The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the perfect iPhone you should purchase, not less than if cash is not any object, and it is one of many very best telephones from any firm. So we’re understandably moderately wanting ahead to the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
We now know that we must always get an official have a look at this cellphone on September 9, however Apple revealed iOS 18 at WWDC 2024 (checkout our WWDC 2024 dwell weblog for a beat-by-beat account of the keynote), full with some slick options and a brand new smarter Siri with ChatGPT expertise. So from that we are able to posit the iPhone 16 Pro Max can have a number of AI-centric options, and entry to Apple Intelligence.
So there are actually upgrades Apple could make, past simply including extra energy, and from what we have heard to date it is probably that the iPhone 16 Pro Max will probably be a major improve, with discuss of a bigger display, an additional button, and an extended distance optical zoom, amongst different issues.
You’ll discover all of the leaks we have heard about this cellphone under, and we’ll add to this text at any time when we hear something new. Or for a deeper dive into what we wish from the iPhone 16 Pro Max, head to the second half of this text, the place you will discover our want checklist.
Cut to the chase
- What is it? The larger-screened/batteried model of the iPhone 16 Pro
- When is it out? September 9
- How a lot will it value? Likely from $1,199 / £1,399 / AU$2,099
iPhone 16 Pro Max newest rumors and information
iPhone 16 Pro Max: Expected launch date and value
- Will be introduced on September 9
- Might ship on September 20
- May value much more than the iPhone 15 Pro Max
Apple has now confirmed that its subsequent large launch occasion will occur on September 9, so it is right here that we must always see the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
The occasion is about to begin at 10am PT/1pm ET/6pm BST on September 9, which is 3am September 10 AEST.
That’s considerably consistent with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which was unveiled on September 12 2023 at Apple’s September occasion, hitting pre-order on the Friday of that week (September 15) and occurring sale on the next Friday (September 22), priced from $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,199 for the bottom 256GB model. It additionally has a 512GB construct in the midst of the vary and a 1TB mannequin costing $1,599 / £1,599 / AU$2,899 on the high.
We anticipate the the iPhone 16 Pro Max launch date to reflect this availability fairly carefully (together with the remainder of the iPhone 16 lineup), that means that it’ll most likely be up for pre-order on Friday, September 13, and ship on Friday, September 20.
That mentioned, the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s value could be larger than its predecessor’s, with one report suggesting the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s digital camera upgrades will add to the value. A better value although might put patrons off, in response to a survey of iPhone homeowners.
We’ve additionally heard that manufacturing of the iPhone 16 line is reportedly on schedule, so there’s presently no purpose to suppose Apple will stray from its ordinary launch patterns.
iPhone 16 Pro Max or Ultra?
In the run-up to the iPhone 15 sequence’ launch, there was rampant hypothesis about whether or not 2023 could be the 12 months that Apple launched an ‘Ultra’ entry into the lineup; a suffix that corporations like Samsung, Motorola and Xiaomi already make use of throughout their rival cellphone traces.
With the corporate’s ‘Wonderlust’ occasion having now been and gone with out a lot as a whisper of an iPhone 15 Ultra, it stands to purpose that discuss of an Ultra iPhone entry should as an alternative apply to Apple’s iPhone 16 lineup, anticipated in late 2024.
At current, there’s ambiguity round whether or not the Ultra will exchange the Pro Max or launch or launch alongside it. However, if Apple pursues the latter choice, it’s going to elevate the ceiling for the iPhone portfolio, permitting the corporate to cost much more for its greatest and brightest iPhone of the second.
iPhone 16 Pro Max: Expected design and show
- Rumored bigger 6.9-inch 120Hz ‘ProMovement’ display
- Possible under-display Face ID system
- Probably a titanium body, just like the 15 Pro Max
- A brand new, capacitive ‘Capture’ button rumored for each mannequin
At this level, loads of discuss across the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s design has now surfaced.
One report by South Korean publication The Elec claims that the Face ID system, which was first relocated to the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro line, will make its approach below the pixels of the display, leaving solely the entrance digital camera seen on the 16 Pro Max.
