We’ve gathered all the major rumors and leaks surrounding Apple’s highly anticipated iPhone 16, including the latest on its release date, design changes, new features, and more.
Apple’s rumored iPhone 16 is likely less than a month away from its grand unveiling. Expected to be showcased in September, the iPhone 16 series will follow the recent release of the Pixel 9 series announced at the Made by Google event. With the public beta for iOS 18 and the second developer beta for iOS 18.1 already in circulation—complete with Apple Intelligence—the iPhone 16 has a lot to live up to.
If the rumors are accurate, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro will see significant updates. Expect to see power-efficient displays, larger screen sizes, enhanced telephoto lenses, and a new Action Button across all 2024 iPhone models.
The iPhone 16 series will not only feature revamped hardware but also serve as a platform for Apple’s suite of AI-powered capabilities. This comes at a time when competitors like Samsung and Google are integrating AI and generative AI technologies into their flagship devices to simplify everything from text messaging to photo editing.
But it’s not just about AI and Apple Intelligence—the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro models are set to bring new colors, upgraded cameras, and larger screens into the mix.
iPhone 16 Release Date
Apple traditionally holds its annual iPhone event in September, and the same timeline is expected for the iPhone 16. While the Cupertino giant hasn’t officially announced the date for this year’s event, history suggests it will likely be held on Tuesday, September 10, based on the timing of previous events. For example, the iPhone 15 event took place on Tuesday, September 7.
Typically, new iPhones are released shortly after the event, often on the Friday of the following week. If this pattern holds, the iPhone 16 could hit shelves on Friday, September 20. (For reference, iPhone 13 preorders started on September 17, with the phones going on sale September 24.)
Of course, these dates could shift, and we’ll need to wait for Apple’s formal event invites to know for sure. It’s also possible that Apple might stagger the release dates for different iPhone 16 models, especially if introducing a new design or size.
iPhone 16 Design
The rumors about larger screen sizes are gaining momentum, especially for select iPhone 16 models. A report from Korean publication The Elec in April suggested that some iPhone 16 models might adopt innovative screen technology, leading to thinner bezels and potentially larger screen areas. However, it’s not yet clear which models will feature these enhancements.
Apple has historically introduced display upgrades in its Pro line before trickling them down to lower-cost models. According to the report, display manufacturers have developed a novel border reduction technology, enabling more compact control circuitry and ultimately resulting in slimmer bezels.
The Last iPhone Plus?
The iPhone 16 Plus could be the last of Apple’s larger, standard iPhone models. According to reports from industry analysts like TF International Securities’ Ming-Chi Kuo and Haitong International Securities’ Jeff Pu, Apple plans to retire the Plus model next year. Instead, the company is rumored to introduce a new ultra-thin premium iPhone called the iPhone 17 Slim.
iPhone 16 Colors
Renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has made predictions regarding the color options for the iPhone 16 lineup. In a post on X in May, Kuo suggested that the blue color option from the iPhone 15 Pro would be discontinued and replaced with a new rose variant, available for both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Additionally, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are expected to be available in white, replacing the yellow option.
Possible iPhone 16 Series Colors:
- iPhone 16: Black, Blue, Green, Pink, White
- iPhone 16 Plus: Black, Blue, Green, Pink, White
- iPhone 16 Pro: Black, Natural, Pink, White (titanium finishes)
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: Black, Natural, Pink, White (titanium finishes)
iPhone 16 Pro Screen Size
Regarding screen sizes, Apple has maintained two size options for its Pro models since the 2020 release of the iPhone 12 Pro (6.1 inches) and iPhone 12 Pro Max (6.7 inches). However, this could change with the iPhone 16 Pro models, which are rumored to have even larger screens.
Display analyst Ross Young indicated earlier this year that the iPhone 16 Pro models might have bigger screens, with sizes potentially increasing to 6.3 inches for the iPhone 16 Pro and 6.9 inches for the iPhone 16 Pro Max. This rumor was later supported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who mentioned that the iPhone 16 Pro models could grow by “a couple tenths of an inch diagonally.”
