Apple’s 2024 iPhone lineup: base models stay with smaller displays while Pro models widen
Industry chatter around the 2024 iPhone lineup centers on display size differences between the base models and the Pro variants. Reports attributed to Ross Young, the founder of Display Supply Chain Consultants, and relayed by MacRumors, indicate that the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max will feature significantly larger screens compared with the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. The Pro models are expected to showcase 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, marking a milestone in size for Apple’s flagship devices. In contrast, the base iPhone 16 and the successor to the Plus version are not anticipated to adopt these larger panels in 2024.
The claim that only the Pro lineup will receive oversized screens prompts a broader discussion about the design implications. The shift to bigger panels generally calls for a redesigned internal layout and, possibly, a rethinking of bezel thickness. Analysts and journalists alike speculate that Apple might attempt to accommodate larger displays within existing chassis by refining the bezels or other passive components. This would be a notable step, as it would test Apple’s ability to balance display real estate with device ergonomics in a non-Pro model. The possibility that Apple could push a bigger screen into the current form factors without a comprehensive redesign remains a topic of interest among technology observers.
From a market perspective, concentrating larger displays in the Pro line may widen the price gap between base iPhones and iPhone Pro models. That gap could influence consumer purchasing behavior, potentially driving demand for midrange devices while still preserving the appeal of the premium Pro class. In markets like the United States and Canada, where new technology timelines often align with carrier cycles and trade-in programs, this distinction could shape buyers’ choices and financing strategies as new devices arrive.
Industry commentary also touches on potential quality and durability considerations associated with larger screens. A jump to bigger panels sometimes brings new challenges in terms of weight, battery life, and thermal management. If Apple pursues these enhancements for Pro devices, it may rely on advances in display technology and material engineering to maintain all-day performance without compromising user comfort or device longevity. Observers will watch closely how Apple communicates any such engineering choices and how they translate into real-world usage, including camera performance, app experience, and gaming sessions that push the display to its limits.
While the focus sits squarely on the Pro spearhead devices, questions about the base models persist. Consumers and industry watchers alike wonder whether Apple will introduce any other screen-related improvements across the non-Pro lineup, such as minor panel optimizations or notch refinements. For now, the official direction remains that the largest screen upgrade is reserved for the Pro tier in 2024, with the base models sticking to more conventional sizing and specifications. This approach, if accurate, would continue Apple’s pattern of reserving the most ambitious hardware changes for its top-tier devices while maintaining a broad base lineup for the mass market.
In conversations with technology media, analysts emphasize that any decision to concentrate larger displays on Pro devices could influence the secondary market and accessory ecosystems. When flagship models command higher price points, buyers may look to older or more affordable devices to meet their needs, accelerating turnover in mid-range and budget segments. This dynamic can have ripple effects on accessory makers, case designs, and screen protection products as consumers adjust to new dimensions and aspect ratios across different iPhone generations.
Overall, the anticipated split between Pro and base models in display size underscores Apple’s ongoing strategy to differentiate its premium offerings while maintaining a broader lineup. The potential redesign implications, the possible bezel refinements, and the market effects all factor into how the 2024 iPhone family will be perceived by buyers in Canada, the United States, and beyond. As with prior cycles, official confirmations may still emerge, but the current reporting provides a framework for understanding what to expect when Apple unveils its next generation of smartphones. Some observers have noted past patterns where Apple tests bold changes in the Pro line before considering broader adoption, and the 2024 scenario appears to fit that narrative once again.