Apple iPhone 16: Everything we know, from design to AI tools

After a few years of pretty minor updates, the iPhone 15 line up was surprisingly comprehensive. This September’s releases included the iPhone 15 Pro, the first iPhone to pack a titanium body and customisable Action Button. But even the standard model packed a punch in 2023, with coveted new features like the Dynamic Island making their way to the ‘budget’ version. So, the iPhone 16 range is going to have big shoes to fill tis year.  

Rumours about the next generation of iPhone are pretty scarce right now, but if previous years have taught us anything, that won’t last for long. And before the iPhone 15 had even launched, we’d started to hear one or two tidbits about its successor. We’ll keep this page updated with every rumour and leak as they come in, and if you don’t fancy waiting, take a look at the best iPhone 15 deals available now.

iPhone 16: Design

One of the more persistent rumours about the iPhone 16 suggests we’re in for bigger screen sizes this time around. Various leakers have suggested the iPhone 16 Pro will have a 6-3-inch display, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max will reach 6.9 inches. These are in contrast to the current respective Pro and Pro Max sizes of 6.1 and 6.7 inches.  

Another, slightly less notable rumour concerns the camera layout. Apparently Apple might be planning to do away with the current diagonal lens layout on the standard model, returning to a vertical arrangement last seen on the iPhone 12.

And as always, there are rumours that next year could be the year that Apple finally goes properly all-screen. Nobody liked the notch, and the Dynamic Island is a decent compromise – but it’s still a necessary evil designed to house the front camera and FaceID sensor. But with even notable Apple leaker Ming-Chi Kuo suggesting 2024 is the year we’ll see an all-screen iPhone, it might just happen. 

Speaking of FaceID, we’ve heard that some design changes are coming in that area – but while we don’t know what these will entail, we do know that they’re bad news for one UK microchip plant.

iPhone 16: Specs and features

Intel on the features is even scarcer, but we’ve heard one or two rumours. The first is that Apple could be planning to, finally, let the entire iPhone line up enjoy its 120hz ‘ProMotion’ refresh rate in 2024. Fans have been crying out for this for years, with 60hz pretty measly for a smartphone these days. Currently, only the Pros have ProMotion, but like the Dynamic Island, it could become standard issue across the entire line up. But we’ve also heard contrary rumours that Apple is still planning to stick to 60hz for the basic iPhone 16, which seems pretty ridiculous.

We’ve also heard that Apple is planning to introduce its own, custom designed battery. This could prove as game-changing as Apple silicon, offering massively enhanced efficiency.

Some of the most persistent iPhone 16 rumours have involved AI. Reports suggest Apple is going all in on AI this year, with Siri said to be getting an AI-powered overhaul. And if a surprising new rumour is to be believed, Apple could even end up working with Google on the tech.  

iPhone 16: Release date and price

While the design and features of the next iPhone are always open to a ton of speculation, release date and price has remained pretty predictable in recent years. In fact the only time Apple didn’t release a new iPhone in September was in 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic pushed things all the way back to… October. So, we can safely expect an September 2024 release date for the iPhone 16.

As for price, little has changed there too. The iPhone 15 starts at £799 / $799 / AU$1499, the iPhone 15 Pro at £999 / $999 / AU$1849 and the iPhone 15 Pro Max at £1199 / $1199 / AU$2199. With these prices pretty much unchanged from the iPhone 14 line up, it seems reasonable to expect things will remain in the same ballpark for the iPhone 16.