The iPhone 16 series has been making waves recently, dominating the hot searches. Despite the autumn Apple product launch still being a ways off, leaks and rumors abound. Apple enthusiasts remain as fervent as ever, eagerly engaging in discussions. Their enthusiasm truly lives up to the fruit's name, with attention levels soaring.
So, what updates can we expect from the entire iPhone 16 lineup? Let's take a closer look together.
iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus
Design: Vertical Dual Cameras, Action Button, Reduced Bezels
From the recently leaked renders, the design changes in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are quite significant. Firstly, the rear dual cameras have been rearranged into a vertical layout, departing from the previous diagonal arrangement and reverting to a layout similar to the iPhone X, purportedly to enhance spatial video capture. While the authenticity of this functional enhancement remains uncertain, this change directly impacts the recognizability of the iPhone 16 series.
Secondly, the segmented mute switch has been replaced with an Action Button, a feature already present in the current iPhone 15 Pro series, primarily to impart more diverse functionality to this button. Lastly, the bezels have been further reduced, with rumors suggesting Apple has developed a "Bezel Reduction Structure" (BRS) technology to minimize screen bezels to a greater extent, thereby delivering improved display performance.
Specifications: 8GB RAM, A18 chip, increased battery size, enhanced cooling
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are similar except for the screen size and battery. Both standard models are expected to feature the A18 chip, eliminating the alternate-generation difference, and will be upgraded to 8GB RAM, comparable to the current iPhone 15 Pro in terms of background activity management.
As for battery life, the iPhone 16 is expected to come with a 3561mAh battery, while the iPhone 16 Plus will have a 4006mAh battery. Interestingly, the former sees an increase, whereas the latter slightly decreases, which is quite puzzling.
More importantly, Apple has finally improved cooling for the iPhone. The entire iPhone 16 series will incorporate graphene cooling technology, which should enhance performance during gaming or video recording. Whether it will still reduce frequency and brightness under certain conditions remains uncertain.
Design: Larger Screens, Camera Button, Reduced Bezels
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max feature minimal changes in appearance, primarily displaying larger screens at 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches respectively. This increase is largely thanks to the "Bezel Reduction Structure" (BRS) technology, which allows the screens to expand by reducing the bezel size.
Additionally, a new camera button has been added below the power key. It features a mechanical design that adjusts focus through touch and enables focus and shutter functions through light and hard presses, enhancing the photography experience.
Specifications: A18 Pro Chip, Stacked Battery Technology, Enhanced Cooling
Both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are equipped with the A18 Pro chip, maintaining the same memory capacity. Benchmark leaks show a 13% improvement in multi-core performance and a 20% increase in single-core performance. Furthermore, the iPhone 16 Pro series not only employs graphene for cooling but also a metal case, significantly enhancing heat dissipation and overall performance.
In terms of battery, the series might incorporate stacked battery technology to provide greater capacity and longer battery life. The iPhone 16 Pro is expected to have a 3355mAh battery, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max might feature a 4676mAh battery, suggesting a significant extension in battery life.
Camera: Standard 5X Telephoto
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are expected to have similar camera setups. The primary camera uses a 1/1.14 inch IMX903 stacked sensor, and the ultra-wide-angle lens has been upgraded to 48 million pixels.
As for the telephoto lens, it is not expected to be upgraded. Instead, the 5X telephoto feature will be brought down to the iPhone 16 Pro. This means that the iPhone 16 Pro series will abandon the 3X zoom, which is a pity. After all, the 3X zoom is more practical in everyday life compared to the 5X.
Connectivity: 5G Advanced, Wi-Fi 7
Connectivity has always been a weak point for the iPhone, but there are improvements this time. The iPhone 16 Pro series will feature the Qualcomm X75 modem, supporting 5G Advanced networks, also known as "5.5G", which offers faster and more energy-efficient 5G connectivity. In terms of Wi-Fi, unlike the standard version's Wi-Fi 6E, the iPhone 16 Pro will support Wi-Fi 7, which also promises faster Wi-Fi speeds and lower network latency.
iOS 18: The Overlooked Game Changer
With the debut of the entire iPhone 16 series, iOS 18 may well be its most significant upgrade. During a recent earnings call, Tim Cook revealed that Apple has invested heavily in AI technology, hinting at potential major AI enhancements in iOS 18.
AI is currently a buzzword in the smartphone industry, with almost every manufacturer promoting the concept of AI smartphones and implementing various AI features that have gained market recognition.
Apple, not one to miss out, sees its iOS system—home to numerous interconnected features—as the ideal platform for deploying its AI capabilities. Although generative AI is still in its infancy with limited applications, iOS's proprietary nature allows Apple more flexibility in upgrading and enhancing the system compared to other manufacturers.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that due to memory constraints, the standard version of the Pixel 8 series will not include Google's Gemini large model. This underscores the importance of memory in supporting AI functionalities on smartphones.
The memory upgrades in the iPhone 16 series are likely tailored to support AI capabilities, making iOS 18 perhaps the most significant, yet underappreciated, update of the series.
Apple's WWDC24 developer conference is around the corner, where the true capabilities of iOS 18 will be unveiled. It's something to look forward to.
To sum up, the anticipated upgrades for the iPhone 16 series appear to be relatively modest according to recent leaks.
On one hand, the hardware improvements are there, but the extent of these upgrades is minor. The switch from a 3X to a 5X zoom in the camera might even reduce practicality for some users.
On the other hand, the updates on the software side seem to focus more on AI. However, AI capabilities largely depend on hardware. If there aren't significant breakthroughs in hardware, the AI features offered by the iPhone 16 series might not differ much from those available in domestic smartphones.
Apple’s annual autumn event is often jokingly referred to as the "Tech Spring Festival Gala," mainly because it’s expected to surprise us with innovative features. However, in recent years, including Apple, the innovation in smartphones has been somewhat lacking, failing to significantly impact consumers. The advent of AI has introduced a richer, more novel experience in mobile technology.
Currently, many Android manufacturers have entered this arena, while Apple has yet to release a specific product. This makes the upcoming iPhone 16 series and iOS 18 all the more intriguing. We look forward to seeing what Apple will deliver with its AI-enabled smartphones.
