Desk of Contents
Desk of Contents
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus worth and specs
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus design
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus show
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus Motion Button
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus Digicam Management
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus cameras
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus efficiency
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus battery life
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus Apple Intelligence
Are iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus value it?
How We Examined
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus have been by no means on my radar — till I had a sudden change of coronary heart.
As a Professional Max exclusivist, the entry-level iPhone usually does not catch my eye. In spite of everything, “Who desires a puny little cellphone?” I as soon as thought.
And the “Plus” was all the time the awkward center little one, typically ignored for the bottom mannequin or the top-tier variant.
Nevertheless, my expertise with these telephones has modified my thoughts. For many who don’t want pro-level picture and video seize, I’d go so far as saying that the iPhone 16 Plus is a greater purchase than the iPhone 16 Professional (although not the iPhone 16 Professional Max).
Stick round for all the things that made me rethink the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus fashions as viable day by day drivers.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus worth and specs
Earlier than I can dive into the meat and potatoes of this evaluation, I would like to provide you some perception into how a lot you may should spend on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.
iPhone 16
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
The iPhone 16, out there for pre-order as of now, begins at $799 by way of Apple’s official retailer. The iPhone 16 Plus, alternatively, begins at $899.
“Why does the iPhone 16 Plus price greater than the iPhone 16?” you could be questioning. Properly, the iPhone 16 Plus has a bigger show and a much bigger battery, which suggests it’s best to be capable of squeeze out extra runtime on a single cost (extra on that later).
Apart from the aforementioned variations, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus each share the identical specs, together with the next:
New A18 chip
8GB of RAM (required for Apple Intelligence assist)
New Digicam Management button
Motion Button from final yr’s iPhone 15 Professional fashions
128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage choices
I extremely suggest getting the 256GB storage choice. Take it from me, 128GB runs out fairly rapidly — in a few yr and a half, give or take. (However I additionally perceive there are price range constraints, so iCloud+ is an alternative choice for cupboard space in case you do not thoughts subscriptions.)
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus design
The iPhone 16 Plus evaluation unit I obtained, draped in bubble-gum pink deliciousness, would have been a showstopper throughout 2023’s peak Barbie craze. It is simply dripping in Margot Robbie cuteness, cotton sweet sweetness, and pink lemonade pleasure.
iPhone 16 Plus in Pink
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Merely known as “Pink,” this rose-tinted shade is accessible just for iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.
In the event you resolve to go caseless (since you love this coloration as a lot as I do), you may be relieved to know that iPhone 16 lineup is now outfitted with an much more sturdy show glass that is technically “Ceramic Protect 2.” The OG Ceramic Protect debuted with the iPhone 12, and 4 generations later, we have a new-gen Ceramic Protect that’s 50% harder, in response to Apple.
In different phrases, the display on the iPhone 16 must be just a bit extra immune to your clumsy incidents — inside purpose, after all. (Do not get too clumsy.)
My non-Plus iPhone 16, nonetheless, is available in teal. Not my style (I might have most well-liked Ultramarine), however I really like Apple’s determination to depart the pastel palettes behind, going deep, vivid, and wealthy. Different colours on the iPhone 16 menu embrace black and white.
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
Each the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus now not have their cameras organized in a diagonal place. They’re now stacked. This does not essentially hassle me. However for the reason that iPhone 13, the bottom fashions have had that diagonal-style placement that turned Apple’s signature.
However now, the cameras are positioned in a approach that is very Android-esque —à la Samsung Galaxy S24 and Nothing Cellphone (2). So in case you have a finicky teenager who desires to slot in with their fellow iPhone-owning buddies, the iPhone 16’s new design could also be a tricky promote.
iPhone 16
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
They’re going to seemingly urge you to buy, on the very least, the iPhone 16 Professional, which maintains that acquainted, triple-camera Apple design language that screams “That is an costly iPhone!”
iPhone 16 Professional
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The iPhone 16 (notably the non-Plus mannequin) is fantastically mild. If I by accident dropped the iPhone 16 on my face whereas watching Love Island USA on my again — which is completely a “hypothetical” and by no means occurred to me earlier than — I will not get a black eye. Good!
I checked the burden to see if the iPhone 16 is lighter than its predecessor — and there’s, certainly, a tiny distinction; Apple managed to shave off about 0.3 ounces gen-over-gen (6.03 ounces to six ounces). As for the chassis, the iPhone 16 remains to be 0.31 inches skinny, which matches the iPhone 15.
iPhone 16 – 6 ounces
iPhone 15 – 6.03 ounces
iPhone 16 Plus is barely lighter, too, however it has the identical thickness because the iPhone 16 base mannequin (0.31 inches).
I knew I wasn’t dropping it. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus fashions are completely lighter than final yr’s entry-level variants.
