This year, like most years, we're expecting four new iPhones, each of which should be an improvement over its respective predecessors. But it's likely to be the Pro models that feature the biggest improvements.
With Apple's September 9 keynote (read: iPhone 16 launch event) quickly approaching, it's no surprise that we've heard countless rumors about what these upgrades will be, so while nothing is confirmed just yet, we have a pretty good idea of what to expect from Apple's next best iPhones.
Below you’ll find details of the top new features and upgrades we’re looking forward to in the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Bigger screens
With its 6.7-inch display, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is already one of the largest mainstream phones on the market, but the iPhone 16 Pro Max looks to be even larger, as numerous leaks have suggested it will have a 6.9-inch display.
Similarly, the iPhone 16 Pro is reported to be bumped up from its predecessor's 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches.
However, this increase in screen size might not translate into a significant increase in overall size, as leaks suggest that the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max could have smaller bezels than the current models. In other words, they could simply make better use of the space already available.
However, this design change would give you a larger iPhone screen to enjoy videos, games, and apps, without making the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max much more difficult to operate with one hand.
A powerful A18 Pro chipset
It probably won't come as a surprise to hear that the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are rumored to be more powerful than their predecessors, as a chipset upgrade is the one thing we can be almost certain of in every new iPhone model.
Still, this is a potentially exciting upgrade, as while the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are still among the most powerful phones on the planet, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are likely to outperform all of their rivals.
That extra power could prove beneficial for a lot of things, including boosting the device's AI features that we expect to be part of Apple Intelligence. So if you want one of the best AI phones around, then the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are worth considering.
A new button
Not too long ago we were hearing rumors of a buttonless iPhone, and while such a product may still be in Apple's future, for now, the company seems to be going in the other direction, with numerous reliable sources claiming that the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will actually gain a button.
This button is believed to be called “Capture,” and leaks suggest you’ll be able to use it as a physical shutter button to take photos and record videos. But some sources add that you could focus the camera with a gentle press, before snapping a photo with a harder press, and that swiping on it could let you zoom in and out. So this “Capture” button could be a pretty versatile key.
What's more, having a physical button for taking photos should make operating the iPhone camera much more elegant and similar to a genuine camera.
Best cameras
Speaking of cameras, both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max look set to receive some upgrades in the photography department as well.
For one, both phones are rumored to have a new 48MP ultra-wide camera, up from the 12MP sensor on current models.
One or more of the cameras on the iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro could also feature a stacked camera design, which could improve low-light performance, and the iPhone 16 Pro is expected to have a 5x telephoto lens, up from 3x on the iPhone 15 Pro.
This 5x zoom camera is said to be the same one that's already on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, so it could potentially bridge the gap between the Pro and Pro Max models. That said, there's a chance the iPhone 16 Pro Max could have a new “super-telephoto” camera, offering even greater distance zoom – though that particular upgrade doesn't seem particularly likely as no recent leaks have mentioned it.
