iPhone 16 series photos leaked: Border Reduction technology for super-thin bezels

iPhone 16 series photos, design leaked: Border Reduction Structure technology for super-thin bezels

It is probably going to be five months before Apple releases the iPhone 16 series. However, it appears that leakers are already in agreement over the smartphones that Apple intends to sell under the iPhone 16 name.

As of now, it is to be believed that Apple will release the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and Pro Max as direct successors to the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

iPhone Border Reduction Structure technology

The buzz surrounding Apple's upcoming iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max is gaining momentum, with reports indicating a significant enhancement in display size. According to a recent supply chain disclosure by The Elec (via 9To5Mac), Apple is set to introduce a groundbreaking technology dubbed "Border Reduction Structure" (BRS) to achieve this feat.

This innovative BRS technology aims to minimize the bezels on the iPhone 16 Pro models, ushering in a new era of sleek design, by employing a sophisticated under-display system, Apple plans to make the bezels notably thinner, which is anticipated to redefine the visual experience for users.

iPhone 16 series photos, design leaked

The potential design of the next iPhone 16 series was revealed by tipster Sonny Dickson through leaked photos of dummy units. These images highlight the updated rear camera configurations. Of particular note is the vertical alignment—which differs from the diagonal arrangement of the iPhone 13 series—that is present in the normal iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus versions.

The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are anticipated to have somewhat larger dimensions, while the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus appear to have a pill-shaped camera configuration, according to the source. The visual appeal will probably be enhanced by this change in design.

The four gadgets also feature Apple's first "taptic" solid-state button, the new Capture Button, which is said to be pressure sensitive. It is said that because the Capture Button supports gesture controls, it will also be able to do other camera functions, such as zooming.

Among the most notable modifications is the inclusion of the Action Button on all phones in the series. Last year, only the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max received them; the button replaced the traditional mute button. The new Action Button can be used as a single entry point to complete specified tasks. This button will assist both end users and app developers by allowing them to modify their goods properly.

Apple will eventually go back to using a vertical dual camera setup, but only on non-Pro versions, as it did with the iPhone X. Additionally, it is reported that non-Pro versions are marginally smaller than Pro models. The diagonal width of this year's Pro and Pro Max iPhones is 0.2 inches, measuring 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches, respectively.

iPhone 16 series: Leaked design, chipset, display

The reports so far also suggest the addition of a dedicated Capture button. This addition, as per Bloomberg, promises to offer a quicker video recording experience. The button will have support for haptic feedback technology for a tactile response. Moreover, the incorporation of an Action button across standard models has also been rumored for some time now, something that we get to see only on the Pro models. You can expect to see a punch-hole display on all the iPhone 16 models, akin to the iPhone 15 series. Along with this, the 2024 iPhones will also likely have the USB Type-C port seen on the last year's versions.

Rumors surrounding the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models hint at larger displays, with the Pro tipped to offer a 6.3-inch screen and the Pro Max featuring a bigger 6.9-inch canvas. However, this also raises concerns regarding the feasibility of one-handed usage with these increased dimensions. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are likely to maintain their predecessors' screen sizes, while the potential addition of a 120Hz refresh rate for the standard iPhone 16 remains speculative.

The iPhone 16 Pro series is rumored to debut with the advanced A18 Pro chipsets, while uncertainties loom over the standard models' chipset configurations. Speculations suggest a modified A17 chip for the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, though details remain scarce. Notably, Apple could also integrate graphene in Pro models for better thermal management during intense tasks.

Camera upgrades for the iPhone 16 series are shrouded in mystery, with limited information available. Reports suggest that we could see an improved 48-megapixel Ultra Wide lens for the Pro models for better low-light imaging. Both models might also have a 5x Telephoto lens.

Furthermore, Apple is again said to increase the battery sizes of the devices. The iPhone 16 could have a bigger 3,561mAh battery, whereas the iPhone 16 Plus may get a 4,006mAh unit. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is tipped to sport a 4,676mAh battery. I am hopeful that Apple might finally decide to offer faster charging support as 20W support is way too little compared to what everyone is getting with other phones.

iPhone 16 series: Leaked prices

Tipster Majin Bu recently suggested on X that there will also be an iPhone 16 SE model and it may start at $699 (approximately Rs 58,000) for the 128GB model, while the iPhone 16 SE Plus could be priced at $799 (around Rs 66,000) for the 256GB variant. The vanilla iPhone 16 with 256GB storage is speculated to retail for $699, while the 256GB versions of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are rumored to cost $999 (approximately Rs 83,000) and $1099 (roughly Rs 91,000), respectively.

Release Date of iPhone 16 Series

It's worth noting that there are a few months to go until Apple announces the iPhone 16 series of smartphones. The company is expected to unveil new features coming to iOS 18 and macOS 15 at WWDC 2024 on June 10, and we might learn more details about the company's upcoming smartphones in the months leading up to their debut, which is likely to take place in the third half of 2024.