Several images of alleged dummy units of the iPhone 16 series have appeared online, suggesting significant updates. Reports indicate that the Pro iPhones could feature larger screens, while the non-Pro iPhones might sport a new camera layout.
All models of the iPhone 16 series could come with a new camera-focused button, along with the Action button. Amidst conflicting rumors about whether the upcoming iPhone 16 series will be an incremental upgrade or a significant refresh, images of alleged dummy units have emerged, potentially confirming major hardware changes.
These leaked images, shared on Weibo and by Majin Bu on X (formerly Twitter), seem to confirm some of the rumors surrounding the iPhone 16 series. While it's prudent to take these leaks with a pinch of salt, they suggest exciting changes.
Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) will begin on June 10, and the iPhone 16 lineup is expected to arrive in the fall, possibly alongside the launch of iOS 18.
While many tech companies have been investing heavily in AI, Apple has remained relatively quiet. However, with iOS 18 and Siri, Apple appears to be enhancing Siri with smarter AI, potentially powered by large language models (LLM). While Apple could introduce new LLM features to all iPhones, some features may remain exclusive to the iPhone 16 line. Possible AI improvements include enhanced interactions with Siri and Messages, better Apple Music playlists, integration with productivity apps, and more.
There are also rumors about microphone improvements for better water resistance and a better signal-to-noise ratio, enhancing the overall Siri experience.
The iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to offer improved battery life, possibly due to the use of stacked battery technology. Stacked batteries can result in higher capacity and longer lifespans, which could also lead to faster 40W wired and 20W MagSafe charging speeds.
Charging speed has been an area where Apple has lagged behind its competitors, so these improvements would be significant.
has provided insights into the battery capacities of the entire iPhone 16 lineup, suggesting changes across the board.
The leaker claims that the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Max will have larger batteries than their predecessors, while the iPhone 16 Plus will have less battery capacity. The Pro Max model will also switch from the L-shaped battery design to a rectangular shape, similar to the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus.
The standard iPhone 16 is expected to feature a dual-camera layout presented in a vertical pill-shaped camera island, while the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are expected to feature the same triple-lens camera layout as in recent years.
While the base model's camera layout may change, the camera specs do not appear to have been upgraded. However, this is not the case for the Pro models.
For the base model iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, an A17 chip is expected. However, this may not be the same A17 Pro chip found in the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Apple may use a lower-cost process for a standard "A17" chip that could be used in the standard iPhone 16 models.
Analyst Jeff Pu suggests that Apple may use A18 and A18 Pro names for the new chips, meaning that all iPhone 16 models could feature some variation of an A18 chip, rather than an A17 chip, which could be seen as a "last generation" chip.
Overheating was an issue with the launch-day iPhone 15 models, but it is said that Apple has worked on a new thermal design to help with heat dissipation.
This could come in the form of a graphene thermal system for the base iPhone 16 models, while the iPhone 16 Pro models might feature a metal battery casing. Currently, the iPhone uses copper for the heat sinks, but graphene has higher thermal conductivity.
Rumors suggest that the iPhone 16 Pro may use Qualcomm's Snapdragon X75 modem for faster and more efficient 5G connectivity, while the base model iPhone 16 will continue to use the Qualcomm X70 chip found in the iPhone 15.
The iPhone 16 could also feature Wi-Fi 7 technology, which could offer speeds of at least 30 gigabits per second, up to 40Gb/s.
Changes are expected for the display sizes of the iPhone 16 Pro models, while the standard iPhone 16 variants are expected to remain the same.
The iPhone 16 Pro display could increase to 6.3 inches, while the larger iPhone 16 Pro Max could feature a 6.9-inch display.
Apple is expected to reduce bezel size across the board, with a new report suggesting that Apple is using a new display technology called Border Reduction Structure (BRS) to reduce the size of the black borders around the screen.
Brighter displays and more efficient power consumption are also expected, as Apple is reportedly using microlens technology in the iPhone 16 OLED panels.
Lastly, a report suggests that the iPhone 17 lineup will be the first to feature LTPO OLED panels with ProMotion and always-on screens across all models, including the base models.
This marks a significant shift in display technology for the base model iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, which are expected to retain a 60Hz refresh rate display.
The iPhone 16 lineup is expected to bring several significant changes, particularly to the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models.
These changes include a new vertical pill-shaped camera island layout, potential inclusion of an Action button, and possibly a price increase for all iPhone 16 models.