ALBAWABA - While Apple’s iPhone 15 has just seen the light of day, rumors and leaks have already started circulating regarding the next installment of the iPhone. The new updated iPhone 16 line-up seems to bring a bigger screen for the first time in a few years, an extra side button and different cellular chipsets for different models.
- Display and Design
While it is not expected from Apple to do any major design changes, especially with how it usually makes such changes every three years or so, there is a very real possibility that the iPhone 16 will include the titanium frame seen on the iPhone 15 and the newly announced Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, as well as the new customizable action button, which replaced the old silence switcher.
The functional changes anticipated are haptic sensors that replace all mechanical buttons around the phone, similar to what they did with the iPhone 8’s home button compared to previous generations. Additionally, a new capture button is mentioned in recent leaks, it is believed to be placed on the Power button’s side which might be used to quickly access the camera or provide a physical control over the shutter button, with no changes to other buttons’ placements.
A surprising change is coming to the screens however, Apple will likely increase the screen sizes for both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, now being 6.3 and 6.9 inches, compared to the 6.1 and 6.7 inches on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
iPhone 16 potential design renders courtesy of MacRumors
- Connectivity
Jeff Pu, an Apple analyst, recently wrote for Haitong International Securities about Apple’s plans to use the new Qualcomm Snapdragon X75 modem, which brings higher speeds over 5G while being more efficient, in the upcoming release of the iPhone, the catch is that it will only be available on the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro max, with the basic iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus staying with the older chips, this would mark the first time Apple makes a connectivity difference between models of the iPhone. Other connectivity rumors speculate for the iPhone 16 to have the latest WiFi 7 technology.
- Cameras
The iPhone 16 may bring a long-awaited update to the Ultra-wide camera sensor, from 12 megapixels bumped to 48 megapixels, it is also rumored that the new 77mm tetraprism sensor currently exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max will see its way to the smaller iPhone 16 Pro model, on the other hand, the iPhone 16 Pro Max might have a super telephoto lens able to reach 25x optical zoom with 300mm lens focal size. For the cameras’ placements, it is expected to see a going-back to vertically placed sensors like the iPhone 12, to allow for spatial video recording, which might be compatible with the new Apple Vision Pro.
- Battery
An Apple leaker on X (previously Twitter) has shared new images of what they claim to be a prototype iPhone 16 Pro battery module, from these images, it appears that this model will welcome the stacked battery technology, which has been making its way to smartphones recently allowing more durability and continuity, with a capacity of 3355mAh, the new battery is expected to support faster charging of up to 40W wired and 20W with Magsafe.
Battery of early stage iPhone 16 Pro Proto
— Kosutami (@KosutamiSan) November 20, 2023
Features glossy metal shell, 3355mAh Capacity(13.02Wh), LCV 4.48V(Limited Charge Voltage)
Current stage prototype has changed some design: from glossy surface to frosted metal shell, and with a redesigned connector#Apple #appleinternal pic.twitter.com/QvguZ7CrtL
- AI and Other Details
Everyone in the tech space has been buzzing about Artificial intelligence, and smartphones are no strangers to the concept of AI, with Samsung’s recent Unpacked focusing heavily on AI features on the new Galaxy S24, it is expected that the iPhone 16, powered by the upcoming A18 Pro chip, to have handful of AI capabilities with iOS 18. USB-C port and microphone improvements are also expected to be seen on the iPhone 16.
While Apple has defied investor’s expectations with the price of the iPhone 15, which had record-breaking cost of manufacturing, the iPhone 16 might take the hit with the price increase previously anticipated. The new iPhones are expected to be shown around September in Apple’s annual event.
