iPhone 16: Everything we know about Apple’s flagship smartphone – including launch date, price, and a MAJOR design change

The moment that Apple fans have been waiting for is finally almost here, with the iPhone 16 set to be revealed to the world next month.

The tech giant is hosting an event on September 9 titled ‘It’s Glowtime’, where it’s expected to unveil its latest flagship devices.

Beyond the tagline and an animation of its logo, Apple has remained tight-lipped about what to expect from the event.

However, rumours about the iPhone 16 are already rife – with leaks flying left, right, and centre on everything from the price to key features.

Here’s everything we know so far about Apple’s latest flagship.

When will the iPhone 16 be unveiled?

Apple has confirmed that it is hosting a launch event on Monday 9 September at its headquarters in Cupertino, California. 

The invite confirms that the event will take place at 10:00 PT (18:00 BST).

This date – a Monday – comes as somewhat of a surprise, with Apple having hosted the majority of its previous iPhone launch events on Tuesdays.

‘It’s Glowtime. Please join us in person for a special Apple Event at Steve Jobs Theater at Apple Park. September 9, 2024 10:00a.m. PT,’ the full invite reads.

Apple’s invite includes the classic Apple logo with a redesigned twist.

An animation sees the logo swirl between hues of blue, purple, orange, and pink, seemingly in reference to the ‘It’s Glowtime’ tagline.

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are expected to come in blue, green, white, black and pink 

The Pro models will likely come in slightly more muted tones – white, black, grey, and bronze 

While the reason for this feature remains unclear, it could be a tease for the full release of Apple’s highly anticipated AI system, Apple Intelligence.

MailOnline will be covering the launch event live on 9 September, or you can watch it at apple.com or on the Apple TV app.

When will the iPhone 16 go on sale?

If the iPhone 16 is unveiled at the September 9 event, pre-orders will likely go live on Friday September 13, with the first devices sent out the following week, on Friday September 20.

What devices do we expect in the iPhone 16 lineup?

Rumours suggest that we can expect four new iPhone models called the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are expected to be sticking with the current 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch sizes.

However, rumours suggest we’ll see larger iPhone 16 Pro models this year, with the iPhone 16 Pro expected to measure 6.3-inches and the iPhone 16 Pro Max 6.9-inches.

Rumours suggest the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will have the same camera setup as their predecessors, with a 48MP main lens alongside a 12MP ultra-wide lens on the rear, and a 12MP front-facing camera

What colours will the iPhone 16 come in?

When it comes to colours, leaked images suggest that fans will have a range of stunning hues to choose from.

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are expected to come in blue, green, white, black and pink. 

Meanwhile, the Pro models will likely come in slightly more muted tones – white, black, grey, and bronze.

How much will the iPhone 16 cost?

Leakers disagree over the iPhone 16 pricing.

Some claim that it could be the same price as its predecessor, the iPhone 15, which starts at £799/$799.

However, with the cost of phone components increasing, others argue that the iPhone 16 will be at least £100/$100 more than the iPhone 15 – putting starting prices at £899/$899.

If this is the case, the iPhone 16 Plus could be £999/$999, while the iPhone 16 Pro could be £1,099/$1,099, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max £1,299/$1,299.

What camera will the iPhone 16 have?

Rumours suggest the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will have the same camera setup as their predecessors, with a 48MP main lens alongside a 12MP ultra-wide lens on the rear, and a 12MP front-facing camera.

However, upgrades are expected to come in the form of improved AI-powered editing tools, like those seen in recent rival devices, including the Google Pixel 9. 

Meanwhile, the Pro models are expected to have larger sensors, allowing for brighter, more colourful photos.

‘Apple Intelligence’ refers to a slew of new AI-powered features coming on Apple’s upcoming software update, iOS 18, from AI-generated emoji to a new version of Siri that uses ChatGPT, OpenAI’s notorious chatbot 

Are there any new features we expect?

Last year, Apple introduced a brand-new button on the two iPhone 15 Pro models, called the Action Button.

This replaced the long-standing mute switch, and allowed users to access almost any shortcut with the touch of a button.

Rumours suggest the Action Button could be included on all four iPhone 16 models this year.

What’s more, a second new button is also tipped to be included, dubbed the ‘Capture’ button, which could allow users to quickly trigger the camera app’s shutter.

However, the biggest changes to this year’s iPhones are expected to come in the form of software. 

Back in June, Apple announced a new AI architecture dubbed Apple Intelligence, which will feature in the iPhone 16. 

The biggest part of Apple Intelligence is the integration of OpenAI’s hugely popular chatbot ChatGPT with Siri, Apple’s in-built virtual assistant.

Back in June, Apple announced a new AI architecture dubbed Apple Intelligence , which will feature in the iPhone 16

Users will be able to press and hold the side button to activate Siri as normal, but with ChatGPT behind it, Siri will be able to ‘answer thousands of questions about how to do something’ that it couldn’t before.

For example, you could say, ‘Play that podcast that Jamie recommended’ and Siri will locate and play the episode, without the user having to remember whether it was mentioned in a text or an email.

Or you could ask, ‘When is mum’s flight landing?’ and Siri will find the flight details and cross-reference them with real-time flight tracking to give an arrival time.

Meanwhile, one of the more fun parts of Apple Intelligence is AI-generated emoji, which Apple has called ‘Genmoji’ (a mix of ‘generated’ and ’emoji’).

In the Messages app, you can type a short description of the emoji you want – such as ‘smiley relaxing wearing cucumbers’ or ‘squirrel DJ’.

Apple is preparing to release the ‘Apple Watch X’ which could feature a radical redesign, according to a leaker 

Will Apple announce any other devices?

Apple is preparing to release the ‘Apple Watch X’ which could feature a radical redesign, according to a leaker. 

Akin to the iPhone X in 2017 that celebrated a decade of the iPhone, Apple Watch X could mark 10 years since the world glimpsed the first Apple Watch. 

The claim comes from respected Apple tipster Mark Gurman based in California, who says Apple is ‘preparing a big update’ in his weekly newsletter. 

‘Apple Watch is nearing its 10th birthday and the company has a chance to mark the occasion,’ he says. 

‘With the X model, Apple designers are working on a thinner watch case and have explored changing the way bands are attached to the device.’ 

Gurman says the watch could have a larger display and ‘other enhancements under the hood’ in terms of hardware.

For example, new AI-capable chips ‘could lay the groundwork for some AI enhancements down the road’.