- Kyle Chua
iPhone 16 Rumour Roundup: Vertical Camera Arrangement, Capture Button, A18 Chip
Apple's next iPhone launch event is still some ways off, but rumours are already swirling online of what new features could be introduced by the new line of smartphones.
According to MacRumors, the iPhone 16 lineup will once again consist of two standard models and two Pro models, four models in total. They'll reportedly feature some significant changes that'll help distinguish them from their predecessors.
Chief among those changes is perhaps the display size bump on the new Pro models. The iPhone 16 Pro will measure 6.3 inches, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max will measure 6.9 inches, a notable upgrade from the 6.1 inches of the 15 Pro and the 6.7 inches of the 15 Pro Max. If true, these would mark the first iPhone size upgrade in some years. The standard models, however, will retain the sizes of last year's models.
The iPhone 16's camera array will also look different. Instead of a square-shaped bump with diagonally aligned lenses, all models of the iPhone 16 will feature a slimmer, pill-shaped bump with vertically aligned lenses. The microphone will once again be located beside the lenses within the bump, but the camera flash will be moved outside, on the back of the smartphone itself.
As for the lenses themselves, the new Pro models might feature an improved 48MP ultra-wide lens, enabling better night photography and low-light shooting. The wide lens on the Pro Max could also feature an eight-part hybrid lens, as well as an improved telephoto lens.
Apple will also expand the Action Button, which was exclusive to the iPhone 15's Pro models, to the standard models of the iPhone 16. Speaking of buttons, all the new iPhone 16 model might additionally feature a new pressure- and touch-sensitive Capture Button, which would be located on the same side as the Power button. The new button will allow users to zoom in and out by swiping left and right, focus with a light press and activate a recording with a more forceful press.
The new iPhone models will also house new A-series chips, namely the A18 and the A18 Pro. The standard models will of course house the former, while the Pro models will house the latter. The new chips could feature an upgraded Neural Engine with more cores that will improve artificial intelligence (AI) features. They'll also feature a new thermal design that'll help prevent overheating issues.
Among other notable upgrades include Wi-Fi 7 support, which could possibly push download speeds up to 40 gigabits per second, brighter and more power-efficient OLED panels with slimmer bezels and maybe higher capacity batteries with longer lifespans.
Users can expect a bunch of AI features as well, which could likely be powered by Apple's large language models.
Going by the annual release cycle, it's safe to expect Apple to launch the iPhone 16 sometime in September 2024. No pricing details yet.
The iPhone 16 lineup will once again consist of two standard models and two Pro models, four models in total.
The Pro models could feature a size bump, with the 16 Pro measuring 6.3 inches, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max will feature 6.9 inches.
All the new iPhone 16 models might additionally feature a new pressure- and touch-sensitive Capture Button, which allow users to control the camera focus with a light press.