iPhone 16

Apple just launched the 2023 iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models, but as is typical with rumors, analysts, leakers, and others with insider information are already looking to the 2024 iPhone 16 lineup.

The iPhone 16 lineup will bring major changes, with Apple expected to increase the size of the iPhone 16 Pro to 6.3 inches and the size of the iPhone 16 Pro to 6.9 inches, marking the first major size upgrade in several years. The size changes will be limited to the iPhone 16 Pro models, with the iPhone 16 models to stay the same size as the iPhone 15 models.

Apple is designing new A-series chips for the iPhone 16 lineup, built on the latest N3E 3-nanometer node. We could see some improvements to efficiency and performance, but we haven't yet heard details on just what we can expect. Capacitive volume buttons, power button, and Action Button could be introduced in all four iPhone 16 models, and the new iPhones are also rumored to have an extra mystery button that we don't know the purpose of as of yet.

This roundup contains early rumors about the iPhone 16 lineup and there is still plenty of time for Apple to change its plans, so information here may shift as Apple updates the design of the upcoming iPhone models.

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Apple created three prototypes for the iPhone 16 design, each with slightly different features. In all three, there's a vertically aligned camera, which will likely allow for the recording of spatial video for the Vision Pro headset.

One design had a pill-shaped iPhone X-style camera, while the other two had designs with two distinct lenses. Another of the designs included haptic buttons with a unified volume button, and the third has the two-lens camera, standard mechanical volume buttons, a capacitive Action Button, and a new Capture Button.

We are expecting the third design, which is the phone in black in the images, to be the one that Apple chooses. There will be a vertically aligned rear camera, a second "Capture" button on the right side for taking video, and a left-side mmWave antenna in the United States that's below the Action Button.

Note that the colors in the images are colors that Apple has tested, so we could see pink, yellow, and black as colors for the standard iPhone 16 models.

The renders that we have created are based on design information from an internal source that spoke to MacRumors. These images depict the standard iPhone 16 models. The iPhone 16 Pro models will be larger and will have triple-lens camera systems, but they too will get the new Capture Button.

The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are expected to have larger display sizes, according to multiple sources. The iPhone 16 Pro will have a display that's 6.27 inches in size (rounded to 6.3), while the iPhone 16 Pro Max is expected to have a display that's 6.85 inches in size (rounded to 6.9).

With the increase in display size, the dimensions of the iPhone's body will also increase. Both models are expected to be taller and wider than the iPhone 15 Pro models, and while thickness will remain the same, the weight will increase slightly due to the larger size.

iPhone 16 Pro

iPhone 16 Pro Max

We are not expecting size changes for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, and these devices will be the same size as the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus.

The iPhone 16 OLED panels could use micro-lens technology for both improved brightness and and reduced power consumption. Micro-lens arrays or MLA uses a uniform pattern of billions of lenses inside the panel to reduce internal reflection. The reflected light increases perceived brightness without increasing power consumption.

The OLED displays that used in the iPhone 16 lineup will be more power efficient thanks to improved materials.

With the iPhone 16, Apple could introduce a high-end iPhone 16 "Ultra" that would be sold alongside the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The device would be positioned as the top-of-the-line iPhone offering, and it could feature additional camera improvements, a bigger display, and perhaps even a portless design.

Despite rumors of the possibility of an iPhone 16 Ultra, there are no signs of such a device in early iOS 18 code. The code suggests that Apple has only four iPhones in the works, including two standard iPhone 16 models and two "Pro" iPhone 16 models.

For the iPhone 15 Pro models, Apple originally wanted to introduce solid-state volume, power, and mute buttons that would replace the physical buttons, but due to "unresolved technical issues" the feature was pulled from the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.

Instead, rumors now suggest that Apple will delay solid-state buttons until 2024, instead adding them to the iPhone 16 models. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says that it is "likely" that Apple will use the technology for the iPhone 16 Pro, and if that happens, we might also see the unified button design that was rumored for the iPhone 15 Pro models.

Solid-state buttons can be used in the same way as a physical button, but there is no actual button press that occurs when you touch it. Instead, a haptic vibration is used to mimic a button press and give you the sensation of pressing down even when there is no actual physical movement of the button.

Apple already uses solid-state technology for the Touch ID Home button on the iPhone SE and the trackpad on the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models. On these devices, you can use a press gesture and it feels like you've pressed a button, but in reality, it's a solid surface with haptic feedback. Solid-state button technology can improve protection against dust and water because it does not need a physical depressing mechanic, but it does require extra hardware inside the iPhone. Apple was rumored to be adding two additional Taptic Engines to the iPhone 15 Pro models to power the solid-state buttons, so that will presumably be how the iPhone 16 Pro models work.

Apple may use solid-state technology both for the Action Button and a new capacitive button, keeping standard buttons in place for controlling volume and power.

