Apple iPhone 16 evaluation: No extra Professional envy
For years now, the most effective iPhones have featured a $200 unfold between the usual and Professional fashions, so I’m all the time confronted with making an attempt to make an argument to go along with the cheaper mannequin. That’s why I’m hyper-focused on inspecting each little element with my iPhone 16 evaluation, primarily as a result of I would like you to know what precisely you’re getting (or compromising) by selecting this cheaper handset over the iPhone 16 Professional.
I do know lots of people are all the time torn over which iPhone to get, however the fashions making up this 12 months’s iPhone 16 lineup have much more in widespread than years previous. For instance, the iPhone 16 positive aspects the Motion button that was first unique to the iPhone 15 Professionals final 12 months and the identical Digicam Management button discovered within the iPhone 16 Professionals. It even shares nearly the identical set of Apple Intelligence options (though these have solely come as a post-release replace to iOS 18).
One of many greatest questions I additionally need to reply in my iPhone 16 evaluation is how this mannequin’s upgraded cameras evaluate to final 12 months’s iPhones, together with the pricier iPhone 16 Professional and its important rivals within the house.
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Apple iPhone 16 evaluation: Worth and launch date
Yearly I discover myself holding my breath till Apple proclaims the costs of its new iPhones. Fortunately, this occurs to be a 12 months by which there aren’t any value hikes for the bottom iPhone 16, which begins at $799. Preorders for the iPhone 16 can be found proper now, with full availability beginning on September 20.
The iPhone 16 can be out there in three storage choices: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, which have been the configurations for the previous few years now. What I’m completely satisfied about this 12 months are the brighter, extra vibrant colour choices: pink, teal, ultramarine, black, and white. These new colorways are enchanting, and presumably sufficient to sway folks from going with the iPhone 16 Professionals as a result of they’re bolder trying than the pastel-like colours of the iPhone 15.
Apple iPhone 16 evaluation: Specs
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus |
| Beginning value | $799/£799/AU$1,399 | $899/£899/AU$1,599 |
| Display screen dimension | 6.1 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Refresh price | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Processor | A18 | A18 |
| RAM | Unknown | Unknown |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Rear cameras | 48MP important (f/1.6) with 2x opitcal high quality zoom, 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2) | 48MP important (f/1.6) with 2x opitcal high quality zoom, 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2) |
| Entrance digital camera | 12MP (f/1.9) | 12MP (f/1.9) |
| Battery dimension | Unknown | Unknown |
| Battery life | 22 hours, vide playback; 80 hours, | 27 hours, vide playback; 100 hours, |
| Dimension | 5.8 x 2.8 x 0.31 inches (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8mm) | 6.3 x 3.1 x 0.31 inches (160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8mm) |
| Weight | 6 ounces (170 grams) | 7 ounces (199 grams) |
| Colours | Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine | Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine |
Apple iPhone 16 evaluation: Design
There’s one thing to say about utilizing a smaller sized cellphone. Whereas there’s no dimension change between the iPhone 15 and this 12 months’s customary mannequin, the iPhone 16 is a smidge lighter at 6 ounces, making the cellphone a breeze to make use of one-handed. It is actually a lot simpler to take action than with the bigger iPhone 16 Professional and 16 Professional Max fashions. For the iPhone 16, Apple leverages aerospace-grade aluminum with its design, which not solely makes it lighter, but in addition extra sturdy.
Nevertheless, as a lot as Apple claims that the latest-generation Ceramic Protect glass is more durable and extra resilient, my evaluation unit bought noticeably scratched up simply after a couple of instances stuffed in my bag. And that is why I can’t stress sufficient about putting in a display screen protector and any of the most effective iPhone 16 instances if you wish to maintain your new cellphone’s pristine seems intact.
Regardless of that, the iPhone 16 is a way more fashionable cellphone than the iPhone 16 Professionals, which is a disgrace as a result of I’d like to see these bolder colours come to the Professional iPhones. I additionally love how the color-infused again glass with my ultramarine colorway evaluation unit pops at simply the appropriate angle, whereas small particulars just like the define colour of the rear cameras makes for a powerful distinction as an accent colour.
