Now that we know pretty much everything there is to know about the iPhone 15, iPhone 16 rumors are already swirling around. And again, Apple is planning a major change to the Pro models.
According to Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 16 Pro’s screen will be “slightly larger” than the 6.1-inch iPh one 15 Pro, which will allow it to gain periscope zoom. The periscope lens, which would bring 6X optical zoom and up to 30X digital zoom, is expected to arrive in 2023, but only on the iPhone 15 Pro Max; a size bump will be needed to make room for it on the 16 Pro. For comparison, the current zoom lens on the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max has 3X optical zoom and 15X digital zoom.
Note, a report of Unknownz21 on Twitter claims that the new periscope camera will require a change in camera layout. As he explains, the ultra-wide and telephoto cameras have changed positions, meaning the telephoto camera is now on the right side. The iPhone 16 Pro will likely have the same layout.
A previous report from DSSC CEO Ross Young claimed that the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max would grow to 6.3-inches and 6.9-inches respectively. These would be the biggest Pro models since the line launched with the introduction of the iPhone 11 Pro. Apple increased the screen sizes from 5.8-inch and 6.5-inch to 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch when the iPhone 12 arrived, but kept the same sizes for the 13 and 14 Pro, and the iPhone 15 Pro is also said to be the same size.
But with this latest rumor, the iPhone 15 Pro is suddenly much less appealing. The iPhone 16 Pro is rumored to bring several features missing from this year’s phone, including:
Solid State Buttons: Apple reportedly removed the new buttons from the iPhone 15 Pro due to technical hurdles, but will bring them to next year’s phone.
Under-display Face ID sensors: We don’t yet know if the entire camera will go under the display, but Apple is said to have placed at least some of the TrueDepth camera components under the display to reduce the size of the dynamic island.
Better battery life: As we saw with the Apple Watch Ultra, a few millimeters can make a huge difference in battery life. We expect the iPhone 15 Pro to use the extra space to boost battery capacity and add at least an hour to our day.
So don’t get too attached to the iPhone 15 Pro this year. Chances are you’ll want to upgrade as soon as the iPhone 16 arrives.
