We’re just three months away from Apple releasing the entire iPhone 16 lineup. Today, I want to not only show you the final designs for both the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Pro but also explore a number of new features that Apple seemingly confirmed with their announcement of iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence. It feels like a lot of these puzzle pieces that didn’t make sense are finally coming together. Let’s dive into the details of the new iPhone 16 lineup, consisting of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus on the lower end, and the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max on the high end.
The Affordable iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus
Design and Display
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will continue with a familiar design, featuring rounded aluminum edges that are more comfortable to hold and maintaining the same 6.1 and 6.7-inch screen sizes. However, Apple is introducing three major design changes this year.
The Action Button
First, Apple is replacing the mute switch with the action button, initially introduced on the iPhone 15 Pros last year. This move brings a Pro feature to the regular models just a year later. The action button can be remapped to various functions, especially with the new options available in iOS 18, offering greater flexibility and customization.
New Camera Setup
The second major design change is the new camera setup. Apple will vertically stack the wide and ultra-wide cameras on the back, reminiscent of the iPhone X. This new layout not only looks better but also introduces 3D spatial video recording, a feature previously exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro. This capability allows users to record immersive movies, perfect for playback on Apple’s $3,500 Apple Vision Pro headset and potentially future versions of the headset.
The Capture Button
The third major design change is the addition of a new Capture button on the right side of the phone, below the power switch. This button is designed for quick video and photo capture and is both touch and pressure-sensitive, similar to the 3D Touch feature from the iPhone 6S. This feature, akin to a traditional digital camera’s capture button, offers a half press for focusing and a full press for taking the photo.
The Premium iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max
Enhanced Materials and Screen Sizes
For the second consecutive year, Apple is using titanium for the iPhone 16 Pro models, and there are rumors of the return of rose gold to the color lineup. Apple is also increasing the screen sizes for the first time since 2020, to approximately 6.3 and 6.9 inches, respectively.
Thinner Bezels
One of the standout features is the exceptionally thin bezels on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, touted as the thinnest on any smartphone ever made. This advancement brings us closer to the vision of a truly bezel-less, edgeless iPhone, showcasing Apple’s commitment to continuous improvement in design aesthetics.
Polished Titanium Finish
Instead of the flat, brushed titanium look currently used, Apple might switch to a polished titanium finish, combining the beauty of stainless steel with the durability and lightness of titanium. This would offer a sleek, reflective look while maintaining robustness.
Capture Button Integration
The Capture button will also be integrated into the Pro models, likely with additional features not available on the lower-end models. This inclusion hints at Apple’s strategy to add more tactile and practical functions to their high-end devices.
AI and the A18 Pro Chip
The headlining feature for the iPhone 16 Pro is expected to be a host of exclusive AI features that leverage the advanced capabilities of the new A18 Pro chip. This chip is rumored to have a significantly upgraded neural engine with numerous additional cores, offering a substantial performance boost for AI tasks.
During the iOS 18 announcement, Apple hinted that many new AI features would only be available on the latest hardware, specifically the iPhone 15 Pro. This suggests that the iPhone 16 Pro will have even more advanced AI capabilities, potentially including custom features exclusive to this model.
iOS 18 and Button Enhancements
iOS 18 introduces several new features that align with the hardware changes in the iPhone 16 lineup. The action button can now be reassigned to any control center toggle, indicating its availability across all iPhones in 2024. Additionally, a new UI change makes button presses more interactive, simulating a physical squeeze of the phone. This could be a precursor to the introduction of haptic feedback buttons, replacing physical switches and enhancing the device’s durability and water resistance.
Conclusion
While this isn’t the final part of our in-depth look at the iPhone 16 lineup, it’s clear that Apple is making significant strides in both design and functionality. From the new action and capture buttons to the advanced AI features and polished titanium finish, the iPhone 16 series is shaping up to be an impressive release. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to explore what Apple has in store for us this year.
