Everything We Know About the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. Coming in September 2024
In September 2024, Apple is rumored to be planning to introduce the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which will be sold alongside the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. The “Pro” models are the more expensive devices in Apple’s flagship lineup and are often the first to get new designs and features.
We’re months away from the debut of the 2024 iPhones, but as is typical, leakers, analysts, and others with insider information are already sharing details on the new devices.
The iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max will increase in size, and this will be the first size update we’ve had in several years. The iPhone 16 Pro will measure in at 6.3 inches (up from 6.1), while the Pro Max will measure in at 6.9 inches (up from 6.7). The standard iPhone 16 models will not change in size.
Apple is designing new A-series chips for the iPhone 16 Pro models, built on the latest N3E 3-nanometer node. We could see some improvements to efficiency and performance, but we haven’t yet heard details on just what we can expect. The Action Button that was initially limited to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will be coming to all four iPhone 16 models, and there’s also rumored to be an extra mystery “Capture” button for taking photos and videos.
This roundup contains early rumors about the iPhone 16 Pro models, and there is still plenty of time for Apple to change its plans, so information here may shift as Apple updates the design of the upcoming iPhone models.
Size Updates
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are expected to have larger display sizes, according to multiple sources. The iPhone 16 Pro will have a display that’s 6.27 inches in size (rounded to 6.3), while the iPhone 16 Pro Max is expected to have a display that’s 6.85 inches in size (rounded to 6.9).
With the increase in display size, the dimensions of the iPhone’s body will also increase. Both models are expected to be taller and wider than the iPhone 15 Pro models, and while thickness will remain the same, the weight will increase slightly due to the larger size.
iPhone 16 Pro
| iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 15 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 8.25 mm | 8.25 mm |
| Height | 149.6 mm | 146.6 mm |
| Width | 71.45 mm | 70.60 mm |
| Display | 6.3″ (159.31 mm) | 6.1″ (155.38 mm) |
| Weight | 194 grams | 187 grams |
iPhone 16 Pro Max
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | iPhone 15 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 8.25 mm | 8.25 mm |
| Height | 163.0 mm | 159.9 mm |
| Width | 77.58 mm | 76.70 mm |
| Display | 6.9″ (174.06 mm) | 6.7″ (169.98 mm) |
| Weight | 225 grams | 221 grams |
Display Technology
The iPhone 16 models are expected are expected to adopt new micro-lens OLED display technology for improved power brightness and reduced power consumption, which could bring an improvement in battery life.
Haptic Buttons
Rumors initially suggested that the iPhone 16 Pro models might adopt the solid-state volume, power, and Action buttons that were originally planned for the iPhone 15 Pro models, but it appears Apple has now pushed that launch back. Solid-state technology would have allowed for buttons that can used in the same way as a physical button, but without an actual button press that occurs when you touch it. Instead, a haptic vibration would have been used to mimic a button press, giving users the sensation of pressing down even when there is no actual physical movement of the button.
Standard mechanical power, volume, and Action Buttons are expected, but Apple is still expected to use haptic technology for a new “Capture” button that is planned for all four iPhone 16 models.
Capture Button
The extra Capture Button The button is located on the same side as the Power button, in the space that is occupied by the 5G mmWave antenna in the United States.
With the addition of this button, the mmWave cutout has been relocated to the left side of the device, below the volume buttons. Like the Power and Action buttons planned for the iPhone 16 models, the Capture Button will be a capacitive button that is able to detect pressure and touch, providing haptic feedback when pressed.
The Capture Button will be available on all four iPhone 16 models, and it will be used for taking photos and videos.
A-Series Chips
The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will adopt a new A-series chip, which will be built on the 3-nanometer node like the A17 Pro. It’s not yet clear what Apple will call this chip, but A18 Pro has been rumored, with an A18 planned for the standard iPhone 16 models.
Thermal Improvements
The iPhone 16 models are expected to include a new thermal design that will combat overheating. Apple is said to be working on a graphene thermal system for the iPhone 16 models, and the iPhone 16 Pro models may also include a metal battery casing that will improve heat dissipation.
Graphene has higher thermal conductivity than the copper that’s used in iPhone heat sinks.
iPhone 16 Camera Technology
The iPhone 16 Pro models could include an improved 48-megapixel Ultra Wide lens. The upgraded Ultra Wide lens should allow the camera to capture more light, resulting in enhanced photos when shooting in 0.5× mode, especially in low-light environments. It would likely function like the 48-megapixel Wide camera, which uses pixel binning to combine the data from four pixels into one “super pixel” for better image quality.
The 48-megapixel wide-angle camera used in the iPhone 16 Pro Max will reportedly feature an eight-part hybrid lens with two glass elements and six plastic elements, along with improvements for the telephoto and ultra wide camera lenses.
