Apple has officially announced that it will hold its annual fall event on Monday, September 9, marking the imminent launch of the iPhone 16. This year’s lineup is expected to remain consistent with four models: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. However, there are several significant design updates and new features to look out for.
To prepare you for Apple’s “It’s Glowtime” event, we’ve compiled the most notable iPhone 16 rumors we’ve covered so far. For more in-depth information, you can check out our dedicated roundups on both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models
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1. Larger Displays
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are rumored to feature larger displays, measuring 6.27 inches and 6.86 inches respectively. For context, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max have 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch screens. These new sizes would make the iPhone 16 Pro models the largest iPhones to date.
2.Vertical Camera Layout
The iPhone 16 base models will reportedly switch to a vertical camera layout with a pill-shaped raised surface, deviating from the diagonal arrangement seen in the iPhone 15. This new setup, which includes separate rings for the Wide and Ultra Wide cameras, is expected to support Spatial Video recording—a feature currently exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro models.
3.Battery Improvements
Rumors indicate that the iPhone 16 Pro Max and standard iPhone 16 will feature larger batteries, with the Pro model seeing the most significant improvement—a 9% increase. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Plus could see a 9% decrease in battery capacity. Apple may also use stacked battery technology to boost energy density and extend battery life across the entire lineup.
4.New Capture Button
All iPhone 16 models are expected to include a new “Capture Button” dedicated to triggering photo and video capture. This button will allow users to zoom by swiping, focus with a light press, and start recording with a firmer press. The button will be located on the bottom right side of the iPhone, replacing the mmWave antenna, which will be relocated to the left side below the volume and Action buttons.
5.Ultra Wide Lens Upgrade
The iPhone 16 Pro models are rumored to include an upgraded 48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera, enhancing low-light performance and enabling the capture of 48-megapixel ProRAW photos in Ultra Wide mode. The iPhone 16 Pro Max might also feature a larger main camera with an advanced custom 48-megapixel Sony IMX903 sensor.
6. Super Telephoto Camera
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is rumored to be the first iPhone with a super telephoto periscope camera, significantly boosting optical zoom capabilities. This could be especially useful for sports and wildlife photography, as well as portrait shots with soft backgrounds.
7. Faster Wi-Fi Support
The iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to support Wi-Fi 7, enabling faster speeds, lower latency, and more reliable connectivity. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus models are likely to include Wi-Fi 6E, offering faster wireless speeds and reduced signal interference.
8. New A18 Series Chips
All iPhone 16 models are expected to be powered by Apple’s new A18 chips, manufactured using TSMC’s second-generation 3nm process. The chips are likely to differentiate between the standard and Pro models, possibly being named A18 and A18 Pro. This new processor is essential for supporting Apple Intelligence features set to debut in iOS 18.
9. 5G Qualcomm Modem
The iPhone 16 Pro models are rumored to include Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon X75 modem, which offers faster 5G speeds, improved carrier aggregation, and lower power consumption. The standard iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are expected to retain the Snapdragon X70 modem.
10. Tetraprism Lens
The iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to offer 5x optical zoom, thanks to Apple’s tetraprism lens system, which is currently exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This system will allow for up to 25x digital zoom and could significantly enhance the zoom capabilities of the smaller Pro models.
11. Micro-Lens Technology
Apple is reportedly considering using micro-lens technology to maintain or increase OLED display brightness while potentially reducing power consumption. This technology uses billions of lenses to reduce internal reflections, which could either boost brightness or lower power usage.
12. Action Button
The Action Button, introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro models, is expected to be extended to the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus. This customizable button replaces the traditional mute switch and can be programmed for various functions like activating the flashlight or launching apps.
13. 40W Fast Charging and 20W MagSafe
The iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to support 40W wired fast charging and 20W MagSafe charging. This is an upgrade from the 27W peak charging speed in current models and aims to address the increased charging time caused by larger batteries.
14. Upgraded Microphone
The iPhone 16 is rumored to feature a significantly improved microphone to enhance Siri’s performance, particularly with the new Apple Intelligence features that rely heavily on advanced voice processing.
15. New Thermal Design
Apple is reportedly working on a graphene-based thermal system to reduce overheating in the iPhone 16 lineup. The Pro models might also feature metal battery casings to help dissipate heat more effectively.
16. Expanded Storage
The iPhone 16 Pro models are rumored to double the maximum storage capacity to 2TB, thanks to the use of higher-density Quad-Level Cell (QLC) NAND flash. However, this technology may come with slower read and write speeds compared to the Triple-Level Cell (TLC) NAND used in current models.
17. Increased Memory
The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are expected to come with 8GB of RAM, an upgrade from the 6GB in their predecessors. This increase in memory should enhance multitasking performance, particularly with the new Apple Intelligence features.
18. Upgraded Neural Engine
The A18 chips in the iPhone 16 models are rumored to feature an upgraded Neural Engine with more cores, significantly improving the performance of Apple Intelligence and machine learning tasks.
19. Ultra-Thin Bezel Technology
Apple plans to use new ultra-thin bezel technology to maximize display size in the iPhone 16 series. This technology will minimize the bezel at the bottom of the screen, especially in the Pro models, which are expected to have the thinnest bezels of any smartphone.
20. New Polished Titanium Finish
The iPhone 16 Pro models are rumored to feature a new polished titanium finish, offering a more glossy appearance compared to the brushed finish on the iPhone 15 Pro. This new finish will be more resistant to scratches than stainless steel.
21. Reduced Lens Flare
Apple is reportedly testing new anti-reflective optical coating technology to reduce lens flare and ghosting in photos. This technology could also protect against environmental damage to the camera lens without affecting its performance.
22. New Colors
The iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to be available in black, white, silver, gray (or “Natural Titanium”), and rose, potentially replacing the Blue Titanium option from the iPhone 15 Pro. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are rumored to come in black, green, pink, blue, and white, with white replacing the yellow option from the previous generation.
These are the key rumors and updates we’ve gathered so far about the iPhone 16. Stay tuned for more details as we approach the official launch!
