The iPhone 16 lineup consists of four models: the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Plus, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Max will grow to 6.3 and 6.9 inches, while the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will stay the same size as their predecessors. The Pro models will score drastically thinner bezels.
Apple will debut a new button to all new iPhone 16 models. Dubbed the Capture Button, this one will allow iPhone 16 users to quickly record videos, take photos, or zoom with a single tap and swipe.
The iPhone 16 Pro range will get new 48MP ultra-wide cameras. The iPhone 16 Pro also scores the 5X telephoto camera that debuted with the iPhone 15 Pro Max. No major hardware changes are coming to the iPhone 16/iPhone 16 Plus camera system, except for a new vertical camera layout which allows them to capture spatial video for the Apple Vision Pro headset.
The iPhone 16/iPhone 16 Plus will get the regular A18 Bionic chip, while the iPhone 16 Pro models will score the Apple A18 Pro chip. Both will be 3nm ones.
Colors-wise, we will see the iPhone 16 Pro lineup in Space Black, White, Gray, and Desert Titanium colors, while the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will be available in black, green, pink, blue, and white or yellow.
The iPhone 16 range will come with iOS 18 out of the box. The upcoming update includes tons of customization features and changes to core apps like Photos and Messages. The intriguing part of the software update is the Apple Intelligence suite of AI features (coming with iOS 18.1) and a new, more capable Siri (coming in 2025). All iPhone 16 models will support Apple Intelligence.
Only the iPhone 16 Pro could get $100 pricier, as Apple is likely dropping the 128GB version that usually costs $999. The rest of the lineup will likely cost the same as the iPhone 15 range did back in 2023.
The iPhone 16 series will be officially unveiled on September 9, 2024, at the upcoming "It's Glowtime" event. Surprisingly, the event will take place on a Monday, which contrasts Apple's usual schedule of announcing new iPhones on Tuesday. You can watch the event livestream right here.
Pre-orders will kick off on September 13, and the iPhone 16 range will hit the shelves on Friday, September 20.
Presently, we don't expect any delays. The only thing that iPhone 16 adopters will have to wait for could be the Apple Intelligence rollout, which will take place with the iOS 18.1 release, likely in October.
iPhone lineup
Announcement date
Market release date
iPhone 16
September 9, 2024 (Pre-orders September 13)
September 20, 2024*
iPhone 15
September 12, 2023
September 22, 2023
iPhone 14
September 7, 2022
September 16, 2022
iPhone 13
September 14, 2021
September 24, 2021
* - probable date
iPhone 16 price and deals
We expect that Apple will keep iPhone 16 prices unchanged in comparison with previous iPhone releases. There's a chance that the iPhone 16 Pro will get pricier due to increasing component costs (similarly to how Samsung and Google all raised prices in 2024) and Apple likely dropping the 128GB storage variant. The prices across the rest of the lineup will probably remain unchanged.
iPhone model
128GB of storage
256GB of storage
512GB of storage
1TB of storage
iPhone 16
$799-$899*
$899-$999*
$1,099-$1,199*
-
iPhone 16 Plus
$899-$999*
$999-$1,099*
$1,199-$1,299*
-
iPhone 16 Pro
$999-$1,099*
$1,099-$1,199*
$1,299-$1,399*
$1,499-$1,599*
iPhone 16 Pro Max
-
$1,199-$1,2990
$1,399-$1,499*
$1,599-$1,699*
iPhone 15
$799
$899
$1,099
-
iPhone 15 Plus
$899
$999
$1,199
-
iPhone 15 Pro
$999-$1,099
$1,099
$1,299
$1,499
iPhone 15 Pro Max
-
$1,199
$1,399
$1,599
What iPhone 16 deals can we expect for the iPhone 16 range from Apple itself as well as the major carriers? Judging from last year's iPhone 15 deals and pricing, we can anticipate that Apple, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile could introduce deals and promotions similar to the following ones from late 2023:
Apple: Cupertino's iPhone Upgrade program lets you get a new iPhone every year along with AppleCare+ coverage. Once you've made 12 payments to Apple, you're eligible to trade in your existing iPhone and get a new one. Currently, prices start at $39.50/mo for a 128GB iPhone 15, $44.91/mo for a 128GB iPhone 15 Plus, $49.91/mo for an iPhone 15 Pro, and $58.25 for a 256GB iPhone 15 Pro Max. You can either sign up online, in the Apple Store app, or in any Apple Store.
