It’s no secret that the iPhone 16 is coming out in just a few weeks, and as always, it’s set to be the biggest new product of the fall. But according to a new report, it might just be an appetizer for the main course that’s coming next year.
According to Mark Gurman’s latest Power On newsletter, the iPhone 16 lineup “will not be significantly different from current versions and will not add any major new features.” That’s no surprise if you’ve been following the rumors over the past 12 months or bought a new iPhone in the last few generations. Apple hasn’t introduced any major design changes to the iPhone since the iPhone 12 in 2020.
To sum up, here is what Gurman says about this year:
- A new A18 chip with 8GB of RAM across the lineup to make all models ready to run Apple Intelligence.
- An Action button for non-Pro models with iOS 18’s new customizable features.
- A new touch-sensitive “camera control” on the side of the Pro models will “work like a button on a DSLR camera” with the ability to take a photo, autofocus and zoom.
- Slightly larger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch screens for the Pro models.
- New colors, including “a return of the popular rose gold from a few years ago.”
Overall, he describes the iPhone 16 as a “beautiful” upgrade, but Gurman doesn’t see “a gold rush for Apple” when the new phones launch. However, the iPhone 17 coming next year will be. Gurman echoes previous rumors by predicting that Apple will launch “a new kind of smartphone” separate from the standard, Pro, and Pro Max models.
Gurman says the new model will replace the iPhone 16 Plus with “a sort of ‘Air’ version of the iPhone… (like) the original MacBook Air from over a decade ago.” He explains:
The sales pitch will likely be something like this: If you want something sleeker than a standard iPhone, but don’t really need the performance, screen size, or cameras of a Pro model, you can get something that looks a lot cooler while still having the specs of a regular iPhone.
Like the iPhone X, Gurman says the new iPhone Air will be the first step towards “something better,” ultimately transforming the entire lineup into a new design. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 16 at an event in early September. Stay tuned to our iPhone 16 superguide for all the latest news and rumors as the big day approaches.