Talking of cameras, that’s one of many many new design adjustments with the iPhone 16. As an alternative of the diagonal association that the collection has been utilizing for the final three years, it’s been reverted to a vertical association to permit help for Spatial video and picture seize. Different new adjustments to the design embody the Motion Button on the left facet of the cellphone and the Digicam Management on the appropriate. And eventually, the USB-C port discovered on the underside of the iPhone 16 continues to be caught on slower USB 2.0 speeds that the iPhone 15 supplied.
Nonetheless, the addition of those options together with its charming seems add to the iPhone 16 design, in addition to narrowing the hole in what it may possibly functionally do in comparison with the iPhone 16 Professional.
Apple iPhone 16 evaluation: Show
In distinction to the iPhone 16 Professional, there’s no change to the display screen dimension on the brand new iPhone 16, it’s nonetheless a 6.1-inch Tremendous Retina XDR show with a decision of two,556 x 1,179 pixels. Additionally, the identical cutout close to the highest for its Dynamic Island doesn’t change in dimension.
Visually the show doesn’t disappoint. It’s a pleasing trying OLED panel that will get the job performed for many issues. I pulled up the Rings of Energy Season 2 trailer, and I like how the iPhone 16 show has simply sufficient saturation and distinction to make a few of the scenes pop. Nevertheless, I’m nonetheless very crucial about Apple’s choice to maintain the show refresh price to 60Hz on its cheaper flagships, which is disappointing given how less expensive telephones have higher refresh charges.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | iPhone 16 | Samsung Galaxy S24 | iPhone 15 |
| Show dimension | 6.1-inch OLED | 6.2-inch AMOLED | 6.1-inch OLED |
| sRGB (%) | 112.2% | 137.5% (Vivid), 120.8% (Pure) | 114.4% |
| DCI-P3 (%) | 79.5% | 97.4% (Vivid), 85.5% (Pure) | 81.1% |
| Delta-E | 0.27 | 0.22 (Vivid), 0.24 (Pure) | 0.18 |
| Peak brightness | 1,348 nits | 1,416 nits | 1,401 nits |
Most individuals most likely received’t care, however I’ve seen how the quicker 120Hz refresh price on the cheaper Pixel 8a smooths out movement to make motion scenes look extra fluid. On account of its 60Hz show, the iPhone 16 doesn’t have the identical slick-smoothing animation as different telephones.
Placing the iPhone 16 by Tom’s Information’s show benchmark take a look at, Apple’s new cellphone comes up somewhat brief at 1,348 nits — which is down from the 1,401 nit brightness of the iPhone 15. It’s not a horrible distinction, however given how Apple once more claims as much as a 3,000 nit score, I hoped for a minimum of an enchancment on this space. However regardless of this, I’ll say that none of this impacts the iPhone 16’s display screen visibility outdoor. It’s usable, but it surely positively advantages from a shade with my hand exterior.
Apple iPhone 16 evaluation: Digicam Management
The Digicam Management button is positioned on the appropriate facet of the iPhone 16 and might acknowledge the quantity of stress utilized to it — thus replicating the bodily shutter button generally present in in the present day’s finest mirrorless cameras. I’ll say that the Digicam Management takes a bit getting used to due to the additional capabilities you’ll have entry to.
Whereas urgent it down all the way in which lets you take a photograph, urgent and holding on the button initiates video recording. I do like how the Digicam Management also can discern swipes to vary between a few of the settings, like zoom controls, publicity adjustment, and extra — all by barely urgent the Digicam Management button and swiping my finger left or proper. Although it might take a bit getting used to all of this, it’s a step in the appropriate path in making the iPhone really feel extra like a digital camera.
