iPhones are known for their long lifespan, thanks to their high-end hardware and Apple’s commitment to offering at least five years of software support. We’ve probably all met someone who still owns an iPhone 8, as a simple battery swap usually gives these devices a new lease of life. Still, Apple has really improved the iPhone lately, which may prompt some customers to upgrade more often.
Although the iPhone 14 Pro is only two years old, you might be looking forward to upgrading to the iPhone 16 Pro this fall. After all, Apple has made some significant changes over the past two years, and if the rumors about the iPhone 16 Pro’s features are true, there are at least ten reasons why this upgrade might not seem like a simple step.
1. Apple Intelligence
One of the biggest features in iOS 18 is Apple Intelligence. Coming later this year, this native AI solution will supercharge your mobile computing experience. Except it won’t be coming to your iPhone 14 Pro, as it’s limited to the 15 Pro and future models.
By upgrading to an iPhone 16 Pro, you’ll unlock advanced features like email and notification summaries, text enhancement tools, image and emoji generators, and more. Apple Intelligence alone could have a noticeable impact on how you use your device, not to mention the hardware changes we’ll list below.
2. Titanium design
With the iPhone 15 Pro models, Apple has ditched the stainless steel body in favor of a titanium body. While this may seem like a small change on paper, it actually makes a big difference. For starters, the company has redistributed the internal weight, which makes the phone feel lighter, especially when held for extended periods of time.
Similarly, Apple has rounded off the frame and gotten rid of the sharp edges that left fingerprints on your fingers during extended use. So, despite personally upgrading from an iPhone 14 Pro to the (heavier) 15 Pro Max, I found I was using the new handset more comfortably.
Beyond ergonomics, titanium is less prone to scratches and fingerprints than stainless steel. This gives it a fresher, less worn look. And with the iPhone 16 Pro models, Apple is reportedly applying a glossy coating to the frame to further improve the aesthetics.
3. Bigger screens
For years, flagship iPhones, including the 14 Pro, have come in 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch variants. That could change this fall, as rumors point to larger iPhone 16 Pro models. If the leaked details are accurate, the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max will feature 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, respectively. That would make for a much more immersive and comfortable viewing experience.
4. Improved display performance
Speaking of the display, rumors also suggest that the iPhone 16 Pro models will adopt thinner OLED panels. Apple is reportedly exploring micro-lens technology, which would increase the brightness of the display while maintaining the same power consumption. The company could also leverage this technology to maintain the current brightness while consuming less power. Whichever path Apple chooses, the iPhone 16 Pro’s display should surpass that of the 14 Pro.
5. High quality cameras
The iPhone is the primary (and even only) camera for many users because it’s advanced enough to capture moments in high resolution. While the iPhone 14 Pro has an excellent 48MP wide-angle lens, upgrading to a 16 Pro model will unlock even more advanced photography tools.
For starters, the smaller iPhone 16 Pro is expected to adopt the 15 Pro Max’s tetraprism lens. This would extend the maximum digital zoom from 15x to 25x and the optical zoom from 3x to 5x.
And if you opt for the iPhone 16 Pro Max variant, you might be able to use a super-telephoto periscope lens, which could boost the optical zoom beyond 5x and improve portraits of distant subjects. Not to mention, the ultra-wide lens’ resolution should get a welcome bump from 12MP to 48MP.
6. Action button
Since the first iPhone, every Apple smartphone has had a Silent button. Since many of us keep our phones on silent all the time, the company decided to give users more choices. Starting with the iPhone 15 Pro models, an Action button has replaced the classic button. It allows users to reprogram its functionality and will become even more flexible and useful in iOS 18. This includes taking photos, recording audio, translating, triggering actions from the Shortcuts app, and much more.
So, if the Silent button doesn’t mean much to you, you’ll especially appreciate the Action button when you upgrade your iPhone 14 Pro to a 16 Pro.
7. Capture button
The clickable updates aren’t just limited to the Action button. The iPhone 16 Pro models are rumored to introduce an all-new Capture button, which could allow users to open the Camera app, control its zoom, take photos, and more. So if you often use your iPhone 14 Pro to capture everyday moments, you’ll want to pick up a 16 Pro this fall.
8. Faster loading speeds
Recent iPhones, including your 14 Pro, support wired charging up to 27W and MagSafe wireless charging up to 15W. Upgrading to an iPhone 16 Pro model can speed up your device’s charging by increasing these rates to 40W and 20W, respectively. This would save you from having to wait too long to recharge your phone’s battery.
9. Internal review Components
The iPhone 16 Pro’s battery improvements aren’t just limited to faster charging speeds. Rumors also point to the adoption of stacked battery technology, which could increase energy density and help preserve maximum capacity for a longer period of time.
Apple could also incorporate a graphene thermal system, which can prevent overheating more effectively than its copper counterpart. The iPhone 16 Pro could also encase the battery in metal to help maintain neutral temperatures.
10. Higher storage capacity
Finally, the iPhone 16 Pro could increase the maximum storage capacity from 1TB to 2TB. This would allow you to store roughly double the amount of data on your device. With iPhones now producing larger videos and running more complex apps, the 2TB option, combined with the universal USB-C port and more powerful A18 Pro chip, could help future-proof your device.
The iPhone 14 Pro is starting to show its age
While the iPhone 14 Pro is still relatively new, rumors of iPhone 16 Pro upgrades really highlight its flaws. When it launched, we praised the always-on display, Dynamic Island, and the 48MP main camera lens. These were undoubtedly innovations coming from an iPhone 13 Pro. Now, all of these changes seem insignificant when juxtaposed with an upcoming iPhone that features Apple Intelligence, two new buttons, a superior design, a larger display, even better cameras, and more.
With smartphone updates being generally iterative in recent years, I’m quite surprised by Apple’s current progress in this area. The company still manages to discover and fix the iPhone’s flaws, without necessarily offering completely different form factors, such as foldable models. The iPhone is constantly evolving, but it’s still just an iPhone.
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