WWDC 2024 was all about software this year, and the big announcements were iOS 18 revamping the iPhone operating system, macOS getting smart features, Siri getting artificial intelligence, and the introduction of Apple Intelligence. But in terms of hardware, Apple has very little to say.
But with Apple's smarter iOS 18 features limited to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max and Apple Intelligence offering consumer-focused AI tools, we can get a decent taste of what we might expect to see on the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max brings to the table; probably at an Apple event in September.
A smart smartphone
First, the next-generation iPhones Pro will surely rely on artificial intelligence features through Apple Intelligence; We're talking smarter ways to capture and edit content, AI-assisted organization features like setting agendas by tracking emails, and smarter web browsing with smart search features and web page summaries.
If this sounds familiar, it's because the Google Pixel 8 and Samsung Galaxy 24 have similar generative AI features; For more information, check out our guide to the best AI phones to buy right now.
However, as US senior phone editor Philip Berne commented in his review of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, some of the AI features on the best Android phones aren't the most intuitive to access and calibrate. But given how Apple embraces existing technology, I'm betting its AI integration into the iPhone 16 and iOS 18 range, at least as it evolves out of its beta stage, will be deep and done in a way that allows Tools like Smart Photo Editors feel more natural to use than an extra feature.
A Siri showcase
And I hope Apple makes a big deal of SIri and its new smart features at the launch of the iPhone 16; While the new Siri is coming to other phones, I wouldn't be surprised if the next-generation iPhones get some exclusive Siri-centric features.
The reason for thinking like this is that the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will surely come with a more powerful A-series chip, probably calibrated for AI workloads, and will therefore be ready to power new smart features.
But I'll go a step further and predict that the entire iPhone 16 range could get new chips to power large built-in language models for AI tools, all with the goal of spreading and democratizing the use of generative AI.
Subtle adjustments
Now, I don't expect the design of the next generation iPhones to be much different than what we have right now; Arguably, Apple has gotten its design language right and made good use of titanium. But new chips that could be tasked with running demanding AI workloads for quite some time will likely need improved cooling to prevent them from overheating in the iPhone's compact chassis. That could mean internal design tweaks for the iPhone 16 and maybe even changes to the phones' size and thickness.
And more powerful silicon comes with the potential to consume more power, so I wouldn't be surprised if the iPhone 16 models come with larger batteries than their predecessors and therefore pack a bit more bulk; The titanium chassis of the current Pro iPhones is expected to make its way to the next-generation standard and Plus models to mitigate any potential weight gain.
Ultimately, WWDC didn't shine the brightest light on what to expect from the iPhone 16 family. But I'd bet a decent sum of money, if I had any, that AI features will be front and center in the upcoming unveiling of the Apple iPhone. I could see this also working in conjunction with the rumored Apple Watch 10.
We'll have to play the wait-and-see game for a few months, but with Apple Intelligence grabbing the headlines, Cupertino smartphones are only going to get smarter.
