iPhone 16 Pro Max OpenCase Review - less is more.
It’s like ripped jeans, except this actually makes sense. You get less, but it provides more value. Can’t say the same about ripped jeans.📓
I bought an OpenCase after hearing about it on the Talk Show, and I found it to be quite fascinating. It’s like ripped jeans, except this actually makes sense. You get less, but it provides more value. Can’t say the same about ripped jeans.
You can guess why it’s called the OpenCase.
You have an iPhone case, but you have a hole in the back of it for MagSafe accessories that attach directly to the phone instead of the case. This gives you an overall thinner profile when attaching your wallet or a battery pack or any other accessory. Not only do you get a thinner profile but you get a better, more secure fit. No more wallets falling off while you stick your iPhone into your skinny jeans.
The cut out matches Apple’s MagSafe wallet and MagSafe battery pack perfectly, so that is your template for fitment. If you have a battery pack that is too bulky, or a wallet with bigger dimensions, this case is not for you. Thankfully OpenCase also makes compatible accessories if you’re looking for a one-stop shop. I do have an Otterbox MagSafe battery pack that fits right into this slot, making it a perfect fit.
Here are some accessories that I have that fit the OpenCase perfectly:
Apple MagSafe Battery Pack
Apple MagSafe Wallet
Otterbox 5K mAh Wireless Power Bank
The case material is a vegan leather that feels good in the hand, and more importantly, feels good in the pocket. It doesn’t stick to pockets like silicone cases do, and it makes it easy and hassle-free when removing and putting your phone in your pocket. That is my biggest gripe with silicone cases, and cases in general. No matter how premium they are, they still tend to be lint magnets and have a tendency to turn your pockets inside-out. The OpenCase doesn’t have that problem.
A nice ridged texture that makes it easy to grip and doesn’t attract lint.
Pocket dynamics are also good with the case and a MagSafe accessory because you can even use the MagSafe accessory that is jutting out from the back of the phone to help pull the phone out of your pocket. Normally the MagSafe accessory would just slide off leaving the phone in place, but in this case, the attachment is secure enough to help pull the phone out with ease. It’s almost like a grab handle to help retrieve your iPhone from your pocket.
The cutout at the bottom for the USB-C port is big enough for most cables, but you will have trouble charging with a thicker cable, such as a Nintendo Switch USB-A to USB-C cable. The buttons I think are aluminum, and have a satisfying click to them. If they’re plastic, they do a really good job of looking and feeling like aluminum.
The port cut-out might be a bit small for really big cables, but the alignment is perfect.
I can’t tell if these are aluminum or plastic, which is a good thing.
Volume Buttons and Action Button
The cut out for Camera Control is not the most professional looking, but I can see why they did it the way they did it. Since there is already a big hole in the back of the case, having a bigger cutout for the Camera Control button would have made the case flimsy and on the cusp of breaking. I know their website mentions they went through a lot of prototyping, and I’m sure this Camera Control button gave them frustration. You really do have to press a bit harder to launch Camera Control, which could be a plus or a minus depending on the person. The swipe and click gestures do work on it, but if you are really into the Camera Control button and use it a lot for taking photos and changing controls, zooming, etc, you will get a better experience with other cases or no case. Since I use it solely for launching the Camera app, it’s fine for me.
Not much wiggle room to carve out a Camera Control hole.
That Camera Control button on the White Titanium iPhone closely matches the color of the OpenCase.
The case is a bit recessed by the Camera Control button to make it a bit easier to press.
Let’s talk about that hole in the back in more detail.
The MagSafe charging puck fits right in place near the top of the square hole, so if you have a 3rd party charger with a bigger diameter, it won’t line up properly. Any other accessory that has the same diameter as the standard MagSafe puck will work fine.
The Moment MagSafe puck has the same diameter as a MagSafe, making it a perfect fit in portrait or landscape.
If you have a non-circular MagSafe charger or one with a larger diameter, you can’t put your iPhone flush with the charger due to the nature of the case. You can still charge it, but it won’t be as secure and will fall if bumped lightly.
3rd party charger with bigger diameter leads to…
Improper fit in portrait…
and landscape.
The case is as thick as Apple’s Clear Case and the recessed cutout for MagSafe is 3mm, so you get exactly a 3mm savings in thickness when attaching an accessory. Doesn’t sound like much but you can definitely feel it.
~3mm of thickness is enough to secure your MagSafe accessories.
It’s genuinely harder to take an accessory out of that recessed hole versus a regular case where it will just slide off. Rest assured, any accessory that fits the hole perfectly will not detach without significant force.
You get a certain level of satisfaction when connecting an accessory and seeing it fit right in place, kind of like the classic children’s shape sorting cube toy where you have different shapes and wooden blocks that fit only one particular hole. Magnets are always fun, and so is MagSafe, but this is just that extra level of fun when you magnetically fit it into the perfect shape.
Dear Apple, make another MagSafe Battery Pack with USB-C.
If you’re concerned about durability, I would get the black one since it’s harder to notice wear and tear versus the light gray one. I would like to see more colors in the future.
I don’t normally put a case on my iPhone except when I’m traveling, and this seems like the perfect travel case since I can slap on my wallet or battery pack without worry or bulk. Pocket space is already at a premium when traveling, so if I can consolidate two things into one I’m all for it.
This isn’t an ultra-rugged case for all your outdoor adventures, but it is a nice modern case that will keep your phone protected in day to day use.
The case costs $55 for the iPhone 16 series, but if you own an iPhone 14 or 15 variant, you can snag one for $39.
Even with some of its minor quibbles such as wireless charging, this case was purpose-built for one thing, and it does that one thing very well. If you want the most secure and compact way to carry a MagSafe wallet or battery pack while protecting your iPhone, the OpenCase is not just your only option, but a great option.
Case closed.
How to Temporarily Disable Face ID or Touch ID, and Require a Passcode to Unlock Your iPhone or iPad (2025 edition).
There’s never a bad time (and always a good time) to be reminded of this feature.
I copied the title straight from Gruber’s website, and it’s best just to read his description since I couldn’t put it any better. His almost 3-year-old article still holds up well, especially in today’s day and age:
The problem is this: if you use Face ID or Touch ID on your device (and you almost certainly should), what happens if law enforcement (or anyone else for that matter) takes your device and physically forces you to unlock it biometrically? There is some legal precedent supporting the notion that police can force you to do this, but can’t force you to provide them with a passcode or passphrase.
Here are two essential things everyone should know.
The first is hard-locking. When you hard-lock your iPhone or iPad, it enters a mode that requires the device passcode to unlock. With recent iPhones and iPads, you enter this mode the same way that you turn off the device: by pressing and holding the power button and either of the volume buttons for about two seconds.* You’ll know when you’ve pressed the buttons long enough because there’s haptic feedback.** This takes you to the screen where you see a slider to power down the device, and on iPhones, where you can initiate an Emergency SOS call or view the device owner’s Medical ID (if they have one). The important thing to note is that you don’t have to do anything on this screen to hard-lock your device — once you’ve gotten to this screen, the device is already hard-locked and will require the passcode to unlock. You can’t use Face ID or Touch ID again until the passcode has been entered. This is important because it means you can easily hard-lock your iPhone without even looking at it, or removing it from your pocket or purse. That you can do this surreptitiously is very much by design.
