The rumors about the iPhone 16 Pro Max are surfacing well in advance.
iphone 16 pro max 2024 The iPhone 15 Pro Max stands as the pinnacle choice for those willing to spend, acclaimed not just among iPhones but across all brands. Naturally, anticipation is high for its successor, the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
While the official unveiling may not occur until September, Apple introduced iOS 18 at WWDC 2024 (you can check our WWDC 2024 live blog for a detailed account), featuring advanced features and an enhanced Siri equipped with ChatGPT skills. This suggests that the iPhone 16 Pro Max will likely incorporate robust AI capabilities and access to Apple Intelligence.
iphone 16 pro max release date expected
Beyond mere performance upgrades, Apple is rumored to introduce significant enhancements with the iPhone 16 Pro Max, including a larger screen, an additional button, and improved optical zoom capabilities.
Below, you’ll discover all the leaks circulating about this phone, and we’ll continue updating this article with any new information. For a more detailed exploration of our desires for the iPhone 16 Pro Max, check out the latter half of this piece, where we delve into our wish list for the device.
iPhone 16 Pro Max latest rumors and news
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is expected to feature faster charging capabilities compared to its predecessor, the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
iPhone 16 Pro Max: Expected release date and price
- Likely to launch in the first half of September 2024
- Shipping date will probably be a week or so later
- May cost even more than the iPhone 15 Pro Max
Apple typically launches its iPhones on a Tuesday or Wednesday in the first or second week of September, followed by availability for sale the following Friday.
For instance, the iPhone 15 Pro Max was unveiled on September 12 during Apple’s September event, with pre-orders starting on September 15 and the device going on sale on September 22. Prices started at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,199 for the base 256GB version, with a 512GB option in the mid-range and a top-tier 1TB model priced at $1,599 / £1,599 / AU$2,899.
It’s expected that the release date for the iPhone 16 Pro Max, along with the rest of the iPhone 16 lineup, will closely follow this pattern. However, reports suggest the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s price could be higher, particularly due to anticipated camera upgrades.
iPhone 16 Pro Max or Ultra?
Leading up to the release of the iPhone 15 series, there was considerable speculation about whether Apple would introduce an ‘Ultra’ variant to its lineup in 2023, a naming convention already utilized by competitors like Samsung, Motorola, and Xiaomi.
However, Apple’s recent ‘Wonderlust’ event came and went without any mention of an iPhone 15 Ultra. Consequently, it appears that discussions about an ‘Ultra’ iPhone model are now directed towards Apple’s upcoming iPhone 16 series, slated for late 2024.
Currently, there’s uncertainty regarding whether the Ultra model will replace the Pro Max or coexist alongside it. Opting for the latter would expand Apple’s iPhone range, potentially allowing the company to command higher prices for its top-tier flagship model.
iPhone 16 Pro Max: Expected design and display
- Rumored larger 6.9-inch 120Hz ‘ProMotion’ screen
- Possible under-display Face ID system
- Probably a titanium frame, like the 15 Pro Max
- A new, capacitive ‘Capture’ button rumored for every model
Rumors surrounding the iPhone 16 Pro Max are already swirling, offering glimpses into its potential design and features.
According to a report from South Korean publication The Elec, Apple may integrate the Face ID system directly under the display pixels, relocating it from the Dynamic Island found on the iPhone 14 Pro series. This move could result in a cleaner front panel, with only the front camera visible on the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
There’s also speculation about the screen size. Display Supply Chain Consultants’ key analyst predicts that Apple might enlarge the display to 6.9 inches for the iPhone 16 Pro Max, surpassing the current 6.7-inch screen of the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Additionally, there’s talk of a shift from the 19.5:9 aspect ratio to 19.6:9, potentially making the iPhone 16 Pro Max slightly taller and narrower.
Several sources corroborate these claims of a larger screen size, with suggestions ranging from 6.86 inches to 6.9 inches. Reports also indicate that Apple aims to reduce bezel size significantly, possibly achieving the thinnest bezels ever seen on a smartphone, around 1.15mm.
Moreover, there are whispers of Apple adopting a new ‘Multi-Lens Array’ (MLA) AMOLED panel for the Pro models of the iPhone 16 series, promising even brighter displays. However, this technology could come with trade-offs such as reduced viewing angles and higher costs, potentially impacting the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s final price.
