Apple is set to unveil new devices tonight at its much awaited annual event, and it’s widely expected that the iPhone 16 will be one of the gadgets that will be showcased to the world.
It’s largely believed the lineup will include four models. These are the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
While there’s no model-wise breakup, Apple will reportedly ship 90 million units from its launch to the end of 2024. During the same period last year Apple shipped 81 million units of the iPhone 15s. Apple has reportedly told its distribution network that it’s targeting about a 10 percent growth in shipments of iPhone 16 compared to previous models.
Feel the pinch
According to multiple sources, iPhone 16 will get new displays that’ll have a smaller footprint on the phone’s resources.
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will continue with the current 6.1 and 6.7 inch displays, as their immediate predecessors. However, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max could be the biggest iPhones yet.
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are rumored to have 6.3 and 6.9 inch displays, respectively. Of course, these variants will also be taller and wider than their peers to accommodate their large displays.
As for the color of the phone itself, the rumor mill predicts Apple will discontinue the blue color option currently available for iPhone 15 Max. Instead, Apple will supposedly introduce a new rose color, which will be available for the Pro and Pro Max.
Better optics
One of the most noticeable changes in the iPhone 16 will be the arrangement of the rear cameras. Since iPhone 13, Apple has aligned the cameras diagonally. If you believe the tipsters, iPhone 16 will now stack the cameras vertically.
Read: Apple is planning thinner iPhones, but that might not be enough to satisfy its users
The cameras themselves are a huge talking point. iPhones are arguably the best camera phones in the market, and it seems Apple is getting set to knock the ball out of the park. Going by past trends, many expect any meaningful camera upgrades to be available only in the iPhone 16 Max and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Many suggest the iPhone 16 Pro will get the tetraprism periscope zoom lens that’s currently bolted on iPhone 15 Pro Max. But there are varying reports on the camera in the top of the line, iPhone Pro Max. Some believe it’ll have a super-telephoto periscope camera, while others think Apple will go with the 5x zoom camera, which is available in the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
In with the new
While a new Apple phone is always highly anticipated, what makes iPhone 16 special is the software stack it’ll run on. Apple showcased its iOS 18 update at the latest edition of its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in June.
Based on Apple’s demo, iOS 18 will bring with it major updates to its marquee apps. For instance, interactions with Siri will be more human-like thanks to a slew of AI-powered Apple Intelligence features.
Another major change is the addition of two new buttons in all models. Some say one of the buttons, dubbed the Capture button, will be located on the same side as the power button.
Again, reports are divided but it seems this button will respond to both pressure and touch. Swiping the button will let you zoom in and out. A light tap will focus the camera, and a hard press will snap a photo.
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Also, all phone models will reportedly get an Actions button, currently available only on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Many leakers suggest both buttons will be capacitive, though a few suggest the Capture button could be mechanical.
Pocket rocket: Apple Watches
A tipster suggests under the hood all devices will probably be powered by a still-in-development A18 chipset. It’s still unnamed, but is reportedly referred to by Apple as the Tahiti chipset.
Going by recent releases, others suggest the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will use the A17 Pro chipset. On the other hand, the Pro and Pro Max will be powered by the Tahiti chipset.
Similarly, it appears all four variants will ship with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage space. Others suggest the top iPhone 16 variants will offer up to 2 TB of storage. Tipsters also believe both Pro variants will support Wi-Fi 7 as well as 5G.
Another component that’ll get a bump up is the battery. Sources claim all variants of iPhone 16, bar one, will have a larger battery than the iPhone 15 lineup.
The base variant will have a 3561 mAh battery. The two Pro variants also get bigger batteries, 3355 mAh for iPhone 16 Pro, and 4676m Ah for iPhone 16 Pro Max. Surprisingly the tipsters suggest the iPhone 16 Plus will have a smaller battery than its immediate predecessor, without listing its actual capacity.
Apple devices and accessories
Apart from the star of the event, there are other gadgets to look out for. The Apple Watch Series 10 is expected to make a splash with its sleeker design and enhanced health features. This latest iteration of Apple’s wearable device is rumored to include an upgraded heart rate sensor, or ECG, and the ability to detect sleep apnea, making it an indispensable accessory for health-conscious iPhone users.
Event details and live streaming
The Apple Event 2024 is set to be a landmark occasion, taking place at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California. Scheduled for September 9, 2024, at 10 am PT (9pm UAE time), the event will feature the highly anticipated launch of the iPhone 16 series, along with the Apple Watch X and AirPods 4. The event will also be streamed live on Apple’s website and YouTube channel.
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