Apple recently launched the iPhone 15 lineup, which includes the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Of course, while the new series seems to be a hit with most people, it’s not without its own issues.
Despite the fact that it’s only been a few weeks since the iPhone 15 launched, rumors for the iPhone 16 have already started to flood in, although it’s still quite early. But from what we’ve gathered so far, it looks like the iPhone 16 could be another worthy upgrade, especially if you don’t already have an iPhone 15.
More buttons and a haptic transition
With the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple shook things up in a big way by replacing the Silent/Ring toggle, which has been on the iPhone since the original, with an action button.
The default setting for the button is to turn silent/ring on and off, but users can also customize it to perform other actions – like opening the camera, starting a voice memo, turning on the flashlight, opening a shortcut, and more . The possibilities you have with action buttons are virtually endless, especially with the option of shortcuts.
Rumors are circulating that the iPhone 16 Pro will have an action button with the device, as it will be switching to solid-state, and not physical buttons like we currently have. Additionally, it is very likely that all iPhone 16 models will have a new button on the right side of the body, which also means that the mmWave antenna will move to the left to accommodate the change. This button appears to be called the “Capture Button” internally, but it’s unclear what this potential new button will actually do.
I think the idea of the new button is quite exciting. Since it’s being called a “Capture” button internally, what if it’s for capturing a photo in the camera app? Yes, you can technically use the action button (if it’s set to the camera app) or the volume up button to do this right now, but it works best if you have the camera module facing down while holding it in a horizontal orientation. Is towards.
If it has a capture button for photos and is placed at the bottom (below the power/Siri button) on the right edge of the phone, it is perfect for capturing selfies or taking photos with the camera module towards the top in horizontal orientation. will be. I often find it a little difficult and inconvenient to reach the on-screen capture button when taking selfies because I have a small thumb, so a capture button on the right would really help me out a lot, and I’m sure it will. not the only one. That said, I can see this being a problem for people who use their left hand for selfies.
This is probably the biggest use case for a new button, although perhaps it could also serve as an action button. I mean, the action button is currently limited to only one action, so I don’t see any harm in making this new button customizable as well – unless Apple wants to allow more than one action based on other gestures. Doesn’t change the action button.
Nonetheless, the idea of a new button on the iPhone 16 excites me. It’s still a mystery whether this will be for all iPhone 16 models or just the higher-end models.
Small cameras for iPhone 16 Pro
For the past few years, Apple has given smaller iPhone Pro models the same camera treatment as the larger Pro Max, but the iPhone 15 line breaks that trend. Apple has a new tetraprism telephoto lens that allows up to 5x optical zoom capability, but it’s only exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
This may change with the iPhone 16 Pro, which is rumored to use a molded glass lens that may reduce the thickness and weight of the camera bump while also increasing the magnification distance. There is also a possibility that the iPhone 16 Pro will have a slightly larger display size, making it possible to house the 120mm telephoto camera used on the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
I’m the type of person who upgrades every year, mostly for camera improvements. However, even though the iPhone 15 Pro Max has the best camera system this year, I chose the smaller iPhone 15 Pro instead because I’m not a big fan of larger phones. Personally, it’s harder for me to use these comfortably because my hands are slimmer, and even with a larger Android phone like the Google Pixel 8 Pro, I have trouble reaching the on-screen capture button when taking a photo. Trouble happens.
If the iPhone 16 Pro next year actually has better optical zoom capabilities, as the slightly larger size can accommodate a 120mm lens, I’ll be happy. However, I hope not to get the size Very Big. I would really prefer if Apple gave both Pro models the same camera treatment again, maybe that’s a step in the right direction.
Even more optical zoom for the iPhone 16 Pro Max
This next rumor 100% contradicts what I’m expecting to see similar camera treatment for both the smaller and larger Pro models.
Some early reports are suggesting that while competitors like Samsung may skip the 10x optical zoom on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Apple may do the opposite and go from 5x to 10x optical zoom on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. This will be possible due to Apple using an advanced molded glass lens, as we just talked about for the smaller iPhone 16 Pro. This advanced molded glass can result in a smaller camera bump and increased optical zoom distance to what would be considered a “super telephoto” lens.
Although I don’t have the iPhone 15 Pro Max myself, from what I’ve heard and seen in our coverage of the phone, the 5x optical zoom is pretty great (and honestly I regret not getting it). If the iPhone 16 Pro Max would go further by doubling the optical zoom range, it would definitely be more attractive to me next year.
The price increase will not be so incredible
This year, the iPhone 15 lineup cost slightly more to produce than its predecessor, the iPhone 14. This isn’t too surprising, given the fact that the standard iPhone 15 models use a new “color-infused” matte glass back, the Pro model has titanium in it, and there are new components inside, like the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Tetraprism telephoto camera in.
With this information, a rumor is flying that the increased production costs this year could lead to lower prices for the iPhone 16 lineup next year. Of course, it wouldn’t be so incredible.
However, it is important to remember that there are rumors that the price of the iPhone is going to increase every year, and it hasn’t really happened. Sure, it seemed like the price of the iPhone 15 Pro Max had gone up this year, but that’s only because Apple removed last years’ $1,099 128GB storage option. Now, the iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at $1,199 for the 256GB version, which is the same as the 256GB iPhone 14 Pro Max when it was new. The iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, and iPhone 15 Pro haven’t seen any price increases this year, despite reports that we’ll likely see higher prices for them.
So, while rumors suggest we’ll see higher prices for the iPhone 16 lineup next year, I doubt it. This is something we hear every year, so I’ll take it seriously.
There’s a lot to see in the iPhone 16
I know the iPhone 15 lineup has just been revealed, and the iPhone 16 has yet to be talked about. But that’s just the nature of the beast – once a new thing comes out, rumors start flying about the next thing. It goes like this.
I’m satisfied with my iPhone 15 Pro so far, but I’m still waiting to see what the iPhone 16 lineup will bring — especially if the smaller iPhone 16 Pro can get more optical zoom range, which it didn’t get this year. I believe the idea of a capture button for the camera would be fun too.
It’s too early to know anything for sure about the iPhone 16, but assuming there’s some truth to these reports, it’s hard not to start getting excited about what Apple has in store for us next year.