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus fashions proceed to have quantity buttons on the left and a aspect key on the suitable (which doubles as a approach of invoking Siri). However just like the iPhone 15 Professional and iPhone 15 Professional Max, the complete iPhone 16 lineup now has the Motion Button.
Lastly, the iPhone 16 fashions are rated for splash, water, and dirt resistance (i.e., IP68); this implies they’ll deal with six meters of water submergence for as much as half-hour.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus show
Some individuals aren’t going to love this, however sorry to say, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus nonetheless have a 60Hz display.
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
It’s possible you’ll be questioning, “Why will not Apple put a 90Hz or 120Hz refresh fee on the iPhone 16?” My guess is that the Cupertino-based tech large wants one thing to lure customers into buying the Professional fashions (which have a variable refresh fee that go as much as 120Hz). Additionally, there are superfans who do not give a rat’s behind about whether or not a show is 60Hz, 90Hz, or 120Hz; they love iPhone and can purchase one regardless.
In contrast to the iPhone 16 Professional and iPhone 16 Professional Max, which had their shows improve to six.3 inches and 6.9 inches, respectively (yeah, the iPhone 16 Professional Max is virtually a phablet at this level), the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus’ shows have remained the identical:
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
iPhone 16 – 6.1 inches, 2,556 x 1,179-pixel decision, 1,000 nits of display brightness (2,000 peak)
iPhone 16 Plus – 6.7 inches, 2,796 x 1,290-pixel decision, 1,000 nits of display brightness (2,000 peak)
The iPhone 16 fashions nonetheless have Dynamic Island (that pill-shaped notch on the high of the display), which disguises the TrueDepth selfie digicam. I discovered myself admiring it from time to time whereas listening to music. The bouncing waveform animations that dance alongside to my tunes are hypnotizing. However on the similar time, I would not miss it if it ever acquired the boot sooner or later. (Extra display actual property is all the time welcome.)
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
I miss TouchID, although. Maybe at some point, perhaps iPhone 17, I will see it seem someplace on the aspect of the chassis — or perhaps beneath the show.
In fact, the iPhone 16’s compact kind issue is advantageous as a result of it is extra pocketable. However whereas utilizing it for streaming pleasures, I could not assist however miss my iPhone 15 Professional Max, which has 6.7 inches of scrumptious show. However I loved the iPhone 16 Plus, which almost matches my iPhone 15 Professional Max’s dimensions.
Whereas watching Netflix’s Promoting Sundown and taking within the colourful array of — er — fascinating outfits within the famed actual property workplace, I seen that the colours have been vivid and closely saturated on each the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus Motion Button
The Motion Button hit the iPhone final yr — and it was an absolute hit. Some individuals configured this customizable button to have it name their partner, others programmed it in order that it performs their favourite Apple Music playlist.
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I haven’t got a “cool” Motion Button story. My use case is extra sensible. I configured the Motion Button to drag up Google Authenticator, which lets me log into accounts with 2FA necessities. It is boring, sure, however it’s tremendous helpful.
It’s also possible to use the Motion Button to run more-than-one process utilizing Shortcuts. For instance, in case your iPhone detects you are away from house, you may rework the Motion Button into your “Faucet to Pay” key, but when it “is aware of” you are at your residence, the Motion Button can change into a flashlight as an alternative.
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
Personally, I would adore it if Apple may make it simpler to assign extra gestures (e.g., double and triple presses) to the Motion Button. For instance, with three fast presses, I can shut Amazon tremendous quick earlier than my fiancé sees it — he is had sufficient of my designer fragrance obsession.
The Motion Button is not the one button that is made its approach onto the iPhone 16 fashions.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus Digicam Management
Since MagSafe, Digicam Management is my absolute favourite hero characteristic that Apple has added in recent times. It is a slam dunk!
Yow will discover the Digicam Management button all throughout the iPhone 16 lineup
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
I stated this in my Digicam Management hands-on, however with just some gestures (e.g., sliding movement, and one or two presses), you may entry so many digicam options, together with the next:
Zoom
Cameras (swap between ultrawide, large, and 2X zoom)
Photographic Types (e.g., filters like “Gold,” “Amber,” “Vibrant,” and extra)
Tone
Depth
Publicity
Digicam Management makes it simpler for me to mess around with options I’ve typically ignored, together with depth and tone. Whereas I take advantage of the likes of publicity and zoom on a regular basis, Digicam Management had me including shadows and blur results.
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
The Digicam Management button, as a right-handed person, is best to make use of with two palms (e.g., the left hand is holding the iPhone and the suitable hand’s pointer finger is doing the entire gesturing).
