iPhone 16 Rumors vs Reality: What’s True, What’s False and What Totally Took Us By Surprise

The rumor mill is working overtime with the iPhone 16. But which whispers are legit, and which ones are just wild fantasies? Let’s sort through the buzz and uncover what’s true, what’s false, and what totally threw up for a loop!

What’s True

Among insights from tipsters, these are the facts that have proven true, from the high-performance A18 chip and the compelling side buttons to the colors that make upgrading to a new phone even more fun.

New A18 Chip for AI 

The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus came with the A16 Bionic chip, but the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus have stepped it up with the new A18 chip. This upgrade brings a big boost in performance, efficiency and battery life, all thanks to second-generation 3-nanometer technology. The 6-core CPU is 30% faster and uses 30% less power than the A16, so you can get more done without draining your battery. Plus, the 5-core GPU is up to 40% faster and 35% more efficient, delivering amazing graphics that are right up a gamer’s alley.

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Action and Capture Buttons 

The action button has come to the entire iPhone 16 range, including its baseline series. But hold onto your hats — the real star of the show is the brand-new “capture” button! This little gem gives you awesome control over your camera settings, like exposure, depth of field, zoom, and photo styles — talk about a game changer! Think of it as your camera’s personal action button that responds to touch and pressure, and guess what? It even works with third-party apps like Snapchat! 

Vertically Arranged Cameras 

This series bids goodbye to the diagonal camera arrangement and welcomes a vertical layout designed for spatial capture. Now, all iPhone models support spatial photos and videos, a feature that was previously exclusive to the Pro series. 

Desert Titanium, and Other Colors 

New colors have always been a given with each iPhone release, but one has been generating more buzz than the rest lately: Desert Titanium. This halfway point between bronze and rose gold for the iPhone 16 Pro is a real conversation starter and has a subtle, refined feel. As for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, black, white and pink were pretty much spot on, while teal and ultramarine really came down to nailing the exact shade and naming.

Telephoto Lenses 

The iPhone’s telephoto lens enables stunning portrait photography and effortless zoom-ins and -outs. The new series boasts a powerful 48MP Fusion camera with a 2x Telephoto option — offering users “two cameras in one” — plus an Ultra Wide camera for macro shots. It is available across all four iPhone 16 models.

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What’s False

Here’s what’s definitely off the table as hearsay, whether it’s a missed opportunity or just saved for a better time. 

iPhone 16 Mini 

Sorry to say, but there’s no iPhone 16 mini for those who prefer a more pocket-sized device. Most believe it’s unlikely to return, especially after the mixed reception of the iPhone 13 mini and the strong desire for the Plus model.

A Clamshell Design 

It seems like the next logical step, given many smartphone brands releasing various flips and folds. Nobody knows for sure if it’s really in the works, but even if Apple’s foldable future plans are underway, it is not imminent. Some sources say that Apple’s “clamshell” design is still in development, with the launch date remaining speculative.

2TB Storage 

Debunked once, twice, and yet again, the 2TB storage rumor has left those craving extra capacity disappointed, as the iPhone 16 Pro series still maxes out at 1TB.

Titanium For All 

The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max come with a lighter, more durable titanium frame, setting them apart from the standard models. However, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus retain their familiar aluminum design with few significant changes.

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Wi-Fi 7 For Pro Models Only 

Wi-Fi 7 was initially said to be limited to the iPhone 16 Pro models, but it turns out the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus support it as well — which came as a pleasant surprise. This allows all devices in the new lineup to send and receive data with faster speeds and lower latency, carving out potential for quality video streaming and cloud gaming.

What Took Us by Surprise

We’ve compiled five things here that we didn’t expect, including the latest Apple Intelligence, easier battery replacement, and ultra-thin bezels that enhance the viewing experience while maintaining strong protection from the phone’s build.

A Suite of AI-Powered Features 

Apple Intelligence is Apple’s newly rolled out personal intelligence system that’s deeply embedded into your iPhone, Mac and iPad to improve writing, creativity and overall efficiency. It combines generative AI with personal context while prioritizing privacy, enabling capabilities that extend into generating text and images as well as interactions with Siri and ChatGPT for a more holistic experience.

Simpler Battery Replacement

Apple has taken a practical approach to battery replacements, something many have been wishing for. Older models had those tricky adhesive strips that required tweezers to manage; but now, with the new iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, there’s a smart adhesive technology that uses electric charge to attach and detach the batteries. All it needs is a low-voltage current to run through it to release the battery from the phone’s chassis.

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Ultra-Thin Bezels 

Hard to believe the bezels could get any thinner, but Apple has made it happen. The stunning screen-to-body ratio on the iPhone 16 Pro models builds on the already slim borders of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, achieving an even more immersive display.

Larger Displays 

With the thinner bezels also come bigger displays, but Apple has upped the ante with larger screen sizes for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Max, measuring 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches respectively. The iPhone 16 Pro Max now holds the record as the largest iPhone ever, a notable upgrade from the 6.7 inches of the iPhone 15 Pro Max. 

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Extra Protection 

To top it off, the iPhone 16 has some captivating protective features that show just how serious they are about durability. We’re talking tough back glass, a water- and dust-proof design, and that amazing Ceramic Shield, which is 50% stronger than the last model and twice as tough as most smartphone glass out there. The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max have a lighter, more durable titanium frame, while the standard models stick to aluminum with a sleek color-infused glass back. And guess what? The internal designs have been given a makeover for better heat dissipation too. 

Final Thoughts

The tech grapevine is buzzing, and it’s hard not to get excited! But let’s be real — Apple has a knack for keeping us on our toes when it comes to new hardware and software. Nonetheless — from the powerful A18 chip and groundbreaking camera features to the sophisticated design and practical battery replacements — the smartphone experience offered by the iPhone 16 is one worth considering. 

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