The iPhone 16: Everything You Need to Know About Release Date, Features and Price of Apple’s Next Flagship

In a few months, the iPhone 15 will no longer be Apple's most recent smartphones. Indeed, the Mountain View firm should announce four new high-end smartphones in September 2024. Logically, they should inaugurate the “iPhone 16” range, with several versions (Plus, Pro and Max).

After a year marked by USB-C, titanium, zoom and a pleasant drop in prices, the Californian brand should focus on larger screens, as well as generative artificial intelligence, to improve its flagship devices. Its plans are still uncertain in April 2024, although many rumors are circulating about the iPhone 16.

iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max

In 2024, Apple should maintain a range of four smartphones:

• iPhone 16: the standard model, normal size.
• iPhone 16 Plus : the standard model in XXL version, with greater autonomy.
• iPhone 16 Pro : the high-end version (titanium, better screen, better camera, more power), normal size.
• iPhone 16 Pro Max : the XXL version of the iPhone 16 Pro, the largest iPhone in the range.

Bigger screens

The sizes of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are expected to remain the same as the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, namely 6.1 inches And 6.7 inches. Their front faces should not change much.

On the other hand, there would be something new with the iPhone 16 Pro. For the first time since 2020 (12 Pro), Apple is preparing to expand its smartphones. The iPhone 16 Pro could reach the 6.3 inches (compared to 6.1 for the iPhone 15 Pro), the iPhone 16 Pro Max should exceed the 6.9 inches (compared to 6.7 for the iPhone 15 Pro Max). The edges would be reduced thanks to a new process to limit mass gain.

On the other hand, Apple may not adopt the anti-reflective coating created by Corning, which is found in the Galaxy S24 Ultra. The Californian brand could wait until 2025 to adopt it.

A new button for photos + the Action button for all models

Introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro, the Action button should arrive on all iPhone 16s. It is a configurable key, which replaces the ringer/silent switch. The user can do what they want with it.

In addition to the Action button, a new key should appear on all iPhone 16s: the Capture button. Seen with the Apple Vision Pro, this key, on the right side, should be dedicated to photos and videos. It could be used for zooming using finger movements and would help with focusing by imitating the behavior of real cameras.

A18 and A18 Pro: two new chips at the same time

For several years, Apple has reserved its new chip for iPhone Pros (normal iPhones inherit the chip from the previous year). In 2024, Apple could end this compromise and launch two chips simultaneously.

Rumor has it there is a chip A18 (iPhone 16 and 16 Plus) and a chip A18 Pro (iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max). AI capabilities should be in the spotlight, to better run the capabilities of iOS 18. These two chips should be engraved in 3 nanometers and, hopefully, accompanied by an increase in RAM. The architecture change could also make the iPhone 16 compatible with USB 3.2 Gen 2, although Apple could decide not to do so to fragment its range.

Apple has also revised the cooling circuit of its iPhones to limit the risk of overheating. The batteries of certain models (15, 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max) would also be of greater capacity.

Wi-Fi 7, at least on the iPhone 16 Pro?

Today, the iPhone 15s are limited to Wi-Fi 6, while the iPhone 15 Pros offer Wi-Fi 6E.

What will happen with the iPhone 16? It is rumored that all models would win the Wi-Fi 7, but nothing says that they will all bear it in the same way. Apple could reserve the 6 GHz band for Pro models, which would limit the iPhone 16 to Wi-Fi 7 at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. This is still an uncertain aspect, although it is entirely possible that the modem provided by Qualcomm supports Wi-Fi 7 on all four iPhones (or that the non-Pro iPhone 16s are satisfied with Wi-Fi 6E, with one generation gap).

Rumors about iPhone 16 cameras

5x zoom for the iPhone 16 Pro

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the first Apple smartphone with a 120 mm equivalent periscopic zoom (the iPhone 15 Pro is satisfied with a 77 mm equivalent x3 zoom).

With the iPhone 16, Apple should expand its 5x zoom to the entire Pro range. Last year, its suppliers weren't ready to keep up.

Ultra wide-angle in 48 Mpix on the iPhone 16 Pro

Another new feature probably reserved for the iPhone 16 Pro: the appearance ofa 48 Mpix sensor connected to the ultra-wide-angle moduleto align its capabilities with those of the main module (there is a big difference today).

This new feature could also improve the quality of space videos, by allowing the two “eyes” of the camera to film images in similar quality. The iPhone 16 Pro would thus have two 48 Mpix sensors (wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle), as well as a 5x zoom connected to a 12 Mpix sensor.

A new design for the iPhone 16 (with spatial video?)

Without major new features in photos, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus could nevertheless be entitled to a new design. Goodbye to the square block, make way for one vertical bar. For what ? No doubt to allow it to film in 3D, using its two cameras as “eyes”. Apple's goal is that we see this content again one day in an Apple Vision headset.

The release date of the next iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro

Apple's schedules are fairly predictable, since the brand likes to announce its new iPhones on a Tuesday, often during the second week of September, before releasing them 10 days later, on a Friday. The possibilities are therefore as follows:

• Announce it September 3released on September 13.
• Announce it September 10released on September 20 (most likely).
• Announce it September 17released on September 27.

Obviously, nothing says that Apple will keep these dates. The brand has already postponed launches in the past.

Prices of the future iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro

A little friendly advice: don't believe people who publish “leaks” on the prices of future iPhones. Historically, no one has ever been just ahead. Apple keeps the secret until the end, including from its partners, which makes any speculation impossible. The only good indicators are the launch prices of the iPhone 15, since it is rare for Apple to shake things up.