Digicam Management button
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Nevertheless, my pure place in taking photographs is often one-handed. On my proper hand, I steadiness the cellphone on my pinky whereas utilizing my thumb to navigate. As such, with Digicam Management, I wanted to drop the thumb behavior and begin utilizing my pointer finger as my major Digicam Management navigation finger.
The most effective a part of Digicam Management? I can immediately launch the Digicam app whereas my cellphone is locked. Win!
Later this yr, Digicam Management will double as a gateway to Visible Intelligence (as a part of the Apple Intelligence suite).
With Visible Intelligence, you may level the digicam at any topic in your environment. And in a Meta AI-like method (just like the AI-powered Ray-Ban Meta Good Glasses), it should let you know what you are seeing. For instance, you may level at a canine — and it’ll let you know the breed.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus cameras
So let’s begin with the brand new digicam characteristic on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus: “optical high quality” 2X zoom. It’s possible you’ll be questioning, “What does that even imply?”
To place it merely, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, in contrast to the Professional fashions, should not have a telephoto sensor — the lens chargeable for your zoomed-in photographs.
Nevertheless, as talked about, Apple says it managed to ship “optical high quality” 2X zoom — that means the picture readability is so good, you’d assume that it does have a telephoto sensor.
So I put this to the take a look at. This is a 2X zoom shot of Arthur J. Hendrickson Park in Lengthy Island.
Zoom – 2x
“2X Zoom” shot of Valley Stream Group Heart inside Hendrickson Park with iPhone 16 Plus
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
Beautiful proper? The picture is so crisp, you may see the delineation of the crimson bricks that make up the edifice. The garden is verdant and the ripples are sharply outlined. Even after I elevated the zoom to 5X, the picture nonetheless appeared nice, although with some decision loss, contemplating the low-light situations.
“5X Zoom” shot of Valley Stream Group Heart inside Hendrickson Park with iPhone 16 Plus
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
(Take into account that each the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus share the identical cameras, so it would be redundant to share photographs from each telephones.)
Huge
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus sport 48MP large lenses; listed below are some photographs.
iPhone 16 large picture
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
Here’s a wide-lens image of a sullied lake inside a Lengthy Island park flanked by weeping willows. This picture has a cooler, extra true-to-life vibe. I am a extra vivid, heat kind of lady. (As you may study later, although, you need to use Photographic Types to alter the temperature to your liking.)
iPhone 16 large picture of Chrysler Constructing
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
This picture captures the Chrysler Constructing in opposition to a transparent blue sky, framed by each basic and trendy structure. The attitude creates a dynamic sense of depth, emphasizing the towering buildings as they converge upward. Whereas the lighting is well-balanced, including extra distinction to the sky may improve its impression in opposition to the constructions.
Hen sandwich taken with iPhone 16
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
I really like a great meals picture, so here is a shot of a scrumptious rooster sandwich inside a well-lit fast-food spot in Manhattan. There’s minimal noise, correct coloration illustration with the muted yellow fries, bright-red ketchup, and golden-brown bun.
Makes you need to take a chunk, does not it? I am notably tickled by how nicely the large lens captured the saucy, spicy texture of the rooster.
Ultrawide
Because you already noticed the zoomed-in perspective of this picture within the “2x zoom” part, let me present you the way the 12MP ultrawide lens carried out.
Utlrawide shot taken with iPhone 16
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It seems to be dreamy, does not it? It is a sensor you utilize if you need to seize a panorama with an ethereal, silhouetted really feel, stuffed with distinction and thriller. It is value noting that the iPhone 16’s ultrawide sensor captures extra mild, enhancing picture high quality. Plus, this ultrawide lens now permits macro images, so you will get crisp, close-up pictures in superb element.
For instance, try the macro images shot of the Penny Mac flowers in my yard.
Macrophotography with ultrawide lens.
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
This is one other shot which may be acquainted to you — and my favourite picture thus far.
Ultrawide image taken with iPhone 16
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
This ultrawide shot seems to be prefer it was plucked proper out of a storybook — it is giving “hidden oasis” vibes. The small print within the foreground are comparatively sharp, the colours are balanced, and the complete scope of the panorama was captured, showcasing the stream and surrounding greenery. However naturally, this was shot in low-light situations, so the constraints of the ultrawide lens are proven with the background’s lack of superb element.
For upgraded ultrawide, try the iPhone 16 Professional and iPhone 16 Professional Max.
Selfie
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus proceed to sport a 12MP selfie digicam. No, I do not thoughts that Apple did not improve it as a result of I am unable to think about that lens getting any sharper.
iPhone 16 selfie
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
It is also value noting that the iPhone 16 fashions, due to the A18 collection chip inside, have new iPhone 16-exclusive Photographic Types filters, together with “Gold,” “Amber,” “Quiet,” and “Cozy.”