Speaking of the display, Apple managed to make the bezels thinner throughout each iPhone 15 Pro fashions, however a key analyst at Display Supply Chain Consultants expects the whole panel to develop in dimension subsequent 12 months. If true, this might imply the iPhone 16 Pro Max would clock in with a 6.9-inch display, in comparison with the 15 Pro Max’s present 6.7-inch providing, and making it the biggest iPhone but. DSCC’s key analyst Ross Young additionally means that Apple would possibly lastly deviate from the 19.5:9 facet ratio sported by the previous few iPhones, opting as an alternative for a 19.6:9 ratio. This would make the iPhone 16 Pro vary fractionally taller and narrower than the 15 Pros.
We’ve additionally heard this bigger iPhone 16 Pro Max display dimension talked about by one other supply, whereas a 3rd equally factors to a 6.86-inch display for the iPhone 16 Pro Max, so this sounds pretty probably.
Another supply once more factors to a 6.9-inch show for the iPhone 16 Pro Max, however provides that due to smaller bezels the general dimension of the cellphone won’t improve. Another supply has additionally pointed to the iPhone 16 Pro Max having smaller bezels, whereas a 3rd has mentioned the iPhone 16 Pro Max may need the thinnest bezels of any cellphone, at simply 1.15mm. So smaller bezels is wanting probably.
Another leak has echoed this, saying that every of the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s bezels are 1.153mm, and including that the cellphone’s dimensions are 163.024 x 77.575 x 8.26mm (making it greater than the iPhone 15 Pro Max) as a result of its display is 6.883 inches,
One different rumor (once more, from The Elec) means that the already-bright shows that Apple locations into its iPhones will probably be surpassed in grand vogue by a brand new ‘Multi-Lens Array” (MLA) AMOLED panel. Thought to be unique to the Pro (and presumably Ultra) members of 2024’s iPhone household, MLA tech reportedly helped LG make its TV panels 60% brighter and Samsung is already apparently utilizing MLA AMOLED screens on the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
The trade-offs with MLA expertise are that viewing angles will be lowered and that the panels are costlier, which might have a knock-on impact on the ultimate value of the 16 Pro Max, if Apple decides to go down this route.
Beyond this, the Action button – which replaces the long-standing silent/ring swap – on the aspect of the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max – will nearly actually be retained for subsequent 12 months’s mannequin. But there’s extra: solid-state buttons, which had been initially anticipated on 2023’s Pro iPhones, are rumored to make their debut on each iPhone 16 mannequin, together with the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
On high of which, we have heard that the iPhone 16 Pro Max and its siblings could also be getting a completely new, solid-state ‘Capture’ button as an alternative. The supply of this rumor does not say what the button is for, however a later leak factors to the Capture button being a devoted video recording button.
We’ve now additionally heard point out of the addition of a brand new button to the whole iPhone 16 line, and to anticipate solid-state/capacitive Action and Capture buttons on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, so that is sounding probably.
That mentioned, a more moderen leak claims that the Capture button will as an alternative be mechanical, and has gone into extra element about the way it will apparently work. Supposedly, you’ll use it for each pictures and movies, and swipe throughout the highest of it to zoom out and in. Then, with a lightweight press you’ll be able to focus the digital camera, and with a tough press you’ll be able to activate the shutter.
Meanwhile, the USB-C port launched this 12 months and the brand new light-weight titanium body will all additionally undoubtedly make one other look. Here’s hoping Apple serves up extra attention-grabbing colours on subsequent 12 months’s Pro Max, although, as this 12 months’s lineup appears slightly… bland.
We’ve additionally now seen how the iPhone 16 Pro Max would possibly look (alongside the iPhone 16 Pro) in mockups from MacRumors, supposedly primarily based on Apple’s inner designs. You can see one in every of these above.
These reveals that rumored Capture button and embody a 6.9-inch display, however the remainder of the design appears largely unchanged from the iPhone 15 Pro Max, that means no under-display Face ID, not less than in response to this info.
This leak additionally mentions colours, with the iPhone 16 Pro Max apparently being examined in the identical shades because the iPhone 15 Pro Max, however with one additional thriller shade apparently deliberate too.
This design has since been backed up by leaked dummy models of the whole iPhone 16 line, which you’ll see under. A second set of iPhone 16 sequence dummy models additionally reveals this design.
Yet one other iPhone 16 Pro Max dummy unit has additionally leaked with this design, and this time displaying it alongside an iPhone 15 Pro Max, which it is solely a tiny bit greater than, regardless of the rumored bigger display.
