iPhone 16 Rumors: Potential Features and Price Expectations

7 things iPhone 16 could learn from the Pixel 9

Apple can definitely take a few pointers from Google's new phone Now that the Pixel 9 lineup has finally debuted, all eyes are turning toward Apple in anticipation of its upcoming iPhone 16. Before that officially happens, though, Apple could certainly learn a few things from the Pixel 9 launch to make its iPhone 16 even better. It's really important for the Cupertino-based company to take note of Google's new releases because the Pixel 9 lineup give us a glimpse into what not to do, which we'll explain in a little more detail below. More importantly, it's going to be an opportunity for the next iPhone to over-deliver on what's needed to become the best phones released this year. With all of the leaks of late, it's painting a clear picture of what to expect. While the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max have their own peculiar qualities, there's also a lot of interest around iOS 18 and how Apple Intelligence could amplify the iPhone experience. Here's everything the iPhone 16 could learn from the Pixel 9. This one's a no-brainer decision, especially given how last year's iPhone 15 Pro Max cost $100 more than the iPhone 14 Pro Max that preceded it. Google did the unthinkable by raising prices for all of its Pixel 9 models, including the base one that now cost $100 more at $799 for the Pixel 9. Meanwhile, the true successor to the Pixel 8 Pro, the Pixel 9 Pro XL, also gets a $100 price hike to make it the most expensive Pixel ever at $1,099. So far, there hasn't been any indication that Apple would increase prices for the iPhone 16, but anything could happen. For the iPhone 16 Pro Max, it would be wise to keep the price the same in light of last year's iPhone 15 Pro Max hike. One of the iPhone 15 Pro Max's standout features is how it benefits from having a better telephoto camera over the iPhone 15 Pro, thanks to a 5x optical zoom. (The Pro tops out at a 3x zoom.) But Google did something better with it new phones -- the Pixel 9 Pro features the same telephoto camera as the more expensive Pixel 9 Pro XL in the form of a 48MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom. iPhone 16 Pro camera rumors sound promising in this regard, as multiple sources claim that the same tetraprism telephoto lens that debuted with the iPhone 15 Pro Max will find its way to the iPhone 16 Pro this year. That would give the regular iPhone 16 Pro the same 5x optical zoom range as the more expensive Pro Max. That's unless the rumor about the iPhone 16 Pro Max getting a 6x zoom turns out to be true. This one could be too far-fetched, given what Apple has done recently to differentiate its Pro iPhones from the non-Pro ones. This year's standard iPhone 16 models are tipped to inherit the A17 Pro chip, but another rumor hints to the possibility of an A18 chip, with the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max getting a more powerful A18 Pro chipset. Google has kept to a format of giving all of its new Pixels the same chip, with the Tensor G4 calling the shots on all the Pixel 9 models. It's almost unlikely for the iPhone 16 to run the same processor as the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, but it would certainly be an unexpected treat if it were to happen. Apple's iPhones may be some of the most feature-rich handsets, but they've never been speedy with their charging abilities. In fact, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are hilariously behind other premium phones due to their 20W wired charging. To Google's credit, it increased the Pixel 9 Pro XL's charging to 37W -- which is up from the 30W speed of the Pixel 8 Pro. A similar boost for the iPhone is long overdue. Apple's the sole holdout among the big players in the flagship phone space by choosing to keep a 60Hz refresh rate for its standard iPhones. In contrast, Google has been enormously generous with its Pixels in this area. In fact, the lowly Pixel 9 has a dynamic refresh rate of 60Hz to 120Hz -- which makes its 6.3-inch Actua display more pleasing to look at with gaming and watching videos. It's unlikely that the iPhone 16 will ditch the locked-in 60Hz refresh rate, but Apple could end up enticing more users to upgrade if it ever made that change. At WWDC 2024, Apple explicitly shared what devices will support Apple Intelligence features. Even though the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are officially on that list, anything else is still up in the air. Presumably, the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max would get them, but it's unclear for the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. Google isn't shy about its new AI features, as the entire Pixel 9 lineup nearly gets access to the same stuff -- like Add Me, Pixel Studio, and Pixel Screenshots. The only thing that the Pixel 9 doesn't get are a few video related features and the free year-long subscription to Gemini Advanced, which are reserved for the Pro models. Apple could take a similar approach with its iPhone 16 lineup, by giving all the new iPhones access to Apple Intelligence. That said, there should be some incentive to pick the more expensive iPhone 16 Pro models. Apple could reveal exclusive Apple Intelligence features for them, which would help to differentiate and give more value to these models over the standard iPhone 16 ones. Google certainly does this for the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL, which have their own set of AI-assisted features with Video Boost, Night Sight Video, and Super Res Zoom Video. We're not saying that Apple needs to focus on just isolating AI features with recording video, but it'd be nice if the Pro models do end up getting just a bit more.

