Should You Buy an iPhone 16?
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus: Apple’s Latest Flagship Devices
Launched in September 2024, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are Apple’s current flagship smartphones, available alongside the premium iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models.
These devices are well-suited for most users, featuring the powerful new A18 chip with Apple Intelligence capabilities, a versatile dual-lens camera system, a dedicated Camera Control button for instant access, and a customizable Action button. Starting at $799, the iPhone 16 strikes a balance between performance and value, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a high-quality iPhone experience without the higher price tag of the Pro models.
For those looking for more advanced features, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max offer enhancements such as the A18 Pro chip, larger displays with ProMotion technology, and a sophisticated triple-lens camera system.
Upgrade Worth Considering
If you’re upgrading from an iPhone 13 or an earlier model, the iPhone 16 is a significant step forward. You gain access to the latest A18 chip with Apple Intelligence support and features like Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via satellite from previous models, making it a comprehensive upgrade.
For budget-conscious buyers, Apple also offers alternatives like the $429 iPhone SE with older technology, the previous-generation iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus starting at $699, and the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus starting at $599.
2024 iPhone 16 Lineup
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus serve as Apple’s main consumer-oriented flagships, starting at $799. They are complemented by the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, which provide additional features and start at $999.
The iPhone 16 series includes four models: the 6.1-inch iPhone 16, the 6.7-inch iPhone 16 Plus, the 6.3-inch iPhone 16 Pro, and the 6.9-inch iPhone 16 Pro Max. The Pro models have larger displays this year, but the standard sizes remain unchanged.
Design and Features
Visually, the iPhone 16 models are similar to the iPhone 15 series, featuring an aluminum frame, a frosted glass back, and the Dynamic Island for the front-facing camera and Face ID sensors. The Super Retina XDR OLED display is protected by a new-generation Ceramic Shield, which is 50% tougher.
A major design update is the new vertical rear camera arrangement, replacing the previous diagonal layout. Additionally, Apple introduced two new buttons: the customizable Action button and the Camera Control button.
The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are available in five colors: ultramarine, teal, pink, white, and black. They now feature a USB-C port for charging, though data transfer speeds remain at USB 2.0 levels.
Performance and Camera
The new 3-nanometer A18 chip supports all iOS 18 Apple Intelligence features, including Writing Tools, an enhanced Siri, Genmoji, and Image Playground. It has a 6-core CPU and a 5-core GPU, offering up to 30% faster CPU performance and 40% faster GPU performance, with 35% better energy efficiency. The internal redesign also improves heat dissipation, enabling up to 30% higher sustained performance, especially beneficial for gaming.
The Camera Control button, inspired by DSLR shutter buttons, provides touch and pressure sensitivity for various camera functions, such as launching the camera, capturing photos and videos, and adjusting settings. It will also support visual intelligence later this year, providing information about objects and places through the camera.
The iPhone 16 series features a new 48-megapixel Fusion camera with a 2x optical-quality telephoto zoom. A new 12-megapixel Ultra Wide camera offers improved low-light performance and macro capabilities. The vertical camera layout enables spatial photos and videos, viewable on the Apple Vision Pro.
Enhanced Photographic Styles allow for real-time color, highlight, and shadow adjustments, with granular control over effects. Video capture includes Spatial Audio and a new Audio Mix feature for post-capture sound adjustments. Wind noise reduction has also been improved for clearer audio quality.
Battery Life and Charging
The iPhone 16 models offer increased battery life, with the iPhone 16 Plus supporting up to 27 hours of video playback and the iPhone 16 up to 22 hours. They also feature faster 25W MagSafe charging, capable of charging to 50% in just 30 minutes with the new MagSafe Charger. Additionally, 15W Qi2 charging is supported.
Connectivity and Pricing
The iPhone 16 series supports 5G connectivity, including both sub-6GHz and mmWave in the U.S., along with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3. In the U.S., the iPhone continues to be eSIM-only, with no physical SIM card slot.
Pricing for the iPhone 16 starts at $799, while the iPhone 16 Plus starts at $899. Both models are available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage options. Pre-orders began on September 13, with official availability starting on September 20.
How to Purchase
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are available for purchase through the Apple Store, Apple retail locations, carriers, and authorized third-party retailers.
Reviews and Reception
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus have received positive reviews, praised for their improved battery life, the addition of the Action Button, and the innovative Camera Control feature, which makes managing camera settings more intuitive. The A18 chip offers a noticeable performance boost, making the devices well-equipped for future Apple Intelligence features starting with iOS 18.1.
Design
iPhone 16 Overview: Design, Features, and Technical Specifications
The iPhone 16 comes with a 6.1-inch display, while the iPhone 16 Plus features a larger 6.7-inch screen. These measurements are taken diagonally across the display. In terms of design, the 2024 models are similar to the previous iPhone 15 series, with only minor updates to the camera and button layouts.
