As Apple gears up for the launch of its highly anticipated iPhone 16 lineup, rumours and leaks about the upcoming smartphones are gathering pace. Despite the iPhone 15 series being released just seven months ago, the tech giant appears to be focusing on delivering a more significant upgrade with the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max, which are expected to launch in September.
According to multiple reports from reliable leakers, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are rumoured to feature larger displays to accommodate new camera technologies. Ming-Chi Kuo, a well-known Apple insider, claimed that the iPhone 16 Pro would have a slightly larger display to make room for a periscope camera, similar to the one found on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Additionally, Ross Young of Display Supply Chain Consultants suggested that the aspect ratio of the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max would increase to 6.3in and 6.9in, respectively, providing users with larger screens and potentially bigger batteries.
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, however, are expected to maintain their current display sizes of 6.1in and 6.7in. Dummy images released by Apple insider Sonny Dickson on April 29 reportedly showcase the upcoming iPhone 16 models, confirming the larger displays on the Pro models and unchanged sizes for the non-Pro variants.
In terms of design, the entire iPhone 16 lineup is rumoured to feature thinner bezels, thanks to a new border structure technology developed by display manufacturers. This technology could reduce the size of the bezels, allowing for displays with smaller inside circuitry. The OLED displays on the iPhone 16 may also incorporate micro-lens technology for improved power consumption and brightness.
Another notable change expected across all iPhone 16 models is the inclusion of the action button, which debuted on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, replacing the mute switch. According to MacRumors, the action button will evolve from a mechanical button to a capacitive touch button, enabling more functionality and supporting multiple actions instead of a single programmed action.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that all four iPhone 16 handsets would feature a new capture button designed specifically for recording videos. This addition could potentially facilitate the quick recording of spatial videos for the Apple Vision Pro, although this remains speculative at this point.
On the camera front, the base iPhone 16 models are rumoured to have a vertically stacked camera array instead of the diagonal arrangement found on the iPhone 15. This change aligns with the stacked cameras used on the iPhone 15 Pro for spatial video capture and could revolutionize how users interact with their surroundings in videos.
The iPhone 16 Pro models are anticipated to include an improved 48-megapixel ultra-wide lens, enabling better low-light performance. This new camera will likely function similarly to the 48-megapixel wide camera, using pixel binning to combine data from four pixels into one "super pixel" for enhanced image quality. Both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are expected to feature 5x telephoto lenses, a significant upgrade from the current models.
Under the hood, the iPhone 16 lineup is rumoured to be powered by the new A18 chip, with the Pro models potentially receiving an A18 Pro variant offering more cores and an upgraded neural engine for advanced AI features. To address the overheating issues reported by some iPhone 15 users, Apple is reportedly exploring the use of a graphene thermal system in the iPhone 16.
As Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) approaches in June, more details about the iPhone 16's features and the iOS 18 operating system are expected to emerge. The new iOS version is rumoured to be one of the most significant updates in Apple's history, with a strong focus on artificial intelligence, including an improved version of Siri, AI-powered playlist creation in Apple Music, and AI assistant tools in various apps.
While all rumours should be taken with a grain of salt, the upcoming iPhone 16 lineup appears to be a promising upgrade over its predecessors, with enhancements to the action button, a new capture button for video recording, advanced AI capabilities, and significant camera improvements. As more leaks and reports surface in the coming months, anticipation for Apple's next-generation smartphones will continue to build.
