Apple will launch its new iPhone 16 lineup in stores on Friday, September 20, and the company has already shown off the new devices at its fall event, which ran with the the tagline "It's Glowtime."
Apple plans to release the new iPhone 16 models, along with the next-generation Apple Watch Series 10, as well as new AirPods 4.
iPhone 16: What's New
The iPhone 16 series brings a host of new features and enhancements. Here's a rundown of the biggest new features:
Bigger Displays
- While the 6.1-inch iPhone 16 and 6.7-inch iPhone 16 Plus have retained the same display sizes, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max have larger display sizes this year. The iPhone 16 Pro has a 6.3-inch display up from 6.1 inches, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch display, up from 6.7 inches. Due to the new display size, the iPhone 16 models are slightly taller, heavier, and wider than the iPhone 15 Pro models, but some of the change was implemented through a major reduction in bezels.
- Apple added an all-new Camera Control button that's like an Action Button for the Camera. It is touch and pressure sensitive and can be used to launch the camera and take a photo, capture a video, and adjust all kinds of camera settings.
Design Changes
- The camera system is largely the same as the iPhone 15 models, but Apple is now calling the 48-megapixel Wide-Angle lens a "Fusion" lens because of its ability to be used for both standard photos and cropped-in 2x zoom photos.
- The iPhone 15 Pro models include an Action Button, and in 2024, the Action Button has been expanded to the standard iPhone 16 models. The Action Button used across the iPhone 16 lineup is identical to the iPhone 15 Pro Action Button. The Action button, which replaces the traditional mute switch, can perform multiple functions such as activating the Flashlight, turning on the Camera, launching a Shortcut, enabling or disabling a Focus mode, using Translate, turning on/off Silent Mode, and more.
Apple Intelligence and Improved Siri
- With iOS 18.1, due to be released in October, Apple will introduce Apple Intelligence, a suite of AI tools powered by large language models. Apple Intelligence only works with the iPhone 16 lineup and existing iPhone 15 Pro models.
- Among the new capabilities are writing tools for generating and summarizing text, as well as a feature that provides concise summaries of notifications. The Messages app will gain the ability to suggest replies, while a new function will allow users to record and transcribe phone calls. Lastly, the Photos app will benefit from the "Clean Up" tool, which is designed to swiftly remove unwanted objects from images. Apple plans to make the Image Playground feature for generating images and the Genmoji feature for generating custom emoji available in iOS 18.2, which will likely be released in December.
New Camera Technology
- The 48-megapixel Fusion camera has a faster quad-pixel sensor. Like the prior iPhone 15 Pro camera, there's a 24-megapixel default image resolution that offers high-quality images at a practical file size. The Fusion camera can be adjusted to different focal lengths, including 24mm, 28mm, and 35mm, and there's an option to capture 48-megapixel HEIF images that take up less space than RAW images.
- There's a new 48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera that lets in more light for crisper photos in macro mode. Both iPhone 16 Pro models have the upgraded 5x Telephoto lens that uses a tetraprism design this year.
Battery Innovations
- With the iPhone 16 lineup, Apple has increased battery life for all models compared to the prior-generation iPhone 15 models. Battery life is up at least an hour for each device for video playback, with bigger increases for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
- All iPhone 16 models support up to 45W of wired fast charging via the USB-C port, up from 29W on the iPhone 15. The new iPhone 16 models also support upgraded MagSafe charging: With a 30W charger, the new iPhones can charge at up to 25W via MagSafe, which is an improvement over the prior 15W limit.
Processor Upgrades
- Apple introduced new second-generation 3-nanometer chips for both the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Pro models, bringing notable improvements in performance. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus have an A18 chip, while the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max have an A18 Pro chip.
- The A18 chip is built using a second-generation 3-nanometer process, so it is more efficient and faster than the A16 Bionic chip used in the iPhone 15 models. The A18 chip is capable of handling Apple Intelligence tasks, and it runs the Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18.1.
Other Notable Features
- According to Apple, the iPhone 16 Pro models now have the thinnest borders on any Apple product, thanks to a reduction in bezels. Some of the increase in display size comes from the bezels, but the iPhone 16 Pro models are a little taller and a tiny bit wider than their predecessors.
- The iPhone 16 Pro models are equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X75 modem, allowing for faster and more efficient 5G connectivity. The iPhone 16 Pro Models Reportedly Boast Up to 26% Faster 5G Speeds.
- The iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max include support for the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard, which provides speeds of "at least 30" gigabits per second, and could hit up to 40Gb/s.
For in-depth information on everything we know about the iPhone 16 series, follow the links to our dedicated iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro roundups.
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