Apple iPhone 16 lineup is not expected to arrive until fall next year. However, rumours surrounding the next-generation iPhones have already started to pour in. If we go by the latest one, then the iPhone 16 could ship with massive microphone upgrades. This is being done to improve the Siri experience on the phone.
According to TF Securities International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 16 models will feature significantly upgraded microphone specifications. Kuo wrote in his blog post that the Signal-to-noise (SNR) will be a key upgrade in a bid to improve the Siri experience. The microphones are said to offer better water resistance as well.
Apple iPhone 16 To Get Massive Microphone Upgrades: Kuo
The significant upgrade in microphone performance specifications has been linked to the company’s efforts to integrate generative AI in as many of its products as possible. Siri, which is the company’s voice assistant is expected to get a major revamp.
Kuo’s post is in line with Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman’s previous report, which said that we could see some major AI-based changes in iOS 18. This will be made possible by the large language model (LLM), which will be an integral part of Siri and the Messages app and play a big role in improving the AI capabilities of the products.
Gurman revealed that generative AI will be deeply integrated into the company’s voice assistant Siri, which will be completely revamped.
Apart from this, Kuo also predicted the cost of each microphone unit on iPhone 16 models could increase by 100-150 percent compared to iPhone 15, thanks to upgraded specifications. The upgrade could significantly benefit the revenue and profits of AAC Technology and Goertek, which are the microphone suppliers for iPhone 16, Kuo wrote in his post.
Apple iPhone 16 Could Feature New capacitive Buttons, Hole Punch Display (Expected)
If we go by recent reports, then AI is a big focus with the upcoming iPhone 16 models. However, this is not the only big change that’s expected. Apple is reportedly experimenting with several hardware and design changes, which we could see on the iPhone 16 lineup.
For instance, MacRumors reported that the next-generation iPhone series could get a new capacitive button, which could be added below the sleep/wake button on the right edge of the phone. Also, the Action button, which was introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro models, could be a part of the entire iPhone 16 lineup (and not just the Pro variants). The Action button will also be updated to be capacitive on the iPhone 16, according to a report.
Apart from this, tipster ‘Majin Bu’ put out a post on X, which reveals that the hole punch screen design is being tested for the iPhone 16 Pro model. An image render of how it could look on the phone was posted as well.
If the leak turns out to be true, then the Dynamic Island on iPhones, which houses the front camera, could be replaced by a hole punch on future iPhone models. However, details are yet to be finalised and the feature could arrive on iPhone 17 in 2025, as per the tipster.
