Apple's iPhone 16 Pro will have the Thinnest Bezels Ever

Next week, at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple is scheduled to unveil many of the improvements to its iOS software for iPhones. However, some astute industry observers will be scanning the air for any clues regarding screen modifications for the iPhone.

This is because the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models are said to include redesigned screens from Apple, which eventually allows for less bezels and a greater screen area. 

After months of speculation, tech industry leaker Ice Universe revealed on Tuesday what appeared to be prototypes of the iPhone 16 Pro Max bezel to X, next to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

The screens of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are anticipated to grow for the first time in years, from 6.1 inches and 6.7 inches to 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches, respectively.

A request for comment was not immediately answered by Apple personnel.

The updated image helps provide an idea of the design of the next iPhone 16 series, which is expected to debut this autumn. When new iPhones are released, usually in September, Apple doesn't officially recognize them, which leads to conjecture about what possible hardware and software modifications the company's planned may have to make. 

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, this year's entry-level models, are anticipated to retail for $799 and $899, respectively. Both are anticipated to include repositioned cameras and, taking a cue from last year's iPhone 15Pro series, Apple's coveted action button in lieu of a mute switch. On the other hand, it is anticipated that the $1,199 iPhone 16 Pro Max and the $999 iPhone 16 Pro would make advantage of the latest screen technologies that enable bigger screens with smaller bezel boundaries.

In the X article, Ice Universe observed that the iPhone 16 Pro Max's narrower bezel appeared more appealing. However, the tipster also identified more areas where Apple may enhance designs by shrinking the Dynamic Island cutout for sensors and a front-facing camera.

Along with hardware updates, Apple is anticipated to release updates for iOS, the operating system that powers the iPhone, which will include new artificial intelligence features to enhance messaging and other features. According to current rumors, Apple plans to use a variety of technologies to enhance its Siri voice assistant, picture editing skills, and even emoji, in order to develop AI. 

Additionally, it's said that Apple and OpenAI have an agreement for Apple to use ChatGPT for more complex jobs. (See our AI Atlas resource page for in-depth CNET evaluations of generative AI products, such as Gemini, Claude, ChatGPT, and Microsoft Copilot, as well as AI news, advice, and explainers.)