iPhone 16: 12 things I want to see in the next iPhone

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro screens are shown.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro (left) and iPhone 15 Pro Max Andy Boxall/

With the recent release of the iPhone 15 series, including the iPhone 15 Pro Max, it is natural to anticipate Apple’s upcoming range of smartphones – the iPhone 16 series – which is expected to launch in September 2024.

Although there is not much information available yet about these devices, rumors are already circulating, and wish lists are being created. The list below shows a combination of the features we expect to see on the iPhone 16 and those we’d love to see.

120Hz screen on All iPhone 16 models

iPhone 15 Pro display with the iPhone 15 Pro Max in the background.
Prakhar Khanna /

There have been significant improvements in mobile device display refresh rates over the years. A higher refresh rate means the display hardware updates its buffer more frequently, resulting in a smoother experience, especially for gaming. Currently, most of the top performing smartphones have 120Hz screens, while some like the Motorola Edge Plus are also pushing the 144Hz and 165Hz ranges.

Apple iPhone Pro models have shipped with 120Hz screens since the iPhone 13 Pro series launched in 2021 with promotions. Unfortunately, regular models including the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are stuck at 60Hz. Hopefully, this will change with the iPhone 16 series.

Fast USB-C Charging

Blue titanium iPhone 15 Pro showing USB-C port.
Christine Romero-Chan/

The iPhone 15 series has finally adopted USB-C technology, which allows data transfer between devices that is much faster than the previous Lightning connector. However, this change has not improved the charging speed. Future iPhone models are expected to resolve this issue, but whether this will happen with the iPhone 16 or later iterations is unclear.

Camera upgrade for iPhone 16 Pro

The camera module of the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
iPhone 15 Pro Max Andy Boxall/

Apple finally upgraded its telephoto camera on the iPhone 15 Pro Max this year with 5x optical zoom. Unfortunately, the regular iPhone 15 Pro was left out and is stuck with the same 3x telephoto camera we’ve had for a while.

Good News? Rumor has it that the iPhone 16 Pro Max And The smaller iPhone 16 Pro will both have better telephoto cameras next year. Given that this is an area that was completely ignored for the iPhone 15 Pro, the iPhone 16 Pro could be a big deal in this regard.

new iPhone sizes

CAD render of the iPhone 16 Pro Max next to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
9to5Mac

Rumors suggest that Apple will do something it hasn’t done in a few years: increase the display size for its iPhone line. Not surprisingly, these changes will likely come to the Pro model first. At least one rumor says the iPhone 16 Pro will grow from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which may be called the iPhone 16 Ultra, will have a display that grows from 6.7 inches to 6.9 inches.

Not everyone may be happy with this news, as some iPhone enthusiasts believe that the current size of 6.7 inches is already too big. The primary concern is that the largest iPhone usually has the most advanced features. Therefore, regardless of personal preference, one should opt for a larger phone to access these features.

solid-state button

Close-up of the action button on the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Joe Maring/

The next iPhones may not have physical buttons and instead feature solid-state buttons controlled through haptic feedback. These buttons will function just like the old iPhone Home button, which was converted from an actual button to a glass button.

Although solid-state controls were initially rumored to be part of the iPhone 15 series, the delay may have been caused by technical challenges. It’s likely that iPhones are still coming with solid-state buttons Some? point, and it’s very likely that they will debut on the iPhone 16.

Under-display Face ID

The Face ID tick icon on the dynamic island of the iPhone 14 Pro.
Andy Boxall/

Some Apple fans have been waiting for a long time for the company to introduce under-display authentication tools that can be controlled by fingerprint or Face ID. Some sources say that Apple may add under-display Face ID to the iPhone Pro series, which means Dynamic Island may be phased out. Dynamic Island first appeared on the iPhone 14 Pro series in 2022 and became available on the entire iPhone 15 lineup this year.