Both the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max are expected to get Tetraprism zoom lenses in 2024, instead of the technology being limited to the larger Pro Max. That means both iPhone 16 Pro models will feature at least 5x optical zoom and at least 25x digital zoom.
Super Periscope?
The iPhone 16 Pro Max could feature a super telephoto periscope camera for a dramatically increased optical zoom. The information comes from a Weibo account that has provided accurate information in the past, but it has not yet been backed up by a second reliable source.
“Super” or “ultra” telephoto usually describes cameras with a focal length of over 300mm. The current telephoto lens is equivalent to a 77mm lens, so if accurate, there could be a notable increase in zoom capabilities.
5G Modem Chips
The iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75 modem, allowing for faster and more efficient 5G connectivity. According to Qualcomm, the X75 offers improved carrier aggregation, plus the combined sub-6Ghz and mmWave 5G transceiver takes up 25 percent less circuit board space and uses up to 20 percent less power.
Qualcomm’s X75 supports the “5G Advanced” standard with AI and machine learning enhancements for 5G improvements, so Apple could market the iPhone 16 Pro models as having “5G Advanced” connectivity.
WiFi 7
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes the iPhone 16 Pro models could adopt the next-generation WiFi 7 technology, which is expected to provide speeds of “at least 30” gigabits per second, and could hit up to 40Gb/s.
Wi-Fi 7 is also able to use 320MHz channels and supports 4K quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) technology, providing up to 2.4x faster speeds than Wi-Fi 6 with the same number of antennas. Wi-Fi 7 will offer faster maximum transfer speeds, lower latency, and more reliable connectivity.
USB-C Port
Apple transitioned to USB-C technology with the iPhone 15 lineup, and all iPhone 16 models will also have USB-C ports.
Battery
Rumors suggest the iPhone 16 Pro models will use stacked battery technology, which can result in higher capacity and a longer lifespan. Stacked batteries are common in electric vehicles and medical devices, but are an emerging technology for smartphones.
The stacked battery could come alongside faster 40W wired charging and 20W MagSafe charging.
An image of the alleged iPhone 16 Pro battery leaked in November with a new design, updated connector, and 3355mAh capacity.
AI Capabilities
With iOS 18, Apple is rumored to be introducing new Siri features powered by large language models, and some of the cutting-edge generative AI features could be limited to the iPhone 16 models.
According to details shared by a leaker, iOS 18 will bring many of the new LLM features to all iPhones, but on-device AI features could remain exclusive to the iPhone 16. iOS 18’s updated AI functionality could include improved interactions between Siri and the Messages app, auto-generated Apple Music playlists, integration with productivity apps for AI-assisted content creation, and more.
Microphone
The iPhone 16 models are expected to feature an improved microphone that will accompanying the AI-enhanced Siri experience. The microphone will have improved water resistance and a better signal-to-noise ratio that will”improve the Siri experience significantly,” according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
iPhone 16 Ultra?
There have been some mixed rumors of an “iPhone Ultra” that could be in the iPhone 16 lineup, either as a fifth even higher-end phone or as a replacement for the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said in February 2023 that Apple is considering an “Ultra” iPhone that could come out in 2024, but based on current rumors, it is unclear if that’s still the case. There are no rumored features that would distinguish an “Ultra” phone from the rest of the iPhone lineup. In early iOS 18 code, there are no signs that Apple is working on an iPhone 16 Ultra.
Pricing
Component prices for the standard iPhone 15 models were at a record high, up 16 percent compared to the iPhone 14 models. Apple absorbed the increased production costs for the iPhone 15 lineup, but Apple may need to increase the price when the iPhone 16 launches to avoid impacting overall revenue.
iPhone 16 Pro Launch Date
The iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to come out in September 2024.
Future iPhone Features
ProMotion technology that adds up to 120Hz refresh rates to the iPhone’s display is expected to come to standard iPhone models starting in 2025. Up until 2025, ProMotion will be limited to the higher-end “Pro” iPhones.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max that’s coming in 2025 could feature a 48-megapixel Telephoto lens that is optimized for the Vision Pro headset. The rumor comes from analyst Jeff Pu, who did not provide details on how it might interface with the Vision Pro. Pu also believes the iPhone 17 Pro will include an Apple-designed Wi-Fi 7 chip.
There were rumors that the iPhone 16 Pro models could adopt under-display Face ID technology, but updated information suggests that under-display Face ID will not be coming until 2025 or later. Under display Face ID will allow for more usable display space as there will be no need for the full Dynamic Island, but there will still be a camera cutout.
The 2025 iPhone 17 is expected to include an upgraded 24-megapixel front-facing camera that will significantly improve image quality and low-light performance.
With the 2026 iPhone 18, Apple will reportedly have both under-display Face ID and under-display front-facing camera technology, potentially allowing for a design that has no cutouts for the camera hardware. This would mark the first all-display design.