Nevertheless, I nonetheless want Apple added extra controls — like entry to the shutter pace and ISO, which might assist fanatics like myself to get extra out of the cellphone’s digital camera. By way of audio recording, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus additionally achieve the identical Audio Mixing function that lets shooters modify the sound of the audio after a video’s recorded. This was beforehand launched as a function for the iPhone 16 Professional and iPhone 16 Professional Max, but it surely’s been confirmed to be out there on the usual iPhone 16 fashions.
Apple iPhone 16 evaluation: Digicam Efficiency
Simply as earlier than, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus function twin rear cameras that encompass a 48MP important shooter and a refreshed 12MP ultrawide. That latter actually will get extra consideration this time round as a result of the collection lastly positive aspects the flexibility to seize macro images, which is a functionality that has been restricted to the Professional fashions.
Apple additionally talks so much concerning the versatility of this new digital camera setup, since it may possibly successfully ship photographs with optical high quality and not using a devoted zoom digital camera — all by leaning on the identical pixel-binning methods I’ve seen beforehand with the iPhone 15 to get usable 2x zoom photographs.
For the reason that iPhone 16’s digital camera is similar to the one within the iPhone 16 Professional/16 Professional Max, it’s price seeing the way it compares. Within the shot above in downtown Half Moon Bay, the iPhone 16 pulls up a pleasant shot with simply as a lot element within the timber, parked vehicles, and signages across the road. The one benefit for the iPhone 16 Professional is the way it produces a brighter picture by growing the publicity within the shadows.
One of many few adjustments to the iPhone 16’s cameras pertain to its refreshed 12MP ultrawide digital camera, which boasts a wider f/2.2 aperture lens (up from the iPhone 15’s f/2.4 one). In opposition to the Pixel 9, it does deliver out extra element within the shadowed areas within the tree on the left facet, however the inexperienced leaves don’t look as vibrant because the Pixel.
But once more, the iPhone 16 makes a powerful case for being probably the greatest digital camera telephones round as a result of these selfie pictures I captured of myself above are almost an identical in the case of the small print. Not solely does it seize a whole lot of my facial options, like my hairline and wonder marks, but it surely additionally captures the identical particulars with the background. The one distinction is how the iPhone 16 Professional’s shot seems brighter.
Regardless of missing a devoted telephoto digital camera, the 2x zoom with the iPhone 16 nonetheless delivers good outcomes. It matches the Galaxy S24 Plus at 2x zoom, with each capturing the small print of the tree’s branches and bark. I’m additionally impressed by the effectiveness of pixel binning within the iPhone 16 as a result of at 10x zoom, it comes near matching the S24 Plus — and that’s excellent once you determine that the S24 Plus is utilizing a 3x optical zoom.
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Including to its utility, the iPhone 16 lastly positive aspects the flexibility to seize correct macro images due to its refreshed ultrawide digital camera. I captured a number of closeups of various sorts of flowers and I can not let you know how unbelievably good it’s, particularly within the gallery above that permit me to get nearer to topics than ever earlier than — with unprecedented element.
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I am stunned by how effectively the iPhone 16 pictures maintain up in opposition to the iPhone 16 Professional within the photographs above. Whereas the Professional captures extra of the flower in focus and does higher with the publicity, the stuff that’s in focus with the iPhone 16 just about matches it.
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In high-contrast scenes, the iPhone 16’s dynamic vary does a wonderful job at neutralizing the publicity all through the scene. The pictures above present how the iPhone 16 handles the brighter areas of the setting solar within the background, whereas boosting the darker, extra shadowed areas of the foreground. You’ll be able to clearly see the yellow colour of the sundown in the course of the picture with the iPhone 16, whereas the Pixel 9 blows it out.
Pitch darkish situations are actually the most effective conditions to inform aside the most effective cameras from the merely good ones. There’s simply no comparability between the pictures of my yard above as a result of the tree’s considerably brighter, extra uncovered with the iPhone 16 — making it seem as if there’s a lightweight shining on it from behind me.
