iPhone 16 Series: Time to Upgrade

Amid the intense competition in the domestic smartphone market, as local brands engage in cutthroat competition, Apple’s iPhone continues to evolve steadily without haste, be it in terms of system optimization or the development of new models.

According to the latest market rumors, the iPhone 16 series is expected to be launched in the second half of the year, while the iOS 18 release is set to kick off after June.

In this scenario, Apple enthusiasts can only wait patiently for some changes in iOS 17 or shift their focus to the leaks about the upcoming iPhone 16 series.

Here, I’ve compiled key upgrade points for the four versions of the iPhone 16 series, signaling that it might be time to bid farewell to the iPhone 15 series.

The iPhone 16 series will include the standard version, Pro version, Plus version, and Pro Max version. While the naming convention has been altered, the overall changes are anticipated to be significant.

In terms of design, the iPhone 16 and Plus models will revert to a vertical placement for the lenses. Meanwhile, the design of the iPhone 16 Pro series promises to be groundbreaking, resembling a “fingertip gyroscope.”

Regarding screen sizes, the standard version remains unchanged, the Pro version will see an increase from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches, and the Pro Max version will move from 6.7 inches to a larger 6.9 inches.

Noteworthy is that screen quality will be enhanced across the board. While the standard version’s screen refresh rate is expected to remain at 60Hz, given Apple’s optimization and the adaptability of Apple fans, this should not pose a major issue.

Moving on to the core specifications, the standard iPhone 16 will feature the all-new A18 processor, while the Pro series will incorporate the A18 Pro processor.

Both processors will be based on the N3E process, which represents TSMC’s second-generation 3nm chip manufacturing technology. Compared to TSMC’s first-generation 3nm N3B process, the N3E process offers lower costs and higher yields.

Unfortunately, there is no information suggesting an upgrade to 8GB RAM for the iPhone 16 and Plus versions. Only the iPhone 15 Pro models are rumored to see an increase in RAM to 8GB.

It seems that Apple remains conservative in terms of memory upgrades; however, it remains to be seen whether storage will be upgraded to 256GB, as 128GB of memory does seem rather limited.

Regarding the camera specifications, it appears that the wide-angle lenses of the iPhone 16 and Plus models could potentially be upgraded to 48-megapixel, leading to an improved photography experience.

The Pro models will be equipped with dual 48-megapixel lenses, with both the main and ultra-wide lenses offering 48-megapixel resolution. Additionally, the main lens will feature the IMX903 stacked sensor, based on a large 1/1.14-inch sensor.

Moreover, the primary camera of the Pro Max model is set to upgrade to a 1/1.14-inch large sensor. It seems that there will be significant improvements in both photography and shooting effects.

While Apple’s approach to camera specifications has not been overly aggressive, the combination of excellent sensors and algorithms has consistently delivered competitive results.

Substantial changes are also expected in the system aspect. The market has been buzzing with rumors about iOS 18, raising the anticipation among users looking to upgrade their devices.

Especially in terms of AI integration, Apple’s Siri and other built-in applications are likely to deeply integrate generative AI technology. For instance, the intelligent voice assistant Siri is expected to better understand user intents, offering more natural language interactive features.

Moreover, the UI design of iOS 18 will bring significant changes, enhancing user experience in various ways.

Unfortunately, many features of iOS 18 are likely to be exclusive to the iPhone 16 series, given the improved computational power of the new chips.

Precise details such as the inclusion of the Qualcomm X75 modem, supporting “5G Advanced” networks for faster and more power-efficient 5G connections, are becoming clearer.

Additionally, the support for WIFI 7 will enable faster Wi-Fi speeds and lower latency. The standard version will feature Wi-Fi 6E, which marks a significant difference.

However, these advanced features will only be adopted by the iPhone 16 Pro series, while the standard and Plus versions will not incorporate them.

Moreover, the battery capacities of the iPhone 16 series are expected to vary, with the standard version featuring a 3561mAh battery, the Plus model a relatively smaller 4006mAh, and the Pro Max model seeing an increase to 4676mAh.

In conclusion, the iPhone 16 series appears to be far ahead in terms of design, screen, core specifications, imaging capabilities, and system enhancements compared to the iPhone 15 series.

So, the question is: Are you ready to bid farewell to the iPhone 15 series? Feel free to share your thoughts and join the discussion.