This year was Apple hitting the reset button somewhat. For the last couple of years the reg model has existed on hand-me-downs. It wasn't always this way. The XS, 11 and 12 lines all shifted in time with each other.

Now the iPhone 16 is such good value that it has made the Pro lines largely redundant. Consumers don't need to spend as much money to have all the best features.

My theory is that next year they are going to kill the Pro line completely for something new.