Will the iPhone 16 Come With a Higher Price Tag? Here's What We Expect

Named a Tech Media Trailblazer by the Consumer Technology Association in 2019, a winner of SPJ NorCal's Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2022 and has three times been a finalist in the LA Press Club's National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards. Beyond all the flashy presentations on camera specs and battery capacity, one of the most important questions looming over any new phone unveiling is: How much will it cost? As we approach the anticipated iPhone 16 announcement this fall, that question is being raised and speculated about. Apple has shared its upcoming Apple Intelligence features arriving on some of its latest devices and also unveiled new capabilities coming with iOS 18 in the fall. As the company's premium-tier devices become even more sophisticated with the help of AI and, potentially, more high-end materials, iPhone fans are wondering whether those advancements will come with a higher sticker price. Read more: iPhone 16: What We Know About the Release Date, Leaks and More Despite upgraded features, the starting price of the baseline iPhone has remained consistent over the last several years. Every baseline model between the iPhone 12 and 15 has been priced at $799 upon its release in the US. The Pro devices have also remained at $999 across that timeline. A price hike occurred on the high-end iPhone 15 Pro Max last year, which was retailed at $1,199, $100 more than its predecessors. Apple did away with its lowest 128GB storage option, making 256GB the new (pricier) baseline. The 15 Pro Max also touts a periscope lens, which offers 5x zoom that isn't found even on the smaller 15 Pro. As inflation raises prices for nearly everything else, and rumors suggest new iPhones get pricier parts, it's uncertain whether Apple can resist bumping up the price tags for its flagship phones. Here's what we've heard. External factors like higher production costs could potentially push Apple to raise prices on its upcoming lineup. According to Nikkei Asia, the estimated production cost of the iPhone 15 Pro Max was $558, a 12% increase over the 14 Pro Max. The cost of components for other devices in the iPhone 15 lineup also reportedly grew compared to the previous year: the 15 Pro by 8%, the Plus by 10% and the standard by 16%. While Apple hasn't yet increased retail prices as a result, Nikkei Asia suggests it would need to do so, or "the company's bottom line will eventually take a hit." Rumors about pricier cameras on the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max further suggest those devices may carry a higher price tag, too. According to Economic Daily, Apple might use higher-end molded glass lenses to make its phones lighter and thinner and to increase optical zoom distance. On the one hand, Apple may feel compelled to push those rising costs onto its customers. On the other hand, the higher cost of living is leading many consumers to tighten their purse strings, and Apple may not want to isolate prospective candidates for phone upgrades. Other rumors have suggested prices could actually drop for the iPhone 16, according to one tipster, because Apple could switch up the way it makes its A17 Bionic chipsets to reduce costs. That reduced manufacturing cost could potentially pass savings down to consumers, but that's speculation. It's possible Apple will tout its upcoming Apple Intelligence capabilities to justify a higher price tag for the iPhone 16 lineup. If you can do more with your phone, like use a smarter version of Siri and tap into AI-powered writing tools, perhaps the company will argue you should pay more, too. Samsung, for instance, introduced its own suite of AI features called Galaxy AI, and simultaneously bumped up the price of its high-end Galaxy S24 Ultra by $100, bringing the starting price to $1,300. This could also be credited to hardware and other software improvements, but AI was made to be a big selling point for the pricey device. Google's Pixel 9 lineup is also packed with Gemini AI capabilities, and while the latest Fold model hasn't gone up in price, the same can't be said for the standard Pixel 9, which is $100 pricier than the Pixel 8. The baseline Pixel 9 Pro maintains the same $1,000 price tag as last year's Pixel 8 Pro, but it's a smaller device; you'll need to upgrade to the Pixel 9 Pro XL if you want that bigger screen -- and again pay another $100. All that to say, there are both hardware and software considerations when landing on a price for a phone, and Apple could argue that advancements in both spaces, and especially in AI, justify a higher cost for customers. It's possible, given rising production costs and more advanced components, that we'll see price increases across the upcoming iPhone lineup, although it's not clear just how much. Apple could also use AI advancements to justify a possible price increase, since you'll technically be able to do more with your phone. But given the heated competition with other AI and phone makers like Google and Samsung, it's also just as plausible to assume prices could remain stagnant to entice more customers, especially amid soaring prices elsewhere. In the meantime, we'll keep updating this with any new details in the lead-up to Apple's anticipated fall unveiling of the iPhone 16.