Introduction
The iPhone16 Family will make its official debut on Monday, September 9, but we already know most of the expected new features from leaks and rumors.
The iPhone16 retains the overall design and 6.1-inch size of the iPhone14but it will add two new physical buttons, the action button and the record button, and it will benefit from a higher resolution 48MP main camera as well as a new and faster processor.
However iPhone16 will NOT feature the expected 120Hz ProMotion display, which is reserved for the more expensive Pro models.
Let’s take a closer look at all the changes below.
iPhone16 Against iPhone14 Expected differences:
| iPhone16 | iPhone14 |
|---|---|
| Same 6.1-inch form factor | 6.1 inch size |
| New action button instead of mute button New recording button for the camera |
Older mute switch only |
| Newer and faster chipset, either Apple A18 or A18 Pro | Apple A15 Bionic chipset |
| More memory, 8 GB RAM | 6GB RAM |
| Support for AI | Does not support AI |
| Same storage options | Storage models with 128/256/512 GB |
| New vertical camera with support for spatial video | Diagonal camera layout |
| Same 48 MP main camera | 48MP main camera |
| 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera with macro support | 12MP ultra wide angle camera |
| Rumored 6% larger battery size | 3,279 mAh battery |
| USB-C port | Lightning connector |
| 20 W charging or faster (uncertain) | 20W wired charging speed |
| 15W MagSafe or faster (uncertain) | 15W wireless MagSafe charging |
Table of contents:
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Design and display quality
Same size, but new physical buttons and a horizontal camera
The shape and size of the iPhone16 is very similar to the iPhone14. Both are 6.1-inch phones with flat sides, an aluminum frame, and a glass front and back.
However, there are some tweaks and changes. You get two new physical buttons on the iPhone16The mute switch on the iPhone14 is replaced by a programmable action key and both are located at the top left above the volume buttons.
You also get a new record button on the right side below the power button. This record button is expected to only work with camera apps, both Apple's native apps and third-party apps. It will be a two-way button, where a half-press will lock focus and a full press will take a photo or record a video, similar to a regular camera shutter button. Since it's expected to be a capacitive button, you'll also be able to do things like swipe on it to zoom in and out.
There is still a dual camera system on the back, but it is vertical instead of diagonal.
The rest has remained largely the same, including size and weight, and if there are any changes, they will hardly be noticeable.
Also worth mentioning is the USB-C port on the iPhone16a welcome change from the Lightning connector on the iPhone14.
Both models also have IP68 water and dust protection.
As for the screen quality, you have the same 6.1-inch OLED screen on both phones, but the iPhone14 has a peak brightness of 1,200 nits, while we expect the iPhone16 to reach at least 2,000 nits, which would make outdoor use much easier.
We have already mentioned the big disappointment – the iPhone16 does not receive 120Hz ProMotion, so both the iPhone16 and 14 will have the same old 60Hz screen technology.
Performance and software
New iPhone, new chip
Two years after the iPhone14The iPhone16 will benefit from a newer and faster processor.
More importantly, the iPhone16 will get 8 GB of RAM, compared to 6 GB for the iPhone14. This will iPhone16 to get all the new Apple Intelligence (AI) features, while the iPhone14 will unfortunately not be compatible with AI.
We do not expect any changes to the storage options on the iPhone16So you can still choose between capacities of 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB.
The iPhone16 will probably use a slightly newer modem (the Snapdragon X70), compared to the iPhone14 (Snapdragon X65), so the reception should be a bit better.
camera
Spatial Video, Baby
The The iPhone 16 will have a new vertical design for the camera, but it will stick with the familiar dual camera system with a main and an ultra-wide-angle lens.
Compared to iPhone14The iPhone16 will be a big jump as it features a more powerful 48MP main camera compared to the 12MP camera on the older model. This new sensor offers more detail and better low-light performance, as well as many of the over-processing issues of the iPhone14 should be gone. It also offers a 2X lossless zoom quality, an improvement over the digital zoom on the iPhone14.
The changes to the ultra-wide-angle camera are likely to be more subtle, as both phones have a similar 12MP sensor with the same 13mm field of view and f/2.2 aperture.
The big change will be the new physical record button located below the power button.
First, it will be a capacitive button, which will only register a press when you press it with your finger, and the button will not be accidentally triggered in your pocket. You can use various camera apps with it, including third-party ones, but only camera apps.
In an app, a half-press locks exposure or focus, while a full press takes a picture or starts recording a video.
And since it's a capacitive button, it can also be used as a sort of trackpad. One possible function is that you can move your finger to zoom in and out, or you can quickly adjust the background blur for portraits or quickly cycle through filters.
We love all of this! The record button makes capturing those precious moments quicker and easier.
Leaks also mention a new JPEG XL format on the iPhone16 This could be added to the current HEIF and JPEG formats, but we don't have any details on that yet.
And of course, you can expect a range of AI editing features on the iPhone16such as the new “Clean up” tool in Photos and smart resizing and moving of objects.
We don't expect any major changes in video, so 4K60 remains the maximum available quality.
Audio quality and feel
Apple optimizes and improves the audio quality of iPhones every year, but we do not expect any groundbreaking changes in the iPhone16.
And as for the haptics, they have been top-notch since the iPhone 6s' Taptic Engine! Don't expect any major changes in this area either.
Battery life and charging
Slightly larger battery and even faster charging (possibly, maybe)
The The iPhone 16 has about the same Size like the iPhone14So don't expect any dramatic changes in battery size or lifespan.
Nevertheless, leaks say that iPhone16 will get a 3,561mAh battery, an increase of 9% over the 3,279mAh battery of the iPhone14.
Apple rates the iPhone14 for 20 hours of video playback and 80 hours of audio playback, and in a few weeks we will see if the estimate improves with the iPhone16.
Interestingly, we saw a change in loading speed for the first time in years.
Rumours say that iPhone16 could get 40W fast wired charging (up from 20W currently) and 20W fast wireless MagSafe charging (up from 15W currently).
This is far from certain and knowing Apple's conservative approach to charging speeds, we would rather wait for this official statement than believe it right away.
Specifications comparison
| Technical data | iPhone16 | iPhone14 |
|---|---|---|
| Mass | Same or very similar to iPhone 15 | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.80mm |
| Weight | Same or very similar | 172g |
| Screen | 6.1 inches OLED 60Hz |
6.1 inches OLED 60Hz |
| processor | Apple A18 3nm |
Apple A15 Bionic 5nm |
| RAM, memory *Price expectations |
8/128GB for $800 8/256GB for $900 8/512GB for $1,100 |
6/128GB 6/256GB 6/512GB |
| Cameras | 48 MP main lens, f/1.6 12 MP ultra wide angle, f/2.2 12MP front |
12 MP main lens, f/1.5 12 MP ultra wide angle, f/2.2 12MP front |
| Battery size | 3,561mAh | 3,279mAh |
| Loading speeds | Upgrade possible, but not secure | 20W wired 15W wireless |
Should you upgrade?
So… is the iPhone16 a worthy upgrade?
We say: iPhone14 Users who are not in a hurry to buy a new phone could wait another year.
The big prize, ProMotion, is not yet in iPhone16and it could finally be on the iPhone17 Next year.
The AI upgrades are probably the main reason to upgrade, but many of these new features like the new Siri will not be available on the iPhone16 with updates. We suspect that Apple will need at least a year to catch up with Google in terms of AI.
The camera improvements are nice and we expect a modest improvement in battery life, but none of that seems enough. You also have the new buttons and USB-C port. Again, other amenities that are nice to have.
What do you think? Is the iPhone16 a good upgrade and what new features do you notice most?