iPhone 16 Rumors: Everything You Need to Know Ahead of the Apple Event
With the Apple Event, dubbed Glowtime, just a day away, anticipation is building for the unveiling of the iPhone 16 series. As always, rumors and leaks are swirling, giving us a glimpse of what to expect from Apple’s latest flagship devices. Here’s a breakdown of the most significant iPhone 16 (non pro) rumors, covering everything from design changes to new features, battery life, and more (click here to learn more about the pro models).
iPhone 16 Concept Design Based on leaked CAD files
1. New Action Button & Capture Button
The iPhone 16 non-Pro models are expected to feature a Capture Button in addition to the Action Button, which was introduced last year on the iPhone 15 Pro models. This new button could be one of Apple’s most exciting updates this year, especially when paired with Apple Intelligence, and could become a major selling point for the lineup.
2. Capture Button Functionality
The rumored Capture Button is expected to provide enhanced control over photo and video capturing:
Soft press to auto-focus while recording or taking pictures.
Hard press to capture a video or snap a photo.
Swipe left or right to zoom in/out or switch between camera modes.
This button offers a more intuitive and tactile way to interact with the iPhone’s camera, making it easier for users to shoot high-quality content on the go.
3. Capture Button Placement
The Capture Button is rumored to be placed below the side button, near the mmWave antenna, on U.S. models. For 2023, the mmWave antenna is expected to be moved below the volume buttons on the opposite side. This repositioning could improve antenna performance while making room for the new camera controls.
4. Design Changes for 3D Video
One of the more intriguing design rumors is the change to the iPhone 16’s camera layout. Apple is expected to swap the familiar square camera bump for a vertically oriented rounded rectangle similar to the iPhone X and XS. This change is reportedly to support Spatial (3D) video on the base iPhone models, which requires two camera lenses positioned closely to capture slightly different perspectives for a 3D effect.
5. Camera Lenses: What to Expect
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will likely keep the 48MP Wide-Angle lens from the previous model, allowing users to capture photos at 1X zoom and 2X optical-quality zoom. But how does this optical-quality zoom work?
Rather than using a zoom lens, the iPhone crops the image from the full 48MP sensor, achieving a 2X zoom effectwithout any noticeable loss in quality. This method mimics true optical zoom, providing crisp, detailed shots even when zoomed in.
The 12MP Ultra-Wide lens is also expected to remain, but with improvements in low-light performance, thanks to a wider aperture. This could enhance the quality of photos taken in dimly lit environments.
6. New A18 Chip & Apple Intelligence
The iPhone 16 will likely be powered by the A18 chip and feature 8 GB of RAM, a notable improvement over last year’s models. This upgrade will allow both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus to take full advantage of Apple Intelligence—a feature previously limited to Pro models in the iPhone 15 lineup.
Apple Intelligence may not be available immediately in the EU and China, as these regions are excluded from early iOS 18.1 beta versions. However, once rolled out globally, this could offer users enhanced AI capabilities and improved performance, particularly for AAA gaming.
7. Battery Life Rumors: Conflicting Reports
Rumors about the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus’s battery life are conflicting. The iPhone 16 is expected to receive a modest upgrade with a 3,561 mAh battery, up from 3,349 mAh in the iPhone 15. However, the iPhone 16 Plus might see a slight reduction, dropping to a 4,006 mAh battery, compared to 4,383 mAh in the iPhone 15 Plus.
While these numbers are still speculative, the increased efficiency of the A18 chip may help offset any battery size reductions.
8. New Color Options
Leaked dummy models shared by @SonnyDickson suggest that Apple will introduce new color options for the iPhone 16 non-Pro models. The yellow option from last year is rumored to be replaced by white, while black will remain. In addition, Apple is expected to release new hues of blue, pink, and green.
As always, these color options are based on leaks and should be taken with caution until Apple confirms the official lineup.
9. iPhone 16 Display Size, Storage & Pricing
In terms of display size, the iPhone 16 will stick to the same two sizes seen in previous models:
6.1-inch model with an aluminum frame
6.7-inch model with an aluminum frame
Unlike the iPhone 16 Pro models, which are rumored to have a slight increase in display size, no changes are expected for the non-Pro models in this area. Additionally, there are no expected changes to storage options or pricing for the iPhone 16 series, keeping it in line with previous generations.
Preorders are expected to begin on September 13, with the official launch in the first-wave countries scheduled for a week later, on September 20.
Final Thoughts: What to Expect from the iPhone 16 Series
With just a few days left until the official announcement, excitement around the iPhone 16 series continues to build. From the introduction of the Capture Button and Apple Intelligence to potential design changes for 3D video, it’s clear that Apple is working on improving both functionality and user experience. As always, these leaks and rumors should be taken with a grain of salt until the official Apple Event confirms the details.