Dimensions and Weight
Both models have undergone minimal changes in size and weight. The iPhone 16 stands 5.81 inches (147.6 mm) tall and 2.82 inches (71.6 mm) wide, while the iPhone 16 Plus measures 6.33 inches (160.9 mm) tall and 3.06 inches (77.8 mm) wide. Both devices have a thickness of 0.31 inches (7.80 mm). The iPhone 16 weighs in at 6.00 ounces (170 grams), and the iPhone 16 Plus at 7.03 ounces (199 grams).
Build and Color Options
The iPhone 16 series features an all-glass front and a matte glass back, complemented by a color-matched aluminum frame. Color options include black, white, teal, pink, and ultramarine, with the last three being vibrant and unique. The front display houses the Dynamic Island, which includes the front-facing camera and TrueDepth system for Face ID.
Buttons and Antenna Configuration
The right side of the iPhone features a power button, while the left side houses volume buttons and the new Action button, which was introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro models. Additionally, the iPhone 16 includes a Camera Control button just below the power button, designed for photo and video capture. The distinctive 5G mmWave antenna has been integrated into the frame for the U.S. market, while international models lack this feature.
Port and Speaker Layout
The bottom of the iPhone 16 models includes speaker holes, a microphone, and a USB-C charging port. Physical SIM slots are available in some regions, but U.S. models have been eSIM-only for several years.
Camera Enhancements
The iPhone 16 introduces a redesigned camera bump with a vertical, pill-shaped layout housing two lenses. This change supports the new spatial photo and video recording capabilities.
USB-C Port and Charging
Both models now feature a USB-C port, supporting charging speeds of up to 45W with a compatible adapter, a significant upgrade from previous models’ 25–30W. This allows the iPhone to directly charge devices like AirPods or Apple Watch at up to 4.5W. However, the USB-C port on these models is limited to USB 2 transfer speeds of 480 Mb/s, the same as the older Lightning port.
Water and Dust Resistance
The iPhone 16 series has an IP68 rating, making it resistant to dust and water at depths of up to six meters (19.7 feet) for up to 30 minutes. The “6” rating indicates maximum protection against dust, while the “8” refers to water resistance. However, Apple advises caution, as water and dust resistance can diminish over time, and damage caused by liquid exposure is not covered under the standard warranty.
Action Button
Replacing the traditional Ring/Silent switch, the Action button offers customizable functionality. It can be set to trigger various actions, such as activating Focus modes, taking photos, turning on the flashlight, or launching specific apps or shortcuts. The button is activated with a long press to prevent accidental engagement.
Display Features
The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus continue to use Super Retina XDR OLED displays with Dynamic Island. The iPhone 16 has a resolution of 2556 by 1179 with 460 pixels per inch, while the 16 Plus has a resolution of 2796 by 1290, also with 460 pixels per inch. The display supports a peak HDR brightness of 1600 nits, and can reach 2000 nits outdoors. A new minimum brightness setting of 1 nit has been added for low-light conditions.
The display is protected by an improved Ceramic Shield material, which Apple claims is twice as strong as any other smartphone glass. The iPhone 16 models do not support ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate or Always-On display, features reserved for the Pro models.
Dynamic Island
Dynamic Island integrates the TrueDepth camera system and front-facing camera into the display, with software blending the camera and sensor cutouts. It serves as an interactive hub for notifications and quick-access features, such as Face ID authentication, call controls, and music playback.
TrueDepth Camera and Face ID
The iPhone 16 series retains Face ID for secure authentication, using a combination of infrared cameras and a dot projector to map the user’s face. This system works in various lighting conditions and can adapt to changes like wearing glasses or hats.
Front-Facing Camera
The front-facing camera is a 12-megapixel lens with an ƒ/1.9 aperture, supporting features like Night mode, Smart HDR 5, Dolby Vision HDR recording, and a Photonic Engine for enhanced low-light performance.
A18 Chip and Performance
The iPhone 16 models are powered by the new A18 chip, built on a second-generation 3-nanometer process, delivering improved efficiency and speed. The CPU is 30% faster than its predecessor, while the GPU offers a 40% boost, making it capable of console-quality gaming. The chip also includes a 16-core Neural Engine optimized for handling large AI models, with 17% more memory bandwidth.
Improved Thermal Design
Apple has redesigned the internal structure of the iPhone 16 to enhance heat dissipation, enabling better sustained performance for demanding tasks like gaming.
Memory and Storage Options
Both models come with 8GB of RAM and offer storage capacities starting at 128GB, with 256GB and 512GB options available.
Camera Control Button
A new Camera Control button on the right side allows for quick access to the camera app and advanced photo and video capture controls. It supports various gestures and haptic feedback to mimic the feel of a DSLR camera shutter.
Visual Intelligence Features
Later this year, the Camera Control button will integrate with new visual intelligence features, allowing users to point the camera at objects to receive information, or interact with third-party tools like Google and ChatGPT.
In Summary
The iPhone 16 series brings incremental yet notable updates, including improved camera capabilities, a more efficient A18 chip, and a new Action button for enhanced functionality. With its refined design and powerful internals, the iPhone 16 continues to build on Apple’s legacy of innovation.
