Rumors and Speculations Surrounding the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro
The iPhone 15 Pro (left) and the iPhone 15 Pro Max (right).
Photo: Florence Ion / Gizmodo
With the recent launch of Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series, it’s time to turn our attention to Apple’s next major smartphone release: the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro series. While many of us have just upgraded to the iPhone 15, it’s never too early to start speculating about what Apple has in store for us next.
The rumors surrounding the iPhone 16 began almost immediately after the release of the iPhone 14 in late 2022. Initially, there were whispers that Apple would eliminate the notch entirely in favor of a more seamless design. However, the regular iPhone 15 ended up adopting the notch, leaving us wondering what changes Apple has planned for the design of the iPhone 16.
Current rumors suggest that the regular iPhone 16 will feature a new stacked design for the rear-facing camera lenses. On the other hand, the iPhone 16 Pro may have an additional input that serves as a camera button. Additionally, there are speculations about the display sizes of the iPhone 16 series, with four different offerings in the Pro tier. While we won’t know anything for certain until Apple officially unveils the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro, it’s always fun to speculate.
Timeline: When can we expect the iPhone 16?
Apple has a long-standing tradition of refreshing its iPhone lineup every fall with upgraded looks and new features. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro are expected to follow this pattern, with a release date around mid-September, after Labor Day. If you’re eager to pre-order the new iPhones, it’s best to keep an eye out for announcements around that time.
Display: What can we expect in terms of screen size?
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro are expected to offer a range of screen sizes, deviating from the previous generations. While the Pro and regular models used to have the same sized medium and large configurations, this time Apple is likely to make the Pro variants larger than the regular phones.
The regular iPhone 16 is expected to have a similar size to the iPhone 15, with a 6.1-inch display, while the iPhone 16 Plus will feature a larger 6.7-inch display. The Pro models will be even bigger, with a 6.2-inch display for the iPhone 16 Pro and a screen size “over” 6.8 inches for the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
There are also reports suggesting that the iPhone’s display technology will incorporate a new OLED with a micro-lens array (MLA), resulting in brighter and more energy-efficient screens.
iPhone 16 Design: More buttons and a stacked camera array
The next generation of iPhones is expected to introduce more buttons. The iPhone 16 is rumored to adopt the iPhone 15 Pro’s Action button, which replaces the physical mute switch. This button can be configured to mute the system or customized through iOS settings.
Furthermore, there are rumors of a haptic button, known as the Capture Button, making its way to the iPhone 16 Pro. This button would be located on the right side of the phone, where cellular antennas are typically found. It would provide a camera-like feel, allowing users to tap to snap a photo or slide up and down to zoom in and out.
In terms of the camera array, the iPhone 16 is expected to feature a stacked design instead of the stove-top design seen in previous models. While some renders depict it in a pill shape, it will likely remain square, as it has become an iconic feature of iPhones.
iPhone 16 Performance Rumors: Cooler and more powerful
Following the pattern of previous releases, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will likely feature an upgraded processor. The iPhone 15 series introduced the A16 Bionic chip, and the iPhone 16 is expected to follow suit with the A17 Bionic. Additionally, the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro may introduce the A18 Bionic chip.
There are speculations that the pro version of the A18 chip will offer an extra GPU core. Apple is also expected to address concerns about overheating by incorporating a graphene heat sink in the iPhone 16, which would help dissipate heat more effectively.
Spatial Video and Improved Siri: Enhancements in software
The stacked camera array on the back of the iPhone 16 is rumored to be optimized for recording spatial video content. This aligns with Apple’s focus on augmented reality (AR) and its developer-centric AR headset, the Apple Vision Pro.
Furthermore, the iPhone 16 Pro may feature a super telephoto periscope camera, improving its ability to capture distant objects and stabilize images.
In terms of software, the iPhone 16 is expected to come with improvements to Siri. It