Apple’s commitment to Dynamic Island makes it highly unlikely that it will be eliminated to bring under-display Face ID online on next year’s iPhone. However, this may be possible in the future.

Action button improvements

Settings for iPhone 15 Pro action buttons.
Joe Maring/

The iPhone 15 Pro series features a customizable action button that replaces the traditional ring/silent switch. The button serves as a shortcut to which you can assign various actions. For example, you can set action buttons to open the camera app, start a voice memo, and more.

However, the action button can only perform one function. It would be great if future iPhones would allow users to assign multiple functions to action buttons – like double-press and triple-press options. It’s unclear whether Apple will expand the Action Button functionality this way with the iPhone 16 Pro series, but I certainly hope it does.

Titanium iPhones for all

iPhone 15 Pro in Natural Titanium held up against a cement brick wall.
Christine Romero-Chan/

Apple has made an essential change in its latest iPhone Pro models by replacing stainless steel with titanium. However, less expensive aluminum is still being used for regular models, and this is expected to continue for at least another cycle.

It would be great to eventually see all iPhones made of titanium. After all, titanium is twice as strong as aluminum, and it still feels In fact Nice without being too heavy. While the prospect of all-titanium iPhones for the iPhone 16 series doesn’t seem particularly possible, we can certainly dream.

Big change in the color of iPhone 16 Pro

iPhone 15 Pro in red.
Joe Maring/

The Phone Pro series has always had more reserved and understated color options than the regular iPhone lineup. However, do color choices always have to be so conservative? Wouldn’t it be nice if Apple introduced brighter and more fun colors for its most expensive handsets, while still offering the traditional black and white titanium as an option? What if we had the first iPhone Pro in Product Red? any takers?

There’s no indication from Apple that the iPhone 16 Pro will get a radical color change, but let’s hope it does.

A carbon-neutral iPhone

Curved screen on the Apple Watch Series 9.
Andy Boxall/

Apple released its first carbon-neutral product this year, taking an important step toward environmental sustainability. The Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 are not only sleek and stylish, but they’re also eco-friendly.

Given Apple’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, it’s no surprise that a carbon-neutral iPhone is in the works. Whether it’s 2024, 2025, or later, it’s coming, and it will be interesting to see what it includes.

little iPhone love

Screens of iPhone SE 2022 and iPhone 14 Plus.
iPhone 14 Plus (left) and iPhone SE (2022) Andy Boxall/

As iPhones keep getting bigger, perhaps it’s time for Apple to pay more attention to the smallest iPhone in its lineup, the third-generation iPhone SE. Released in spring 2022, this 4.7-inch phone has always held a somewhat awkward spot in the iPhone lineup. Although technically not the iPhone 13, which was Apple’s flagship device at the time of its release, the current iPhone SE still shares many of that phone’s features, including the A15 Bionic chip.

In the future, it may be wise for Apple to consider removing the “SE” from the name of this product and adding a revised model to the regular iPhone lineup. Naming it “iPhone Mini” may not be practical, especially given the poor reception of the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini. However, the name using the iPhone 16 branding may help acknowledge that not all customers like larger iPhones.

better battery life

Battery settings on iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Joe Maring/

Everyone wants their iPhone to last longer between charges. With this in mind, rumors suggest that the upcoming iPhones may use stacked battery technology. By doing so, they can provide higher capacity and longer life span. The upcoming Samsung Galaxy S24 may also use this technology.

Long battery life is always appreciated, and Apple should look to the iPhone 16 lineup for a major upgrade on this front.

And now we wait

Apple logo on the back of the iPhone 14.
Joe Maring/

Will all these wishes be fulfilled? Is all this just a pipe dream? It probably falls somewhere in between, but the fact is that it has to be Very To wait with the iPhone 16 family.

We’re not expecting the iPhone 16 series until September 2024, but we should start learning more about it in the coming weeks and months. And I can’t wait to see how it all comes together.






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