Just press and hold the buttons on both sides. Remember that. Try it now. Don’t just memorize it, internalize it, so that you’ll be able to do it without much thought while under duress, like if you’re confronted by a police officer. Remember to do this every time you’re separated from your phone, like when going through the magnetometer at any security checkpoint, especially airports. As soon as you see a metal detector ahead of you, you should think, “Hard-lock my iPhone”.
The second thing is to know your rights. Never ever hand your phone to a cop or anyone vaguely cop-like, like the rent-a-cops working for TSA. If they tell you that you must, refuse. They can and will lie to you about this. If you really need to hand it over, they’ll take it from you. And they won’t get anything from it, because you’ll have already hard-locked it, and you’ll know that you cannot be required to give them your passcode.
* You can also do the same thing by quickly pressing the side button alone five times. On older iPhones (iPhone 7 and earlier), rapidly pressing the side button five times will immediately initiate the SOS phone call to emergency services; on iPhone 8 and later it just takes you to the same lock screen as when you press and hold the side button along with a volume button. I find the press-and-hold method easier to remember. I think of it as squeezing my iPhone for a moment to protect its contents.
**This haptic feedback/confirmation only occurs if “Vibrate on Ring” is turned on in Settings → Sounds & Haptics. I feel like this haptic feedback should occur regardless of this setting.
The only thing that needs a minor update is his second footnote, which has changed with iOS updates. Under Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Haptics, you now have four different options:
Always Play
Play in Silent Mode
Don’t Play in Silent Mode
Never Play
Keep your Haptics on “Always Play” so you can always feel the confirmation for hard-locking your device even though it is out of sight, regardless of Silent Mode.
The last thing you want is to second guess yourself and think, “is my iPhone actually hard-locked or not?”
For the iPad, there is no Haptics option, so holding the power button and either volume button (or both volume buttons) for 2 seconds is enough.
There’s never a bad time (and always a good time) to be reminded of this feature.
I copied the title straight from Gruber’s website, and it’s best just to read his description since I couldn’t put it any better. His almost 3-year-old article still holds up well, especially in today’s day and age:
The problem is this: if you use Face ID or Touch ID on your device (and you almost certainly should), what happens if law enforcement (or anyone else for that matter) takes your device and physically forces you to unlock it biometrically? There is some legal precedent supporting the notion that police can force you to do this, but can’t force you to provide them with a passcode or passphrase.
Here are two essential things everyone should know.
The first is hard-locking. When you hard-lock your iPhone or iPad, it enters a mode that requires the device passcode to unlock. With recent iPhones and iPads, you enter this mode the same way that you turn off the device: by pressing and holding the power button and either of the volume buttons for about two seconds.* You’ll know when you’ve pressed the buttons long enough because there’s haptic feedback.** This takes you to the screen where you see a slider to power down the device, and on iPhones, where you can initiate an Emergency SOS call or view the device owner’s Medical ID (if they have one). The important thing to note is that you don’t have to do anything on this screen to hard-lock your device — once you’ve gotten to this screen, the device is already hard-locked and will require the passcode to unlock. You can’t use Face ID or Touch ID again until the passcode has been entered. This is important because it means you can easily hard-lock your iPhone without even looking at it, or removing it from your pocket or purse. That you can do this surreptitiously is very much by design.
Just press and hold the buttons on both sides. Remember that. Try it now. Don’t just memorize it, internalize it, so that you’ll be able to do it without much thought while under duress, like if you’re confronted by a police officer. Remember to do this every time you’re separated from your phone, like when going through the magnetometer at any security checkpoint, especially airports. As soon as you see a metal detector ahead of you, you should think, “Hard-lock my iPhone”.
The second thing is to know your rights. Never ever hand your phone to a cop or anyone vaguely cop-like, like the rent-a-cops working for TSA. If they tell you that you must, refuse. They can and will lie to you about this. If you really need to hand it over, they’ll take it from you. And they won’t get anything from it, because you’ll have already hard-locked it, and you’ll know that you cannot be required to give them your passcode.
* You can also do the same thing by quickly pressing the side button alone five times. On older iPhones (iPhone 7 and earlier), rapidly pressing the side button five times will immediately initiate the SOS phone call to emergency services; on iPhone 8 and later it just takes you to the same lock screen as when you press and hold the side button along with a volume button. I find the press-and-hold method easier to remember. I think of it as squeezing my iPhone for a moment to protect its contents.
**This haptic feedback/confirmation only occurs if “Vibrate on Ring” is turned on in Settings → Sounds & Haptics. I feel like this haptic feedback should occur regardless of this setting.
The only thing that needs a minor update is his second footnote, which has changed with iOS updates. Under Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Haptics, you now have four different options:
Always Play
Play in Silent Mode
Don’t Play in Silent Mode
Never Play
Keep your Haptics on “Always Play” so you can always feel the confirmation for hard-locking your device even though it is out of sight, regardless of Silent Mode.
The last thing you want is to second guess yourself and think, “is my iPhone actually hard-locked or not?”
For the iPad, there is no Haptics option, so holding the power button and either volume button (or both volume buttons) for 2 seconds is enough.
If you need repairs done on your iPhone 6s, you need to hurry up…
Juli Clover from MacRumors:
The iPhone 6s initially launched in 2015, but Apple kept it around as a low-cost device until 2018, which is why it is only now being added to the vintage list. The iPhone 6s had Apple's A9 chip, and it was equipped with a strengthened aluminum chassis to fix the iPhone 6 "bendgate" design flaw. It was also the first iPhone with 3D Touch, and the last flagship iPhone with a headphone jack.
I’m sure there are many people still using this as an audio device since it’s still got a headphone jack (Tom Brady?), but if you want to get it fixed to make it last even longer, better get it done sooner than later by Apple before they run out of parts:
A device is considered "vintage" five years after it was last distributed for sale. For vintage products, Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers (AASPs) are still able to offer repairs, but only if the required parts are available.
Juli Clover from MacRumors:
The iPhone 6s initially launched in 2015, but Apple kept it around as a low-cost device until 2018, which is why it is only now being added to the vintage list. The iPhone 6s had Apple's A9 chip, and it was equipped with a strengthened aluminum chassis to fix the iPhone 6 "bendgate" design flaw. It was also the first iPhone with 3D Touch, and the last flagship iPhone with a headphone jack.
I’m sure there are many people still using this as an audio device since it’s still got a headphone jack (Tom Brady?), but if you want to get it fixed to make it last even longer, better get it done sooner than later by Apple before they run out of parts:
A device is considered "vintage" five years after it was last distributed for sale. For vintage products, Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers (AASPs) are still able to offer repairs, but only if the required parts are available.
Which pink iPhone is right for you? iPhone 15 vs iPhone 16.
The iPhone 15 lineup came in very light, pastel colors and literally pale in comparison to the deep colors of the iPhone 16 lineup.
