The iPhone 16 series is likely to launch in less than 2 months. Apple has a track record of launching its latest set of iPhones in September every year. This year, the company is expected to announce new devices in the same month. Since July is set to end in about 2 weeks and we are inching closer to the iPhone 16 launch event, here is a quick look at the leaked design changes and specs of the 2024 iPhones. Here are the details.
iPhone 16 Series to launch soon: Leaked Specs and design changes
Design changes leaked
Apple reportedly plans to use a new ultra-thin bezel technology, Border Reduction Structure (BRS), to maximise display size on the iPhone 16 series. BRS minimises the bezel at the bottom of the display by rolling up the internal copper wiring into a more compact package. This technology will be applied to all four iPhone 16 models, with Pro models having the thinnest bezels of any smartphone.
All iPhone 16 models will have a new “Capture Button” dedicated to triggering image or video capture. Located on the bottom right side, this button will allow users to zoom, focus, and start recording with different levels of pressure. The iPhone 16 Pro models will have an improved finishing process for the titanium chassis, resulting in a more polished look than the brushed finish of the iPhone 15 Pro models. The new finish will be less prone to scratches compared to stainless steel.
The base models of the iPhone 16 series will feature a vertical camera arrangement with a pill-shaped raised surface, unlike the diagonal arrangement of the iPhone 15. The new camera bump has separate rings for the Wide and Ultra Wide cameras, enabling Spatial Video recording, previously limited to the iPhone 15 Pro models.
New chipset?
Apple’s next-generation A18 Pro chip, manufactured with TSMC’s second-generation 3nm process (N3E), is expected across all four iPhone 16 models. The A18 chip will support the Apple Intelligence features debuting in iOS 18, which require a high-powered chip for on-device AI functionalities.
More storage and RAM? Graphene Thermal System?
Apple is rumoured to be working on a graphene thermal system for the iPhone 16 lineup, with Pro models possibly adding metal battery casings to reduce overheating. Graphene’s high thermal conductivity could improve heat management, a response to the overheating issues faced by the iPhone 15 Pro. The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max might offer up to 2TB of storage, double the maximum capacity of the iPhone 15 Pro models. Additionally, iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models are rumoured to feature 8GB of RAM, an upgrade from the 6GB in the iPhone 15 models.
Camera leaks
Apple is testing a new anti-reflective optical coating technology for its iPhone cameras, which could improve photo quality by reducing artifacts like lens flare and ghosting. The coating, applied using atomic layer deposition (ALD) equipment, will also protect the camera lens system from environmental damage without affecting light capture.
The iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to feature an upgraded 48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera lens, allowing for better low-light performance and 48-megapixel ProRAW photos in Ultra Wide mode. The iPhone 16 Pro Max might also have a super telephoto periscope camera, significantly improving optical zoom capabilities. Both iPhone 16 Pro models will feature 5x optical zoom, currently exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Battery, charging leaks
Rumours suggest that the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Max will have larger batteries than their predecessors, with a 6% and 5% increase in capacity, respectively. However, the iPhone 16 Plus may see a 9% reduction in battery capacity. Apple could use stacked battery technology to increase energy density and prolong lifespan across the lineup. The iPhone 16 series is tipped to come with support for 40W wired fast charging and 20W MagSafe charging, addressing the increased charging time due to larger batteries. But, nothing is officially confirmed yet.