Verizon: The iPhone 15 Pro was available for $0 up front, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max could be yours for $200 up front. You had to apply for an eligible Verizon unlimited plan and an eligible trade-in of another device. A similar upgrade deal was available for the regular iPhone 15 model as well––it was also available for free with select Unlimited plans and a trade-in of any phone in any condition, which was a superb deal. The iPhone 15 Plus is available for up to $800 off with a trade of an iPhone 11 or newer.
T-Mobile: T-Mobile also had the iPhone 15 Pro available for free with an eligible plan and a qualifying trade-in. Moreover, customers could get up to $650 off on any iPhone 15 model when opting in for the Magenta MAX plan, up to $350 off on Go5G on Magenta, and up to $200 on any T-Mobile plan when trading in an eligible phone. Yet another early deal allowed you to pick any iPhone 15 model and get up to $700 off on a second unit when adding a line on almost any of T-Mobile's plans, essentially a BOGO deal. If you had your sights on the iPhone 15 Plus, you could also get $800 off with a trade of an iPhone 11 or better.
AT&T: Meanwhile, on AT&T, potential iPhone 15 adopters could benefit from various exciting deals. Like its competitors, AT&T also offered the regular iPhone 15 for essentially zilch when paired with an eligible AT&T plan and a trade of a phone in any condition. Similarly to T-Mobile, AT&T also offered the iPhone 15 Pro for free with a trade and an eligible plan. Finally, the iPhone 15 was also up to $800 off when paired with a plan and a trade of iPhone 11 and up.
Currently, we expect that the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 16 camera specs to be identical. Both will inherit the 48MP wide-angle and 12MP ultra-wide camera from the iPhone 15. The latter will get upgraded with a faster f/2.2 aperture, though.
Just like the iPhone 15, the iPhone 16 will possibly take 24MP photos by default, balancing file size and image quality. Support for the new JPEG-XL image format, which offers superior lossless compression, as well as a dedicated macro mode should also arrive. Despite the lack of a telephoto camera, iPhone 16/16 Plus will offer a 2X toggle that will use sensor cropping to deliver lossless zoom
The iPhone 16 Pro will come with a 48MP camera like its predecessor, but will feature a custom new 48MP IMX903 sensor (vs iPhone 15 Pro Max's IMX803). The sensor will be larger in comparison to its predecessor (1/1.14" vs 1/1.28"), will have a stacked design, 14-bit analog-to-video conversion for lossless image data conversion, and Digital Gain Control for better dynamic range and less noise.
Reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes the iPhone 16 Pro will get a new 48MP ultra-wide camera. It will have 0.7um pixels and a 1/2.6" sensor size, a serious upgrade over the 12MP ultra-wide with 1.0um pixels and a sensor size of 1/3.6" that Apple has used for years.
As a reminder, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus came with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage in their base versions, but also had 256GB and 512GB versions. At the same time, the Galaxy S24 is available with 8GB RAM and 128GB/256GB of storage, so iPhones offer a bit more flexibility.