I feel it’s protected to say that the iPhone 16 is a high all-around digital camera cellphone that delivers excellent outcomes irrespective of the scenario. You would pay extra for the iPhone 16 Professional and achieve the higher telephoto digital camera, however the high quality put out by the iPhone 16 cameras provides it a run for its cash. In opposition to key rivals just like the Galaxy S24 and Pixel 9, it actually has its benefits, placing these telephones on discover with its superior low mild and dynamic vary efficiency.
Apple iPhone 16 evaluation: Video recording
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Video recording tops out at 4K 60 fps with the iPhone 16, which is the norm in nearly each different cellphone for this value. I shot the 2 movies above utilizing the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S24 Plus. Each do a improbable job at capturing sharp trying footage that’s full of loads of element, however I a lot want how the iPhone 16 has a greater distinction — particularly in how the inexperienced leaves within the timber. That’s as a result of the Galaxy S24 Plus tends to look flat in these areas.
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Beneath low mild, the iPhone 16 does higher than the Galaxy S24 Plus as a result of at first, I can visibly see how extra of the footage is uncovered with the iPhone 16. Since there’s no ambient mild within the space I shot first, the Galaxy S24 Plus’ footage is dim and darkish. After I pan to my deck, the S24 Plus suffers from mushier trying particulars — whereas the iPhone 16 has a bit extra definition and higher publicity.
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Whereas 4K 120 fps seize is unique to the iPhone 16 Professional, the iPhone 16 nonetheless has two choices for sluggish movement seize: 1080p at 120 fps and 720p at 240 fps. The sluggish movement clip above of the water fountain does properly to decelerate the water splashes, however the particulars at 720p aren’t the sharpest.
Lastly, Apple introduces a brand new audio modifying function with movies referred to as Audio Combine. Utilizing the 4 microphones within the iPhone 16, I’m now capable of higher improve the audio after I’m performed recording video. As somebody who shoots video professionally for a residing, I can say this can be a function I can admire.
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For the reason that microphones choose up audio in numerous instructions, Audio Combine lets me do an array of issues to get the sound I would like. I examined it out with good ends in the clip above. I initially recorded myself in entrance of the digital camera whereas I used to be taking part in an ASMR of individuals speaking within the background, like what you’d discover in a loud cafe or diner.
Within the Pictures app, I can then use the Audio Combine settings to tune out the background noise. The second video is the top outcome with the background noise suppressed whereas enhancing my voice. This type of audio layering function isn’t essentially new, however you sometimes discover it in skilled video modifying software program.
I do discover, nonetheless, that my voice more and more turns into distorted the extra I aggressively soften the background noise utilizing the slider controls within the app — so there’s a superb stability to make it sound clear with out introducing an excessive amount of distortion.
Apple iPhone 16 evaluation: Efficiency
Skipping previous the A17 Professional present in final 12 months’s iPhone 15 Professional fashions, Apple as a substitute equips the iPhone 16 with the newest A18 chipset. It’s primarily based on a brand new 3nm manufacturing course of and affords 30% quicker CPU efficiency than the prior A16 Bionic that was within the iPhone 15.
The entire artificial benchmark checks present marked enhancements for the iPhone 16. In Geekbench 6, the iPhone 16 achieves common single and multi core scores of three,301 and eight,033 respectively — which is a major increase over the iPhone 15’s scores of two,518 and 6,179. What’s much more outstanding is that these scores are even higher than the iPhone 15 Professional Max’s A17 Professional chip.
The cellphone is actually quick with on a regular basis duties, however the one grievance I’ve is that it doesn’t fairly have the identical stage of fluidness with animations and actions because the iPhone 16 Professional Max, which I attribute to the iPhone’s 16’s 60Hz refresh price.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | iPhone 16 | Samsung Galaxy S24 | Google Pixel 9 |
| Processor | A18 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Tensor G4 |
| Geekbench (single core/multicore) | 3,301 / 8,033 | 2235 / 6922 | 1,758 / 4,594 |
| WildLife Limitless(fps) | 98.23 | 120.4 | 55.71 |
The efficiency enchancment doesn’t cease there, seeing that there’s additionally a lift to its graphics processing efficiency. 3DMark’s Wild Life Limitless take a look at reaches a mean body price of 98.23 fps, which is a 36% enchancment over the iPhone 15.
