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Those who have been following my journey over the last few months will know that I’ve made quite a big switch for my daily smartphone.
Granted, “my daily smartphone” isn’t a term many normal people use, because your smartphone is, ahem, your smartphone. But for us tech reviewers, we often wield at least two devices with one identified as our ‘daily’. We’re annoying like that.
For me, that has been the iPhone for many years – in fact, since way before I started this tech reviews business. I’ve been an iPhone user – and a happy one – for just over a decade.
Earlier this year, I switched from the iPhone 15 Pro Max to the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Have I looked back? Yes, of course; whenever I want to move stuff between devices, I deeply wish I still had my iPhone with me. But that’s the only reason for the occasional backward glance.
With that in mind, I thought I’d list five updates coming to the iPhone 16 later this year and rate them out of ten in terms of how excited they make me and how likely they are to tempt me back.
iPhone 16 update 1: iOS 18
This is the big one. It isn’t reserved solely for the iPhone 16 lineup, of course, but it deserves top billing here because iOS 18 promises an awful lot – for one very specific reason.
There’s some small stuff which is worth quickly covering. We’ll finally be able to move app icons to wherever we wish on our Home Screen, and even add a custom tint to those icons. I’ve seen some nice and some very bad examples of the latter, but it really is about time we had this freedom with the iPhone.
There’s a redesigned control centre, with the ability to create multiple control centres. This feels like overkill to me, but I’m willing to give it the benefit of the doubt.
Improvements made to Messages rarely register for me, due to the fact I’m strictly a WhatsApp user. As for the Photos app redesign, I reserve judgment until I’ve got it in my hands (as you can tell, I’m not engaging with the beta test).
However, the reason iOS 18 is big is because of Apple Intelligence. We’re still yet to see this in action beyond Apple’s tightly controlled keynote demo, but if it does what it says on the tin, Apple Intelligence looks like the kind of smartphone AI which might actually be useful beyond a “check this out!” demo. It’s also the reason this particular update gets the highest score on my Excitement-ometer.
Mark Ellis Excitement Score (out of 10): 10
iPhone 16 update 2: A18 chip
According to one plucky code sniffer, Apple is planning on placing the same A-series chip into all the upcoming iPhone 16 models.
That’s right – every phone will, apparently, be running the A18. If true, this would be the first time since 2021 that all models have had the same chipset. For instance, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are powered by the A16 Bionic, while the 15 Pro and Pro Max are running the A17 Pro.
There is the chance, of course, that Apple will still differentiate the Pro editions by adding ‘Pro’ to the end of the A18 chip included in those models. If they do, my hope is that such a move is tied entirely to camera demands, rather than anything else.
It’s fair to assume that the A18 architecture will focus heavily on significant upgrades to the neural engine in preparation for Apple Intelligence, and if every new iPhone gets those same capabilities, that can only be a good thing.
Mark Ellis Excitement Score (out of 10): 7
iPhone 16 update 3: bigger displays for the Pro models
Remember the iPhone 13 mini? Yeah, that form factor probably isn’t ever returning, I’m afraid. Why? It seems as though Apple might simply continue heading in the opposite direction.
According to MacRumors, while the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will probably retain the same dimensions as the devices they replace, the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max variants will be granted bigger displays. They’re expected to be around 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches, respectively, and will result in slightly bigger devices overall.
The war on bezels appears to be continuing, as well, with the two flagship devices expected to feature thinner borders around the display, too.
Apple has resolutely stuck with the same size displays for its Pro iPhone models since 2020 when they were introduced. This isn’t something I’ve ever really thought about – and I certainly haven’t yearned for bigger versions of either phone.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is big enough. I’m really not fussed about bezel size, either. This isn’t going to be enough to bring me back to the iPhone, I’m afraid, Tim.
Mark Ellis Excitement Score (out of 10): 5
iPhone 16 update 4: better cameras on Pro models
Good news if you’re thinking about buying the iPhone 16 Pro: rumours suggest that it’s going to get the same 5x optical zoom that’s currently only available on the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
This is a big deal. I’m a complete 5x convert; it’s the lens I reach for most often and it provides just enough reach and compression to make your smartphone photos look like they’ve come straight out of a DSLR.
There are other camera improvements on the horizon, of course, but they’re probably not going to be as significant as last year. New, larger sensors are likely to be the main talking point. That doesn’t give me any reason to swing back to the iPhone (the S24 Ultra’s camera has been faultless), but I’m glad the 5x is slowly making its way down the line for everyone else.
Mark Ellis Excitement Score (out of 10): 7
iPhone 16 update 5: improved battery performance
According to the supply chain lurker, Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple has been working on an increased battery density for the iPhone 16 lineup.
This is in part due to changes in EU legislation which demand that all smartphones must have replaceable batteries by 2027. It’s a demand that has, apparently, resulted in Apple adopting a stainless steel battery case for the iPhone 16 which aids battery removal, but also has the happy side effect of increasing the battery density by up to 10%. That could mean noticeably better battery life for the new iPhones later this year.
The rumour mill is also suggesting that the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max could support 40W wired and 20W MagSafe charging. As someone who has become accustomed to the world of Android fast charging, this is very much welcomed – as is a boost in battery life.
Mark Ellis Excitement Score (out of 10): 8
Final thought
I appreciate I’m still dodging the question of if and when I’ll return to the iPhone, but as I’ve noted previously, it is inevitable.
The rumoured updates I’ve listed above for the iPhone 16 are relatively tepid. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, because we reached peak smartphone innovation a couple of years ago; everything is iterative, at best, from here on.
Where the magic should lie, however, is within Apple Intelligence – and that’s the main thing that’s going to swing me back into the arms of the iPhone later this year. The question then will be how long it can keep hold of me. I’m looking forward to finding out.
Before you go
Some images courtesy of Apple.
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