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| (Image credit: Future) |
Although it is unlikely to make headlines like the camera or perhaps the display, the iPhone 16's battery is unquestionably an important part that many consumers will be concerned about when considering an update. The expected improvements in these areas—longer battery life and increased cooling during heavy use—will significantly affect how the public reacts to Apple's next phones when they launch in September.
It appears that the power cells in the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max will all be receiving improvements, with the Pro Max likely to receive the most new technology. Furthermore, all models (well, one exception; we'll get to that one) provide more milliamp-hours. That should imply that the new phones may match, if not surpass, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models' already excellent battery life. (Especially the iPhone 15 Plus, which is still ranked well for phone battery life even a year after its debut.)
In order for you to be completely informed about any potential changes ahead of Apple's Glowtime event on September 9, where the newest phones are set to make their initial appearance, we've compiled all of the battery-related iPhone 16 rumors below.
If you're still eager for more, learn about the iPhone 16 Capture button, which is another significant improvement that is anticipated for the next iPhones.
iPhone 16 Battery Life Rumors: What to Expect
Technical specifications are important, but what matters most to iPhone consumers when it comes to batteries is how long their device will last between charges. And this information, according to the leak-o-sphere, is only available for one iPhone 16 model.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max, which is said to give a guaranteed 30 hours of video playback, up from the 29 hours promised for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, may see at least a slight improvement in battery life. There are several possible causes for this, including a chipset or display that is more efficient. However, a bigger capacity in the phone's power pack appears to be one possible reason for this boost in battery life.
Longer-lasting phones aren't usually the result of larger batteries; a number of other variables, such as the display or chipset's power consumption, might affect this.
iPhone 16 Battery Capacity Rumors: What to Expect
A capacity increase is anticipated for three of the four anticipated iPhone 16 models; two separate sources have revealed this information. In comparison to their predecessors in the iPhone 15 family, the reported iPhone 16 battery sizes are growing by a few percentage points for the base model, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max, as the table below illustrates.
| Model | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 (Rumored) | Percentage Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 3,349 mAh | 3,561 mAh | +6% |
| Plus | 4,383 mAh | 4,006 mAh | -9% |
| Pro | 3,274 mAh | 3,355 mAh | +2% |
| Pro Max | 4,422 mAh | 4,676 mAh | +5% |
According to the numbers in the same sources, the iPhone 16 Plus is the unfortunate member of the iPhone 16 family; it will apparently have a lesser battery. For those who want the functionality of Apple's Pro models but are unwilling to shell out the cash for the Pro Max, this would be terrible news. It's also important to note that the iPhone 15 Pro had the lowest battery life of the models from the previous year; in our test, it outperformed the average smartphone by around an hour, but it was the only iPhone that fell short of the 11-hour threshold that really long-lasting phones may surpass.
iPhone 16 Battery Rumors: Other Key Updates
According to the rumor mill, Apple is planning to alter more than just the battery size of the iPhone 16 series. The batteries may, for starters, have a frosted metal cover and a redesigned connection that improves heat dispersion. While Apple has employed a frosted coating in its Apple Watches, previous iPhones had a bright metal body. A modest battery replacement seems like a great way to solve the numerous issues consumers had with the iPhone 15 series overheating when used intensively.
In a similar vein, the batteries—at least for the iPhone 16 Pro Max—may require less space even if they are larger because of the cells' 5–10% greater density. Utilizing a fresh stainless steel casing, this will be accomplished. Since the Pro Max was mentioned in this specific report, other iPhone 16 models might not receive this functionality. Hopefully, the iPhone 16 Pro, which is smaller, will also receive it.
It's also said that Apple is sourcing its millions of battery requirements for the iPhone 16 series from new sources in China and India. You won't notice this while using a new iPhone, but it would be significant for Apple since it would allow them to deal with a larger pool of component manufacturers, perhaps preventing shortages or problems brought on by single points of failure.
Finally, for supporters of the right-to-repair movement, the iPhone 16 batteries may be simpler to swap out in compliance with the EU's most recent battery replacement regulations. Although changing out power packs will likely still require some specialized expertise and equipment, we're all for anything that makes it easier for a user to replace a dead iPhone battery when necessary.