iPhone 16 Rumor Roundup: Sizes, Buttons, and AI

As September approaches, the picture of what Apple plans to release becomes clearer. The iPhone 16 lineup represents a significant shift in strategy, largely driven by the demands of generative AI and photography enthusiasts. While the iPhone 15 brought us USB-C, the upcoming iPhone 16 series appears focused on hardware changes that alter how you physically interact with the device.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the credible leaks surrounding the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.

The Size Shift: Bigger Displays for Pro Models

For several years, Apple has stuck to a predictable size format: 6.1 inches for standard and Pro models, and 6.7 inches for Plus and Max models. In 2024, that changes.

According to supply chain leaks and CAD schematics, the “Pro” line is growing. The iPhone 16 Pro is expected to increase to 6.3 inches, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max will stretch to a massive 6.9 inches. This would make the Pro Max the largest iPhone display ever released.

This size increase is reportedly achieved through a combination of a slightly larger physical chassis and significantly reduced bezels. Apple is utilizing Border Reduction Structure (BRS) technology, which allows for more compact control circuitry under the display, resulting in thinner black borders around the screen.

Size Breakdown by Model:

  • iPhone 16: 6.1 inches (unchanged)
  • iPhone 16 Plus: 6.7 inches (unchanged)
  • iPhone 16 Pro: 6.3 inches (increased)
  • iPhone 16 Pro Max: 6.9 inches (increased)

The New "Capture Button"

The most visible hardware change coming to the iPhone 16 lineup is the addition of a completely new button. Following the introduction of the Action Button on the iPhone 15 Pro, rumors strongly suggest a dedicated “Capture Button” will appear on the bottom right side of the device.

Unlike a standard mechanical power button, the Capture Button is expected to be capacitive with haptic feedback. This mimics the feel of a physical click without moving parts, similar to the Home button on the iPhone SE.

Functionality Leaks:

  • Focus Control: A “half-press” will likely lock focus on a subject, mimicking a traditional DSLR camera shutter.
  • Shutter: A full press will take the photo or start video recording.
  • Zoom Gestures: Users may be able to swipe left or right on the surface of the button to zoom in and out.

This button is situated to be easily accessible when holding the phone horizontally (landscape mode) for video recording. This aligns with Apple’s push toward “Spatial Video” capture for the Vision Pro headset.

The Action Button for Everyone

Last year, the customizable Action Button was exclusive to the Pro models. Leaks indicate that Apple plans to standardize this feature across the entire 2024 lineup.

This means the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will lose the traditional Mute switch in favor of the Action Button. Users can program this button to perform various tasks, such as:

  • Toggling Silent mode
  • Turning on the Flashlight
  • Launching the Camera
  • Starting a Voice Memo
  • Triggering a specific Shortcut automation

AI and the A18 Chip

With the announcement of “Apple Intelligence” in iOS 18, hardware performance is critical. To support on-device generative AI, Apple is reportedly equipping the entire iPhone 16 lineup with the new A18 chip.

In previous years, the standard iPhones received the year-old chip (e.g., iPhone 15 got the A16), while Pros got the new silicon. For the iPhone 16, all four models are expected to run on variations of the A18, built on TSMC’s enhanced 3-nanometer process (N3E).

However, differentiation will likely remain. The standard models may use a baseline A18, while the high-end models will likely use an “A18 Pro” chip with additional GPU cores and a more robust Neural Engine to handle complex AI tasks faster.

RAM Upgrades: To support Apple Intelligence features like advanced Siri context and image generation, the standard iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are expected to jump from 6GB to 8GB of RAM.

Camera Upgrades: 5x Zoom and Spatial Video

Photography remains a primary selling point, and the 2024 models have specific upgrades targeting zoom and video capabilities.

Vertical Layout for Standard Models: The standard iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will likely ditch the diagonal camera alignment seen since the iPhone 13. They are expected to return to a vertical, pill-shaped arrangement. This is not just for aesthetics; a vertical alignment is necessary to capture Spatial Video (3D video) viewable on the Apple Vision Pro.

The Tetraprism Lens: On the Pro side, the smaller iPhone 16 Pro is expected to inherit the 5x optical zoom tetraprism lens. This feature was exclusive to the Pro Max model last year. This levels the playing field, allowing users who prefer the smaller Pro phone to access Apple’s best zoom technology.

Ultrawide Improvements: Reports suggest the Pro models will feature a new 48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera, a significant jump from the current 12-megapixel sensor. This should result in much sharper macro shots and better low-light performance in wide-angle photos.

Battery and Thermal Management

Heat management was a talking point with the iPhone 15 launch. To combat this, leaks suggest the iPhone 16 models will use a graphene thermal system to dissipate heat more efficiently.

Regarding battery life, rumors indicate stacked battery technology which allows for higher capacity without increasing physical size.

  • Charging Speeds: There is speculation that wired charging could increase to 40W (up from roughly 27W) and MagSafe charging could increase to 20W (up from 15W).
  • Capacity: Most models are expected to see a small bump in battery capacity (2% to 6%), though some reports hint the iPhone 16 Plus might actually see a slight reduction in physical battery size, presumably relying on the A18 chip’s efficiency to maintain runtime.

Release Date and Pricing Expectations

Apple follows a strict schedule. Unless there are unforeseen supply chain disruptions, you can expect the Apple Event to occur roughly around Tuesday, September 10, 2024, with pre-orders beginning that Friday and devices shipping the following week.

Pricing Prediction: While component costs (specifically for the camera and GenAI capabilities) are rising, analysts are split on pricing. The prevailing theory suggests:

  • iPhone 16: Starting at $799
  • iPhone 16 Plus: Starting at $899
  • iPhone 16 Pro: Starting at $999
  • iPhone 16 Pro Max: Starting at $1,199

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the iPhone 16 have Touch ID? No. All leaks indicate Apple is continuing with Face ID for all iPhone 16 models. Under-display fingerprint technology is not expected this year.

Is the iPhone 16 foldable? No. While Apple is rumored to be working on a foldable prototype (potentially the “iPhone Flip”), it is not slated for release in 2024. The iPhone 16 will maintain the traditional candy-bar form factor.

Will the old iPhone cases fit the iPhone 16? It is unlikely. Even if the dimensions for the standard models are similar, the addition of the new Capture Button and the change in the camera bump layout on the standard models will require new cases.

Does the iPhone 16 use USB-C? Yes. Apple transitioned to USB-C with the iPhone 15 series, and the iPhone 16 will continue to use this standard port for charging and data transfer.