Like every year, Apple will unveil its iPhone 16 series in September 2024. Even if all the details are not yet known, we already know what the main developments of these future models will be. Here's what awaits you!
Visual by MacRumors
New screen sizes
When it comes to the iPhone 15 series, Apple currently has the iPhone 15 (6.1″), the iPhone 15 Plus (6.7″), the iPhone 15 Pro (6.1″), 1″) and the iPhone 15 Pro Max (6.7″) on two screen sizes”. For the future iPhone 16 series, Apple is likely to stick with four models, although with slightly larger diagonals for the Pro models. The screens should only increase by 0.2″ in height. So we would have the iPhone 16 (6.1″), the iPhone 16 Plus (6.7″), the iPhone 16 Pro (6.3″) and the iPhone 16 Pro Max (6.9″). The Dynamic Island should remain unchanged.
iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Ultra, visual by 9To5Mac
New cameras
This increase in the iPhone 16 Pro's screen size to 6.3 inches would allow Apple to accommodate the bulky tetraprism of its 5x telephoto lens without having to compromise battery capacity. Today, the iPhone 15 6.1-inch Pro makes do with a 3x telephoto lens, with the more powerful model reserved for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Another important development would await the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max this year, with the introduction of a 48-megapixel ultra-wide-angle sensor, which today makes do with a 12-megapixel sensor. For the 48 megapixels of the telephoto lens, we would have to wait for the iPhone 17 Pro in 2025.
Like every year, Apple is also expected to update the main wide-angle lens on all models, but rumors on this topic have so far been rather reserved. The design of classic models should change to return to a vertical (and no longer diagonal) positioning of the cameras, like the iPhone 12: this return could be due to the possibility of recording spatial videos for the Apple Vision Pro headset.
Two prototypes considered – Visual by MacRumors
New buttons
The Action button, introduced last year on the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, is expected to roll out across the iPhone 16 lineup this year. By default, this button still controls switching between Ring and Silent modes, but it can be configured to perform several other actions.
Some rumors speak of the switch to a capacitive and no longer mechanical button: the new version of this button could therefore be pressure sensitive and offer new types of interactions within applications. This development could also affect the volume buttons.
Another button could also appear, this time on the right edge, at the bottom of the body: it would be a “capture” button, mainly dedicated to the camera application. Again, this is a capacitive button and not a mechanical one.
The record button to the right of The Apple Hub
The A18 chip for everyone?
Today, two generations of chips exist side by side at Apple: Only the Pro models are entitled to the latest model, while the classic models are content with the previous year's chip. So the iPhone 15 Pro integrates the A17 Pro chip, while the iPhone 15 regains the A16 Bionic chip. The introduction of an A17 chip with the “Pro” suffix in 2023 suggests the existence of a “non-Pro” chip and a return to using different chips but the same generation in future models.
For the iPhone 16, there was once talk of an A17 chip in the Classic models and A18 Pro in the Pro models, but the latest rumors are more likely to see an A18 chip in the Classic models and A18 Pro in the Pro models . This would therefore be a significant step forward for entry-level models that would benefit from the latest advances, while the Pro models would undoubtedly stand out with additional cores and more generous RAM.
The A18 chip will continue to be engraved by TSMC with a fineness of 3 nanometers, but with an improved process that could allow a slight gain in autonomy. We don't know what other improvements this future chip will bring, aside from the usual performance improvements. It's possible that Apple will rely on artificial intelligence technologies – rumors suggest an entirely new version of Siri, which may require the A18 chip to process requests locally.
Connectivity
The iPhone 16 could be the first to support Wi-Fi 7, which can deliver speeds up to 2.4 times faster than Wi-Fi 6 in the same environment, all while improving connection stability and reducing latency.
Another notable development, the integration of Qualcomm's Snapdragon X75 5G modem, could be reserved for the Pro models. The program includes various improvements in connection robustness, performance and energy efficiency, including a new neural engine to optimize flow rates in complex situations, improved geolocation and a 20% reduction in power consumption.
More new features
Other smaller developments are likely to be on the agenda. At the moment we have heard about a new microphone that would isolate the voice from ambient noise much more efficiently and about new batteries with more capacity and stability. More items are sure to be added to the list as the rumors continue throughout the spring and summer.
As for pricing and storage capacities, you'll have to wait until September to know Apple's future pricing list. As every year, we must definitely expect a shift in the range: the iPhone 13 should be retired and replaced by the entry-level iPhone 14, while the iPhone 15 will see a price drop and the iPhone 15 Pro will disappear.
Rendered by The Apple Hub
Buy now or wait?
This year may not see as big a development as the introduction of USB-C in 2023, but some new features may appeal to you more than others, such as the 5x telephoto lens on the iPhone 16 Pro or the A18 Chip that will improve durability if you want to keep your new iPhone for many years.
As always, Apple knows how to anticipate the wait-and-see phenomenon that is increasing over the course of the year: the advertising measures for the iPhone 15 series are therefore likely to be more generous in the spring, even if no big discounts are to be expected on the Pro models, which are rarely available in the market Offer are. If you decide to invest at short notice, you can follow our good offers in our price comparison and discover the best prices in real time.