Storage-wise, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will top out at 512GB, while the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max will be available with up to 1TB.
iPhone 16 design
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus: New capacitive Capture Button, Action Button, vertical rear camera placement
iPhone 16 Pro: Thinner bezels and larger displays, new capacitive Capture Button, improved internal design, better thermal management
Here's how big the iPhone 16 models will be, based on rumors:
iPhone model
Height
Width
Depth
Weight
iPhone 16
147.6mm
71.6mm
7.8mm
173gr (+2gr)
iPhone 16 Plus
160.9mm
77.8mm
7.8mm
203gr (+2gr)
iPhone 16 Pro
149.6mm (+3mm)
71.45mm (+0.85m)
8.25mm
194gr (+7gr)
iPhone 16 Pro Max
163mm (+3.1mm)
77.58mm (+0.88mm)
8.25mm
225gr (+4gr)
The iPhone 16 Pro will continue to utilize the new titanium frame that debuted on the previous iPhone lineup. The rumor mill also says Apple will be using improved titanium processing, which could switch the metal finish from matte to glossy. This new process will improve the color saturation of the frame.
A number of iPhone 16 dummies showcasing the whole range have leaked out, giving us a good look at all models side-by-side.
iPhone 16 dummies, credit––Sonny Dickson
Recent rumors reveal the iPhone 16 Pro will likely have exceptional 1.2mm bezels around the screen, a great reduction over the iPhone 15 Pro's 1.71mm bezels and the iPhone 14 Pro's 2.15mm bezels. The iPhone 16 Pro Max will reportedly boast even thinner bezels––just 1.15mm! This windfall will come courtesy of a new technology, called BRS (Border Reduction Structure).
iPhone 16 series dummy units (Image Credit-@SonnyDickson)
Another major development for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus could be the vertical camera module placement, which will let you capture spatial video intended for the Apple Vision Proheadset. The vertical camera island was corroborated by a set of images depicting iPhone 16 dummy units in different colors, revealed by Sonny Dickson. Here's what these look like:
The iPhone 16 base model has changes to its rear camera array (Image Credit Sonny Dickson)
iPhone 16 Pro dummies in White, Black, Gray, and Desert Titanium colors (Image Credit by Sonny Dickson"
iPhone 16 Capture Button
An intriguing upgrade that's potentially coming to all iPhone 16 models is a new capacitive Capture Button, positioned on the right-side frame of the phone, below the power button.
The Capture button will be pressure-sensitive and react according to the force applied to it, giving haptic feedback. You'd be able to swipe left or right on the button to zoom in or out. While many smartphones currently allow zoom adjustments through volume keys, Apple's approach suggests that your finger won't have to leave the Capture Button, offering a potentially more convenient experience.
iPhone 16 cases give us a clear view of the Capture button
According to insider Ross Young, the display of the Phone 16 Pro Max will grow to 6.86 inches in size, while the more compact iPhone 16 Pro will score a 6.27-inch scree. This rumor has been corroborated multiple times (tipster Revegnus on X), making it extremely legit.
The Dynamic Island punch-hole will remain a staple across the iPhone 16 range, but rumors have it Apple might trim the size a bit. Apple is apparently switching to a new Face ID module supplier, which might be physically smaller than before. This change allows Apple to make the Dynamic Island smaller.
Meanwhile, the list of potential improvements to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus displays is rather slim. Both devices will retain the 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch size, and the refresh rate will remain stuck at 60Hz for another year.
iPhone 16 connectivity
We heard that the iPhone 16 lineup could score Wi-Fi 7. Its benefits are faster data throughput speed, lower latency, and a more reliable connectivity. The Wi-Fi 7-equipped iPhone 16 lineup is expected to offer data transfer speeds of more than 40Gbps, which would be a 4X increase over the Wi-Fi 6E of the current iPhone generation.
The iPhone 16 Pro might come along with a much faster new 5G modem made by Qualcomm. The Snapdragon X75 5G will enable both mmWave and sub-6GHz 5G coverage using a single transceiver, which will reduce battery usage by up to 20%. It also takes 25% less space as compared to the Snapdragon X70 chip on the iPhone 15.
Early in August 2024, a new bombshell rumor revealed the iPhone 16 Pro might get a larger 3,577mAh battery, or just above 9% increase over the iPhone 15 Pro. Naturally, this will seriously boost the potential battery life of that model. If this increase doesn't pan, other rumors point out a more likely 3,355mAh upgrade for the small Pro.
