Even though the official launch of the iPhone 16 has not yet taken place, there is already information circulating about the next generation of Apple smartphones. With some preliminary details available, tech lovers and Apple fans are aware of the discussed and anticipated developments in the industry.
Speculations about the release date, anticipated price, new features, as well as camera and battery life improvements are hot topics of discussion. It is expected that the new iPhone 16 range could also include an Ultra model, along with screen and design innovations. While the details are preliminary and unofficial, fans are already excited about the potential the tech giant’s next flagship can bring.
iPhone 16 Launch
It is expected that iPhone 16 to be unveiled in September 2024, continuing Apple’s tradition of releasing new models in the fall. The successor to the iPhone 15, which was released on September 12, 2023, will likely follow a similar annual cycle. It is possible that the new AirPods 4 will be announced at the same time.
What could be the price of the iPhone 16 series?
Speculations about the cost of the upcoming iPhone 16 suggest that it could be priced higher than previous models. It is known that the production of the iPhone 15 model has become more expensive by 10% compared to the previous year, a consequence of inflation that has not bypassed the industry. However, in 2023, Apple absorbed the additional costs, thus keeping prices stable – a maneuver that has made the iPhone 15 the most affordable version when adjusted for inflation since 2007.
Given these circumstances, it is less likely that we will see Apple apply the same financial strategy for its next model. We may experience price adjustments reflecting increases in production costs. A rough calculation shows that if a 10% increase is applied over the base price of the iPhone 15 of 969 euros, we can expect a launch price for the iPhone 16 around 1065 euros.
However, the company could make some savings through technological changes, such as switching to a more economical form of flash memory, as Digitimes notes. This could reduce costs, but it would also affect performance, especially in the case of the 1TB iPhone 16 Pro model.
The iPhone 16 series could introduce the Ultra model
A newcomer could join the iPhone line, the Ultra model, which would be positioned just above the existing Pro Max. It would come with a significant price tag and improved specifications to justify the higher sum.
- Superior camera – Expectations from image quality to a new level
- Bigger screen – May exceed current dimensions
- Faster processor – Increased performance for an improved experience
Speculations suggest that Apple fans could see this model in the year 2024, bringing top-of-the-line features that reflect the technological advancement and innovation desired by users.
iPhone 16 design and screen?
The upcoming iPhone 16 is expected to bring notable changes in terms of screen sizes. The information suggests that the iPhone 16 Pro models could have 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch screens, representing an increase from the current variants, so they could become the largest screens on an Apple smartphone to date.
The iPhone 16 Pro model is estimated to measure 149.6 x 71.45 x 8.25 mm, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max 163 x 77.58 x 8.25 mm. A subtle increase in height and width, but the edges would be thinner thanks to the introduction of Border Reduction Structure (BRS) technology.
However, no display refresh rate improvements are expected for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models. As things stand, they will continue to have a screen with a refresh rate of 60 Hz, using LTPS technology.
As for the camera, the arrangement of the modules could make a change to a vertical alignment, in contrast to the diagonal layout on the iPhone 15. It is rumored to be more similar to the camera design of the iPhone 12. Apparently, three different prototypes have been spotted:
- A design with a single action button, a unified volume button and a grip device similar to the iPhone X.
- Variant with an action button and separate mechanical volume buttons.
- A prototype with a larger action button and innovative capture button – and it looks like this could be the closest version to the final product.
These exploratory models keep in common the new vertical configuration of the camera sensors, given two different styles for the camera reliefs:
- Style one, similar to the iPhone 12, with two lenses placed on top of each other.
- Alternatively, an iPhone X-like style with a single oval-shaped bump for the camera.
When it comes to available colors, the iPhone 16 Pro is said to be offered in shades of desert yellow and cement gray, with blue making its way onto the palette, while red and green could be dropped.
Of course, an innovative design aspect is crucial to attract customers in an increasingly competitive market. Attention-grabbing changes are important, and a mundane design will not be enough in the face of technological innovations such as artificial intelligence or foldable phones.
The room
The iPhone 16 Pro is expected to incorporate significant advancements in its photo capabilities. Technology expert Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that the Pro models will benefit from a technology borrowed from the iPhone 15 Pro Max – the tetraprism telephoto lens. It is anticipated to contribute to an outstanding performance in 2024, largely due to the introduction of quad prism lenses on two of the iPhone 16 Pro models.
