Apple iPhone 16 set to debut on September 9

Apple is gearing up to unveil its highly anticipated iPhone 16 series on September 9, continuing its tradition of launching new iPhones in September. According to reports from GSM Arena, the official release date for the new devices is expected to be September 20, just ten days after the announcement.

The announcement event is set to take place at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, a venue known for hosting Apple's major product launches. Invitations for this high-profile event are expected to be sent out next week, building anticipation for the new iPhone series.

Reports suggest that Apple’s production process for the iPhone 16 series is on track, ensuring that all four models will be available simultaneously on the anticipated release date. This aligns with Apple’s typical strategy of launching multiple iPhone models together, offering a comprehensive lineup for consumers.

As Apple prepares for the iPhone 16 series launch, details have emerged about the camera specifications for all four upcoming models. The standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models are reported to retain the dual-camera setup from their predecessors, but with a key design change—the cameras will now be vertically aligned on the rear panel. Both models will feature the same 48 MP primary sensor as the iPhone 15 series, but with an upgraded ultrawide lens boasting a faster f/2.2 aperture, improving low-light performance. Additionally, the non-Pro versions will, for the first time, support macro photography.

The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are set to receive more substantial upgrades. Both Pro models will include a 5x telephoto camera, a feature previously exclusive to the larger Pro Max model. This telephoto lens will use a 12 MP sensor with an f/2.8 aperture. While the main camera will remain unchanged from last year, the ultrawide lens will receive a significant upgrade. It will feature a 48 MP sensor with .7 micrometre pixels, which, when used in binning mode, will produce an effective pixel size of 1.4 micrometres. This upgrade will enable 48 MP ProRaw photo capabilities, offering enhanced image quality.

In addition to hardware improvements, Apple may introduce a new photo format, JPEG-XL, with the iPhone 16 series. The Pro models are also expected to support 3K video recording at 120fps with Dolby Vision, significantly enhancing video recording capabilities.

One of the standout features across all four iPhone 16 models will be the addition of a new Capture Button. This capacitive button, inspired by Sony’s innovation, will not physically move when pressed. Instead, it will function through a force-sensitive half-press, supporting various actions via a developer API. Users will be able to lock exposure and focus before fully pressing the button to capture a photo. The capacitive nature of the button will also allow it to act as a trackpad, potentially enabling features like zooming and other customisable actions through third-party apps.