APPLE’S iPhone 15 is still fresh on the shelves, but that hasn’t stopped chatter from swirling about the next new handset.
So, we’ve gathered all the gossip we have so far about the iPhone 16, including long-awaited features and its rumoured release date.
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Generative AI features
Apple is reportedly developing a large array of features that use generative artificial intelligence (AI), including a brand new version of Siri.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple was taken aback by the tech industry’s AI frenzy and has been racing to make up for lost time ever since.
Apple boss Tim Cooks says Apple has been working on generative AI technology, such as chatbot ‘Apple GPT’ for years, Bloomberg reported.
So far, Apple has only introduced AI to improve auto-corrections.
But the “smarter version of Siri” that has been integrated with AI could be ready as soon as next year, according to Gurman.
It’s therefore possible that the launch of more generative AI features could coincide with the unveiling of the iPhone 16.
They may also become some of the iPhone 16’s standout features.
Bigger, better screen
The iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to have taller display sizes than the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 15 Pro models, according to several analysts and leaked designs.
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This could then become the size of the standard iPhone 17, unless there are complaints from customers, MacRumours suggested.
Record cost
Unsurprisingly, there is talk of the iPhone 16 becoming Apple’s priciest handset yet.
The iPhone 15’s production costs are much higher than those of last year’s iPhone 14 models.
Apple may pass down these record high component onto customers in 2024 when the iPhone 16 is launched, according to a Nikkei Asia report.
New volume buttons
It was rumoured that iPhone 15 Pro models would boast a ‘buttonless’ design – but it didn’t come to fruition.
Rumours now suggest that Apple is holding back this feature until 2024, when the iPhone 16 Pro models will be hitting the shelves.
The device won’t be entirely ‘buttonless’, but it will certainly feel like it.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, it’s “likely” Apple will use solid-state buttons for the iPhone 16 Pro – which are buttons that don’t physically move but will vibrate slightly to mimic the sensation of pressing down.
Faster Wi-Fi speeds
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes the iPhone 16 Pro models could adopt Wi-Fi 7 – the next generation of internet technology.
This means that surfing the internet on the device will be up to 2.4 times faster than on the iPhone 15.
USB-C Port
What we do know is that iPhone 16 models will have USB-C charging ports.
There was a lot of talk surrounding whether Apple would unveil the big change to power ports in the iPhone 15, in a bid to comply with new EU standards.
Now the Lighting cable has been ditched with the iPhone 15, it seems certain that USB-C ports will be the standard from here on out.
Higher quality camera
It’s hard to imagine how the camera quality in iPhones can get much better, but it’s up to Apple to try and pull it out of the bag before autumn next year.
One theory, which has emerged from China, is that the iPhone 16 will bring in Apple’s first super telephoto periscope, for a dramatically increased optical zoom.
A rumour from Unknownz21 suggests Apple is testing a vertical camera arrangement for base iPhone 16 models, which hasn’t been seen since the iPhone 12.
Ultra model
While there was a lot of talk about an iPhone 15 Ultra model from industry insiders, Apple’s Wanderlust event proved the rumours were just hot air.
All that said, onlookers have pushed their expectations of a new, long-awaited Ultra model back a year to 2024.
Apple is hoped to introduce an Ultra model within its iPhone 16 lineup, which Bloomberg’s Gurman says will have the best of everything: camera configuration, display and maybe even a better processor.
If dreams really do come true, then it’s possible the coveted periscope camera will be exclusive to the iPhone 16 Ultra.
Release date
Apple has only just banked its iPhone 15 launch day, so we won’t be receiving an iPhone 16 release date anytime soon.
Autumn is the company’s season of choice, with enough summer shenanigans to bust up your old iPhone enough for you consider buying a new one – and tempt folks before Christmas too.
Typically, Apple leans towards the second Tuesday in September for its annual release date.
So, we can expect the iPhone 16 – and an array of new products – to land around then.
Last year, we correctly predicted the iPhone 15 release date.
And we’ve tried our luck at making an official prediction for the iPhone 16 launch schedule too.
Based on our maths, we’d expect to see iPhone 16 pre-orders go live on Friday, September 13.
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We’re then likely to see the new iOS 18 software roll out to existing iPhone owners on Monday, September 16.
And the official in-store iPhone 16 release date would be Friday, September 20.
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