The iPhone 16 is expected to come with several upgrades. Due to various leaks and rumors, we already know about the design, features, and upgrades for the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, and possibly an iPhone 16 Ultra. All models will have new and exciting features, so regardless of your budget, the next iPhone will feel like a significant upgrade. Here’s a summary of the iPhone 16 rumors, focusing on the base and Plus models.

iPhone 16: Design

All iPhone 16 models might get a "Capture button" for camera use. This button appears on prototype models and could work as a shutter button with a focusing feature. The Action button might be included in the standard iPhone and iPhone 16 Plus, similar to the iPhone 15 Pro. 

For colors, a new Rose option might be available for the iPhone 16 Pro, along with the return of Space Black and classic silver. The basic models might see the return of all iPhone 15 colors, plus new white and purple options, offering a wide range of choices.

iPhone 16: Display

The iPhone 16 Pro models might have larger screens, with the iPhone 16 Pro at 6.3 inches and the iPhone 16 Pro Max at 6.9 inches, while the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will likely retain their 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch sizes and 60Hz refresh rate. 

All models may feature thinner bezels for a larger screen appearance and use a new OLED material from Samsung for better power efficiency. There’s also a possibility of MicroLED displays for improved brightness and color, but if not ready, the iPhone 16 will likely continue with OLED or miniLED panels.

iPhone 16: Possible Specs

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus might get the A17 Pro chip from the iPhone 15 Pro, but there's a rumor that all iPhone 16 models will use 3-nanometer A18 chips, with more powerful versions for the Pro models. The A18 chip could be larger, allowing for more transistors or specialized hardware for on-device AI. An upgrade to 8GB of RAM might boost these features, though some may still need cloud processing with the M2 Ultra chip.

WiFi 6E support is rumored, with Wi-Fi 7 possible for the Pro models. Storage is expected to start at 128GB for base, Plus, and Pro models, with the Pro Max starting at 256GB. Apple might offer 256GB by default and up to 2TB on Pro models, though this new memory type might be slower.

The long-rumored Apple-built modem is unlikely to appear this year, with Qualcomm supplying modems through 2026. The iPhone 16 might get a Snapdragon X75 modem with a new "5G advanced" standard for faster speeds.

iPhone 16: Battery

Leaks suggest the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max might have larger batteries, while the iPhone 16 Plus could see a 6% decrease in battery capacity.

Another leak claims Apple might promise over 30 hours of battery life for the new iPhones, a significant increase from the all-day battery life of the iPhone 15 series. This might apply only to the largest models.

Apple is reportedly exploring new ways to dissipate heat in the iPhone 16 after complaints about iPhone 15 Pro overheating. One solution might involve using a frosted metal shell and a new battery connector.

iPhone 16: Camera

The iPhone 16 will likely use the same cameras as the iPhone 15: a 48MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide, selfie, and telephoto (on Pro models). The Pro models might have a larger main sensor for better photos and a second 48MP sensor for the ultrawide camera, allowing full 48MP ProRes shots. Standard models might revert to the vertical camera layout from the iPhone 12, possibly for spatial video recording. The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max might get an improved telephoto camera with a tetraprism lens and 5x zoom. The iPhone 16 will have the same 12MP selfie camera as the iPhone 15, with major changes expected in the iPhone 17.

iPhone 16: Software

The iPhone 16 models will run on iOS 18 which might include a redesign and focus on AI-powered features, improving Siri and adding more voice command capabilities.

Rumors suggest the iPhone 16 will have the power to handle AI tasks on the device, while earlier models may need cloud processing. The iPhone 16 will get a new microphone for better voice recognition.

iPhone 16: Ultra Model

There might be an iPhone 16 Ultra, above the Pro and Pro Max models. If this happens, Apple might discontinue one of the basic models, keeping four models in the lineup. However, this Ultra model might not appear until after the iPhone 16 series.

The Ultra model could follow the example of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or Apple Watch Ultra by being larger and adding extra features. It’s unclear what specific features the iPhone 16 Ultra might have, but it will likely differentiate itself from the Pro Max.

Final Thoughts

It’s early in the iPhone 16 production timeline, so these rumors may change. However, the leaked information is intriguing. New cameras with better zoom, larger frames, upgraded displays, and usual power and performance enhancements would be significant improvements over the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The possibility of an Ultra model adds excitement, but it’s too soon to decide if it’s worth waiting for the iPhone 16 instead of getting an iPhone 15. We’ll have to wait for more rumors to piece together the full picture by September 2024.