Thinking of treating yourself to a new iPhone later this year? Thanks to a series of leaks from reputable sources, it's possible to put together a pretty decent picture of the as-yet unannounced handset, which will likely be branded iPhone 16.
Apple typically debuts its new iPhone models in September. If the company sticks to that release schedule this time around, we’re still six months away from CEO Tim Cook taking to the stage.
Recent leaks from 91 Mobile and Majin Bu on X have shown an alleged CAD render of the new iPhone. A CAD, or Computer-Aided Design, is a three-dimensional render of a product with the correct dimensions used as part of the manufacturing process. It can be sent to suppliers to start production or shared with partners to allow them to build accessories at the correct size.
On X, Divine Chinemerem shared an Apple-like image of the upcoming iPhone 16 based on the details from the leaked CAD
X.COM | @Divine__001
The leaked 3D image shows a redesigned camera layout that reverses the diagonally-aligned lenses found on the back of the iPhone 15 and its predecessor, iPhone 14. Instead, it looks like Apple will opt for something much closer to the iPhone X, first launched in 2017.
The vertically-stacked main camera and ultra-wide sensor are surrounded by a raised pill-like housing. Gone is the square-shaped camera island found on the current line-up.
Aside from making it immediately obvious that you’re holding the latest and greatest iPhone from the designers in California, this change is likely related to the Vision Pro. Recording three-dimensional spatial photos and videos that you can peer around while reliving inside the headset requires a specific camera set-up that mirrors your eyes when shooting in landscape orientation.
It’s currently only possible with the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, however, we’d bet that Apple wants as many people as possible recording their memories in the format.
On the front, Apple is rumoured to stick with the same 6.1- and 6.7-inch screen sizes with acut-out for the Dynamic Island, which shows a preview of apps running in the background, houses the Face ID security system, and the selfie camera.
There seems to be some confusion about whether the Action Button, which replaced the alert slider that quickly shifted to silent mode and had been a staple since the first iPhone launched in 2007, will make the cut on the iPhone 16. The button was introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro last year, but it’s unclear whether this feature will remain exclusive to the pricier Pro variants again.
One new button that willseemingly be included on the iPhone 16 line-up is a new Capture button. The Computer-Aided Design, which has been widely shared on social media, shows a new inset button below the Power button on the right side of the handset.
You can clearly see the shape of the capture button pic.twitter.com/LOTUbdqqG7
— Majin Bu (@MajinBuOfficial) March 5, 2024
When held in landscape orientation, this would fall under your fingertip like the Shutter button on a camera. It’s unclear whether the button will only be used in the Camera app, or whether it will have other uses across iOS.
The same Capture button is also rumoured to be destined for the Pro models coming later this year.
Some have pushed back on rumours of another new button coming to the (traditionally minimalist) iPhone hardware, suggesting the cut-out seen in the CAD is for the 5G antennas used to connect to mobile networks.
Inside of the forthcoming iPhone 16, we’d expect to see a new chipset and improved battery life. On the outside, Apple usually refreshes the colourways available, so we’d bet on some new finishes launching with the iPhone 16 and the larger iPhone 16 Plus later this year.
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Of course, it’s worth taking all of the information above with a prescribed pinch of salt since nothing is confirmed until CEO Tim Cook makes an announcement. There’s still months to go before Apple sends out the invitations to its next event, so plans could still change.
