Apple is set to launch its new iPhone 16 lineup later this year so it’s only a matter of months before we see what’s new. However, it’s not new seeing that rumours already flying in about how the iPhone 16 lineup will look.
Action Button on All Models
The main speculation is about the mute switch that has been rumoured to fully go away for a while now and it’s more likely that this lineup will get rid of it. According to reports, the new smartphones are expected to replace the switch with an Action button. Luckily, the button is expected to work very similarly to the mute switch.
A long press silences calls, recreating the Mute switch’s function, with the phone vibrating to let you know the sound is muted. But from the Settings app, you can also set the Action button to trigger a particular shortcut, whether it’s launching an app, turning on the flashlight, starting the voice recorder or performing a specific action within certain apps. Unlike the iPhone 15 set that only had the 15 Pro and Pro Max with the Action button, this lineup is set to have all models with it which means that the Mute switch will no longer be seen.
The Action button seems like it won’t be the only side button on the models as reports claim that there will be a second one. This is the Capture button that is expected to be available on all models.
The exact function of the button is not known yet but you can probably guess that it will something to do with the cameras from the name alone. If so, then this would be a button designed to give users an extra shutter option other than the one on screen. So maybe selfies will be able to become an easier activity if you’re one who can’t stand holding the phone with two fingers. From the rumours, the Capture button is expected to be located just below the power button.
Bezels & Dimensions
More claims are about the dimensions of each model with the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max expected to come with bigger displays compared to their predecessors- 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches respectively. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus models will reportedly have 6.1- and 6.7-inch screens.
This would obviously mean that the models will have to be generally bigger than the iPhone 15 models to accommodate the bigger screens, for instance, the 16 Pro is reported to be 3mm taller and roughly 1mm wider than the iPhone 15 Pro.
The 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max are also reported to bring in smaller bezels compared to the 15s. The former is expected to have a 1.2mm bezel while the latter reportedly has a 1.15mm bezel. This would go as far as to compete with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra that has a 1.5mm bezel.
The other big change that is rumoured is the cameras’ positions, especially for the 16 and 16 Plus. Both devices might go back to the vertically stacked lenses which we haven’t seen since iPhone 11. These reports are heavily based on the supposedly leaked rumours that were releases in April.
As expected, more rumours will continue to come out as the launch date draws closer.