The much-anticipated Apple event on September 9 is around the corner, where the tech giant will unveil its latest iPhones among other innovations. This year’s lineup for the iPhone 16 will comprise four models: iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max. For those interested in the features of the Pro versions, detailed insights can be found here. Below, we delve into the essential specifications of the base iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models set to be revealed next week.
New Capture Button
This year, all iPhone 16 models will introduce a new physical button located on the right side beneath the Side button, commonly known as the ‘Capture button’. This innovative feature will allow users to quickly snap photos and record videos. In addition to using the button for capturing images, users will have the option to control camera functionalities through specific gestures.
Action Button on the iPhone 16
The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will follow the iPhone 15 Pro’s lead from the previous year by replacing the mute switch with a customizable Action button. Users can configure this button to function as a mute switch, trigger a specific Focus mode, launch the Camera app, activate the flashlight, or utilize Shazam for music identification. iOS 18 is set to introduce even more features associated with this button.
Vibrant New Colors for iPhone 16
This year’s color palette for the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus is noticeably brighter compared to last year’s selection. The image above showcases prototype units from Sonny Dickson. Notably, a new white color has taken the place of yellow, while the other primary colors remain, albeit with enhanced saturation this time around.
- Black
- Blue
- Green
- Pink
- White
Enhanced A18 Chip for Apple Intelligence
In recent iterations, the standard iPhones have typically used processors from the previous year’s Pro models. However, this trend is shifting with the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, which will feature the new A18 chip to accommodate the growing processing demands of Apple Intelligence. The updated chip is also likely to bring efficiency benefits, potentially resulting in improved battery life.
Increased RAM Capacity
One of the reported reasons that last year’s iPhone 15 could not support Apple Intelligence is its RAM limitations. The base iPhone 15 and 15 Plus models contained 6GB of RAM, while the Pro versions boasted 8GB.
This year’s iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are set to have 8GB of RAM, enhancing compatibility with Apple Intelligence and future-proofing the models against upcoming software updates.
Revamped Siri Experience
The introduction of the A18 chip will empower all iPhone 16 models with a redesigned Siri that features an eye-catching interface. Apple intends to highlight Siri alongside Apple Intelligence during its upcoming event.
Since the new Siri won’t be available on most existing iPhones, Apple is positioning it and other features associated with Apple Intelligence as key selling points for the iPhone 16. Over the coming year, users can expect the new Siri to incorporate the following enhancements:
- A fresh visual interface upon activation
- Typing interactions using a simple gesture
- Improved comprehension of speech errors
- Retention of information across requests
- In-depth support for Apple hardware and software inquiries
- Customized context understanding
- Integration with ChatGPT
- Enhanced on-screen awareness
- In-app and cross-application capabilities
It’s important to note that the new Siri and Apple Intelligence features will not be available until the release of iOS 18.1, which is expected by the end of October. However, the wait for these advancements should be brief, with additional Siri features being rolled out throughout the year.
Complete Apple Intelligence Features
In addition to the enhanced Siri capabilities, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will support Apple Intelligence’s various features, including:
- AI-driven writing tools for proofreading and rewriting
- Image generation tools like Genmoji
- Summarization of notifications and focus on priority messages
- Photo features, including memory movie creation and cleanup options
- System-wide ChatGPT writing assistance
- Prioritization of messages in Apple Mail
- Smart reply suggestions
- Recording and webpage summaries via Safari
As existing iPhone 15 and 15 Plus models and older devices will lack Apple Intelligence support, these features could be decisive in attracting new customers.
New Camera System Design
The iPhone 16 will continue to feature both the Main and Ultra Wide cameras, but they will be redesigned to stack directly on top of each other instead of their previous diagonal positioning. This modification is anticipated to enable Spatial Video capturing on the iPhone 16. Additionally, this shift will result in a slimmer camera bump.
However, it’s worth noting that the core camera hardware is not expected to see significant improvements this year, with more exciting advancements aimed at the 16 Pro and Pro Max models.
Unchanged Display Sizes for iPhone 16
While the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are set to increase in size this year, the standard models—iPhone 16 and 16 Plus—will maintain their current dimensions. The iPhone 16 will feature a 6.1-inch display, while the 16 Plus will have a 6.7-inch display, exactly like last year’s versions. If you seek a larger screen, you’ll need to opt for the Pro models.
Differences from the 16 Pro Models
The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will lack many of the significant enhancements that are reserved for the Pro models. Notable distinctions include larger displays, superior camera options, and an upgraded A18 Pro chip. In particular, the Ultra Wide camera on Pro models will increase from 12MP to 48MP, and both Pro models will feature an enhanced Telephoto lens with a 5x zoom capability.
iPhone 16 Release Timeline
Apple will likely adhere to its established release protocol for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, outlining a three-step timeline:
- The devices will be introduced at the September 9 event.
- Pre-orders are anticipated to start the following week on Friday, September 13.
- Consumers can expect to receive the new iPhones and find them in retail stores by Friday, September 20.
Is it Worth the Upgrade?
If you’re transitioning from an iPhone 15 or earlier models, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus could present a tempting upgrade. Although they may not deliver as many groundbreaking features as their Pro counterparts, they still hold considerable appeal.
The new Action button, which was previously exclusive to Pro models, along with the innovative Capture button, are notable additions. Moreover, the powerful A18 chip will make these models some of the few capable of accessing Apple Intelligence features. With enhancements such as the revamped Siri, image generation tools like Genmoji, and ChatGPT integration, the iPhone 16 could attract a substantial buyer base.
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are poised to be more affordable options when compared to the Pro variants. Speculatively, if they maintain their usual starting prices of $799 and $899, respectively, combined with the typical trade-in offers and carrier promotions, the iPhone 16’s appealing features could sway many potential buyers.
Are you considering purchasing the iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Plus? Share your thoughts in the comments below.