Our household ended up with these two shades of pink because my wife can’t decide between which pink she wanted, and the only way to really tell which color is best is to look at both of them in person.
She was heavily leaning towards the iPhone 15’s pastel look, but she also likes the deeper pink of the 16 because the all-aluminum sides look lighter in brighter light resembling the iPhone 15, whereas the iPhone 15 in pink looks almost like starlight in bright light.
She was also intrigued by the Action Button that can be changed as needed and the Camera Control button which I told her is best for launching the camera, and that’s it.
That being said, if you’re a fan of pink, these are your two best options available right now. Even though many people will default to the latest iPhone, it really depends on your needs and budget, especially if your carrier is offering a deep discount on an iPhone 15 compared to the 16. I know a guy who bought an iPhone 14 Plus through his carrier just a few months before the 16 was about to be announced, and he essentially got it for free.
The iPhone 15 is in a similar situation right now with the iPhone 17 only 6 months away, and the deals will only get better as carriers are trying to clear out inventory.
If you’re buying straight out of pocket though, get the iPhone 16 because it has many advancements for only $100:
A18 chip vs an almost 3 year old A16 chip.
At least one more major software update over the iPhone 15.
Macro photography and video.
Faster wired and wireless charging.
Apple Intelligence.
Camera Control button.
Spatial photos and videos making them more 3D and lifelike for Vision Pro compatibility.
Action Button vs Mute Switch.
Glancing at the phone in-store (or just the box) doesn’t always give you the best lighting to really appreciate the color of the device, so here’s some comparison photos of the two vastly different pink iPhones in different lighting conditions. 📓
The iPhone 15 lineup came in very light, pastel colors and literally pale in comparison to the deep colors of the iPhone 16 lineup.
Our household ended up with these two shades of pink because my wife can’t decide between which pink she wanted, and the only way to really tell which color is best is to look at both of them in person.
She was heavily leaning towards the iPhone 15’s pastel look, but she also likes the deeper pink of the 16 because the all-aluminum sides look lighter in brighter light resembling the iPhone 15, whereas the iPhone 15 in pink looks almost like starlight in bright light.
She was also intrigued by the Action Button that can be changed as needed and the Camera Control button which I told her is best for launching the camera, and that’s it.
That being said, if you’re a fan of pink, these are your two best options available right now. Even though many people will default to the latest iPhone, it really depends on your needs and budget, especially if your carrier is offering a deep discount on an iPhone 15 compared to the 16. I know a guy who bought an iPhone 14 Plus through his carrier just a few months before the 16 was about to be announced, and he essentially got it for free.
The iPhone 15 is in a similar situation right now with the iPhone 17 only 6 months away, and the deals will only get better as carriers are trying to clear out inventory.
If you’re buying straight out of pocket though, get the iPhone 16 because it has many advancements for only $100:
A18 chip vs an almost 3 year old A16 chip.
At least one more major software update over the iPhone 15.
Macro photography and video.
Faster wired and wireless charging.
Apple Intelligence.
Camera Control button.
Spatial photos and videos making them more 3D and lifelike for Vision Pro compatibility.
Action Button vs Mute Switch.
Glancing at the phone in-store (or just the box) doesn’t always give you the best lighting to really appreciate the color of the device, so here’s some comparison photos of the two vastly different pink iPhones in different lighting conditions.
Unboxing under white light.
The iPhone 15 has the diagonal camera layout vs the capsule-like layout of the iPhone 16.
The lighter pink starts fading to a starlight color in brighter light.
Even the USB-C ports are color coded, which is great attention to detail.
Dim natural lighting.
Near warm LED lighting, with an iPhone 16 Pro Max in White Titanium for reference.
The iPhone 15 gives off a Rose Gold look.
The iPhone 15 pink is almost a starlight color in this photo with natural light on a cloudy day.
Difficult lighting situation with natural light contrasted with warm LEDs bleeding through in the background.
Outdoors in well-lit rainy weather.
How to quickly and easily tell if an iPhone is genuine before opening the box.
There’s an easy way to check an iPhone 15 or later box to see if what you’re buying is genuine or a fake. All you need is a cheap UV light pen to see the hidden markers. 📓
There’s an easy way to check an iPhone 15 or later box to see if what you’re buying is genuine or a fake. All you need is a cheap UV light pen to see the hidden markers.
Starting with the iPhone 15, Apple made these hidden markers to help thwart off fake iPhones that are all over the markets. There is a QR code, and an “ iPhone” symbol that is only visible with UV light. With the iPhone 15, the QR code and “ iPhone” markers are one on top of another, so when you peel off the tabs, the “ iPhone” gets discarded leaving only the QR code. Take a look at a new iPhone 15 Plus box vs. an opened 15 Pro Max box for comparison:
Figure 1. To the naked eye, nothing is visible. Figure 2. Shine a UV light, and you see the “ iPhone” logo and QR code. Figure 3. Pull the green tab to open the box, and the “ iPhone” logo gets discarded.
On the iPhone 16, both the QR code and “ iPhone” markers are on the same line, so nothing gets discarded after opening the package. Here is a new 16 Plus vs. an opened 16 Pro Max:
Now when you open the device (Figure 3), both the logo and QR code are on the bottom.
There is another QR code at the bottom of the box that you can check in case there are some stickers covering the top areas. It is in the same place on all iPhones.
Whether you have an iPhone 15 or 16, the QR code on the bottom is in the same spot.
This applies to all iPhone 15 or later models, and I’m assuming the iPhone 16e too. These are for iPhones worldwide and not just the USA because I have the following iPhones from the following countries that all have these markings:
15 Pro Max purchased in Saudi Arabia.
16 Pro Max purchased in Toronto.
15 Plus and 16 Plus purchased in USA. (Wife has to decide which one she likes based on color 🧐).
I posted this information on X a few days ago, and it seems that even the scammers have caught up and put these same hidden markings on their boxes. From what I have seen online though, that is not the case and most fake iPhones don’t have these markings because, who really carries a UV light pen with them?
By the way a UV light pen is only a few bucks on Amazon, or you can just ask your daughter or niece if you could borrow her invisible ink spy pen because odds are they have one (my daughter did!).
That being said, this is the quickest and easiest way to determine if an iPhone you’re buying is fake. Nothing is guaranteed until you open the box and boot up the device, but one thing to know for sure is, if you don’t see these markings on an iPhone 15 or 16 box, it is a fake.
Now is a good time to thank Apple for removing the charger and headphones from the iPhone box.
The Times of India:
Apple transported five planes full of iPhones and other products from India to the US in just three days during the final week of March, a senior Indian official confirmed to The Times of India. The urgent shipments were made to avoid a new 10% reciprocal tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump’s administration that took effect on April 5. Sources said that Apple currently has no plans to increase retail prices in India or other markets despite the tariffs.
A whole new meaning to the term “iPhone Air.”
This doesn’t come as a surprise since many people are panic-buying new iPhones to avoid paying a higher price in the near future. The excess supply should delay any potential price increases, if Apple decides to go that route.
