Speculations about the iPhone 16 started emerging, just days after iPhone 15 was released. And as we move closer to the launch of the phone, it is only natural that the rumors start piling up. Given that, the recent developments suggest that the iPhone 16 will be incorporating AI into the phone and it will be the best in the class. Let’s discuss all the rumors about what the iPhone 16 series might soon bring to the table.
iPhone 16 Series Rumors Roundup
Artificial Intelligence
Well, it’s an open secret that it is the next big thing in the tech world. Google and Samsung have made it a key highlight on their latest phones. We even did a separate piece on the AI capabilities of the latest Samsung phones. The bottom line is — everyone is going all in on AI.
The same could not be said about Apple — or so it seemed. But it turns out the company is actually working on something related to generative AI behind the scenes.
Tim Cook Says…
Apple’s head honcho revealed that the company was working on AI for its devices in the last Apple Earnings Call. Let me paraphrase what he said — they are working on something generative AI-related, they are doing it the “Apple Way”, and he will talk about it publicly later this year (probably at the WWDC in the summer).
Tim Cook doubled down on Apple’s AI on the recent Apple Earnings Call as well. He states that they feel “very bullish” about their opportunity in generative AI. Additionally, Cook also stressed that Apple has advantages that will set them apart from the competition.
So…?
Apple is looking to capitalize on the full control they have over its hardware, software, and the seamless integration of both. Moreover, the American tech giant is keeping an “unwavering focus on privacy”.
This hints that the AI on iPhone 16 will primarily be on-device. Previously it was unclear the kind of approach Apple would be taking with their artificial intelligence. Furthermore, if your iPhone has to rely on the cloud to carry out your command, it will make sure to let you know with a pop-up.
Formerly, we got some digs on the iOS 17.4 code. It suggested that Siri might be relying on AI to do things like summarization and smart replies on iMessage. Similarly, the iPhone 16 could also be capable of utilizing AI over apps like Apple Music, Pages, and Keynote. Now, it appears that the case is true.
Apple LLM — Ajax
In the meantime, Apple is also working on its LLM and will be calling it “Ajax”. While Ajax can pull off simple on-device requests on its own, it will need some help for a more complicated gig. For that, Apple is reportedly looking to partner with Google or OpenAI.
Processor
When considering Apple’s typical trends, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will likely equip the current-gen Pro siblings’ SoC. However, there’s a twist this time around. Unlike the A17 Pro chip found in the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple is expected to use the more cost-effective N3E process for the basic “A17” chip in iPhone 16 and 16 Plus development.
A18 Chip with NPU Boost
Talking of the iPhone 16 Pro Max, Economic Daily News says that the top-of-the-line Apple phone will likely be powered by Apple A18 silicone. This chipset is said to boast a significantly powerful NPU. This further suggests that the upcoming iPhones will indeed have AI capabilities baked into the phone itself. Moreover, Apple is expected to bump up the NPU core count in about four years since the Apple A14 Bionic chipset.
An antenna upgrade
The antenna module on the iPhone 16 will see an upgrade as well. With UMC chips, that is. Apple had been working with Qorvo for its power amplifiers for its phones. And Quorvo recently acquired another company named Anokiwave. This is the company that will be producing the chips that will now be integrated into the new iPhone’s antenna module. The said chips follow UMC’s 3DIC technology.
With this, the upcoming iPhone 16s will have improved signal efficiency and better reception capabilities. This will be crucial for powering all the AI capabilities of the phone we highlighted earlier as it requires a stable connection to operate.
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Design and Display
Talking about the iPhone 16 Pro, it might feature a 6.27″ display size and is expected to have a slightly taller aspect ratio of 19.6:9, up from the current 19.5:9. On the other hand, the iPhone 16 Pro Max could come with a 6.86″ display size. While there will be an increase, it may be relatively unnoticeable.
Buttons
The iPhone 16 series is anticipated to feature a new capacitive button called the ‘Capture Button,’ codenamed ‘Project Nova.’ It will be positioned slightly below the power button, replacing the mmWave cutout’s location. Whose purpose is undisclosed yet.
Alongside the Capture Button, the iPhone 16 series may feature a capacitive Action Button, codenamed ‘Project Atlas.’ This button could have a design similar to the Capture Button and might use strain gauges and a reluctance motor for haptic feedback.
Battery
The iPhone 16 may also feature stacked battery technology, which could lead to higher capacity and longer battery life (much-needed). Furthermore, specific rumors suggest the possibility of faster 40W wired charging and 20W MagSafe charging in the iPhone 16 series.
Camera
The upcoming iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to feature a 48-megapixel Ultra Wide lens with pixel binning technology that combines the data from four pixels into one “super pixel”.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max will also sport a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera with an eight-part (8P) hybrid lens for improved image quality. There are also enhancements planned for the telephoto and ultra-wide lenses.
In 2024, both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max could incorporate periscope telephoto lenses, a feature exclusive to the 2023 iPhone 15 Pro Max due to size constraints. Also, we might get a look at a vertical camera layout similar to the iPhone 12.
iPhone 16 Ultra
There are also rumors that the iPhone 16 lineup could introduce an iPhone 16 Ultra. This handset might be positioned on the higher premium side, offering enhanced camera specs, a larger display, a portless design (yes, this is a thing), and many other features.
iPhone 16 Series Launch and Availability
When we observe Apple’s annual trend, we can certainly expect the new lineup to hit the market in September. Obviously, we don’t know the price yet. And we’ll continue to bat our eyes on new info and update the article accordingly.
- Meanwhile, check out our video of the iPhone 15 Pro Max versus the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
