The iPhone 16’s launch is just around the corner. Apple is holding its next big event on September 9 at 1pm EST/10AM PST. While we don’t know for sure whether the new set of smartphones will make an appearance, it’s all but confirmed that they will. September is usually when the tech giant reveals its next generation of mobile phones.
Also: I’m an Android user, but these three iPhone 16 features would win me over
Because the big day is so soon, I can’t help but feel a little anxious. While every generational launch is a momentous occasion, this release is special as it marks a new era for Apple. Rumors suggest the tech giant will embrace generative AI on the iPhone and introduce important design changes. There are three changes in particular that I am excited to see, and you should be too.
1. Capture Button
The iPhone 16 is rumored to receive a substantial update to its camera system. An improved night mode and new ultrawide sensor are said to be coming to the device, but what I’m looking forward to most is the Capture button.
The Xiaomi Mi 14 Ultra has a camera accessory with a dedicated shutter button.
Kerry Wan/ZDNET
It seems the Capture button will primarily act as a camera shortcut of sorts. Pushing it takes a photo, but that only scratches the surface. Reports claim that the button also supports gesture control. Swiping on it with your thumb or finger would let you zoom in or out, while a light press would focus the camera and a hard press would snap a picture. This could be an intuitive way to take photos and a great way to introduce more people to photography.
2. Siri upgrade
Siri has been getting on in years. The AI tool hasn’t changed much since it came out, and the rise of generative models have put a harsh spotlight on its shortcomings. Back during WWDC 2024, Apple announced Siri will receive a much-needed upgrade. It’ll gain conversational context so it remembers what you just told it, and would soon be able to “take actions across apps.”
Also: Apple confirm iPhone 16 event date, and ‘It’s Glowtime’, according to the company
I think next month’s event will dedicate a good portion to Siri. During the early demos, Apple showed that activating the new Siri causes a glowing animation to appear on the iPhone’s display edge. The tagline for the event is “It’s Glowtime.” Putting two and two together leads me to believe that there’s more to the upgrade than what we’ve seen so far.
3. New chipset
The iPhone 16 is bringing first-party generative AI to the company’s smartphone line in the form of a new series of features collectively known as Apple Intelligence. This type of tech can be demanding on a mobile device’s hardware, which is why the current Apple Intelligence beta is only available on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max (these models have enough RAM to support the features).
Also: How Apple’s AI advances could make or break the iPhone 16
If Apple wants its AI tech to run on every single iPhone 16 device, the company will need to offer powerful hardware across the board. Leaks suggest this will be the case: the base iPhone 16 is said to have an A18 processor with 8GB of RAM, while the Pro configuration will house 12GB of RAM.
Memory is crucial when trying to meet AI demands, but even AI aside, I would love to see how well the iPhone 16 series runs with more memory. I’ve also been wanting to see iPhones sport more muscle, and the A18 might just deliver. Even if you don’t care about the Capture button or the new Siri, more memory and a faster processor can’t hurt.