However, one other leak is at odds with features of this design in claiming that the iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro will home its trio of digital camera lenses in a triangular block. We doubt this although, so for now we might say the design within the pictures above is extra probably.
Back with reference to colours, and one other leak has recommended that the iPhone 16 Pro Max will probably be out there in Space Black, White, Gray, and Rose. Those are much like the present shades besides Rose, which could be extra of a Rose Gold, and can reportedly exchange the Titanium Blue of the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
We’ve additionally since heard this identical number of iPhone 16 Pro Max colours from one other supply, and all of these iPhone 16 Pro Max shades besides rose have additionally been leaked in a photograph, which you’ll see above.
However, more moderen leaks recommend that rose will not be current, and as an alternative the iPhone 16 Pro Max might are available a bronze shade, or maybe a ‘Desert Titanium’ shade (which is alleged to be extra of a darkish gold).
iPhone 16 Pro Max: Expected cameras
- Talk of a ‘tremendous telephoto’ periscope digital camera
- One report mentions a 48MP ultra-wide too
- Rumors of a stacked sensor that might enhance low-light efficiency
The digital camera {hardware} throughout the final two generations of iPhones has represented vital development for the road, with the iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max embracing a brand new 48MP most important sensor (up from 12MP beforehand) that added lossless 2x zoom by means of sensor cropping, together with just a few different new photographic tips.
Fast-forward to this 12 months’s iPhone line and, together with an enhanced 48MP most important sensor, the iPhone 15 Pro Max additionally advantages from Apple’s first periscope telephoto lens, which zooms as much as 5x. Some sources recommend its successor will go additional, nonetheless.
According to widespread tipster Digital Chat Station, the iPhone 16 Pro Max digital camera would possibly lastly problem Samsung in a single key space – particularly that subsequent 12 months’s mannequin might boast a “tremendous telephoto” digital camera. That implies a snapper with a focal vary that meets or exceeds 300mm, which might surpass the zoom vary of the Galaxy S23 Ultra, its present key rival on this division.
Depending on Apple’s method, the sensor might use both an prolonged prism design (like Samsung’s Ultra telephones) or a folded prism (just like the tetraprism discovered on the 15 Pro Max’s 5x telephoto snapper) for a lower-profile digital camera module. Alternatively, the corporate might pair its current prism and sensor-cropping tech collectively to attain this spectacular goal zoom vary.
We’ve additionally heard that Apple would possibly use thinner molded glass to assist obtain this prolonged zoom within the iPhone 16 Pro Max. This would imply that whichever of the above approaches Apple makes use of, the ensuing lens could be smaller than in any other case.
Assuming the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s main sensor maintains the present 24mm focal size of the 15 Pro/Pro Max, a 6x telephoto digital camera (sporting a 150mm focal vary), paired with a bigger sensor (the Pro Max presently sports activities a 12MP telephoto sensor) that enables for a 2x zoom sensor crop may very well be used to succeed in the magic 300mm determine.
As already touched on, it stays unclear whether or not this tremendous telephoto digital camera will come to the iPhone 16 Pro Max or the iPhone 16 Ultra, or if they’re one and the identical. But both approach, we’re crossing our fingers on 2024 being the 12 months we see this tech make its method to the iPhone. That mentioned, latest leaks have not talked about this a lot, so we would not rely on it.
Beyond the headline long-range snapper, Apple’s use of Sony digital camera {hardware} may additionally prolong to the stacked Exmor T for Mobile sensor expertise presently discovered within the Xperia 1 V and Xperia 5 V. By rearranging the format of the sensor’s internals, Sony has been capable of construct a smartphone digital camera that may suck in additional gentle on the identical decision; seasoned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, for one, claims the iPhone 16 Pro fashions will even get this digital camera sensor improve.
Separately, fellow revered tech analyst Jeff Pu claims the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max will get extra key upgrades over the iPhone 15 Pro, together with a 48MP ultra-wide digital camera, one thing which Pu reiterated in October.
We’ve additionally heard from one other supply that the iPhone 16 Pro Max will get a 48MP ultra-wide digital camera, plus a brand new (however nonetheless 48MP) most important sensor, however that the telephoto snapper would be the identical as final 12 months.