Graphically intensive video games run completely superb with the iPhone 15, particularly within the climactic battle scenes that occur once I play Age of Origins. What makes this iPhone a fair higher gaming cellphone is that it positive aspects help for hardware-accelerated ray tracing — a function that when was unique to the 15 Professional fashions. I pulled up Resident Evil Village on the iPhone 16, and the body price saved regular with all of the lighting and shadowing results occurring on display screen. However once more, it’s a notch or two under the efficiency I see in different flagship telephones due to the iPhone 16’s 60Hz refresh price.
All advised, the A18 chip is a jewel of its personal as a result of this “underpowered” chipset delivers higher outcomes than different comparable telephones. For instance, it posts scores that beat the Galaxy S24 and Pixel 9 in lots of benchmark checks. My solely criticism goes again to the truth that it doesn’t have as a lot of that buttery clean look that in the present day’s finest gaming telephones provide with their quicker refresh charges.
Apple iPhone 16 evaluation: Battery Life
In response to Apple, there’s a bigger sized battery within the iPhone 16. Regardless that its actual capability is unknown, a minimum of till teardowns of the cellphone turn out to be public. Definitely, the iPhone 16 has sufficient gasoline within the tank to deal with my every day utilization. On days once I was heavy on my iPhone 16, I nonetheless wanted to cost it in some unspecified time in the future in the course of the day — however I managed to get it right down to 10% capability at one level once I was a bit mild on the utilization all through the day.
Extra importantly, the iPhone 16 doesn’t disappoint within the Tom’s Information’s battery benchmark take a look at. Its time of 13 hours and 19 minutes is a giant enchancment over the iPhone 15’s time of 11 hours and 5 minutes — a 20% improve in battery life. Regardless that it doesn’t see as a lot enchancment as the opposite new iPhones, the iPhone 16 reveals {that a} small cellphone akin to this could nonetheless get you by with out a lot fear.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | iPhone 16 | iPhone 15 | Samsung Galaxy S24 | Pixel 9 |
| Battery dimension | N/A | N/A | 4,000 mAh | 4,700 mAh |
| Battery life (Hrs:Minutes) | 13:19 | 11:05 | 13:28 (adaptive) | 13:18 |
| Wired Charging | N/A | 20W | 25W | 27W |
| Recharge share (15 minutes) | 29% | 26% | 28% | 26% |
| Recharge share (30 minutes) | 57% | 53% | 54% | 54% |
There have been claims about 45W wired charging speeds with the iPhone 16, however after testing it out utilizing totally different cables and related to a GaN charger that reveals me the charging output of every port, I solely was capable of see charging speeds upwards of 20W. That’s not quick in any respect, however given the iPhone 16’s dimension, I’m stunned that it will get to about 29% capability in quarter-hour of charging with Apple’s 30W charger — after which to 57% in half-hour.
On the flip facet, the iPhone 16 positive aspects 25W MagSafe charging and Qi2 help, so charging it wirelessly can be quicker. Nevertheless, you’ll want to interchange your present MagSafe chargers if you have already got one to achieve the advantage of quicker MagSafe charging.
Apple iPhone 16 evaluation: Software program
Apple’s new software program releases may be substantial or iterative. With this 12 months’s iOS 18 launch, it’s extra of the latter for the reason that new model doesn’t have almost as many huge adjustments or options as iOS 17. That is as a result of all of the enjoyable stuff arrived individually with Apple Intelligence’s launch in iOS 18.1 in late October 2024, unique for all iPhone 16 fashions, plus the iPhone 15 Professional and iPhone 15 Professional Max.