I remember in 2020 when the iPhone 12 was announced, Lisa Jackson had a whole segment explaining why Apple was removing the power adapter and headphones from the iPhone box. The main goal was to lessen e-waste and carbon emissions, but I’m sure it also increased Apple’s profits by not including another $40 worth of accessories in the box.
They did mention one fact that I find interesting in todays’ times: the ability to load a ship with 70% more iPhones due to the smaller box size.
People were understandably a bit pissed off that they weren’t getting their accessories anymore, but now is a good time to appreciate the smaller box since I’m sure the planes can also carry at least 50% more iPhones than before.
The Times of India:
Apple transported five planes full of iPhones and other products from India to the US in just three days during the final week of March, a senior Indian official confirmed to The Times of India. The urgent shipments were made to avoid a new 10% reciprocal tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump’s administration that took effect on April 5. Sources said that Apple currently has no plans to increase retail prices in India or other markets despite the tariffs.
A whole new meaning to the term “iPhone Air.”
This doesn’t come as a surprise since many people are panic-buying new iPhones to avoid paying a higher price in the near future. The excess supply should delay any potential price increases, if Apple decides to go that route.
I remember in 2020 when the iPhone 12 was announced, Lisa Jackson had a whole segment explaining why Apple was removing the power adapter and headphones from the iPhone box. The main goal was to lessen e-waste and carbon emissions, but I’m sure it also increased Apple’s profits by not including another $40 worth of accessories in the box.
They did mention one fact that I find interesting in todays’ times: the ability to load a ship with 70% more iPhones due to the smaller box size.
People were understandably a bit pissed off that they weren’t getting their accessories anymore, but now is a good time to appreciate the smaller box since I’m sure the planes can also carry at least 50% more iPhones than before.
It seems more likely that the iPhone 17 Pro will feature 8K video recording.
Update 4/8/25: 8K resolution and 180-degree field of view are separate parameters and unlikely for an iPhone to support the 180-degree field of view.
Joe Rossignol from MacRumors describes Apple’s new Immersive Video App for Vision Pro and Mac:
Apple Immersive Videos are 3D videos recorded in 8K resolution, with a 180-degree field of view and Spatial Audio. For example, recent performances by singer The Weeknd and heavy metal band Metallica are available in the format.
The new Apple Immersive Video Utility app allows you to import, organize, package, and review Apple Immersive Video files on a Mac. Then, you can connect one or more Vision Pro devices and review the immersive videos. For larger groups, Apple says there is a synchronized playback option for multi-device viewing sessions….
The app seems to be primarily intended for producers of Apple Immersive Videos, but the app is currently available for anyone to download.
I’m speculating here, but this sounds like a giant hint for iPhone 8K video recording support. I had the Vision Pro for a month, and immersive videos were the highlight for me and many others.
If people could record their own families in that same resolution and immersiveness, I think it would entice more people to purchase a Vision Pro. The Vision Pro videos that I have are 2200 x 2200, which is 2.2K resolution in a square aspect ratio, whereas 8K resolution is 7680 x 4320 pixels, or about 7 times the amount of pixels with 180-degree field of view.
8K video would require more storage, and I’m sure the iPhone Pro storage will be bumped up from 128GB to 256GB, along with a $100 price increase.
Update 4/8/25: 8K resolution and 180-degree field of view are separate parameters and unlikely for an iPhone to support the 180-degree field of view.
Joe Rossignol from MacRumors describes Apple’s new Immersive Video App for Vision Pro and Mac:
Apple Immersive Videos are 3D videos recorded in 8K resolution, with a 180-degree field of view and Spatial Audio. For example, recent performances by singer The Weeknd and heavy metal band Metallica are available in the format.
The new Apple Immersive Video Utility app allows you to import, organize, package, and review Apple Immersive Video files on a Mac. Then, you can connect one or more Vision Pro devices and review the immersive videos. For larger groups, Apple says there is a synchronized playback option for multi-device viewing sessions….
The app seems to be primarily intended for producers of Apple Immersive Videos, but the app is currently available for anyone to download.
I’m speculating here, but this sounds like a giant hint for iPhone 8K video recording support. I had the Vision Pro for a month, and immersive videos were the highlight for me and many others.
If people could record their own families in that same resolution and immersiveness, I think it would entice more people to purchase a Vision Pro. The Vision Pro videos that I have are 2200 x 2200, which is 2.2K resolution in a square aspect ratio, whereas 8K resolution is 7680 x 4320 pixels, or about 7 times the amount of pixels with 180-degree field of view.
8K video would require more storage, and I’m sure the iPhone Pro storage will be bumped up from 128GB to 256GB, along with a $100 price increase.
The iPhone 16e is the perfect iPhone for iPhone XR and XS upgraders.
Nothing is set in stone yet, but it seems highly likely that the XR and XS will not be getting iOS 19. It makes sense since iOS is rumored to get an all-new design, and usually an all-new design means older phones have to be left behind.
This makes it a perfect time to upgrade since you can be more up to date both in terms of hardware and software. Odds are if someone is still using an iPhone XR or XS, a 7-year old device, they aren’t really living on the cutting edge.
That is why the iPhone 16e is the perfect upgrade.
The benefits of upgrading from the XS to the 16e are just gobsmackingly insane. Here are just some of the benefits:
USB-C vs lightning.
Solid 48MP camera that will take better photos and videos than both 12MP lenses on the iPhone XS.
A brighter 6.1 inch screen that is a nice balance between the 5.8 inch and 6.5 inch iPhone XS and XS Max.
Same screen size, but smaller form factor than the XR.
Action Button vs the mute switch.
Equivalent wireless charging.
More responsive Face ID that works in landscape.
Huge boost in performance and speed.
Major iOS updates for at least 5 years.
The only downside? You get Apple Intelligence.
Nothing is set in stone yet, but it seems highly likely that the XR and XS will not be getting iOS 19. It makes sense since iOS is rumored to get an all-new design, and usually an all-new design means older phones have to be left behind.
This makes it a perfect time to upgrade since you can be more up to date both in terms of hardware and software. Odds are if someone is still using an iPhone XR or XS, a 7-year old device, they aren’t really living on the cutting edge.
That is why the iPhone 16e is the perfect upgrade.
The benefits of upgrading from the XS to the 16e are just gobsmackingly insane. Here are just some of the benefits:
USB-C vs lightning.
Solid 48MP camera that will take better photos and videos than both 12MP lenses on the iPhone XS.
A brighter 6.1 inch screen that is a nice balance between the 5.8 inch and 6.5 inch iPhone XS and XS Max.
Same screen size, but smaller form factor than the XR.
Action Button vs the mute switch.
Equivalent wireless charging.
More responsive Face ID that works in landscape.
Huge boost in performance and speed.
Major iOS updates for at least 5 years.
The only downside? You get Apple Intelligence.
The iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max will not get iOS 19.
Juli Clover from MacRumors:
iOS 19 will not be available on the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, or the iPhone XS Max, according a private account on social media site X that has accurately provided information on device compatibility in the past.
The iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max all have an A12 Bionic chip, so it looks like iOS 19 will discontinue support for that chip. All other iPhones that run iOS 18 are expected to support iOS 19.
It will be the end of an era, as the XS and XS Max were the last iPhones to have 3D Touch support, a feature that was always hidden under the radar, but was a stealth pro feature for those who knew about it.
It was so stealth that the iPhone XR was the first iPhone to remove 3D Touch, but still became the best selling phone in 2019.
Juli Clover from MacRumors:
iOS 19 will not be available on the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, or the iPhone XS Max, according a private account on social media site X that has accurately provided information on device compatibility in the past.
The iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max all have an A12 Bionic chip, so it looks like iOS 19 will discontinue support for that chip. All other iPhones that run iOS 18 are expected to support iOS 19.
It will be the end of an era, as the XS and XS Max were the last iPhones to have 3D Touch support, a feature that was always hidden under the radar, but was a stealth pro feature for those who knew about it.
It was so stealth that the iPhone XR was the first iPhone to remove 3D Touch, but still became the best selling phone in 2019.
The iPhone 17 Pro’s exciting feature nobody is talking about.
The iPhone 17 Pro is rumored to have an aluminum chassis with a glass in-lay, and that could mean a special treat for Pro users:
More exciting colors.
The iPhone lost its color palette once it went Pro, sticking mainly with the standard black, white, and gold variants. We did get some different colors over the years, but nothing that really popped:
iPhone X - Black and White
iPhone XS - Gold was added - may be the most exciting color addition.
iPhone 11 Pro - Midnight Green - very muted in most lighting.
iPhone 12 Pro - Pacific Blue - black in many lighting conditions (I had it for a few weeks).
iPhone 13 Pro - Sierra Blue - truly amazing and my phone of choice for the year, but the back looked gray in certain lighting.
iPhone 14 Pro - Deep Purple - almost black in most lighting. I owned this color for a full year, and rarely would I see the purple color except in certain outdoor lighting conditions.
iPhone 15 Pro - Natural Titanium (gray) and Blue Titanium (almost black in most lighting).
iPhone 16 Pro - Desert Titanium - fancy name for a slight gold variation that we’ve seen since the iPhone XS.
Of all the special colors, the only one that stands out was Sierra Blue for the iPhone 13 Pro.
That’s it.
With the switch to aluminum, Apple can wow us with some more brighter color choices, and not just give them to the regular iPhone 17 or 17 Air.
One can only hope, but I’m optimistic.
I’m optimistic because even if we don’t get any new colors, there is a possibility that we could get a two-tone look to the iPhone, a look that we haven’t seen since the iPhone SE in 2016.
According to Wayne Ma from The Information (via MacRumors):
The rear of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will also feature a new part-aluminum, part-glass design. The top half of the back will be made of aluminum and feature a "rectangular camera bump made of aluminum rather than traditional 3D glass," while the bottom half will continue to be made of glass to support wireless charging…
The new design will constitute one of the most significant visual changes to the high-end iPhone models in recent years. The Information has an excellent track record for accurate Apple rumors, so the latest report is highly likely to pan out.
The iPhone SE was the last iPhone to have both glass and aluminum, and the last flagship to have a glass and aluminum back was the iPhone 5s in 2013.
If we can’t get bold new colors, at least a two-tone look would be a welcome addition to help spice up the iPhone Pro lineup.
The iPhone 17 Pro is rumored to have an aluminum chassis with a glass in-lay, and that could mean a special treat for Pro users:
More exciting colors.
The iPhone lost its color palette once it went Pro, sticking mainly with the standard black, white, and gold variants. We did get some different colors over the years, but nothing that really popped:
iPhone X - Black and White
iPhone XS - Gold was added - may be the most exciting color addition.
iPhone 11 Pro - Midnight Green - very muted in most lighting.
iPhone 12 Pro - Pacific Blue - black in many lighting conditions (I had it for a few weeks).
iPhone 13 Pro - Sierra Blue - truly amazing and my phone of choice for the year, but the back looked gray in certain lighting.
iPhone 14 Pro - Deep Purple - almost black in most lighting. I owned this color for a full year, and rarely would I see the purple color except in certain outdoor lighting conditions.
iPhone 15 Pro - Natural Titanium (gray) and Blue Titanium (almost black in most lighting).
iPhone 16 Pro - Desert Titanium - fancy name for a slight gold variation that we’ve seen since the iPhone XS.
Of all the special colors, the only one that stands out was Sierra Blue for the iPhone 13 Pro.
That’s it.
With the switch to aluminum, Apple can wow us with some more brighter color choices, and not just give them to the regular iPhone 17 or 17 Air.
One can only hope, but I’m optimistic.
I’m optimistic because even if we don’t get any new colors, there is a possibility that we could get a two-tone look to the iPhone, a look that we haven’t seen since the iPhone SE in 2016.
According to Wayne Ma from The Information (via MacRumors):
The rear of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will also feature a new part-aluminum, part-glass design. The top half of the back will be made of aluminum and feature a "rectangular camera bump made of aluminum rather than traditional 3D glass," while the bottom half will continue to be made of glass to support wireless charging…
The new design will constitute one of the most significant visual changes to the high-end iPhone models in recent years. The Information has an excellent track record for accurate Apple rumors, so the latest report is highly likely to pan out.
The iPhone SE was the last iPhone to have both glass and aluminum, and the last flagship to have a glass and aluminum back was the iPhone 5s in 2013.
If we can’t get bold new colors, at least a two-tone look would be a welcome addition to help spice up the iPhone Pro lineup.
iPhone SE (1st gen) is not compatible with the HomePod.
To the three people in the world who have a 1st gen iPhone SE and are trying to connect it to their HomePod mini, just wanted to let you know that you’re resilience is admirable, but you’re out of luck. 📓
Right now my wife uses my “old” iPhone 15 Pro Max as her white noise device connected to the HomePod mini, but I need that iPhone to be ready to be my new main device when WWDC comes along in June. The 16 Pro Max will be designated as my testing device.
The only other iPhone I have that I can use is my 1st gen iPhone SE on its latest software version of 15.8.3.
It wouldn’t connect to the HomePod, or any of my HomeKit devices. Turns out you need iOS or iPad OS 16.3 or later.
To the three people in the world who have a 1st gen iPhone SE and are trying to connect it to their HomePod mini, just wanted to let you know that you’re resilience is admirable, but you’re out of luck.
Apple still sells the iPhone 13 mini as a refurbished device.
Mark Gurman had a livestream today where he had bad news for iPhone mini lovers.
From MacRumors:
Gurman said that Apple currently has no plans to reintroduce a smaller iPhone model.
You didn’t need Mark Gurman to tell you this, but this shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. If a device doesn’t sell to Apple’s standards, it won’t keep it on the market. On the flip side, Apple’s refurbished store does have the iPhone 13 mini in stock every once in a while, and it was on their site a few days ago (sold out right now).
If you really want one because you missed out earlier, or because your current 12 mini or 13 mini is on its last legs, keep refreshing the site and you might score one.