Indeed, discuss of a ‘tremendous telephoto’ lens has died down, so we’re now pondering that is unlikely to make an look this 12 months.
iPhone 16 Pro Max: Expected specs and options
- Assumed Apple A18 Pro chip
- At least 8GB of RAM, as with the 15 Pro Max
On the day of the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s launch, Apple additionally launched the Xcode 15 Release Candidate, which revealed that the cellphone sports activities 8GB RAM – up from 6GB on earlier generations. As such, it is assumed that the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s specs will proceed this pattern, supporting the assumed successor to the most recent Apple-made A17 Pro chipset which debuts within the 15 Pro Max – presumably the A18 Pro SoC.
Indeed, one leak has now particularly talked about the A18 Pro paired with 8GB of RAM for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max.
For different iPhone 16 Pro Max options, the identical supply has additionally claimed that these telephones will help Wi-Fi 7 and have a brand new Fifth Generation modem, permitting for larger knowledge speeds than on the present fashions. That Wi-Fi 7 declare has since been made by one other supply too.
And months after the preliminary declare, one of many above sources has as soon as once more mentioned to anticipate 8GB of RAM and a brand new Fifth Generation modem within the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The latter won’t simply permit for quicker Fifth Generation, but in addition be extra energy environment friendly, thereby conserving battery life.
If that’s the case then it may very well be unhealthy information for the iPhone 16 Pro Max as 8GB of RAM may also restrict the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s AI talents. But then once more, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman has mentioned you’ll want both an iPhone 15 Pro or an M1 Mac (or higher) to make use of a lot of Apple’s AI options, which ought to imply the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will probably be positive.
On the storage aspect, one tipster suggests the iPhone 16 Pro Max will high out at 2TB moderately than the present restrict of 1TB. That’s apparently right down to a unique sort of storage getting used, which takes up much less house and is cheaper to provide, however provides slower write speeds.
As far because the mannequin’s new-found USB-C connectivity goes, Apple appears unlikely to vary charging or knowledge speeds just one 12 months after making the swap, however we are able to dream.
One change we would see although is to some inner supplies, with the iPhone 16 Pro Max reportedly set to get a graphene warmth sink and a steel battery shell, so as to assist hold the cellphone cool. We’ve additionally now seen leaked pictures supposedly displaying a battery for the iPhone 16 Pro, and that is housed in a steel shell, including credence to the above.
Speaking of the battery, one supply claims the iPhone 16 Pro Max can have a 4,676mAh one, up from 4,441mAh within the iPhone 15 Pro Max. We’ve heard that iPhone 16 Pro Max battery capability talked about a number of instances now, whereas one other supply says much less particularly that the iPhone 16 Pro Max can have an even bigger battery than the present mannequin and that it will likely be the longest enduring iPhone battery but.
We’ve additionally elsewhere heard that Apple would possibly use a better vitality density battery for the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which might both imply it has extra capability (so it might probably last more), or that Apple will shrink the scale with out decreasing the capability.
On the charging entrance, the iPhone 16 Pro Max would possibly help 40W wired charging and 20W wi-fi charging, up from round 27W and 15W respectively with the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
It’s additionally anticipated that Apple will pack some AI options into the iPhone 16 line, presumably powered by Google Gemini, with one supply claiming that not less than a few of these AI options will probably be unique to the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max.
We’ve heard on this be aware that the A18 Pro chipset powering the iPhone 16 Pro Max may need considerably extra cores for its Neural Engine – which handles AI duties – than the A17 Pro within the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The A18 Pro chipset may also have a bigger die space, which ought to make it higher for on-device AI.
However, the A18 Pro won’t have rather more uncooked energy, with one leak stating that the A18 Pro is simply round 10% extra highly effective than the A17 Pro. Another leak in the meantime suggests the A18 Pro could be much less highly effective than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 anticipated in rival Android telephones.
The A18 Pro may also not help as quick RAM because the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, which might restrict the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s skill to carry out on-device AI duties.
We’ve additionally heard that the microphones within the iPhone 16 Pro Max (and the remainder of the iPhone 16 line) could be improved, in order that the AI-backed Siri improve we’re anticipating later this 12 months will have the ability to hear you higher.
However, whereas these tipped upgrades for the iPhone 16 vary could also be compelling up to now, a rumor of the iPhone 17’s potential specs imply it may very well be the cellphone vary value ready for.
