen on a smartphone: 1.2mm on the iPhone 16 Pro and the Pro Max will have even thinner bezels at 1.15mm.
For comparison, the current iPhone 15 Pro’s bezels are 1.71mm and iPhone 15 Pro Max’s are 1.55mm. This advancement might make the new iPhones closer to a truly ‘bezel-less’ design than any other device on the market, including the Galaxy S24 line.
Another leak from China (via GSMArena) also reveals that the iPhone 16 Pro might feature a 6.3-inch screen, up from 6.1 inches, and the Pro Max will have a 6.9-inch screen, up from 6.7 inches.
And a more recent report from the Korean site ETNews claims these dimensions as well. Additionally, it says that the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will get the newest M14 OLED panels from Samsung Display.
Those panels uses higher-performance materials, contributing to its performance potentially being superior compared to the one of the Galaxy S24 Ultra and any other that company offers right now.
On the other hand, the standard iPhone 16 and 16 Plus models are expected to retain the M12 panels from the current iPhone 15 series.
Performance
When Apple introduced the new 3nm processor for the iPhone 15 Pro models, it also changed the name of the chip, from the A17 Bionic to the A17 Pro.
The new name indicates that it is a special version of the chip for the Pro models, which means the iPhone 16 will likely get a stripped-down version of the chip called the A17 Bionic.
On the other hand, back in September 2023, analyst Jeff Pu said (via MacRumors) that Apple may opt for a different approach by naming the new chips A18 and A18 Pro. This suggests that all iPhone 16 models would feature some iteration of the A18 chip rather than adopting an A17.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
A more recent report from MacRumors claims that all models of the iPhone 16 range will likely feature the same A-series chip, given the consistent numbering scheme (iPhone17,1 to iPhone17,5) observed in the identifiers that Nicolás Alvarez discovered in Apple’s backend code.
Historically, Apple ties iPhone identifiers to their chips. For instance, iPhone 15 models with the A16 chip have identifiers starting with 15 (iPhone15,1), while the iPhone 15 Pro models with the A17 Pro chip start with 16 (iPhone16,1). Thus, all iPhone 16 models sharing the same chip aligns with past practices and what Pu said last year.
Despite the same chip across all models, Apple may still differentiate between standard and Pro versions by varying the GPU core count, potentially naming them A18 and A18 Pro. This approach would ensure that all iPhone 16 models support Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18, which require a powerful chip.
On the other hand, the discovery of five model numbers hints at a possible additional iPhone, speculated to be a future iPhone SE 4, which could use the same chip as the iPhone 16 lineup.
In another report from Hong Kong investment firm Haitong International Securities, Jeff Pu also said the full iPhone 16 range will have 8GB of RAM, just like the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max.
Another reports suggest that Apple has addressed the issue of overheating that affected some iPhone 15 models. According to Kosutami on X, Apple is in the process of developing a graphene thermal system that should help mitigate these issues.
Currently, iPhones use copper for their heat sinks, but graphene boasts higher thermal conductivity.
Cameras
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (via Digital Trends), Apple will put a new 48Mp ultrawide lens on the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max – a substantial improvement over the current 12Mp.
Like the 48Mp main, it would probably use pixel binning (where four pixels are combined into one) for 12Mp images by default.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Elsewhere, The Elec (via MacRumors) suggests that both iPhone 15 Pro models will get upgraded telephoto cameras offering 5x optical and 25x digital zoom. Ming-Chi Kuo previously said the same.
However, there’s also speculation that the iPhone 16 Pro Max might feature a super telephoto camera for a significant boost in optical zoom, helping to distinguish it from the standard Pro model.
Battery & charging
According to MacRumors, the iPhone 16 Pro models may feature stacked battery technology, offering higher capacity and prolonged lifespan. The introduction of stacked batteries could potentially coincide with faster 40W wired charging and 20W MagSafe charging capabilities.
In November, an image purportedly showing the iPhone 16 Pro battery leaked, revealing a new design, updated connector and a capacity of 3355mAh.
According to a leaker Majin Bu, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Max will boast larger batteries than their predecessors, but the iPhone 16 Plus may see a decrease in battery capacity.
Additionally, the Pro Max model is expected to transition from the L-shaped battery design back to a rectangular shape, just like the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus.
Korean leaker yeux1122 also claims that the iPhone 16 Pro Max is expected to feature a larger battery than the one found in the iPhone 15 Pro Max, likely exceeding 4,441mAh. They also suggest that the iPhone 16 Pro will also have a larger battery than its predecessor, although it won’t match the size or longevity of the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s battery.
Meanwhile, Apple is reportedly making changes to iPhone batteries to comply with upcoming EU regulations that require user-replaceable batteries by 2025.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has now revealed that Apple will use a stainless steel battery case for easier removal. This new design not only might simplify battery replacement but also increase battery cell density by 5-10%, enhancing its life while maintaining safety standards.
Sunway might supply the stainless steel cases, benefitting from Apple’s new approach. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is expected to be the first model to feature this new battery casing.
Software
For all the software announcements from Apple’s WWDC event, have a look at our iOS 18 round-up.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Connectivity
Apple transitioned to USB-C technology starting with the iPhone 15 lineup, and that’s almost certain to continue on the iPhone 16 models.
Although Apple has been developing its in-house 5G modem chips, they probably won’t be ready for 2024 phones. Instead, according to technology analyst Jeff Pu, the iPhone 16 Pro may adopt Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75 modem to enhance 5G connectivity speed and efficiency.
However, the base model iPhone 16 is likely to retain the Qualcomm X70 chip from the iPhone 15. Additionally, the iPhone 16 could feature Wi-Fi 7 technology.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Apple’s AR/VR headset, the Vision Pro, is now on sale. We’re expecting the company to do its best to integrate it seamlessly into the ecosystem, and the iPhone will be a gateway for this.
iPhone 16 Ultra
One of the more interesting rumours that were circulating even around the iPhone 15 launch was the possibility of yet another model, called the iPhone 15 (or now 16) Ultra. We are not sure whether it would be a fifth version of the iPhone or a rebranded iPhone 16 Pro Max, but there is quite a lot of talk about this faster, more feature-rich model.
Of course, it is supposed to be even more expensive than the current lineup, but in exchange, customers would get a slew of upgrades. It’s rumoured to feature an upgraded, faster variant of the A18 chip (presumably with more GPU cores), a bigger screen, and possibly even a portless design.
However, there are no indications of such a device in the early iOS 18 code. The code implies that Apple is currently developing only four iPhones, comprising two standard iPhone 16 models and two iPhone 16 Pro models.
That’s all we know at this point about the upcoming iPhone 16 range. We’ll update this article once more is revealed.
In the meantime, be sure to read about the upcoming iPhone SE 4 and check out the best iPhones you can buy right now.