While several rumors have suggested the iPhone 16 Pro models will use the technology that Apple initially planned for the iPhone 15 Pro models, an analyst at Barclays believes that Apple does not have plans to introduce solid-state buttons in the iPhone 16, based on context provided by Apple supplier Cirrus Logic.

Action Button

The iPhone 15 Pro models include an Action Button, and in 2024, the Action Button is expected to expanded to the standard iPhone 16 models. Apple in 2024 is expected to use an upgraded capacitive Action Button that provides haptic feedback when pressed rather than a standard button, plus the button may have a larger size and could be flush with the iPhone's body.

The Action button, which replaces the traditional mute switch, can perform multiple functions such as activating the Flashlight, turning on the Camera, launching a Shortcut, enabling or disabling a Focus mode, using Translate, turning on/off Silent Mode, and more.

Extra Capacitive Button

Internal versions of the iPhone 16 that Apple is working on include an extra capacitive button, known internally as the "Capture Button." The button is located on the same side as the Power button, in the space that is occupied by the 5G mmWave antenna in the United States.

With the addition of this button, the mmWave cutout has been relocated to the left side of the device, below the volume buttons. Like the Power and Action buttons on the iPhone 16 models, the Capture Button is a capacitive button that is able to detect pressure and touch, providing haptic feedback when pressed. It will be used for taking photos and videos.

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are expected to use an A17 chip, but rumors suggest it won't be the same A17 Pro chip that's in the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Apple is using TSMC's N3B process for the iPhone 17 Pro chip, but next year, will use the lower-cost N3E process for the standard "A17" that's in the works.

N3B is TSMC's original 3-nanometer node created in partnership with Apple, while N3E is a more affordable node that has a lower transistor density, lower efficiency, and a higher yield.

Apple does not typically design chips specifically for the standard iPhone models, with the devices either using the same chips as the Pro models or adopting the chip from the prior year's iPhone models. With the iPhone 15, for example, the device used the A16 chip that was previously introduced in the iPhone 14 Pro.

While one rumor has suggested Apple will call the chip used in the standard iPhone 16 models the "A17," analyst Jeff Pu believes Apple will instead use A18 and A18 Pro naming, with all iPhone 16 models featuring some kind of A18-series chip. Pu believes all of the chips will use the N3E manufacturing process, and the Pro chips could perhaps have an extra GPU core not available in the standard chips.

Thermal Improvements

The iPhone 16 models are expected to include a new thermal design that will combat overheating. Apple is said to be working on a graphene thermal system for the iPhone 16 models, and the iPhone 16 Pro models may also include a metal battery casing that will improve heat dissipation.

Graphene has higher thermal conductivity than the copper that's used in iPhone heat sinks.

The iPhone 16 Pro models could be equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X75 modem, allowing for faster and more efficient 5G connectivity. According to Qualcomm, the X75 offers improved carrier aggregation, plus the combined sub-6Ghz and mmWave 5G transceiver takes up 25 percent less circuit board space and uses up to 20 percent less power.

Qualcomm's X75 supports the "5G Advanced" standard with AI and machine learning enhancements for 5G improvements, so Apple could market the iPhone 16 Pro models as having "5G Advanced" connectivity.

The standard iPhone 16 models are rumored to continue to feature Qualcomm's X70 chip, which is the chip that was already used in the iPhone 15 models.

Apple is working to develop its own modem chip and antenna setup to eliminate its dependance on Qualcomm, but Apple's modem chips are not expected to be ready to debut in 2024. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that Apple-designed modem chips will come out in 2025.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes the iPhone 16 Pro models could adopt the net-generation WiFi 7 technology, which is expected to provide speeds of "at least 30" gigabits per second, and could hit up to 40Gb/s.

Wi-Fi 7 is also able to use 320MHz channels and supports 4K quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) technology, ultimately providing up to 2.4x faster speeds than Wi-Fi 6 with the same number of antennas. Wi-Fi 7 will ultimately provide faster maximum transfer speeds, lower latency, and more reliably connectivity.

Apple will transition to USB-C technology with the iPhone 15 lineup, and it's also expected to be used for the iPhone 16 models.

With iOS 18, Apple is rumored to be introducing new Siri features powered by large language models, and some of the cutting-edge generative AI features could be limited to the iPhone 16 models.

According to details shared by a leaker, iOS 18 will bring many of the new LLM features to all iPhones, but on-device AI features could remain exclusive to the iPhone 16. iOS 18's updated AI functionality could include improved interactions between Siri and the Messages app, auto-generated Apple Music playlists, integration with productivity apps for AI-assisted content creation, and more.

Microphone Improvements

The iPhone 16 models are expected to feature an improved microphone that will accompanying the AI-enhanced Siri experience. The microphone will have improved water resistance and a better signal-to-noise ratio that will "improve the Siri experience significantly," according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

There were rumors that the iPhone 16 Pro models could adopt under-display Face ID technology, but now it appears that under-display Face ID might not be coming until 2025. Under display Face ID will allow for more usable display space as there will be no need for the full Dynamic Island.

