The launch of the iPhone 16 series is still at least a year away, but hardware details of the upcoming series are already appearing on the internet. A tipster has suggested that the iPhone 16 will have an extra ‘record button’. Apple could also move the mmWave antenna to the left side in the iPhone 16 lineup. Additionally, a new supply chain report indicates that lens manufacturer Largan will exclusively produce telephoto lenses for the iPhone 16 Pro. The camera lens will reportedly feature molded glass that is said to be thinner and lighter compared to traditional glass.
The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, which were unveiled in September, feature an action button that has replaced the mute switch. However, tipster Instant Digital (translated from Chinese) (via MacRumors) on Weibo claims that next year’s iPhone 16 series will come with an extra button, known internally as the “capture button”.
The functionality of the new button is unknown at this time, but it is said to be below the power button. It will probably be a capacitive button instead of a standard button. Apple could also move the mmWave antenna to the left side of the device instead of the right to accommodate the change. The volume keys and power keys are said to remain the same with no changes.
Additionally, a report from Chinese publication Economic Daily states that Apple will use molded glass lenses for the telephoto cameras of the iPhone 16 Pro models. Largan will reportedly produce telephoto lenses exclusively for the 2024 iPhone Pro models. The molded glass is said to be thinner and lighter compared to traditional glass. Because of their inherent complexity, Apple is preparing for next year’s iPhone Pro models by overloading its supply chain with orders.
Previous reports claimed that iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will come with A18 Pro Bionic chip based on 3nm process. The normal iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus could get a toned-down version of the A17 Pro chip. Apple will reportedly use stacked battery technology from electric vehicles for the entire iPhone 16 series.