Just as a reminder, Apple’s refurbished devices are a great deal in my opinion. They do come at a higher price tag than other 3rd party resellers, but you essentially get a brand new iPhone with a full warranty.
From Apple’s website:
All refurbished iPhone models come with a new battery, a new outer shell, a one-year limited warranty, and free delivery and returns.
This also includes:
• Full functional testing, genuine Apple part replacements (if needed), and a thorough cleaning
• The original operating system or a more recent version
• All accessories and cables repackaged in a brand‑new box
Mark Gurman had a livestream today where he had bad news for iPhone mini lovers.
From MacRumors:
Gurman said that Apple currently has no plans to reintroduce a smaller iPhone model.
You didn’t need Mark Gurman to tell you this, but this shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. If a device doesn’t sell to Apple’s standards, it won’t keep it on the market. On the flip side, Apple’s refurbished store does have the iPhone 13 mini in stock every once in a while, and it was on their site a few days ago (sold out right now).
If you really want one because you missed out earlier, or because your current 12 mini or 13 mini is on its last legs, keep refreshing the site and you might score one.
Just as a reminder, Apple’s refurbished devices are a great deal in my opinion. They do come at a higher price tag than other 3rd party resellers, but you essentially get a brand new iPhone with a full warranty.
From Apple’s website:
All refurbished iPhone models come with a new battery, a new outer shell, a one-year limited warranty, and free delivery and returns.
This also includes:
• Full functional testing, genuine Apple part replacements (if needed), and a thorough cleaning
• The original operating system or a more recent version
• All accessories and cables repackaged in a brand‑new box
AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss is now the only option for US iPhone buyers, at a higher price.
I always buy AppleCare+ for my iPhones, because I don’t like to use a case. As the famous saying goes:
AppleCare+ is my case.
Not sure who coined that phrase, but it’s true for many people.
I never bought the option for Theft and Loss because I didn’t feel the need for it, but now you have no choice. For reference, AppleCare+ for an iPhone 16 Pro used to be $200 for 2 years, and $250 with Theft and Loss. Now with Theft and Loss included, it costs $140 annually until cancelled, and $270 for 2 years. You also get the monthly option at $14/month.
That is $70 more for me and many others who opt for the 2 year plan. Yikes.
On a side note, look for another increase in Apple Services revenue in Fiscal Q2 2025.
I always buy AppleCare+ for my iPhones, because I don’t like to use a case. As the famous saying goes:
AppleCare+ is my case.
Not sure who coined that phrase, but it’s true for many people.
I never bought the option for Theft and Loss because I didn’t feel the need for it, but now you have no choice. For reference, AppleCare+ for an iPhone 16 Pro used to be $200 for 2 years, and $250 with Theft and Loss. Now with Theft and Loss included, it costs $140 annually until cancelled, and $270 for 2 years. You also get the monthly option at $14/month.
That is $70 more for me and many others who opt for the 2 year plan. Yikes.
On a side note, look for another increase in Apple Services revenue in Fiscal Q2 2025.
The most beautiful and (ab)used iPhone 13 mini.
Matt D’Avella posted a video a while back that I meant to post earlier, but it really is the most beautiful, (ab)used iPhone 13 mini. I was the proud owner of an iPhone 12 mini, and it was one of my favorite iPhone experiences. The clip in the beginning definitely has Evans Hankey’s iPhone vibes, and a quote from Jony Ive is just as fitting to Matt’s iPhone who treats his like a tool:
That’s Evans Hankey’s iPhone, who manages the design studio. Isn’t it cool? She destroys her objects. But I thought there was something so charming about that. I thought it was lovely to put that in. We design tools to be used. And she definitely uses them!
Matt D’Avella posted a video a while back that I meant to post earlier, but it really is the most beautiful, (ab)used iPhone 13 mini. I was the proud owner of an iPhone 12 mini, and it was one of my favorite iPhone experiences. The clip in the beginning definitely has Evans Hankey’s iPhone vibes, and a quote from Jony Ive is just as fitting to Matt’s iPhone who treats his like a tool:
That’s Evans Hankey’s iPhone, who manages the design studio. Isn’t it cool? She destroys her objects. But I thought there was something so charming about that. I thought it was lovely to put that in. We design tools to be used. And she definitely uses them!
The iPhone 17 lineup is the perfect time for Apple to upgrade MagSafe.
Apple debuted MagSafe back in October 2020 with the iPhone 12, and it has been in every major new iPhone since then. With the release of the iPhone 16e, Apple decided not to include MagSafe in this budget device. People have been prematurely speculating whether or not this is the end of MagSafe, but I would argue that now is the best time for Apple to give MagSafe a much needed upgrade.
Alongside the iPhone 12, Apple released the 12 Mini, which had a 5.4 inch display. That meant all MagSafe accessories had to accommodate the smaller 5.4 inch body, up to the 12 Pro Max’s 6.7 inch body. The lower size limit for MagSafe accessories was the 12 mini, and you could tell because Apple’s accessories such as the MagSafe wallet and the MagSafe Battery Pack fit flush with the device and wrapped around the corners perfectly. Apple’s smallest iPhone 17 display is rumored to start at 6.3 inches, which gives MagSafe more room to breathe.
The base iPhone 17 is rumored to be 6.3 inches, climbing up to 6.6 inches for the iPhone 17 Air, and topping off at 6.9 inches for the 17 Pro Max.
The charging coil diameter will probably not change since it is part of the Qi2 standard, but more magnets can be added in the bottom two-thirds of the iPhone to give accessories more stability, using the 6.3 inch iPhone as the new lower limit.
This can lead to a whole slew of new accessories, such as iPad-like folio cases, ultra-sturdy car mounts, and thinner battery packs.
Apple debuted MagSafe back in October 2020 with the iPhone 12, and it has been in every major new iPhone since then. With the release of the iPhone 16e, Apple decided not to include MagSafe in this budget device. People have been prematurely speculating whether or not this is the end of MagSafe, but I would argue that now is the best time for Apple to give MagSafe a much needed upgrade.
Alongside the iPhone 12, Apple released the 12 Mini, which had a 5.4 inch display. That meant all MagSafe accessories had to accommodate the smaller 5.4 inch body, up to the 12 Pro Max’s 6.7 inch body. The lower size limit for MagSafe accessories was the 12 mini, and you could tell because Apple’s accessories such as the MagSafe wallet and the MagSafe Battery Pack fit flush with the device and wrapped around the corners perfectly. Apple’s smallest iPhone 17 display is rumored to start at 6.3 inches, which gives MagSafe more room to breathe.
The base iPhone 17 is rumored to be 6.3 inches, climbing up to 6.6 inches for the iPhone 17 Air, and topping off at 6.9 inches for the 17 Pro Max.
The charging coil diameter will probably not change since it is part of the Qi2 standard, but more magnets can be added in the bottom two-thirds of the iPhone to give accessories more stability, using the 6.3 inch iPhone as the new lower limit.
This can lead to a whole slew of new accessories, such as iPad-like folio cases, ultra-sturdy car mounts, and thinner battery packs.