Dual-Lens Rear Camera
iPhone 16 Camera System and Features
The iPhone 16 retains much of the camera technology from the iPhone 15 models, but Apple now refers to the 48-megapixel Wide lens as the “Fusion” lens. This lens can capture both standard photos and 2x zoom shots by cropping in on the image, enhancing versatility in photography.
The primary lens has a 26 mm focal length and an ƒ/1.6 aperture, allowing for excellent light capture even in low-light conditions. It features sensor-shift optical image stabilization for sharp images and videos, and it supports both 24-megapixel and 48-megapixel high-resolution shots. The 24-megapixel option merges two pixels into one, offering detailed images with improved low-light performance without generating excessively large file sizes. The 48-megapixel mode supports both RAW and HEIF formats.
The 2x zoom uses the central 12 megapixels of the sensor, delivering full-resolution zoom shots without relying on digital zoom.
Additionally, the iPhone 16 models come with a new 12-megapixel Ultra Wide lens, boasting an ƒ/2.2 aperture and a 120º field of view, enabling a new macro mode for detailed close-up photography. Apple claims this dual-lens system effectively functions as four different cameras: wide, telephoto, macro, and ultra-wide. The camera system also supports spatial photography and videography for use with Vision Pro.
Enhanced Photographic Styles
Apple has updated Photographic Styles this year, providing more subtle style options and greater control over adjustments. These styles can now be previewed live and customized with a control pad to adjust tone and color intensity. The improvements in skin tone rendering allow users to create and apply a preferred style across all their photos. Additionally, users can now change the Photographic Style even after a photo is taken, which wasn’t possible before.
Advanced Video Capabilities
The iPhone 16 supports up to 4K video recording at various frame rates, including 24, 25, 30, and 60 frames per second. Features like HDR recording, ProRes video, Cinematic mode, Action mode, slo-mo, and time-lapse are also available. The QuickTake mode now captures 4K video at 60 fps in Dolby Vision, and Spatial Audio sound recording provides more dynamic sound quality, while wind noise reduction minimizes interference.
Audio Mix is a new feature that utilizes Spatial Audio capture to control how voices sound in videos. It offers three modes:
1. In-frame: Isolates voices of people on camera, ignoring off-camera sounds.
2. Studio: Creates a studio-quality sound, as if recorded in a controlled environment.
3. Cinematic: Captures all voices, arranging them as if in a film soundtrack.
Additional Camera Features
Portrait Mode: Automatically enables for photos with people or pets and now works with Night mode, supporting Portrait Lighting effects.
Smart HDR 5: Adjusts contrast, lighting, and skin tones for multiple subjects.
Photonic Engine: Combines high-resolution and light-optimized images for enhanced detail and low-light performance.
Night Mode: Aggregates multiple shots in low-light environments for clearer images.
Deep Fusion: Enhances texture and detail in mid-to-low light.
True Tone Flash: Matches ambient lighting to maintain natural colors.
Cinematic Mode: Keeps focus on the subject during video recording.
Action Mode: Stabilizes video for smoother handheld recordings.
Panorama: Supports up to 63-megapixel panoramic shots.
Burst Mode: Captures a sequence of images for dynamic action shots.
Battery Life and Efficiency
The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus offer longer battery life compared to previous models, thanks to the efficient A18 chip:
iPhone 16: 22 hours of video playback, 18 hours of streaming, 80 hours of audio.
iPhone 16 Plus: 27 hours of video playback, 24 hours of streaming, 100 hours of audio.
Both models feature larger batteries than their predecessors and a streamlined removal process for easier replacements.
MagSafe Charging and Connectivity
The iPhone 16 supports 25W MagSafe charging with Apple’s new chargers and a 30W power adapter or higher. This enables faster wireless charging, reaching 50% in 30 minutes. Qi2 charging is also supported at up to 15W.
For connectivity, the iPhone 16 offers extensive 5G support with Qualcomm modems, covering both mmWave and sub-6GHz networks. In the U.S., more than 20 5G bands are supported, making it compatible with a wide range of networks.
Emergency and Satellite Features
All iPhone 16 models support Emergency SOS via satellite, allowing communication with emergency services when cellular and Wi-Fi are unavailable. This feature is free for two years and now includes Messages and Roadside Assistance via satellite.
Crash Detection and Location Tracking
With advanced sensors, the iPhone 16 can detect severe car crashes and automatically contact emergency services. The built-in GPS, microphone, and barometer work together to identify incidents and assist users in emergencies.
Pro and Pro Max Models
The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max offer enhancements over the standard models, including a titanium frame, larger displays, faster A18 Pro chip, and a more versatile camera system. These models also feature ProMotion display technology, Always-On display, and advanced Ultra Wide and Telephoto lenses.
Future Developments
Looking ahead, Apple plans to introduce ProMotion technology to standard iPhone models in 2025, along with under-display Face ID and camera technology by 2026 for a seamless all-screen design.
Conclusion
The iPhone 16 series brings incremental but significant upgrades, particularly in camera capabilities, battery life, and connectivity. With these enhancements, Apple continues to refine the user experience across its iPhone lineup.