The iPhone 16 Pro: Everything We Know So Far
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are set to be Apple’s flagship releases in September 2024. These models are anticipated to bring several significant upgrades and new features, continuing Apple’s tradition of innovation and excellence. Here’s a comprehensive look at what we can expect from the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max.
Release Date
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max in September 2024. These new models will join the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus in Apple’s lineup.
Key Features and Upgrades
Larger Display Sizes
One of the most noticeable changes in the iPhone 16 Pro models will be their larger screens:
- iPhone 16 Pro: The display size will increase from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches.
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: The display size will grow from 6.7 inches to 6.9 inches.
These larger displays will offer more screen real estate for users, enhancing the viewing experience for everything from watching videos to playing games.
New “Capture” Button
A new hardware feature expected in the iPhone 16 Pro models is the “Capture” button. This button will be dedicated to taking photos and videos, making it easier and quicker to capture moments.
Relocated mmWave Antenna
The iPhone 16 Pro models will have a relocated mmWave antenna. This change is expected to improve 5G connectivity and overall signal strength, particularly in urban areas where mmWave 5G is more prevalent.
Camera Improvements
The iPhone 16 Pro models will boast significant camera upgrades:
- 48-Megapixel Ultra Wide Lens: This new lens will enhance the quality of wide-angle shots, particularly in low-light conditions.
- 5x Optical Zoom: Both the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will feature a 5x optical zoom, allowing for clearer and more detailed zoomed-in photos.
- Tetraprism Telephoto Lenses: These lenses will provide at least 5x optical zoom and up to 25x digital zoom, offering impressive zoom capabilities for both models.
Faster A-Series Chip
The iPhone 16 Pro models will be powered by a new A-series chip built on the latest N3E 3-nanometer node. This chip will bring improvements in both efficiency and performance, making the iPhone 16 Pro models faster and more powerful than their predecessors.
Wi-Fi 7
Another exciting upgrade is the inclusion of Wi-Fi 7, which will provide faster and more reliable wireless internet connections, enhancing the overall user experience.
Design and Display Technology
Display Technology
The iPhone 16 Pro models may be the first to use Samsung’s high-performance M14 OLED panel. This panel is designed to provide superior brightness and longevity. Rumors suggest that the iPhone 16 Pro models will have up to 1,200 nits of typical SDR brightness, which is 20% higher than current models. This increase in brightness will make the screens easier to view in bright sunlight.
Micro-Lens OLED Technology
The iPhone 16 models are also expected to adopt new micro-lens OLED display technology. This technology will improve power efficiency and brightness, potentially enhancing battery life. While it is not clear if this feature will be provided by the M14 panel from Samsung, it is a promising development.
Border Reduction Structure (BRS) Technology
Apple will use Border Reduction Structure (BRS) technology for the iPhone 16 Pro models. This technology allows for a more compact and efficient layout of the circuitry under the display, resulting in slimmer bezels without compromising display performance.
Thinner Bezels
Leaker “UniverseIce” claims that the iPhone 16 Pro will have the thinnest bezels of any smartphone, including the Samsung Galaxy S24. The iPhone 16 Pro is expected to have 1.2mm bezels, while the Pro Max will have 1.15mm bezels. This is an improvement over the 1.71mm and 1.55mm bezels of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, respectively.
Performance Enhancements
A-Series Chips
The iPhone 16 Pro models will be equipped with the next-generation A18 chip. All four iPhone 16 models will use this chip, but Apple may differentiate between the standard and Pro models. The standard iPhone 16 models might use A18 chips with fewer GPU cores, while the Pro models could have a more powerful GPU. These chips could also have different names, such as A18 and A18 Pro.
Neural Engine
The A18 chip will feature an upgraded Neural Engine with significantly more cores, allowing for improved AI and machine learning performance. This enhancement will make the iPhone 16 Pro models even more capable in handling complex tasks and applications.
Thermal Improvements
Graphene Thermal System
Apple is working on a new thermal design for the iPhone 16 models to combat overheating. The iPhone 16 Pro models may include a graphene thermal system, which has higher thermal conductivity than the copper used in current iPhone heat sinks. This new system will improve heat dissipation, ensuring that the phones remain cool even during intensive use.
Metal Battery Casing
The iPhone 16 Pro models may also feature a metal battery casing, which will further enhance heat dissipation. This improvement will contribute to better overall performance and longevity of the devices.
Camera Technology
Ultra Wide Camera
The iPhone 16 Pro models will include an improved 48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera. This upgrade will allow the sensor to capture more light, resulting in enhanced photos when shooting in 0.5x mode, especially in low-light environments. The Ultra Wide camera will function similarly to the 48-megapixel Wide camera, using pixel binning to combine the data from four pixels into one “super pixel” for better image quality.
Main Camera Sensor
While both the iPhone 16 Pro models will get a 48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera, the iPhone 16 Pro Max alone will get a larger Main camera sensor based on a custom 48-megapixel Sony IMX903 sensor. This new sensor is expected to use a stacked design for better performance and Digital Gain Control for improved dynamic range and noise control. The smaller iPhone 16 Pro’s Main camera will use the same 48-megapixel Sony IMX803 sensor found in the iPhone 15 Pro models.
Telephoto Lenses
Both the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max will feature Tetraprism Telephoto lenses in 2024, instead of this technology being limited to the larger Pro Max. This means that both models will offer at least 5x optical zoom and up to 25x digital zoom, providing impressive zoom capabilities for users.
5G Connectivity
Snapdragon X75 Modem
The iPhone 16 Pro models will use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75 modem, allowing for faster and more efficient 5G connectivity. According to Qualcomm, the X75 offers improved carrier aggregation and combines the sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G transceiver, taking up 25% less circuit board space and using up to 20% less power.
5G Advanced
Qualcomm’s X75 supports the “5G Advanced” standard with AI and machine learning enhancements for 5G improvements. This means that Apple could market the iPhone 16 Pro models as having “5G Advanced” connectivity, providing users with even better network performance.
Design Changes and Enhancements
Action Button
The Action Button, initially limited to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, will be coming to all four iPhone 16 models. This button can be customized to perform various functions, providing users with a convenient and versatile tool.
Capture Button
In addition to the Action Button, the iPhone 16 Pro models will feature a new “Capture” button for taking photos and videos. This dedicated button will make it easier for users to quickly capture moments without having to navigate through the camera app.
Face ID Improvements
There could be some minor tweaks to the Face ID system in the iPhone 16 models. An Apple supplier in England reportedly lost a supply deal with Apple because Apple has plans to “overhaul” Face ID with the launch of the iPhone 16. While specific details on the improvements are not yet clear, users can expect a more secure and efficient Face ID system.
Future iPhone Features
ProMotion Technology
ProMotion technology, which adds up to 120Hz refresh rates to the iPhone’s display, is expected to come to standard iPhone models starting in 2025. Until then, ProMotion will be limited to the higher-end “Pro” iPhones, providing a smoother and more responsive display experience.
iPhone 17 Pro Max
The iPhone 17 Pro Max, set to release in 2025, could feature a 48-megapixel Telephoto lens optimized for the Vision Pro headset. This lens will provide even better zoom capabilities and image quality. Analyst Jeff Pu also believes that the iPhone 17 Pro will include an Apple-designed Wi-Fi 7 chip, offering faster and more reliable wireless connectivity.
Under-Display Face ID
There were rumors that the iPhone 16 Pro models could adopt under-display Face ID technology, but updated information suggests that this feature will not be coming until 2025 or later. Under-display Face ID will allow for more usable display space as there will be no need for the full Dynamic Island. However, there