“MagSafe” cases for your iPhone 16e are not MagSafe, and will make your wireless charging experience even worse.
There is a simple reason why Apple didn’t include MagSafe magnets in their iPhone 16e cases:
It would be a classic blunder of over promising and under delivering.
The iPhone 16e does support Qi wireless charging which has a max output of 7.5W, while the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro can get 25W of wireless charging with MagSafe.
Having those circular magnets will give people the illusion that they have faster MagSafe charging, but they will realize that not only is it charging slowly, it might not be charging their iPhone at all.
I’m going through a similar situation at my house with my kids’ iPhone SE 2nd gen. I bought a circular magnet and glued it to the iPhone right where the coil is, but sometimes the phone won’t charge, even though it’s sitting magnetically on an official Apple MagSafe puck. It’ll start charging, but then stop randomly. When it is charging, it is very slow. This is all being done without a case which is the most efficient way of charging wirelessly.
Don’t just take my word for it, because MKBHD discusses his wireless charging experience with the iPhone 16e:
This week I had it on my desk charger for like 1/2 an hour and it gained zero percent (laughing) while just getting warmer. I don’t have to remind you of the downsides of early wireless charging.
The tech enthusiast doesn’t need a reminder of how bad 1st generation Qi wireless charging was (and still is), but the average person buying the 16e needs that reminder more than ever.
It will objectively be a disadvantage for charging speeds because the case adds an extra barrier that power has to travel through from the charger to the iPhone, generating more heat in the process. That excess heat will eventually cause the battery to either charge slowly, or stop charging completely.
Any case company that tells you it provides MagSafe charging with the iPhone 16e is technically lying.
Real MagSafe, which is available on the iPhone 12 and newer (except for the SE and 16e), is more than just magnets aligning the charging coils. There is communication between the magnetic puck and the phone, ramping up charging speeds and slowing them down depending on many factors such as current battery level, device temperature, and the power adapter being used for charging. The goal is to provide faster wireless charging without destroying the battery’s health.
It’s called MagSafe for a reason.
If you do want to buy a magnetic case for your iPhone 16e, just remember not to rely on it for fast charging. Use it for the other conveniences that it will give you, such as propping it up on your desk, your car, or to slap on a wallet magnetically.
If I were buying this phone, I would buy a magnetic case and use it with these accessories that I currently own (not sponsored or affiliated):
These are not chargers, but they are convenient holders that make life easier.
There is a simple reason why Apple didn’t include MagSafe magnets in their iPhone 16e cases:
It would be a classic blunder of over promising and under delivering.
The iPhone 16e does support Qi wireless charging which has a max output of 7.5W, while the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro can get 25W of wireless charging with MagSafe.
Having those circular magnets will give people the illusion that they have faster MagSafe charging, but they will realize that not only is it charging slowly, it might not be charging their iPhone at all.
I’m going through a similar situation at my house with my kids’ iPhone SE 2nd gen. I bought a circular magnet and glued it to the iPhone right where the coil is, but sometimes the phone won’t charge, even though it’s sitting magnetically on an official Apple MagSafe puck. It’ll start charging, but then stop randomly. When it is charging, it is very slow. This is all being done without a case which is the most efficient way of charging wirelessly.
Don’t just take my word for it, because MKBHD discusses his wireless charging experience with the iPhone 16e:
This week I had it on my desk charger for like 1/2 an hour and it gained zero percent (laughing) while just getting warmer. I don’t have to remind you of the downsides of early wireless charging.
The tech enthusiast doesn’t need a reminder of how bad 1st generation Qi wireless charging was (and still is), but the average person buying the 16e needs that reminder more than ever.
It will objectively be a disadvantage for charging speeds because the case adds an extra barrier that power has to travel through from the charger to the iPhone, generating more heat in the process. That excess heat will eventually cause the battery to either charge slowly, or stop charging completely.
Any case company that tells you it provides MagSafe charging with the iPhone 16e is technically lying.
Real MagSafe, which is available on the iPhone 12 and newer (except for the SE and 16e), is more than just magnets aligning the charging coils. There is communication between the magnetic puck and the phone, ramping up charging speeds and slowing them down depending on many factors such as current battery level, device temperature, and the power adapter being used for charging. The goal is to provide faster wireless charging without destroying the battery’s health.
It’s called MagSafe for a reason.
If you do want to buy a magnetic case for your iPhone 16e, just remember not to rely on it for fast charging. Use it for the other conveniences that it will give you, such as propping it up on your desk, your car, or to slap on a wallet magnetically.
If I were buying this phone, I would buy a magnetic case and use it with these accessories that I currently own (not sponsored or affiliated):
These are not chargers, but they are convenient holders that make life easier.
Will the iPhone 17 Pro finally get a Pro camera app?
Mark Gurman in his Power On Newsletter:
The iPhone 17 line is shaping up to be a significant upgrade, particularly for the Pro models. In past years, Apple has focused more heavily on the camera’s photo-taking abilities. This year it will stress improvements to video recording. One of the goals for 2025’s iPhone line is to get the vlogging community and other video creators to move away from standalone cameras and use the iPhone for even more of their work. Look for Apple to more heavily than ever tout these video recording capabilities when the new iPhones debut in September.
If Apple really wants bloggers and video creators to move away from standalone cameras, they need to give its Pro users full camera controls, with white balance, ISO, actual lens selection, etc. Currently we have the illusion of lens selection, but Apple decides based on its algorithm whether or not to use a digital zoom vs switching to the telephoto lens.
On the 15 and 16 Pro for example, if you want to use the 5x zoom in medium to low light, the iPhone will use the 1x lens, and digitally zoom in to 5x, giving you a huge loss in detail. Sometimes the software switches back and forth between digitally zooming at 5x vs switching to the 5x telephoto lens, again trying to decide which is best for the user. This is frustrating to say the least.
On top of that, I’m sure vloggers would love the ability to record front and rear facing video at the same time, with their face inlaid with whatever footage they’re taking. Top that off with a CapCut like editing features like auto-captions, and people will happily pay for higher-priced iPhones.
Mark Gurman in his Power On Newsletter:
The iPhone 17 line is shaping up to be a significant upgrade, particularly for the Pro models. In past years, Apple has focused more heavily on the camera’s photo-taking abilities. This year it will stress improvements to video recording. One of the goals for 2025’s iPhone line is to get the vlogging community and other video creators to move away from standalone cameras and use the iPhone for even more of their work. Look for Apple to more heavily than ever tout these video recording capabilities when the new iPhones debut in September.
If Apple really wants bloggers and video creators to move away from standalone cameras, they need to give its Pro users full camera controls, with white balance, ISO, actual lens selection, etc. Currently we have the illusion of lens selection, but Apple decides based on its algorithm whether or not to use a digital zoom vs switching to the telephoto lens.
On the 15 and 16 Pro for example, if you want to use the 5x zoom in medium to low light, the iPhone will use the 1x lens, and digitally zoom in to 5x, giving you a huge loss in detail. Sometimes the software switches back and forth between digitally zooming at 5x vs switching to the 5x telephoto lens, again trying to decide which is best for the user. This is frustrating to say the least.