As of November 2024, iOS 18.2 is in developer beta, with the steady launch anticipated by December. This can add extra options akin to Genmoji, additional ChatGPT integration and the choice to share Discover My areas by way of hyperlink with the intention to share it with non-contacts.
Our iOS 18 evaluation dials into all the brand new options, like how there’s extra customization and privateness options, however I’ll say that the adjustments and additions are all iterative. For instance, in iOS 18 you achieve the flexibility to lock or cover apps by including a layer of authentication with Face ID, Contact ID, or a passcode.
As for Apple Intelligence, that brings the brand new and improved Siri, summaries to your notifications, emails, notes and extra, Writing Instruments to assist verify and rework your phrases, and recording/transcription options for the Telephone and Notes app.
Apple iPhone 16 evaluation: Apple Intelligence Preview
That’s why I feel it’s a bummer that the iPhone 16 arrives with out Apple Intelligence. I’ve been utilizing Apple Intelligence options with a developer beta, which continues to be a piece in progress. However I feel it is protected to conclude that Apple Intelligence will usher in a brand new period for the iPhone due to how helpful these new capabilities are. I’ve already highlighted a few of my favourite Apple Intelligence options, like how Siri is way more conversational than ever earlier than in addition to the effectiveness of Photograph Clear As much as edit photographs with the assistance of generative AI.
Nevertheless, there’s one Apple Intelligence function I’ve but to check out and am excited for. It’s Visible Intelligence, which is Apple’s reply to Google Lens. That is going to be an unique Apple Intelligence function for the iPhone 16 lineup, so it received’t be approaching different earlier fashions and might be the explanation to persuade folks to improve. Tied to the Digicam Management button on the iPhone 16, Visible Intelligence will help you shortly seek for something simply by taking a snapshot of it — however it may be built-in with any app or service working on the cellphone.
As a lot as I take pleasure in all the opposite Apple Intelligence options which can be in preview with the iOS 18.1 developer beta, I don’t assume they’re something particular or revolutionary. They’re basically responses to what I’ve seen on the market, just like the summarizing and translation options in Galaxy AI or the picture modifying talents of Google’s Magic Editor. In reality, I’d go far to say that Google’s nonetheless forward of Apple in the case of AI options — extra so when Apple’s rival has spent years growing them.
Nonetheless, Apple’s steering in the appropriate path by lastly growing Apple Intelligence. It’s only a bummer that it’s not out there at launch. Regardless of that, it is a greater increase for the iPhone 16 particularly as a result of it will have the identical options because the iPhone 16 Professional fashions. I imagine this must be the appropriate method by preserving the expertise uniform, but it surely actually provides extra weight to the cheaper iPhone 16.
Apple iPhone 16 evaluation: Verdict
I nonetheless can’t imagine that we’re occurring two years now with out an replace to the iPhone SE. However given how excellent the iPhone 16 is that this 12 months, I’m way more inclined to choose this mannequin up, particularly because it shares a whole lot of the identical options because the iPhone 16 Professional. I’m referring to the Motion Button, Digicam Controls and — as soon as iOS 18.1 arrives — just about the identical Apple Intelligence options.
Equally as spectacular are the iPhone 16 cameras, which for the worth distinction nonetheless put out sharp photographs, notably from the primary lens. The one actual space it’s lacking out is within the telephoto division, however that’s the distinguishing purpose you need to take into account the Professional fashions as a substitute. As a video digital camera, I additionally love how the iPhone 16 positive aspects the identical Audio Combine function to reinforce the sound of my movies to the way in which I would like them.
On the finish of the day, the one huge criticism I’ve concerning the iPhone 16 is its 60Hz show. It’s dated and lacks the fluidness I see in different telephones with higher refresh charges. Then once more, you’re saving a very good $200 by selecting the iPhone 16 over Apple’s Professional cellphone and the areas it inherently falls brief in opposition to its siblings (assume battery life and processing efficiency). Actually, the iPhone 16 has professional options at a mainstream value.