Regarding hardware, it’s likely that the iPhone 16 Pro Max will retain the Action button introduced in the iPhone 15 Pro series, potentially upgrading to solid-state buttons across all models. There’s speculation that a new solid-state ‘Capture’ button might replace or complement the Action button, designed possibly for dedicated video recording functionality.
Rumors also suggest the continuation of the USB-C port and a lightweight titanium frame. However, enthusiasts hope for more vibrant color options in the iPhone 16 Pro Max lineup, as this year’s offerings are perceived as conservative.
Overall, while these details are based on leaks and speculation, they paint an exciting picture of what the iPhone 16 Pro Max could bring to Apple’s flagship lineup in late 2024.
Recent leaks and mockups from MacRumors provide insights into the potential design of the iPhone 16 Pro Max, alongside its sibling, the iPhone 16 Pro, reportedly based on Apple’s internal designs.
These mockups suggest that the iPhone 16 Pro Max will feature a 6.9-inch screen and could include a rumored Capture button. However, contrary to some earlier speculation, there’s no indication of an under-display Face ID system in these mockups.
Regarding colors, leaks suggest that Apple is testing the iPhone 16 Pro Max in familiar shades similar to those of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, with an additional mystery color in consideration.
Further bolstering these design claims are leaked dummy units of the entire iPhone 16 lineup, which align with the mockups. These units reaffirm the design consistency between the iPhone 16 Pro Max and its predecessor, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, despite rumors of a larger screen.
However, conflicting reports suggest a triangular camera arrangement for the iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro, which contrasts with the mockup’s design. At present, the design depicted in the mockups seems more plausible.
In terms of colors, leaks point to the iPhone 16 Pro Max being available in Space Black, White, Gray, and Rose, with Rose possibly resembling a Rose Gold hue and replacing the Titanium Blue from the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
These color options have been echoed by multiple sources, suggesting a high likelihood of their accuracy for the iPhone 16 Pro Max lineup.
iPhone 16 Pro Max: Expected cameras
- Talk of a ‘super telephoto’ periscope camera
- One report mentions a 48MP ultra-wide too
- Rumors of a stacked sensor that could improve low-light performance
Over the last two generations, iPhone camera hardware has seen significant advancements. The iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max introduced a new 48MP main sensor, a notable upgrade from the previous 12MP sensor, which enabled lossless 2x zoom through sensor cropping, among other photographic enhancements.
Building on this progress, the iPhone 15 Pro Max features an enhanced 48MP main sensor and Apple’s first periscope telephoto lens, offering up to 5x zoom. Looking ahead to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, there are indications of further advancements in camera technology.
According to sources like Digital Chat Station, the iPhone 16 Pro Max may challenge Samsung in a crucial area by introducing a “super telephoto” camera. This suggests a camera with a focal range that meets or exceeds 300mm, surpassing the zoom capabilities of competitors like the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Apple could achieve this by employing an extended prism design similar to Samsung’s Ultra phones, or a folded prism approach like the tetraprism used in the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 5x telephoto lens, which allows for a more compact camera module. Alternatively, Apple might combine its existing prism technology with sensor-cropping techniques to achieve the desired zoom range.
There are also rumors suggesting Apple might use thinner molded glass to enable this extended zoom capability, potentially resulting in a smaller lens module regardless of the approach taken.
If the primary sensor of the iPhone 16 Pro Max maintains the current 24mm focal length of its predecessor, a 6x telephoto camera with a 150mm focal range, paired with a larger sensor, could utilize a 2x zoom sensor crop to achieve the 300mm focal length.
The exact deployment of this “super telephoto” camera—whether in the iPhone 16 Pro Max or a speculated iPhone 16 Ultra—is still unclear. However, enthusiasts are hopeful that 2024 might see the debut of this advanced camera technology in Apple’s flagship lineup. Nonetheless, recent leaks haven’t substantiated these claims, so anticipation should be tempered until further confirmation.
Aside from the anticipated long-range camera, Apple’s adoption of Sony camera technology may expand to include the stacked Exmor T for Mobile sensor technology seen in Sony’s Xperia 1 V and Xperia 5 V. This sensor design reconfigures internal layouts to enhance light capture without sacrificing resolution. Ming-Chi Kuo, a well-regarded Apple analyst, has suggested that the iPhone 16 Pro models will benefit from this sensor upgrade.