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are expected to retain the current 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch screen sizes. If the size increase is accurate, it would further distinguish Apple’s Pro models from the standard ones.
Current iPhone 15 Screen Sizes:
- iPhone 15: 6.1 inches
- iPhone 15 Plus: 6.7 inches
- iPhone 15 Pro: 6.1 inches
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: 6.7 inches
Rumored iPhone 16 Screen Sizes:
- iPhone 16: 6.1 inches
- iPhone 16 Plus: 6.7 inches
- iPhone 16 Pro: 6.3 inches
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: 6.9 inches
Another potential change for the iPhone 16 displays is increased power efficiency. Samsung Display is reportedly developing a new material set called M14, specifically for Apple. According to a report from The Elec, this new technology could debut on next year’s iPhones, replacing the current blue fluorescent technology with blue phosphorescence, resulting in a more power-efficient screen than the current LTPO ones used on Pro models.
iPhone 16 to Feature More AI Capabilities
Artificial intelligence has been a hot topic in tech this year, and Apple is following suit by integrating new AI-powered features into its devices. During Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June, the company introduced Apple Intelligence, which includes ChatGPT integration, tools for proofreading and rewriting text, new Siri features for tech support and personalized requests, and the ability to generate images and emojis, among other functionalities.
These AI features are expected to be available on all models in the upcoming iPhone 16 lineup, running on iOS 18 right out of the box.
iPhone 16 and 16 Plus to Include Action Button
In March, AppleInsider shared a series of photos reportedly showing 3D-printed dummy models of the rumored iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro. The images suggest that the iPhone 16 could feature a vertical camera stack instead of a diagonal one and an Action Button, similar to the one introduced on last year’s iPhone 15 Pro.
iPhone 16 Camera Features
Both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are expected to come equipped with 5x telephoto lenses next year. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has predicted that the tetraprism lens, currently exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, will be available on both Pro models in the iPhone 16 lineup. The iPhone 15 Pro features a 12-megapixel 3x optical zoom, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts a 12-megapixel 5x optical zoom camera, equivalent to a 120mm lens on a full-frame camera.
If this rumor holds true, it would mark a significant design breakthrough. When Apple launched the iPhone 15 Pro Max with its 5x zoom lens, the company cited the phone’s larger body as the reason why the Pro Max had the feature while the standard Pro did not.
According to a recent leak discovered by MacRumors, Apple may be exploring a novel approach to improve photo quality. The rumor suggests that the company could incorporate anti-reflective technology into its camera manufacturing process. If successful, this could potentially eliminate unwanted artifacts like lens flare, resulting in more realistic photos.
iPhone 16 Processors: A18 Chip for All Models
In a departure from the past two years, all four iPhone 16 models are expected to receive a next-generation Apple chipset, with each model branded with the A18 series. According to a MacRumors report citing Jeff Pu, an executive analyst at Haitong International Securities, the Pro models will feature the A18 Bionic Pro chip, while the base models will be powered by the regular A18 chip.
Currently, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are equipped with the A16 Bionic, which debuted in the 2022 iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max. Meanwhile, the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max run on the A17 Pro processor. Pu indicates that the A18 chip will be manufactured using TSMC’s advanced 3-nanometer process.
Will the iPhone 16 Be Foldable?
Unlikely. While nearly every major phone manufacturer—Google, Oppo, OnePlus, and Samsung—has launched multiple generations of foldable handsets, Apple has remained notably quiet about whether a foldable iPhone is in the works. The latest rumors suggest that Apple is working on a “clamshell” design iPhone, which could be ready as early as 2026, according to a report from The Information.
The new design is expected to coincide with Apple’s plans to introduce improved camera technologies, including a variable aperture. It remains unclear what has delayed Apple’s entry into the foldable phone market, although reports suggest the company has been working on foldable iPhone designs since at least 2019.
By Andrej Kovacevic
Updated on 17th August 2024