The rumor mill is running at full speed and several details about the iPhone 16 (Pro) have already emerged. According to the usually reliable screen analyst Ross Young, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro (Max) may have a larger screen.
This would be an increase of 0.2 inches. That doesn’t sound like much, but if you compare this to the current models, the gain is big. According to sources, the increase in screen would be necessary, because Apple needs a larger housing for the camera. In addition, WiFi 7 may also be added and both Pro models will have a Tetraprism camera.
iPhone 16 (Pro) with larger screen
According to Ross Young the iPhone 16 Pro will have a 6.3-inch screen, the current model has a size of 6.1 inches. The iPhone 16 Pro Max would go from 6.7 inches to 6.9 inches. The iPhone 16 Pro (Max) will reportedly have the thinnest screen bezels in a smartphone ever.
The larger screen would also increase the size of the iPhone Pro models slightly. For example, the iPhone 16 Pro may have a height of 149.6 mm (+3 mm), width of 71.45 mm (+ 0.85 mm) with a screen edge of 1.2 mm (- 0.51 mm). The thickness of this model remains the same: 8.25 mm. The iPhone 16 Pro Max may have dimensions of 163 mm (+ 3.1 mm) high, 77.58 mm (+ 0.88 mm) wide, 8.26 mm (+ 0.01 mm) thick and with a screen edge of 1.15 mm (-0.4 mm).
Renewed camera
All iPhone 16 models will be equipped with an updated camera system. For example, all Pro models will receive the tetraprism telephoto lens and the ultra-wide-angle camera will probably be updated.
Tetraprism telephoto lens for all Pro models (new)
The cause for the new display could be according to Mark Gruman to the cameras. According to him, Apple has plans to add the Tetraprism, which is now present in the 15 Pro Max, to the iPhone 16 Pro. For this, Apple needs a larger frame and then the screen will automatically increase in size.
Also Ming-Chi Kuo reports now that Apple may want to add the tetraprism to the smaller 16 Pro. With this, Apple will replace the telephoto lens and make it possible to zoom in optically up to at least five times without loss of quality.
The Max model will also have to increase in size by adding a new camera sensor. The 16 Pro Max will have a 1/1.28-inch instead of the current 1/1.14-inch, which also requires a larger housing.
New ultra wide angle lens (new)
Rumors also indicate that Apple plans to upgrade the Pro models with a newer ultra-wide lens, a component that has been largely untouched since the iPhone 13 Pro. The ultra-wide lens on the iPhone 16 Pro models will get a new 48-megapixel sensor, a huge jump up from the current 12-megapixel sensor.
According to Ming-Chi Kuo, the new ultra-wide-angle lens allows the iPhone 16 Pro to take better photos and videos in low light and dark environments. The camera has a sensor that is more sensitive to light.
Larger main sensor for Max model
Most likely, the 16 Pro Max will again have an exclusive function compared to the other models. Rumors report that the Max model will get a 12 percent larger main sensor from Sony. This has a better dynamic range and less noise. A greater dynamic range ensures that there is more difference between the lightest and darkest part of a photo. This results in better contrast and fewer ‘black spots’ in low light conditions.
Custom camera island (new)
Apple may change the iPhone 16’s Camera Island, which features two camera lenses. The lenses are currently positioned diagonally, but Apple may want to switch this back to one below the other.
There are two options; just like with the iPhone 12, two separate camera lenses underneath each other, or combine the two lenses as was the case with the iPhone X. The image above is a concept inspired by a leaked schematic drawingthis gives you a good idea of the possible new camera island of the iPhone 16.
No longer able to press physical buttons
Several rumors report that Apple may remove the power button and volume buttons that you can physically press from the iPhone 16 (Pro). Of course, the buttons are still present, but you can no longer really press them.
Just like the home button of the iPhone 7, 8, SE 2nd generation or newer, the buttons will be replaced by a pressure-sensitive button. Thanks to the vibration motor in the device, you will feel haptic feedback when pressing the buttons.
Capture Button under Side Button (New)
According to a new report from MacRumors Apple’s next-generation iPhone may get a new capacitive button, internally referred to as the ‘Capture Button’. Sources tell the site that the new button will be on the same side as the side button, and not the action button above the volume buttons.
Codenamed “Project Nova”, the button is likely to be one of the main selling points of the entire iPhone 16 range, assuming it makes it past the initial testing phase. The Capture button is on the same side as the power button, just positioned lower. Like the other buttons, this one cannot be physically pressed.