The tetraprism telephoto lens has been well received by critics and consumers alike, offering impressive optical zoom without compromising image quality. iPhone 15 Pro Max reviews highlight this telephoto lens as significantly more capable.
In addition, the iPhone 16 Pro is said to include lenses made of cast glass, which allow for greater zoom without being bulky. It is also said that the lenses could maintain the focal lengths of 24mm and 120mm, but with space savings due to the compact format of the lenses.
Another noted feature is the application of an anti-reflective coating using ALD technology, which is said to reduce the visibility of unwanted reflections and light artifacts in photos, even in bright sunlight.
The iPhone 16 Pro is expected to include a 48-megapixel main sensor, better than the 12-megapixel sensor on the iPhone 15. This new sensor is said to have the same 1.22-micron pixel size, but will adopt a stacked sensor design developed by Sony. This could ensure a wider dynamic range and reduced noise in images.
Regarding improvements to the cameras of the base and Plus models of the iPhone 16, information is limited at this time.
The Potential Technical Specifications of the iPhone 16
Speculations indicate that the iPhone 16 could include the A17 Bionic processor, a new addition to the previous version. In addition, it is also slated to offer the A18 processor for the Pro models, which would be the first SoC with 3nm manufacturing technology for smartphones. This technological advance promises significant improvements in energy efficiency and performance.
The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) processing is expected to be highlighted by the new iOS 18, thanks to an increased number of dedicated cores optimized for AI tasks. That could mean new and improved AI-powered features.
In terms of memory, the upcoming device could be equipped with 8 GB of RAM, a first for non-Pro models. This jump in memory capacity comes with a storage variant that could go up to 256 GB.
Preliminary iPhone 16 Pro performance results have been leaked, indicating a noticeable improvement in single-core and multi-core tests. Although the scores vary between sources, this suggests that we will still see a performance increase compared to the previous generation.
For connectivity, the iPhone 16 could be the first to be equipped with a modem developed in-house by Apple, instead of the 5G chips provided so far by Qualcomm. The move could mark a significant shift in how Apple controls the technology in its devices.
Another important aspect mentioned is the improvement of heat management. Apple is rumored to be exploring the use of a graphene heat dissipation system and changes to the battery case to improve thermal diffusion.
Finally, the storage capacity could rise to an impressive level of up to 2 TB, a move that would separate Apple from the competition in the market, where most top smartphones offer up to 1 TB of storage space. This expanded capacity could satisfy users who want more space for apps, photos and media.
What autonomy can the iPhone 16 offer?
Display technologies are advancing, and the iPhone 16 stands out thanks to its new micro-OLED technology. These panels include tiny lenses that direct light to the screen surface and the user’s eyes in a more energy-efficient way. As a result, we can expect o better light and consumption lower energy.
When it comes to battery life, credible sources anticipate that the iPhone 16 will set a new standard in its segment. There can be remarkable improvements, especially for the Pro variant of the device. It is speculated that the upcoming flagship model could exceeds the threshold of 30 hours of autonomy when playing video.
The innovations do not stop there, as it seems that the iPhone 16 Pro Max would benefit from an improved battery, reaching capacity of 4 676 mAh, compared to 4,422 mAh for its predecessor. However, it seems that these gains in autonomy will not be evenly distributed across the range; the Plus variant of the iPhone 16 could suffer a reduction of about 8.6% in terms of battery capacity compared to the iPhone 15 Plus.
What new features does iPhone 16 bring?
Apple continues to innovate with the iPhone 16 lineup, offering improved and added features on top of existing features. Although the retirement of Touch ID technology has been confirmed, users will still be able to enjoy advanced security solutions with the Face ID system and other biometric methods.
The new iPhone 16 series includes a versatile Action button, taken over from the iPhone 15 Pro models. This button is intended to become capacitive and recognize different levels of pressure, allowing users to perform multiple commands with a single press.
In addition, Apple is introducing a new Capture button – an additional button that makes it easier to take photos, record video and take screenshots, giving the user more precise control over zoom and focus. According to information, it could represent a novel way to improve the photographic experience on the iPhone.
*The article dedicated to the launch of the iPhone 16, will be constantly updated with new information as it appears.
