iPhone 15 Pro could be the last compact flagship as Apple plans a big design overhaul with iPhone 16-lineup

The ‘Pro’ models within the iPhone lineup have established themselves as the globally cherished compact premium flagship smartphones. While the ‘Max’ versions boast commendable features, it’s the standard Pro models, featuring perfectly sized 6.1-inch displays that strike the ideal balance between ergonomics and sheer power, making them the most sought-after smartphones in the market.

In the Android world, it’s a challenge to find such a combination, with some brands offering specific models for different regions. Take, for example, the Zenfone 10, which missed an official release in India, disappointing compact phone enthusiasts. While Google provides non-pro Pixel handsets in India, let’s be honest – they often come with bugs and lack the raw power expected from a true flagship.

This whole compact phone mess restricts potential buyers mainly to the ‘Pro’ models of iPhones. Brace yourselves, though, as a transformative shift is imminent in 2024.

Big Design Changes Coming to iPhone 16 Line-up

The iPhone screen sizes are most likely to get bigger this year, leaving the iPhone 15 Pro to be the last iPhone model with a perfectly sized 6.1-inch display. Keep reading if you are also an advocate of the compact flagships.

As reported by Tim Hardwick on macrumors.com, Apple is gearing up for a significant overhaul in 2024. According to Tim, the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro models will boast larger display sizes compared to the current iPhone 15 Pro models. The initial details on the weights and dimensions of the entire iPhone 16 lineup for 2024 were unearthed by Marko Zivkovic from MacRumors.

The iPhone 16 will continue to feature the beloved 6.1-inch screen size. However, there’s anticipation that 2024 might mark the moment when the standard iPhone model embraces ProMotion screens with a 120Hz refresh rate. Isn’t it long due, Apple? The tech landscape has evolved, and even sub-15K phones in the Android realm boast a 120Hz screen. Time to catch up!

The iPhone 16 Plus is also set to retain its current screen size and body dimensions. Nevertheless, there will be a marginal increase in weight for both of these models, ticking up by a mere 2 grams.

iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max to flaunt Taller Displays

In contrast, the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max are gearing up for significant alterations in both screen size and overall dimensions. As per the report, the iPhone 16 Pro is poised to become the first-ever Pro model featuring a 6.3-inch display, precisely measuring 6.27 inches (159.31mm). This marks a noteworthy 0.2-inch expansion in the overall screen size, consequently enlarging the dimensions of the iPhone 16 Pro.

Likewise, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is anticipated to showcase a taller display measuring 6.9 inches, precisely 6.85 inches (174.06 mm). This substantial screen size for an iPhone almost ventures into the territory of an iPad Mini. It raises curiosity about whether the newfound screen dimensions of the iPhone 16 Pro Max will impact the sales figures of the iPad Mini.

It wouldn’t be surprising if the upcoming versions of the iPad Mini also undergo a modest increase in screen size to keep up with the evolving landscape.

With the increase in the Pro Max’s screen size, it’s high time for Apple to introduce enhanced multitasking features as part of the upcoming iPhone 16 lineup. This evolution in functionality would align seamlessly with the larger display, catering to users who seek improved productivity and multitasking capabilities on their devices.

Expect Big Changes in Ergonomics

The introduction of taller displays will notably impact the ergonomics of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. These Pro models will exhibit a slight increase in weight, width, and height. The iPhone 16 Pro is projected to weigh approximately 194 grams, making it 7 grams heavier than the existing iPhone 15 Pro but still 12 grams lighter than the Stainless-steel constructed iPhone 14 Pro.

On the other hand, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is expected to weigh around 225 grams, reflecting a 4-gram increase compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

According to MacRumors, the iPhone 16 Pro is anticipated to measure 149.6 mm in height and 71.45 mm in width, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max will be taller at 163.0 mm and have a width of 77.58 mm.

Besides the screen size and dimensions changes, Apple will offer a couple of other notable changes in the design, display technology, camera, and underlying hardware. But that’s a topic for another day.

Today, it’s crucial to acknowledge that the iPhone Pro models will provide a notably different experience in 2024. While the changes in screen size may not feel dramatically different initially, they serve as a reminder that Apple is once again making notable changes to its most popular iPhone line-up to adapt to our evolving content consumption habits. Bring it on, Apple.