Additionally, tech analyst Jeff Pu has indicated that the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max will offer several significant improvements over the iPhone 15 Pro, including a 48MP ultra-wide camera. This assertion was reiterated by Pu in October and aligns with information from another source indicating that the iPhone 16 Pro Max will feature both a new 48MP ultra-wide camera and an updated 48MP main sensor, while retaining the same telephoto camera as the previous year.
Speculation around a “super telephoto” lens has diminished recently, suggesting it’s unlikely to debut in this year’s models.
iPhone 16 Pro Max: Expected specs and features
On the day the iPhone 15 Pro Max launched, Apple also released the Xcode 15 Release Candidate, revealing it packs 8GB of RAM, an upgrade from the 6GB in previous models. This sets an expectation that the iPhone 16 Pro Max will continue this trend, likely sporting the anticipated Apple A18 Pro chipset, succeeding the current A17 Pro found in the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Recent leaks have specifically mentioned the A18 Pro paired with 8GB of RAM for both the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models. These leaks also indicate upgrades such as support for Wi-Fi 7 and a new 5G modem, promising faster data speeds and potentially improved power efficiency.
Concerns have been raised about the 8GB RAM potentially limiting the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s AI capabilities. However, Apple’s AI features are anticipated to require at least an iPhone 15 Pro or better, reassuring that the A18 Pro in the iPhone 16 series should suffice.
Regarding storage, there’s speculation that the iPhone 16 Pro Max might offer up to 2TB, facilitated by a new type of storage technology that’s more space-efficient and cost-effective, albeit with slower write speeds compared to current options.
While USB-C connectivity introduced this year is likely to remain unchanged in terms of charging and data speeds, internal materials could see improvements. Leaks suggest a graphene heat sink and a metal battery shell might be employed in the iPhone 16 Pro Max to enhance thermal management.
Battery capacity rumors suggest an increase to 4,676mAh in the iPhone 16 Pro Max, up from 4,441mAh in its predecessor, potentially making it the longest-lasting iPhone yet. Apple might achieve this with a higher energy density battery, allowing for either increased capacity or a smaller physical size without sacrificing performance.
Charging capabilities could also see improvements, with expectations of 40W wired charging and 20W wireless charging support, up from approximately 27W and 15W, respectively, in the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
AI features are anticipated to be integrated into the iPhone 16 line, possibly leveraging Google Gemini, with some features expected to be exclusive to the Pro and Pro Max models. The A18 Pro chipset is rumored to enhance AI capabilities with more Neural Engine cores and a larger die area, optimizing on-device AI performance.
However, leaks suggest the A18 Pro may only offer around 10% more power than its predecessor and might lag behind rival Android phones equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset in terms of raw power and RAM speed support.
Lastly, improvements to microphones in the iPhone 16 Pro Max are rumored, potentially enhancing Siri’s AI capabilities for better voice recognition and interaction.
iPhone 16 Pro Max Unofficial preliminary specifications
| Network | Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 – SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM) | |
| CDMA 800 / 1900 | ||
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | ||
| 4G bands | LTE | |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA/Sub6 – International | |
| SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave – USA | ||
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Body | Dimensions | 163 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm (6.42 x 3.06 x 0.33 in) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 225 g (7.94 oz) | |
| Build | Glass front (Corning-made glass), glass back (Corning-made glass), titanium frame (grade 5) | |
| SIM | Nano-SIM and eSIM – International Dual eSIM with multiple numbers – USA Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) – China | |
| IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified) |
| Display | Type | LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.9 inches, 116.3 cm2 (~92.0% screen-to-body ratio) | |
| Resolution | 1328 x 2878 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) | |
| Protection | Ceramic Shield glass | |
| Always-On display |
| Main Camera | Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28″, 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.8, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.06″, 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, 3D sensor‑shift OIS, 5x optical zoom 48 MP, (ultrawide), dual pixel PDAF TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth) |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) | |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, Cinematic mode (4K@24/30fps), 3D (spatial) video, stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera | Single | 12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6″, PDAF, OIS SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) |
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR, Cinematic mode (4K@24/30fps) | |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No |
| Comms | WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, dual-band, hotspot |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC | |
| NFC | Yes | |
| Radio | No | |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort |
| Features | Sensors | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
|---|---|---|
| Ultra Wideband 2 (UWB) support Emergency SOS via satellite (SMS sending/receiving) |
| Battery | Type | Li-Ion 4676 mAh, non-removable |
|---|---|---|
| Charging | Wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min (advertised) 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) 4.5W reverse wired |
| Misc | Colors | Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium |
|---|