Kuo: iPhone 16 Models to Lack Significant Design Changes Beyond Larger Displays and Capture Button

iPhone 16 models launching later this year will not have any "significant design changes," according to Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

iPhone 16 Side 2 Feature
Kuo also said that Apple is unlikely to offer "more comprehensive" generative AI features until the iPhone 17 series launches next year at the earliest.

"It is expected that Apple will not launch new iPhone models with significant design changes and the more comprehensive/differentiated GenAI ecosystem/applications until 2025 at the earliest," wrote Kuo, in a blog post on Medium today.

Kuo believes foldable designs and generative AI features are two of the biggest trends for high-end smartphones right now, and he thinks iPhone shipments could decline in 2024 as a result of Apple not launching products focused on these areas yet.

One notable hardware change rumored for the iPhone 16 lineup is the addition of a so-called "capture" button for video-related actions. According to a recent report, the button will respond to pressure and touch. For example, the report said users will be able to zoom in and out in the Camera app by swiping left and right on the button, focus with a light press, and start a video recording with a more forceful press.

The higher-end iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models are also expected to feature larger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, compared to 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Is a new button and a larger display significant or not? Ultimately, it's subjective.

Related Roundup: iPhone 16
Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

imac video apple feature

Apple Unveils First New Products of 2026

Monday January 26, 2026 1:55 pm PST by
Apple today introduced its first two physical products of 2026: a second-generation AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop for the Apple Watch. Read our coverage of each announcement to learn more:Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More Apple Introduces New Black Unity Apple Watch BandBoth the new AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided...
Second Generation AirTag Feature

Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More

Monday January 26, 2026 6:07 am PST by
Apple today introduced the second-generation AirTag, with key features including longer range for tracking items and a louder speaker. For those who are not familiar, the AirTag is a small accessory that you can attach to your backpack, keys, or other items. Then, you can track the location of those items in the Find My app on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and iCloud.com. The new...
iPhone 5s

iPhone 5s Gets New Software Update 13 Years After Launch

Monday January 26, 2026 3:56 pm PST by
Alongside iOS 26.2.1, Apple today released an updated version of iOS 12 for devices that are still running that operating system update, eight years after the software was first released. iOS 12.5.8 is available for the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 6, meaning Apple is continuing to support these devices for 13 and 12 years after launch, respectively. The iPhone 5s came out in September 2013,...
Apple Logo Spotlight

Apple to Launch These 20+ Products This Year

Sunday January 25, 2026 6:02 pm PST by
2026 promises to be yet another busy year for Apple, with the company rumored to be planning more than 20 product announcements over the coming months. Beyond the usual updates to iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches, Apple is expected to release its all-new smart home hub, which was reportedly delayed until the more personalized version of Siri is ready. Other unique products rumored for ...
M5 MacBook Pro

Apple Reportedly Aiming to Upgrade the MacBook Pro Twice This Year

Sunday January 25, 2026 11:46 am PST by
Apple plans to release new MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Studio, and Studio Display models in the first half of this year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman added that redesigned MacBook Pro models with an OLED touch screen "should be hitting toward the end of 2026," meaning that the MacBook Pro line would be upgraded twice this year. First up...

Top Rated Comments

WarmWinterHat Avatar
26 months ago
I guess I'll ride my 13 Pro into the sunset.
Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Zakn Avatar
26 months ago
Still, Apple will tell you how it is the best iPhone they've ever made
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
canyonblue737 Avatar
26 months ago
I thought we just had an article a week ago saying that iOS 18 is the largest OS update ever, built entirely around AI? is that off the table or are they just saying there won't be special hardware tied to AI until iPhone 17 or later? If AI plans just rolled over and died for Apple in 2024 that would be hugely disappointing.
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
carrrrrlos Avatar
26 months ago
Would be truly innovative and magical if Apple skipped a year and slowed down the cadence of their iPhone upgrades. Seems like they are stuck in a yearly upgrade cycle for no other good reason than to appease the board.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TechElliott Avatar
26 months ago
No AI, no major design changes, another boring iPhone release.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Hokie804 Avatar
26 months ago
Now on the 15 Pro Max. I really wanted Apple to bring back TouchID to complement FaceID
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)