The iPhone 16 Pro Max is set to release this autumn. With all the rumors and leaks coming out, we’re getting an idea of what Apple’s newest top model will be like. But, will the fresh features make you want to get it?
Up to now, there’s talk of a bigger screen, a new A18 Pro chip, and changes to the hardware, including a Capture button. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is also expected to come with many AI features powered by generative AI. Some will be part of iOS 18, while others might only be on the new iPhone.
Here are the top 7 upgrades rumored for the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
A larger screen
Since the launch of the iPhone 12 Pro Max in 2020, the iPhone Pro Max lineup has featured a 6.7-inch screen. However, the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro Max is expected to set a new record for size. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, this model will come with a 6.9-inch screen, surpassing the 6.8-inch screen of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
The standard iPhone 16 Pro is also rumored to have a larger screen, increasing from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches. This provides an option for those who find 6.9 inches too large. Additionally, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is anticipated to have slimmer bezels.
Fresh Capture feature
The iPhone 15 Pro Max introduced a customizable Action button on an iPhone for the first time. However, Apple plans to add more, as the iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16 Pro, and the standard iPhone 16 are all expected to come with a new Capture button too.
The button will allegedly feature a solid state capacitive design with haptic feedback and it will lie underneath the power button. The Capture button will presumably be used to launch the camera and take photos quickly but its “force sensor functionality” could open up other possibilities. For example, you could make a more forceful press to record video.
A source on Weibo mentioned that the Capture button might help in focusing the iPhone 16’s camera, similar to the focus mechanism in top mirrorless cameras.
Camera improvements for iPhone 16 Pro Max
After introducing a tetraprism 5x optical zoom lens in the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple is set to enhance the ultrawide lens in the iPhone 16 Pro series. Both the Pro and Pro Max models are expected to come with a 48MP ultrawide camera, a significant jump from the previous 12MP.
The size of the ultrawide sensor will also increase, moving from a 1/3.6-inch sensor to a larger 1/2.6-inch sensor. Additionally, the main 48MP sensor will likely have a larger 1/1.4-inch sensor, compared to the former 1/1.28-inches, allowing it to capture more light.
Another rumor suggests that just the iPhone 16 Pro Max will receive a 48MP primary camera using Sony’s latest IMX903 sensor, and it will have a mix of 1 glass and 7 plastic lenses for improved results. This would be unexpected.
A18 Chip
The A17 Pro chip was strong, but Apple aims to make the A18 Pro even faster for the iPhone 16 Pro Max to be the quickest phone out there. Based on leaked Geekbench scores, the A18 Pro might get a single-core score of 3,570 and a multi-core score of 9,310. These scores are higher than the iPhone 15 Pro Series (2,890/7,914), but Qualcomm is also making progress.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra got scores of 2,300 and 7,249 with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. However, a leaked score of 3,500 for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip could mean tough competition for Apple.
What’s really exciting is how the A18 Pro’s Neural Engine will perform in machine learning tasks, especially for generative AI features, but there are no leaks about this yet.
Generative AI
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is likely to receive many generative AI improvements with iOS 18. This update is planned for release in the fall, at the same time as the new iPhones, and will be presented at WWDC 2024 in June.
Apple seems to be focusing a lot on adding various generative AI features to the iPhone. These features are designed to simplify complex tasks with voice commands and introduce an updated Siri that uses Apple’s big language models (LLM).
Apple is reportedly enhancing many of its apps with AI, like Music, Pages, and Keynote. It would be surprising if Apple didn’t introduce AI capabilities in apps like Photos, for tasks like removing items from pictures or adding to backgrounds.
Apple is also reportedly discussing with Google about possibly using its Gemini AI product. It’s unclear which AI features might be exclusive to the iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro, or if these new iPhones will just perform better because of an improved Neural Engine.
Wi-Fi 7
If Wi-Fi 7 is new to you, that’s understandable since it’s a recent technology and top Wi-Fi 7 routers are costly. However, it’s going to be impactful over time. Wi-Fi 7 offers much faster speeds and additional channels, providing more bandwidth for your devices. Also, with Multi-Link Operation, the iPhone 16 Pro Max will have the capability to transmit and receive data over various bands and channels simultaneously.
Longer battery life
The iPhone 15 Pro Max already had impressive battery performance in our tests, lasting 14 hours and 2 minutes on a single charge while browsing the web over 5G. It had a 4,422 mAh battery, but a source on Weibo suggests the iPhone 16 Pro Max will have an even larger battery at 4,676 mAh.
This bigger battery is timely since some of the top phones for battery life can last 16 hours or more. For instance, the Galaxy S24 Ultra lasts 16:45 and the OnePlus 12 lasts 18:42. Both have larger batteries and use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, making it exciting to see if the iPhone 16 Pro Max can lead our list.
What we think?
I think the iPhone 16 Pro Max will be amazing. It will have a huge 6.9-inch screen and a new button to take photos fast. The camera will be better, especially for wide shots. It’s also going to be super quick with the A18 chip. Plus, it will have cool AI stuff for easier tasks and a bigger battery for longer use. Can’t wait to see it!