It’s almost time for Apple’s annual iPhone launch event. This year, Apple will launch its new flagship phone at the event on September 9 at 10:30 pm at its headquarters in Cupertino, California. Along with the new iPhone, Apple is also expected to launch the Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Ultra 3 and the updated Apple Watch SE model.

Although all the new-gen Apple products will be in the spotlight, the focus of the event will definitely be the anticipated iPhone 16 series. As with any new iPhone release, the question on many people’s minds right now is: what is Apple bringing with the iPhone 16, and will it be a significant upgrade from the iPhone 15 to the iPhone 16? Although Apple has kept all the details under wraps, rumours and leaks are all over the internet, giving us hints of what to expect. So, let’s take a detailed look at the expected changes and whether these upgrades are enough to make the switch worthwhile.

Design and performance changes

One of the most noticeable changes expected with the iPhone 16 series is the design. Several reports suggest that this year, Apple will introduce a new vertical camera setup on the back of the standard iPhone 16 and 16 Plus models, a change from the diagonal arrangement seen on the iPhone 15. This new design change will align with Apple’s plan to allow the standard iPhone 16 models to support spatial video recording, which is currently exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro models. Additionally, the standard iPhone 16 models are also expected to get a new action button, which was introduced only for the Pro variants last year.

As for the Pro models, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are expected to retain a similar design to the iPhone 15 Pro line but will have larger displays. The iPhone 16 Pro is expected to have a 6.3-inch screen, while the Pro Max will have a 6.9-inch display, both with thin bezels that offer a sleek look.

The power of the new A18 chip

As with every new iPhone, this year too, we are expecting a big difference between the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16. The iPhone 16 series is expected to feature Apple’s new A18 chip, which is a significant jump from the A16 chip found in the iPhone 15. Apple is said to have built the A18 using TSMC’s cutting-edge 3nm process, which promises improvements in both performance and energy efficiency. This chipset will enhance on-device AI processing, enabling features like Apple Intelligence, an advanced AI suite that includes updated Siri and other smart tools.

The iPhone 16 models are likely to see RAM increased from 6GB to 8GB to boost overall performance. This additional memory will also support new AI-powered features, making the iPhone 16 series feel faster and more responsive in daily use.

Camera Upgrades

Another highlight of the new-generation iPhones is the camera upgrade. The iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to feature a new 48-megapixel ultrawide camera, up from the 12-megapixel sensor found in the iPhone 15 Pro, which promises better low-light performance and sharper images. In addition, the Pro models are expected to include a dedicated capture button on the side, which works like a DSLR shutter button and comes with multiple pressure levels to focus and capture photos or videos.

Both Pro models are also expected to include a Tetra Prism 5x optical zoom lens, increasing zoom capabilities across the line rather than just the Pro Max variants. For the standard iPhone 16 models, while the camera hardware is expected to be similar to the iPhone 15, the A18 chip’s improved image signal processing should result in noticeably better photo and video quality.

Battery and charging improvements

The battery will be another upgrade for the iPhone 16 compared to its predecessor. The Pro model is said to adopt stacked battery technology, offering higher capacity and longer lifespan without increasing the size of the device. Charging speeds are also expected to improve, with rumours suggesting 40W wired charging and 20W MagSafe charging capabilities, a significant step up from the current 27W charging on the iPhone 15 series.

Connectivity and other features

The iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to have better connectivity options, including Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75 modem for faster and more efficient 5G connectivity. The Pro models are also expected to have Wi-Fi 7 integration, while the standard iPhone 16 models will upgrade to Wi-Fi 6E.

Will the iPhone 16 be worth upgrading?

It should be noted that the specifications we have just talked about are rumoured and Apple may bring some more changes to the table. Whether or not the iPhone 16 is worth upgrading to will largely depend on your existing device and usage needs. For those coming from the iPhone 15, the changes, while worthwhile, may not be enough to justify the price of the new device unless Apple brings some significant surprises. However, if you are using an older generation iPhone, especially one that is more than two or three years old, the iPhone 16 series will definitely offer significant improvements in performance, battery life, camera capabilities, and AI features, just like Apple has consistently provided notable upgrades to previous models.