Everything you need to know about the new iPhone 16

Four iPhone 16 Models

Apple is expected to stick to its familiar four-model lineup, similar to the previous few years. This means we’re likely to see:

• iPhone 16
• iPhone 16 Plus
• iPhone 16 Pro
• iPhone 16 Pro Max

These models will offer a range of features and price points, catering to different consumer needs, from casual users to those seeking the latest in cutting-edge technology.

Design and Colour Changes

Apple tends to refresh the iPhone’s design every two years, and while the iPhone 16 may not introduce drastic changes, subtle tweaks are expected.

Leaks suggest that the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will feature vertically stacked dual cameras, a shift from the diagonal arrangement seen in recent models. Meanwhile, the Pro models are expected to retain a similar look to the iPhone 15 Pro, though with possible new color options, including blue, green, white, black, and pink.

A significant design change could be the introduction of the Action Button across all iPhone 16 models. This button, which replaced the Ring/Silent switch on the iPhone 15 Pro, is expected to be standard on the iPhone 16 series.

Additionally, the Pro models may feature a new Capture Button, functioning as a two-stage camera button for autofocus and taking photos, similar to traditional cameras.

Display Enhancements

Rumors suggest that Apple will increase the screen sizes for the Pro models. The iPhone 16 Pro is expected to have a 6.3-inch display, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max could feature a 6.9-inch display, making it the largest iPhone to date. Despite these larger screens, Apple may minimize physical size increases by reducing bezel thickness.

For the standard models, screen sizes are likely to remain the same:

• iPhone 16: 6.1 inches
• iPhone 16 Plus: 6.7 inches

However, the standard models may not see significant display upgrades, likely sticking to 60Hz refresh rates. In contrast, the Pro models are expected to retain their 120Hz ProMotion displays for smoother scrolling and animations.

Performance and Chipset

Apple is expected to equip the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus with the A17 Bionic chip, which currently powers the iPhone 15 Pro models. This follows Apple’s trend of giving the standard models the Pro chip from the previous year. The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will likely debut the new A18 chip, offering improved performance and efficiency.

These chip upgrades will be essential in powering Apple Intelligence, the company’s new AI-driven features that will debut with iOS 18. These AI capabilities will allow for more advanced Siri functionality, personalized emoji creation, and enhanced multitasking across the iPhone 16 lineup.

Camera Improvements

Apple has always focused on camera enhancements, and the iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to continue this trend. The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are rumored to feature a 48MP ultra-wide camera, up from the 12MP sensor found in the iPhone 15 Pro models. Additionally, the 16 Pro Max could receive further upgrades to its main lens, setting it apart from the regular Pro model.

For the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, major camera upgrades seem unlikely, though they will still feature the excellent 48MP main sensor introduced with the iPhone 15, offering impressive photography capabilities even without the advanced telephoto lenses of the Pro models.

Storage and RAM Boosts

There are rumors that Apple may increase the base storage for the iPhone 16 lineup to 256GB, along with a boost in RAM to 8GB. This would be a welcome upgrade, particularly as AI-driven features and high-resolution media continue to demand more storage and processing power.

In addition to storage and RAM enhancements, the iPhone 16 series may be the first iPhones to support Wi-Fi 7, the latest industry standard. However, to take advantage of this, users will need a Wi-Fi 7-compatible router.

Apple Intelligence and iOS 18

Apple’s upcoming Apple Intelligence AI features will be one of the standout additions in iOS 18, which will power the iPhone 16 series. These features are set to revolutionize how Siri interacts with users, allowing it to pull data from multiple apps to provide more accurate and detailed responses. For instance, Siri could help you manage complex tasks like finding flight information and organizing your schedule based on real-time updates.

However, these AI-driven features might not be available at launch. Sources suggest that Apple Intelligence will be introduced later in October 2024, via a software update after the initial release of iOS 18.

Pricing

While concrete pricing details have yet to surface, it’s possible that Apple will maintain the same price points as the current iPhone 15 models:

• iPhone 16: £799
• iPhone 16 Plus: £899
• iPhone 16 Pro: £999
• iPhone 16 Pro Max: £1,199

Given the competitive landscape, it’s unlikely that Apple will introduce significant price increases, especially as other flagship smartphones, such as Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra, are priced similarly.

Final Thoughts

The iPhone 16 series is shaping up to be a mix of evolutionary improvements and innovative new features, from larger displays to enhanced AI capabilities and camera upgrades. For users with older iPhones, particularly pre-iPhone 12 models, this could be a significant upgrade worth considering.