Rumor mills are sharing details of the next-generation iPhone 16 series expected to launch in 2024. Here we have compiled all the alleged design changes and features allegedly coming to the iPhone 16 Pro models.
[Update: A supply chain source substantiates the claim that iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will feature tetraprism telephoto lenses for improved optical zoom.]
Another source claims tetraprism telephoto lens with 5X Zoom coming to both iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max
December 2, 2023: A supply chain source, The Elec reports that Apple will feature the tetraprism telephoto lenses with 5X Zoom coming to both iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max.
The claim substantiates Ming-Chi Kuo’s report that the tech giant will expand the use of tetraprism telephoto lenses across the new iPhone 16 Pro lineup.
It is also stated that Apple would continue to source tetraprism telephoto lens from LG Innotek, currently manufacturing the tech for iPhone 15 Pro Max models.
The proportion of folded zoom actuators that LG Innotek is supplying to Apple is expected to increase next year. LG Innotek is expected to benefit as Apple plans to increase the number of folded zoom models to two in the iPhone 16 series next year. Jahwa Electronics, which is competing with LG Innotek in this sector, may see less than expected benefits next year.
New report reiterates debut of tetraprism telephoto lens with 5X Zoom in iPhone 16 Pro
November 26, 2023: In his new report, tech analyst Ming-Chi Kuo doubled down on the use of tetraprism telephoto lens with 5X optical zoom in iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models in 2024.
Currently, only the iPhone 15 Pro Max features a tetraprism telephoto lens with 5X optical zoom making it the first iPhone to use the advanced zoom tech.
iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will be equipped with a new Snapdragon X75 modem for faster 5G
October 18, 2023: In his latest note, Pu detailed that Apple will use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75 modem in the 2024 iPhone 16 Pro models which will deliver faster 5G download and upload speeds.
Snapdragon X75’s upgradeable architecture allows for 5G Advanced readiness across product segments including smartphones, mobile broadband, compute, automotive, industrial IoT, 5G private networks and fixed wireless access. With even more ways attaining 10 Gigabit 5G peak download and 3.5 Gbps peak upload speeds, unmatched latency, coverage and power efficiency.
Currently, the entire iPhone 15 series is equipped with a Snapdragon X70 modem. But Apple plans to widen the gap between Pro and Standard models in the iPhone 16 series by using the older Snapdragon X70 modem in iPhone 16 and 16 Plus and the advanced Snapdragon X75 modem in iPhone 16 Pro models.
Tech Specs of Snapdragon X75 5G modem expected to debut in iPhone 16 Pro
According to Qualcomm, the Snapdragon X75 5G modem is the world’s first RF system for advanced 5G connectivity powered by new modem-to-antenna architecture, software suit and more. Here are its tech specs:
- 5G spectrum: mmWave-sub6 aggregation, sub-6 carrier aggregation (FDD-TDD, FDD-FDD, TDD-TDD), FDD-TDD support for uplink-CA, Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS)
- Up to 10CC aggregation in mmWave, and up to 5CC aggregation in 5G sub-6GHz
- 5G Peak Download Speed: 10 Gbps
- 5G Peak Upload Speed: 3.5 Gbps
- 5G Bandwidth up to 1000 MHz
- Dual-SIM support
iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 5x optical zoom will expand to iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max
Oct 9, 2023: While providing insight into Apple’s supply constraints related to the new tetraprism compact camera module (CCM) for improved zoom in iPhone 15 Pro Max, tech analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also said that the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, both will feature the advanced tetraprism lens system.
Currently, the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro only offers up to 3x optical zoom. Maybe, Apple skipped the CCM in the smaller Pro model this year because of limited CCM production yield. Kuo wrote:
To improve the CCM production yield, Apple has urgently increased the specifications of the tetraprism lens exclusively supplied by Largan to address the CCM yield issues caused by assembly tolerances.
Both iPhone 16 Pro Max and the iPhone 16 Pro are expected to feature tetraprism telephoto cameras.
First CADs visualize a taller iPhone 16 Pro Max with a larger 6.9-inch display
May 23, 2023: Dickson’s CADs are inspired by the report from Ross Young claiming that the highest-end iPhone model in the iPhone 16 series will feature a 6.9-inch larger screen. CADs visualize the iPhone 16 Pro Max or iPhone 16 Ultra would be even larger with a 6.9-inch screen (measured diagonally) and taller and wider with 165.0mm and 77.2mm measurements, respectively.
The current iPhone 14 Pro Max features a 6.7-inch display with thin bezels which already is a fairly large screen and is 76.7mm tall.
There is also speculation that this year, Apple is going to widen the gap between standard and Pro models by replacing the iPhone 15 Pro Max with a new iPhone 15 “Ultra” model which would feature even more advanced features like a periscope lens, larger display, and others.
If it turns out to be true, then iPhone 16 series is likely to adopt the branding and offer the iPhone 16 Ultra model in 2024.
iPhone 16 Pro Max might feature a 6.9-inch display in 2024
May 15, 2023: Display analyst Ross Young claims that the iPhone 16 Pro models will feature the largest display on an iPhone ever.
Young tweeted that the Pro models of the upcoming iPhone 16 series will feature slightly larger displays.
Enough about the iPhone 15, is it time to start leaking about the iPhone 16 yet? Hearing about some new sizes on the Pro models […] 6.2z” and 6.8x”.
Aspect ratio will increase slightly on the iPhone 16 Pro models.
The latest iPhone 14 series features a 6.1-inch iPhone 14, 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus, 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Pro, and 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Pro Max. Although Young did not mention the display sizes of the iPhone 16 Pro models, he replied “close” to screen sizes suggested by another Twitter user on his post.
- iPhone 16: 6.1-inch
- iPhone 16 Plus: 6.7-inch
- iPhone 16 Pro: 6.4-inch
- iPhone 16 Ultra: 6.9-inch
It is reported tht this year, Apple is going to replace the iPhone 15 Pro Max with a new iPhone 15 Ultra model to further widen the gap between standard and Pro models. Allegedly, the iPhone 15 Ultra will feature the thinnest bezels, two front cameras, USB-C connectivity, ultra-low energy microprocessor.
Based on the reports, it appears Apple will use the same branding in the 2024 iPhone lineup as well with even more distinguished features in the Ultra model. iPhone 16 Pro will feature new solid-state volume buttons with haptic feedback and under-display Face ID and a periscope lens.
In 2022, Apple changed the branding of iPhone models in the latest iPhone 14 series; the company removed the 5.4-inch iPhone 13 mini model and introduced the 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus (standard) model. Therefore, it will not be surprising for the tech company to replace the Pro Max model with a new Ultra model.
