Don’t expect big changes
If you’re anticipating significant alterations to the design of the iPhone 16 models set to launch this fall, it seems you’ll have to wait another year for those changes to materialize.
According to a recent Medium post by veteran Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo on January 30, Apple doesn’t have any major design overhauls planned for the iPhone 16 lineup this year. Additionally, Kuo suggests that a more comprehensive and differentiated GenAI ecosystem and applications won’t be introduced until 2025, contradicting earlier reports about Apple’s AI plans for the upcoming year.
Recent reports had suggested that iOS 18 would be a groundbreaking update for iPhones, largely due to AI features integrated into the software. Kuo’s report doesn’t necessarily dispute this claim; instead, it suggests that the analyst may believe the generative AI features won’t substantially differ from Google’s Magic Editor or Samsung’s Galaxy AI tools.
Considering Kuo’s reliable track record in analyzing Apple’s supply chain, his statements about the absence of significant design changes in the iPhone 16 align with other reports on likely modifications for this year’s iPhone models.
While it remains unclear why Kuo believes Apple is postponing significant improvements to the iPhone this year, he notes that the company’s decision to de-prioritize AI integration in its handsets could potentially place it at a competitive disadvantage against Samsung’s Galaxy S24 line, which boasts numerous AI features. Other Android manufacturers, including Google, are also expected to prominently feature AI in their flagship phones this year.
Although reports anticipate that all iPhone 16 models will incorporate an Action button and certain camera upgrades, Kuo’s analysis suggests that the overall design of the iPhone 16 may closely resemble that of the iPhone 15. This report also casts doubt on the possibility of a foldable iPhone, known as the iPhone Flip, being part of Apple’s plans for this year, with Kuo previously pointing to 2025 as a more likely release date for such a device.
The lack of substantial changes could pose a challenge for Apple, with Kuo predicting a decline in iPhone shipments. However, it also emphasizes the importance for Apple to introduce compelling features in this year’s iOS update, with a potential preview of iOS 18 expected at Apple’s annual developer conference later in the year.