iPhone 16: Expected specs, features for Apple’s next iPhone models

New iPhone models are coming very soon.

Apple announced it will host its annual September launch event, called Glowtime, at its headquarters in Cupertino, California on Monday, September 9 (September 10, Philippine time), and it’s here that the tech giant is expected to launch the iPhone 16.

Much like the iPhone 15, the iPhone 16 lineup would reportedly consist of four models: the iPhone 16, the iPhone 16 Plus, the iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Here’s a rundown of how each model is shaping up based on the multitude of online leaks and rumors:

Design changes

Apple is set to go large with the launch of the iPhone 16, and we mean that in the literal sense. The top-end Pro Max model could be its largest iPhone yet, featuring a display that’s said to measure 6.86 inches. For comparison, the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s display only measures 6.7 inches. The iPhone 16 Pro’s display would also go up to 6.27 inches versus the iPhone 15 Pro’s 6.1 inches.

The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, meanwhile, would feature a new camera layout. The lenses here are arranged in a vertical manner, instead of diagonal, while the bump is now pill-shaped, no longer squircle. As to the reason for this change, MacRumors believes the new layout would allow Spatial Video recording on the two non-Pro iPhones.

What’s more, Apple is said to be expanding the Action Button to non-Pro iPhones starting with the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus. The Action Button was launched last year on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max to replace the mute switch. The button has a host of functions depending on how you want to use it; it can be used to turn on the flashlight, enable or disable Focus mode, or even launch programmed Shortcuts.

A new button

Speaking of buttons, all iPhone 16 models feature a new Capture Button that would be located below the Power button on the right side of the device.

The button itself is reportedly mechanical, not capacitive, but it can respond to various gestures. Swiping on it, for instance, lets you zoom in and out with the camera. Lightly tapping it lets you adjust the focus, while pressing it activates a recording.

Camera improvements

When it comes to cameras, most of the major improvements are limited to the iPhone 16 Pro models. Chief of which perhaps is the upgraded 48MP Ultra Wide lens that can capture more light and detail in low-light environments. This results in better-looking photos in 0.5x mode compared to previous generations.

Both Pro models will additionally feature Apple’s tetra prism lens with 5x optical zoom, which is currently only available on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The iPhone 15 Pro, along with the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, caps at 3x zoom.

Performance and battery upgrades

All four iPhone 16 models will ship with Apple’s next-generation A18 chips, manufactured with TSMC’s 3nm process. These chips are, of course, expected to be faster and more capable than their predecessors. On top of this, they’ll feature an upgraded Neural Engine that can power Apple Intelligence software features coming with iOS 18.

Apple is additionally increasing the onboard RAM on the iPhone 16 and the 16 Plus from 6GB on the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus to 8GB. The additional memory should supposedly improve both models’ multitasking performance as well as help Apple Intelligence features run smoothly.

The iPhone 16 Pro models are also getting more storage space, with the maximum available now being 2TB, twice that of the iPhone 15 Pro models’ 1TB.

For battery, the standard iPhone 16 and the top-end Pro Max could feature bigger batteries than their respective predecessors, according to one renowned tipster. The iPhone 16 is said to house a 3,561mAh cell, up from the 3,349mAh cell of the iPhone 15. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is said to house a 4,676mAh cell compared to the 4,422mAh cell of the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

This year’s Plus model, however, could see its battery shrink versus its predecessor. It’ll reportedly house a 4,006mAh, which is smaller than the 4,383mAh cell of the iPhone 15 Plus. The reasoning for why the battery shrinks instead of grows in this generation is unclear.

The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max could also support 40W wired fast charging and 20W MagSafe charging. In comparison, the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro models caps wired charging at 27W, granted you have an appropriate USB-C power adapter, while MagSafe charging tops out at 15W.

Apple’s 2024 iPhone Pro models are expected to get Wi-Fi 7 in the Pro models, enabling data transfer over the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands simultaneously. This should result in faster Wi-Fi speeds, lower latency, and more reliable connectivity. With technologies such as 4K QAM, Wi-Fi 7 is also expected to offer peak data transfer speeds of over 40 Gbps, a 4× increase over Wi-Fi 6E. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus is rumored to support Wi-Fi 6E, which works with the 6 GHz band, enabling faster wireless speeds and reduced signal interference.

Besides battery and performance, the new iPhone models will also get a boost in connectivity. The Pro models supposedly boast Wi-Fi 7 support, allowing for faster data transfers over the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands. The standard models, meanwhile, support Wi-Fi 6E, letting them connect to 6GHz bands.

Apple Watch and AirPods

Alongside the iPhone 16, Apple is also expected to unveil a new Apple Watch Series, the Apple Watch Ultra 3, and two sets of AirPods.

According to online rumors, the new Watch Series will boast a bigger display and a faster chip under the hood, while the new Watch Ultra will be more of an annual refresh.

The two new AirPods, meanwhile, will reportedly resemble the more premium AirPods Pro. One model is also said to have a charging case with a built-in speaker.

Apple will be streaming its Glowtime launch event live on its website, YouTube, and Apple TV on September 10 at 1 am, Philippine time. – Rappler.com