“Quiet” Photographic Type
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“Pure” Photographic Type
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“Ethereal” Photographic Type
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What makes Photographic Types totally different from different filters? Properly, most filters merely select a coloration vibe and apply it to the entire picture globally — with out regard to your pores and skin tone and different treasured components within the picture. Photographic Types, alternatively, intelligently applies filters with out fully dropping the essence of the picture.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus efficiency
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus have a brand new A18 chip that is filled with a quicker processor, zippier graphics, and an improved Neural Engine (the unit chargeable for AI processing and machine studying).
iPhone 16 in teal colorway
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
I ran Geekbench 6, a benchmark that assessments processor prowess, on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. Listed below are the multi-core scores:
iPhone 16 – 7,878
iPhone 16 Plus – 7,897
Um, can we speak about how these scores match a price range gaming laptop computer we reviewed, the Lenovo LOQ 15, which notched a multi-core rating of seven,575 on the identical take a look at?
Different smartphone rivals do not even come shut to those numbers. The Google Pixel 9, for instance, has a nasty multi-core rating of 4,358. To be truthful, although, one may argue that the iPhone 16 telephones are overpowered. No cellphone wants the ability of a gaming laptop computer, however hey, Apple can proceed to brag about its undefeated streak within the efficiency division.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus battery life
Apple stated that the A18 chip can also be power environment friendly — and it wasn’t kidding.
Apple put larger batteries all throughout the iPhone 16 lineup and it exhibits. We ran a TikTok rundown with the shows at 50% of brightness. Listed below are the outcomes we acquired for every cellphone:
I am unable to consider my eyes. The iPhone 16 Plus lasted virtually 19 hours. It additionally outperformed the iPhone 16 Professional, which lasted 18 hours and 17 minutes. However that is not too shocking as a result of the iPhone 16 Professional has a smaller battery in comparison with the iPhone 16 Plus.
The iPhone 16 has the shortest battery life in the complete lineup (the iPhone 16 Professional Max lasted greater than 25 hours), however it crushed rivals just like the Google Pixel 9, which lasted 16 hours and 6 minutes on a single cost.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus Apple Intelligence
In comparison with the likes of Meta and Google which have gone full throttle with synthetic intelligence (AI), Apple has taken a extra conservative strategy.
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
It might seem that Apple is “behind,” however actually, the corporate is simply taking its time. It is seemingly seen the suggestions and backlash that buyers have had with the likes of Meta AI and Gemini — and it does not need to observe the identical footsteps.
Apple introduced Apple Intelligence this yr, at WWDC 2024 particularly, and outlined some new options that may drop on iOS 18. On the time, Apple stated that these options will solely be out there on iPhone 15 Professional and iPhone 15 Professional Max. However now, Apple Intelligence is getting assist throughout the complete iPhone 16 lineup.
Some Apple Intelligence options embrace a new-and-improved Siri, Writing Instruments (get help tone adjustment for emails and textual content), name recording, the Clear Up instrument (take away undesirable objects in photographs), and extra.
(I like to recommend you try our face-off that pits Apple’s Clear Up Instrument in opposition to Google’s Magic Eraser and Samsung’s Galaxy AI.)
Apple’s “Clear Up” instrument
Left:
Unique picture
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
Proper:
Apple’s “Clear Up” instrument outcomes
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
You’ll be able to take a look at all of those aforementioned options in a beta model of iOS 18 beta (however be sure to again up your iPhone earlier than attempting them out). I’ve examined them myself and had a comparatively clean expertise with all of them. Nevertheless, some Apple Intelligence options, like Genmoji (helps you to create your individual emoji with textual content prompts) and Picture Playground (AI-generated imagery), usually are not out but — not even for beta testing.
The following massive replace, iOS 18, formally dropped on Sept. 16. Nevertheless, Apple Intelligence will begin rolling out to telephones someday in October with iOS 18.1.
Are iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus value it?
For the battery life improve alone, sure, the entry-level iPhone 16 fashions are value it, however I like to recommend the iPhone 16 Plus much more.
Battery life nervousness is actual. Nothing is worse than questioning if I will be capable of order an Uber on the finish of the night time as a result of I am solely at 20%. With the iPhone 16 Plus, nonetheless, lasting almost 19 hours on a single cost, its energy effectivity makes it value each single penny.
On high of that, there is a new Digicam Management button, a harder show, improved zoom as much as 2X, the inheritance of the Motion Button, and three gorgeous new colours (Ultramarine, Pink, and Teal). Oh, and Apple Intelligence, too. Even in case you do not care about AI, you may finally get a way of FOMO whereas everyone seems to be sending “Genmoji” to one another. And nicely — you may’t.
The iPhone 16 begins at $799 and the iPhone 16 Plus begins at $899.