iPhone 16: Expected Release Date, Prices, Colors, Features

Get excited — the iPhone 16 release date is September 9, 2024, bringing with it a larger screen, a faster A-series chip, an ‘Action’ button, Apple’s take on AI, and more.

We expect vertically aligned camera buttons for standard models, advanced Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, and new colors.

As we approach the iPhone 16 launch date, let’s examine everything we know, including the new iPhone’s price and new features.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. When is iPhone 16 Coming Out?
3. iPhone 16: Rumored Specs
4. iPhone 16 Performance Enhancements
5. iPhone 16 Design & Display
6. iPhone 16's Camera
7. iPhone 16's Action Button
8. iPhone 16 Battery Life & Connectivity
9. What is the iPhone 16's Launch Price?
10. The Bottom Line
11. FAQs

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. When is iPhone 16 Coming Out?
3. iPhone 16: Rumored Specs
Show Full Guide
4. iPhone 16 Performance Enhancements
5. iPhone 16 Design & Display
6. iPhone 16's Camera
7. iPhone 16's Action Button
8. iPhone 16 Battery Life & Connectivity
9. What is the iPhone 16's Launch Price?
10. The Bottom Line
11. FAQs

When is iPhone 16 Coming Out?

Although Apple has yet to provide an official iPhone 16 release date, the secret is out: the iPhone 16 will launch at Apple’s ‘Glowtime’ Keynote 2024 at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino on Monday, September 9, at 10 a.m. Pacific time, which you can stream on apple.com.

We all know Apple — the company keeps its cards close to its chest until CEO Tim Cook (like Steve Jobs before him) stands on stage. But the audience is well-prepped for the new iPhone.

When Do iPhone 16 Pre-orders Begin?

iPhone pre-orders are expected to start on Friday, September 13, 2024. However, one German publication suggests a day earlier on Thursday, September 12.

As other commentators have pointed out, Apple can allow you to select your iPhone model, memory size, and color the day before pre-orders open, with payment options becoming available the next day. We will see if this holds true in 2024.

If Apple follows tradition, pre-orders will officially open at 5 a.m. Pacific time, 8 a.m. Eastern time, and 1 p.m. GMT, and iPhones will be delivered on Friday, September 20.

iPhone 16: Rumored Specs

iPhone 16 Performance Enhancements

Reports arrived at the end of June that Apple Intelligence — aka AI built right into the software — will be a few weeks delayed from the launch of the iPhone 16 but will arrive shortly after.

So, if you are a Day 1 buyer, expect a software update shortly after launch to enable AI, with generative AI features including device-wide writing support and a smarter Siri.

Rumors suggest that the heart of all models will be a new A18 chip manufactured using the cutting-edge N3E 3-nanometer process.

This advancement, ready to power iOS 18’s new features, promises efficiency and processing power enhancements, catering to the growing demands of sophisticated mobile applications and games.

Additionally, models are expected to include improved thermal management systems, possibly integrating graphene, which offers superior thermal conductivity.

Here's everything rumoured for the iPhone 16 Pro Max:
– Upgraded 48MP ultra-wide camera
– Larger 1/1.14" primary sensor
– New 8-element hybrid lens
– 4k Spatial video
– A18 Pro chip (N3E node) possibly with 2 extra efficiency cores
– Significantly improved neural engine for… pic.twitter.com/24DweGsz8j

— AppleLeaker (@LeakerApple) April 7, 2024

iPhone 16 Design & Display

While we have had previous leaks about new colors, we are going with credible leaker Sonny Dickson, who tweeted this image of dummy iPhone color models at the end of July:

pic.twitter.com/0vlSFnwzR4

— Sonny Dickson (@SonnyDickson) July 31, 2024

If the claim is legitimate, expect to see blue, green, and pink options alongside black and white options.

We have also heard rumors of yellow and purple completing the offerings.

Choose your iPhone color! Youtuber zollotech has mock-ups of the latest color range.

Meanwhile, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo told Twitter followers on May 19 to expect purple in the lineup.

The titanium finish introduced in previous models is expected to continue; the expected colors include Natural Titanium, White Titanium, and Blue Titanium.

This blend of classic and new colors would reflect Apple’s strategy of catering to traditional tastes and those seeking a different aesthetic.

On the display side, the iPhone 16’s OLED panels are thought to feature a new micro-lens technology — effectively a technology by Samsung where billions of lenses are inside the display, which reduces internal reflection, meaning a brighter display with no cost to power consumption.

iPhone 16’s Camera

Standard models are slated to adopt a new vertical camera layout, departing from the traditional diagonal setup. This alignment could integrate advanced spatial video capabilities that complement Apple’s Vision Pro headset.

Apple is also tackling the persistent issues of lens flare and ghosting affecting previous iPhone models by implementing atomic layer deposition technology to apply anti-reflective coatings on camera lenses.

This approach minimizes reflections that lead to image distortions and enhances the overall durability of the camera system without affecting its sensitivity to light.

iPhone 16’s Action Button

The rumored introduction of an Action Button across all iPhone 16 models marks a significant shift in Apple’s approach to user interface design. It is reminiscent of the earlier adoption of the Touch Bar on the MacBook.

This expansion of the Action Button to all models, including the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, addresses a previously noted disparity — only the more premium iPhone 15 Pro models featured it.

With its placement standardized across the range, the Action Button could enable a uniform experience for iPhone users, ensuring that all have access to customizable shortcuts for everyday tasks like activating the camera or flashlight, thereby enhancing efficiency and ease of use.

Yet, adding the Action Button can pose challenges, particularly regarding app compatibility across different iPhone generations. Developers must now design flexible applications to leverage this feature where available while remaining fully functional on older models that lack it.

With the Action button introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro set to expand to all models later this year, we want to hear from current users: Does it make your iPhone life easier?

— MacRumors.com (@MacRumors) April 15, 2024

But why have one button when you can have two? A ‘Capture’ button is also expected to appear next to the Power button, which is sensitive to touch and pressure. If the rumor by The Information is true, you can take pictures or start recording with the button, and you can swipe left and right to scroll through your gallery.

iPhone 16 Battery Life & Connectivity

On the connectivity front, models may feature the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon X75 modem, supporting enhanced 5G capabilities. In contrast, the standard models continue with the X70 chip used in the iPhone 15 series.

This differentiation underscores Apple’s strategy of equipping higher-end models with superior technology to justify the premium pricing. On battery sizes, it’s a mixed bag.

The iPhone 16 Plus will drop from 4,383mAh to 4,006mAh – a perhaps baffling 8% drop, while the iPhone 16 may increase by 5.8% to 3,561mAh.

What is the iPhone 16’s Launch Price?

Pricing remains speculative, but rising component costs and Apple’s historical pricing strategies suggest that a slight increase in price from the previous models could be on the horizon.

All eyes will be on Apple to see whether the company makes the bold decision to increase the price of every model by $100 and use AI announcements to justify the additional cost — or chooses to play it safe and hold last year’s prices.

The speculated price for the iPhone 16 is expected to be between $799 and $899.

The iPhone 16 Plus might cost $899 to $999. Although this approach would help Apple maintain its revenue margins despite increased production costs, the jury must determine how cash-strapped consumers would receive it.

The Bottom Line

As the new iPhone release date approaches, we expect a refined user experience marked by superior performance, enhanced display and camera technologies, and innovative design changes.

Whether these advancements justify an upgrade will depend on individual preferences and the final product revealed by Apple.

FAQs