According to rumors the button is pressure sensitive and even works with swipe gestures. By lightly pressing the button, the user can lock the focus or exposure, just like with a DSLR camera. By pressing the button all the way down, the photo can be taken. You could also use it to zoom in and out by swiping left or right over the button. Perhaps the button will also ensure that you can immediately open the Camera app from any situation.
Generative AI (new)
With Apple Intelligence for iOS 18, the iPhone already gets a large number of generative AI functions. Generative artificial intelligence (AI) refers to systems capable of generating new, original content based on patterns learned from existing data. These systems use algorithms, such as generative adversarial networks (GANs), to produce images, texts, or music that resemble human creations, for example.
They learn patterns and structures in data sets and then create new content that follows these patterns. These technologies have the potential to stimulate creativity and promote innovation by generating new ideas and concepts.
The iPhone will soon be able to generate images, remove objects from photos, summarize texts and more. Siri will also be much better with more extensive knowledge and the ability to ask multiple questions at once and respond to answers.
Apple is said to have extras in store for the iPhone 16 (Pro) with exclusive AI functions for these iPhone models, which are as yet unknown.
New Neural Engine for AI (new)
Apple’s processors contain a Neural Engine, which is responsible for accelerating AI tasks, such as machine learning and computer vision, by performing complex calculations with high efficiency. It optimizes tasks such as facial recognition, natural language processing, and improving photo and video editing on iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
iOS 18 is set to be the biggest update ever for iPhone, with a focus on AI (Artificial Intelligence). Apple is said to be planning to introduce a new Neural Engine to the iPhone 16 (Pro), which can perform complex AI tasks, significantly improving AI capabilities.
This Neural Engine would, according to the rumors, may be incorporated into the A18, A18 Pro and M4 chip. However, another source claims that this new Neural Engine for AI will only come to the A18 Pro for the time being and therefore only the iPhone 16 Pro (Max).
Support for WiFi 7 and faster 5G (new)
The new iPhones will likely come with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75 modem, which supports 5G download speeds of up to 7.5Gbps thanks to a new “5G Advanced” standard.
According to sources, the iPhone 16 will support WiFi 7, currently WiFi 6 is used for the iPhone series. The biggest advantage of WiFi 7 is the speed gain, for example WiFi 7 is four times as fast as WiFi 6(E) and six times as fast as WiFi 5. In addition, WiFi 7 makes it possible to transfer data via multiple frequencies simultaneously. For example, the new standard automatically switches between 5 GHz and 6 GHz, depending on which frequency has the highest speed.
The biggest advantage of this is that you can connect more devices to your wireless network without losing speed. To get the most out of wifi 7, you need a router that supports the new standard and multiple wifi 7 devices.
Other innovations
- Action button is added to all models
- Perhaps no more SIM card holder, only eSIM
- A18 chip for iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus
- A18 Pro chip for iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max
- New colors for Pro models: Titanium black, natural and pink also the color white or silver titanium is expected
- The iPhone 16 (Plus) may appear in Black, Green, Pink, Blue and White
- No addition of Touch ID
Full-screen design uncertain
Ming-Chi Kuo wrote last year on his twitter that the first full-screen iPhone will appear in 2024. All components needed for Face ID would then be placed behind the screen, even the selfie camera.
As a result, the iPhone 16 Pro would no longer have a notch and no holes in the screen. This could mean that the high-end iPhone of 2024 will have an OLED screen that covers the entire front. Yet this news is questionable and the chance that this can be achieved in 2024 is small.
Apple will face challenges, a camera behind a screen is a difficult task. Kuo says that low-light situations are detrimental to the quality of the camera when it is covered by a screen. Artificial intelligence, ISP and algorithms are crucial to improve the quality of the selfie camera. Only then will there be no loss of quality compared to the current TrueDetph camera.
Kuo has a history of being a good predictor of upcoming products, so it’s likely he’s right and we can expect a full-screen iPhone in the future. Perhaps this innovation will only be reserved for the iPhone Ultra or Pro models in 2025 or later.
iPhone Ultra in 2024 or 2025
The iPhone Ultra has been in the news a lot in recent months. Various rumors suggest that Apple wants to launch an even more advanced iPhone. At first it was thought that the Ultra would replace the iPhone Pro Max, but according to new rumors this would not be the case.
It seems that this model will appear alongside the Pro models and will be sold as a separate (more expensive) alternative, just like the Apple Watch Ultra. The Ultra may not appear until 2025 and we can still expect two iPhone Pro models in 2024.