On top of that, I’m sure vloggers would love the ability to record front and rear facing video at the same time, with their face inlaid with whatever footage they’re taking. Top that off with a CapCut like editing features like auto-captions, and people will happily pay for higher-priced iPhones.
How not to describe the iPhone 16e.
It is the same size as an iPhone 14.
It has USB-C like an iPhone 15, but wirelessly charges like an iPhone SE.
It has the same screen as an iPhone 14, which has the brightness of an iPhone 12 Pro, but the notch of the iPhone 13.
It has the same processor as the iPhone 16, but the same amount of GPU cores as an iPhone 13.
The back camera is almost the same as the iPhone 16, but it takes portraits like an iPhone 12.
But don’t worry, the selfie camera is the same as the iPhone 16.
It is the same size as an iPhone 14.
It has USB-C like an iPhone 15, but wirelessly charges like an iPhone SE.
It has the same screen as an iPhone 14, which has the brightness of an iPhone 12 Pro, but the notch of the iPhone 13.
It has the same processor as the iPhone 16, but the same amount of GPU cores as an iPhone 13.
The back camera is almost the same as the iPhone 16, but it takes portraits like an iPhone 12.
But don’t worry, the selfie camera is the same as the iPhone 16.
The iPhone 16E will be Apple’s new “buffered” iPhone.
Tim Cook on Twitter:
Get ready to meet the newest member of the family.
Wednesday, February 19. #AppleLaunch
I’ve been thinking about this (probably too much,) but I don’t think it will be a new iPhone SE.
As a matter of fact, I think the SE lineup will be killed off.
What we will probably get is a new variant of the iPhone 16, rumored to be the iPhone 16E. This makes perfect sense for several reasons.
The iPhone SE lineup has defining features that make it an SE, the biggest two being the classic top and bottom bezels and the Home Button. If you get rid of both of those, you might as well get rid of the name too since it won’t make sense. People have associated the SE branding with those two hallmark features.
I know what you’re thinking. Apple has transformed many other devices and kept the same name, but in this case, pricing is a huge factor.
The 16E will have to support Apple Intelligence since Apple is heavily pushing it, meaning it will have an A17 Pro or A18 chip. Putting a faster chip in an iPhone SE model that beats the iPhone 15 in performance, and pricing it lower than that is nonsensical. If this device is part of the 16 lineup as the 16E, it becomes easy to make the price higher than the SE, but lower than the regular 16. I think it will take the place of the iPhone 15 and start at $699.
So now you have the following price points:
iPhone 16 Pro Max - $1,199 (starts at 256GB)
iPhone 16 Pro - $999
iPhone 16 Plus - $899
iPhone 16 - $799
iPhone 16E - $699
iPhone 15 Plus - $699
iPhone 15 - $599
The iPhone 14 and SE will be discontinued like in the EU, and the starting iPhone price takes a huge jump up from $429 to $599. I don’t think that’s a real shocker even though the click-bait headlines will definitely scream, “Apple raises lowest iPhone price by 40%.”
Seriously though, who really is buying the iPhone SE these days? I’m sure most people are being upsold into the iPhone 14 which is leagues better than the SE, making the real starting price of an iPhone as of today, $599.
Tim’s headline, “newest member of the family,” sounds like a whole new branding, and I think the “E” lineup of iPhones will fall in-line with the “A” line of Pixel phones.
The “E” lineup of iPhones also doesn’t have to be refreshed every year. It will be like the SE, acting like a price buffer to accommodate for technological advancements, laws and regulations, consumer demand, and company performance.
This is my speculation for this coming Wednesday.
Tim Cook on Twitter:
Get ready to meet the newest member of the family.
Wednesday, February 19. #AppleLaunch
I’ve been thinking about this (probably too much,) but I don’t think it will be a new iPhone SE.
As a matter of fact, I think the SE lineup will be killed off.
What we will probably get is a new variant of the iPhone 16, rumored to be the iPhone 16E. This makes perfect sense for several reasons.
The iPhone SE lineup has defining features that make it an SE, the biggest two being the classic top and bottom bezels and the Home Button. If you get rid of both of those, you might as well get rid of the name too since it won’t make sense. People have associated the SE branding with those two hallmark features.
I know what you’re thinking. Apple has transformed many other devices and kept the same name, but in this case, pricing is a huge factor.
The 16E will have to support Apple Intelligence since Apple is heavily pushing it, meaning it will have an A17 Pro or A18 chip. Putting a faster chip in an iPhone SE model that beats the iPhone 15 in performance, and pricing it lower than that is nonsensical. If this device is part of the 16 lineup as the 16E, it becomes easy to make the price higher than the SE, but lower than the regular 16. I think it will take the place of the iPhone 15 and start at $699.
So now you have the following price points:
iPhone 16 Pro Max - $1,199 (starts at 256GB)
iPhone 16 Pro - $999
iPhone 16 Plus - $899
iPhone 16 - $799
iPhone 16E - $699
iPhone 15 Plus - $699
iPhone 15 - $599
The iPhone 14 and SE will be discontinued like in the EU, and the starting iPhone price takes a huge jump up from $429 to $599. I don’t think that’s a real shocker even though the click-bait headlines will definitely scream, “Apple raises lowest iPhone price by 40%.”
Seriously though, who really is buying the iPhone SE these days? I’m sure most people are being upsold into the iPhone 14 which is leagues better than the SE, making the real starting price of an iPhone as of today, $599.
Tim’s headline, “newest member of the family,” sounds like a whole new branding, and I think the “E” lineup of iPhones will fall in-line with the “A” line of Pixel phones.
The “E” lineup of iPhones also doesn’t have to be refreshed every year. It will be like the SE, acting like a price buffer to accommodate for technological advancements, laws and regulations, consumer demand, and company performance.
This is my speculation for this coming Wednesday.
An Apple Watch, a MacBook, and an iPhone all for less than $300?
Saw Luke Miani’s recent video, and it is a compelling ecosystem for a young adult. I’m talking about a late tween or early teenager, especially if they’re homeschooled and their current laptop is a Chromebook that makes the original MacBook Air screen look like a Retina display.
Yes, it’s that bad.
The fact that a 5 year old watch, a 10 year old laptop, and an almost 3 year old phone can still communicate with each other just seems incredible. It shouldn’t really surprise me since I’ve been using an 11 year old laptop that communicates with the newest iPhone and Apple Watch for logging in and Apple Pay.
Saw Luke Miani’s recent video, and it is a compelling ecosystem for a young adult. I’m talking about a late tween or early teenager, especially if they’re homeschooled and their current laptop is a Chromebook that makes the original MacBook Air screen look like a Retina display.
Yes, it’s that bad.
The fact that a 5 year old watch, a 10 year old laptop, and an almost 3 year old phone can still communicate with each other just seems incredible. It shouldn’t really surprise me since I’ve been using an 11 year old laptop that communicates with the newest iPhone and Apple Watch for logging in and Apple Pay.