Pairing a slightly larger battery with the more efficient Apple A18 will certainly pave the way for better battery life, which is always welcome and would have big repercussions on your day-to-day life.
Battery capacity/phone
Battery size
iPhone 16
3,561mAh (+6% vs previous model's 3,349mAh battery)*
The iPhone 16 will support iOS 18 and will feature it right out of the box. The upcoming major software update was unveiled on June 10, 2024, at the WWDC'24 opening keynote. Key highlights are Apple Intelligence and a redesigned Siri, which will arrive with a later date though: iOS 18.1 will bring most new AI features, but the new Siri is coming in early 2025.
The buzzword with iOS 18 and in extension the iPhone 16 series is on-device AI. Funnily, AI stands for two things here: not only "artificial intelligence", but "Apple Intelligence" as well. Artificial intelligence has been sprinkled into multiple stock apps by Apple, which will fuel apps that are tapping into it. Cupertino also joins forces with OpenAI's ChatGPT to boost the overall AI experience.
iOS 18 will eventually feature a more capable Siri (coming in 2025) capable of executing complex multistep prompts, but only on devices with the A17 Pro chip or newer. All eligible iPhones (iPhone Xs and newer) will get features like free-form app icon placement, app icon customization, customizable lock screen shortcuts, and a revamped Control Center.
The Messages app now supports RCS, advanced formatting, and text scheduling. Users can hide and lock apps with Face ID, and the Photos app has a new, customizable interface.
As they will be launched in 2024, the iPhone 16 lineup will score a minimum of five major yearly software updates, but it's extremely possible the device will be supported for much longer than that.
iPhone 16 hardware: Second-gen 3nm Apple A18 chip
According to the most recent rumors, all iPhone 16 models might be powered by the same Apple A18 chip, but the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max might get a slightly buffed-up version of the silicon, possibly called the A18 Pro.
It's highly probable that the A18 Pro chips have an extra performance core or two, better NPU, and/or a slightly higher clock speed to give it that edge over the regular A18 chip. Analyst Jeff Pu, who first raised those expectations, believes that Apple won't equip the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Plus with the older A17 Pro chip.
Regardless of the specs and semantics, all Apple A18 chips will be manufactured on TSMC's second-generation 3nm process, dubbed N3E. The N3E process should also technically deliver greater efficiency, which could lead to better battery life and less overheating issues.
Some preliminary leaks exploring the potential performance gains of the Apple A18 chip have surfaced in China, but it's extremely early to draw any conclusions yet. As per the leaks, the A18 scores 2822 points in the GeekBench 6 single-core test and 8571 in the multicore test.
iPhone 16 Preliminary Comparisons
Although the iPhone 16 range is still not official, we've already compiled our preliminary comparisons between the upcoming devices and their current best rivals.
iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone 16: All expected differences––No two opinions about it: the iPhone 16 Pro is shaping up to be a much more exciting device than the iPhone 16. But what will be better, exactly? Find out in this preliminary review!
You should wait for the iPhone 16 ifyou haven't upgraded in a while and are clinging to a relatively older iPhone. Anyone with a phone older than the iPhone 12 lineup should probably wait to see what major improvements the iPhone 16 could potentially deliver. The generational leap between the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 16 would be sufficient to warrant an upgrade, which would deliver a lot of value to the user.
You should not wait for the iPhone 16 if you've recently got a new phone (iPhone or other) and you are perfectly fine with using it for multiple years to come. Those using devices from the iPhone 15, iPhone 14, and iPhone 13 families probably won't be enticed by the potential improvements of the iPhone 16 range, so they should probably hold off on upgrading. Then again, the FOMO and that tempting feeling to always have the best tech might have another say on the matter.
Peter, an experienced tech enthusiast at PhoneArena, is captivated by all things mobile. His impartial reviews and proficiency in Android systems offer readers valuable insights. Off-duty, he delves into the latest cryptocurrency trends and enjoys sci-fi and video games.
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