iPhone 16 Pro: release date, specifications and features

Apple will announce the iPhone 16 Pro lineup during Apple's fall 2024 event, and there are some changes coming. Here's what the rumor mill says and what we think it looks like.

Rumors surrounding the iPhone 16 lineup suggest that Apple will continue to evolve its distinction between Pro and non-Pro models. Photography features make up a large part of the rumors, but some hints about potential design changes have also leaked.

It's March, so Apple has likely finalized what's coming in each iPhone model as production ramps up. However, rumors tend to arrive weeks or months after the information is created internally, leading to last-minute changes in what is expected.

Here's what we know so far.

Rumors about iPhone 16 Pro design

For now, it looks as if Apple is planning to maintain the current two-tier system for iPhones. The standard iPhone and iPhone Plus will have almost identical specifications but different screen sizes, while the Pro models will have additional premium features.

Both the pro phones in the lineup will allegedly get a size boost. The iPhone 16 Pro will boast a 6.27-inch (159.31 mm) display. iPhone 16 Pro Max comes in 6.85 inches (174.06 mm).

Majin Bu, a leaker with a proven track record, suggested that the iPhone 16 Pro will come in two colors: desert yellow and cement grey.

The action button can be added to standard iPhone 16 models. Rumors swirled around whether the action button would be capacitive or mechanical, but eventually landed on a mechanical, if slightly larger, button.

The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max could see some changes to the design of the external case, or more specifically, the buttons. Apple is expected to add an additional button called the capture button, but more on that in the photography section.

Aside from the button changes and slight size increases, the iPhone 16 lineup will likely look incredibly similar to the iPhone 15 lineup it replaces. Apple rarely makes major design changes, so expect flat sides and a dynamic island on all models.

Imaging upgrades in iPhone 16 Pro

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is currently the only model in the iPhone range with a Tetraprism lens. This lens improves the focal length of the telephoto lens from 3x to 5x the main camera, equivalent to 120mm.

While the iPhone 15 Pro does not have this feature, there is a possibility that the iPhone 16 Pro will include a Tetraprism lens. A supply chain report from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo doubles down on this rumor.

Many rumors confirm the potential increase in size for the professional iPhone models, which would provide enough space for the Tetraprism lens.

According to a recent leak, the triple camera setup on the iPhone 16 Pro may include another 48-megapixel sensor. Specifically, rumors claim that Apple will add a 48-megapixel wide-angle lens.

Apple's push for a higher-resolution ultra-wide camera should benefit photos captured using the 0.5x or macro mode, but there's likely a more important reason for the upgrade — spatial video capture. Shooting 3D video with an iPhone relies on the ultra-wide camera and the main camera, so upping the resolution of the former to 48MP from 12MP will make a big difference.

Continuing the trend of camera upgrades, the iPhone 16 Pro could use molded glass lenses to reduce the thickness and weight of the camera bump while increasing the zoom distance.

Standard iPhones have seen multiple upgrades to their camera specifications in recent years, and the iPhone 15 bumps the main camera to 48 megapixels. So, it's possible that Apple had little planning for one rumored change.

The camera bump found on standard iPhones could revert to a vertical configuration instead of a diagonal one. This will allow standard iPhone users to capture Apple Vision Pro spatial video.

Capture button – or buttons?

Leaked CAD drawings

It suggests that the iPhone 16 Pro could have a new capture button and an expanded action button. The same render shows that the iPhone 16 Pro may be slightly larger than its predecessor.

The Capture button is rumored to be located below the sleep/wake button on the right side of the iPhone. The mmWave antenna is currently located there, so it will need to move to the other side below the volume buttons.

Rumors have spread about exactly how Apple will configure the button. Like the action button before it, rumors suggested Apple would make it capacitive and force-sensitive, but those rumors have died down.

One report claimed that the capture button may be mechanical. This would allow users to scroll to adjust zoom levels, and then a half-press would focus the shot.

Other iPhone 16 Pro rumors

There's not much left to say about the iPhone 16 Pro beyond the obvious. There is some debate about which processor the standard models will use.

The presence of the A17 Pro suggests that there could be a dedicated A17 for the iPhone 16. Or to realign the numbering, Apple could use the A18 for the standard models and the A18 Pro for the iPhone 16 Pro models.

A separate rumor focusing on the chips reiterated the idea of ​​the A18 and A18 Pro for 2024 iPhones. Apple may believe the chips should be named similarly to prevent customers from thinking they're getting an old device.

Regarding storage, some rumors have indicated that the iPhone 16 Pro could double the maximum storage capacity of its predecessor, up to 2 TB. The same rumors have been confirmed by another report suggesting that the model may also get higher and slower density QLC flash memory.

The iPhone 16 lineup is expected to be unveiled at an Apple event in early September 2024. Pricing should remain similar, with standard models starting at $799 and Pro models starting at $1,199.