MacRumors It recently received new information about Apple's 2024 iPhone lineup, including a look at prototypes of the Pro devices. We've created a series of mockups based on Apple's interiors, and while the prototypes aren't quite finished, our images represent the clearest look yet of what we can expect from the next generation of iPhones at this time.
Building on the curved edges and titanium frame that Apple introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro, the next-generation iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are set to feature larger screen sizes and a new capacitive capture button.
As reported by multiple sources, the iPhone 16 Pro (codenamed Diablo) and iPhone 16 Pro Max (codenamed Lightning) will have larger displays, measuring 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches, up from 6.1 inches and 6.7 inches. One possible explanation for this change relates to the 5x quad-prism Telephoto camera, which is expected to be available on both Pro iPhone models this year. With the iPhone 15 lineup, the larger iPhone 15 Pro Max only has a 5x Telephoto lens, while the smaller iPhone 15 Pro does not. The increased size of this year's devices will give Apple room to add a quad-prism Telephoto camera to both the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max.
While the overall form factor and overall design of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max have remained consistent throughout Apple's development phase, the company has experimented with different design details for the devices. Four total button configurations were tested, and Apple appears to have settled on a button design similar to the one found on the iPhone 15 Pro, although there is an additional button on the right side of the iPhone.
As with the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, both Pro models in the iPhone 16 lineup will be equipped with a multi-purpose action button. The button can be configured to perform a range of functions, depending on the user's preferences. While Apple has experimented with larger sizes and different designs for the action button, current design documents indicate that the action button will be the same size as the one on the current iPhone 15 Pro.
An earlier design of the action button, developed under the codename Atlas, was designed as a larger capacitive button with a force sensor. Given that the latest designs of the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max do not have the larger action button, the future of Project Atlas is still unclear, and it is possible that Apple has scrapped Project Atlas in favor of a standard mechanical action button.
Weibo leaker “Instant Digital” claimed in October that the iPhone 16 Pro would feature an action button located directly flush with the device's bezel. Although the internal documents he reviewed MacRumors Confirming this claim, it was a feature of the earlier “Proto1” development phase. With the current “Proto2” design we've seen, the action button is no longer flush with the frame, and is no longer as large.
On the right side, the iPhone 16 Pro models feature a brand new Capture button, which we showed off in our December renders of the standard iPhone 16 models. The capture button, developed under the codename Nova, is expected to be a capacitive-type button with a force sensor function, and BloombergMark Gurman recently confirmed that it will be used for video capture. It's located below the power button, which means that on US models, Apple is moving the mmWave antenna from the right side of the device to the left side. The Capture button will be flush with the frame of the iPhone and will not protrude like the power and volume buttons.
In terms of materials, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will continue to use the same grade 5 titanium (Ti-6Al-4V) used in the iPhone 15 Pro, with no major changes to the overall finish. In terms of colours, Apple's prototypes use “silver”, which Apple markets as “titanium white”. The documents indicate that Apple has so far used the colors found in the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max for testing purposes, with plans to add another color option. Unfortunately, there are no details about the new color option at the moment.
While the mockups we've created accurately depict the current design of the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, changes are always possible as the devices are still early in development and Apple may make further design tweaks.
For more details on what to expect from the 2024 iPhone lineup, check out our dedicated iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro rumor mill pages.
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