Korean site The Elec has said that under-display Face ID technology could be introduced as soon as 2024 with the iPhone 16 Pro models, but display analyst Ross Young thinks the technology is still at least two years away. With Young's timeline, under display Face ID would not be available until the iPhone 17 Pro, which would leave the iPhone 16 Pro models with the Dynamic Island.

When under-display Face ID launches, there will be a circular cutout for the camera, similar to how manufacturers like Samsung handle front-facing camera technology.

The iPhone 16 Pro models could include an improved 48-megapixel Ultra Wide lens, which would allow improved images in lower lighting conditions. It would likely function like the 48-megapixel Wide camera, which uses pixel binning to combine the data from four pixels into one "super pixel" for better image quality.

The 48-megapixel wide-angle camera used in the iPhone 16 Pro Max will reportedly feature an eight-part hybrid lens with two glass elements and six plastic elements, along with improvements for the telephoto and ultra wide camera lenses.

Both the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max could get 5x Telephoto lenses in 2024, instead of the technology being limited to the larger Pro Max.

Camera Layout

The standard iPhone 16 models are expected to have a vertical camera layout that's similar to the camera layout used in the iPhone 12. Apple has used a diagonal layout for the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14, but the swap may allow for spatial video recording using the Ultrawide and Wide cameras.

Super Periscope?

The iPhone 16 Pro Max could feature a super telephoto periscope camera for a dramatically increased optical zoom. The information comes from a Weibo account that has provided accurate information in the past, but it has not yet been backed up by a second reliable source.

"Super" or "ultra" telephoto usually describes cameras with a focal length of over 300mm. The current telephoto lens is equivalent to a 77mm lens, so if accurate, there could be a notable increase in zoom capabilities.

Rumors suggest the iPhone 16 Pro models will use stacked battery technology, which can result in higher capacity and a longer lifespan. Stacked batteries are common in electric vehicles and medical devices, but are an emerging technology for smartphones.

The stacked battery could come alongside faster 40W wired charging and 20W MagSafe charging.

An image of the alleged iPhone 16 Pro battery leaked in November with a new design, updated connector, and 3355mAh capacity.

Component prices for the standard iPhone 15 models were at a record high, up 16 percent compared to the iPhone 14 models. Apple absorbed the increased production costs for the iPhone 15 lineup, but Apple may need to increase the price when the iPhone 16 launches to avoid impacting overall revenue.

The iPhone 16 models are expected to come out in September 2024, and they will follow the 2023 iPhone 15 models.

ProMotion technology that adds up to 120Hz refresh rates to the iPhone's display is expected to come to standard iPhone models starting in 2025. Up until 2025, ProMotion will be limited to the higher-end "Pro" iPhones.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max that's coming in 2025 could feature a 48-megapixel Telephoto lens that is optimized for the Vision Pro headset. The rumor comes from analyst Jeff Pu, who did not provide details on how it might interface with the Vision Pro. Pu also believes the iPhone 17 Pro will include an Apple-designed Wi-Fi 7 chip.

With the 2026 iPhone 18, Apple will have both under-display Face ID and under-display front-facing camera technology, potentially allowing for a design that has no cutouts for the camera hardware. This would mark the first all-display design.

• December 22 - Updated iPhone 16 Ultra section with new info.
• December 18 - Updated with info on the Capture Button.
• December 12 - Added a new section with renderings of iPhone 16 prototypes Apple has developed.
• December 8 - Added info about microphone improvements.
• December 1 - Updated info about the Action Button.
• November 21 - Added alleged image of iPhone 16 Pro battery.
• November 16 - Updated with information about a new thermal design.
• November 9 - Included a rumor that some AI features in iOS 18 could be limited to iPhone 16.
• November 6 - Added conflicting rumor about solid-state buttons.
• November 1 - Included a second rumor about an extra button.
• October 19 - Added more info on the A18/A18 Pro chips.
• October 13 - Updated with info on modem chips planned for iPhone 16 and 16 Pro.
• September 29 - Added details on a new button coming to iPhone 16 Pro models, plus new dimension info.
• September 25 - New info on A-series chip planned for standard iPhone 16 models.
• September 1 - Added display rumor.
• August 15 - Included new rumor about Wi-Fi 7 and a 48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera.
• July 25 - Updated camera section with rumors about stacked lens technology.
• July 25 - Added rumors about new lens for wide-angle camera and stacked battery technology.
• July 19 - Added a rumor about a "super" zoom periscope lens for the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
• July 10
- Clarified wording around the periscope lenses expected for the iPhone 16 models.
• July 6 - Analyst Jeff Pu now says solid-state buttons are unlikely for the iPhone 16 Pro models. Added additional information about this.
• June 19 - Included WiFi 7 rumor.
• May 31 - Added specific size options for iPhone 16 Pro Display sizes.