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Apple officially launched the iPhone 16 series during its "Glowtime" event in September and made the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models available to order starting on September 20.
The iPhone 16 series offers Apple's new AI suite, Apple Intelligence, as a headline feature. The new models are decidedly the best iPhones to date, featuring new-generation processors and various key hardware upgrades, including new larger displays for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Among other upgrades, the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus add a previous Pro model feature, the Action button, and all four iPhone 16 models have a new Camera Control button that enables a range of photo and video customization options through touch-responsive gestures.
iPhone 16: Models
Matching the lineups of recent generations, the iPhone 16 series includes four models: the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Those hoping for a return of an iPhone "Mini" model were out of luck, as Apple discontinued its Mini lineup starting with the iPhone 14 series.
Likewise, there's no iPhone 16 "Ultra" model with extended upgrades over the iPhone 16 Pro Max. While it's an often rumored model, it wasn't predicted to be released this time around.
iPhone 16: Release date
Apple released the iPhone 16 lineup on September 20. All four iPhone 16 models are available to order online or in stores from Apple, Best Buy, and carriers like Verizon and AT&T.
Among the noteworthy deals, Verizon and Best Buy offer trade-ins for up to $830 or $1,000 off a new iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro model, respectively, while Apple offers up to $650 off for trade-ins on all four models.
iPhone 16: Price
The iPhone 16 lineup is priced the same as the iPhone 15 generation at launch.
- iPhone 16: $799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB)
- iPhone 16 Plus: $899 (128GB), $999 (256GB), $1,199 (512GB)
- iPhone 16 Pro: $999 (128GB), $1,099 (256GB), $1,299 (512GB), $1,499 (1TB)
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: $1,199 (256GB), $1,399 (512GB), $1,599 (1TB)
iPhone 16: Cameras
The base iPhone 16 models match the camera specs of their iPhone 15 predecessors with 48MP main and 12MP ultrawide cameras, while the iPhone 16 Pro models have 48MP main, 48MP ultrawide, and 12MP 5x zoom cameras.
The biggest hardware change Apple made in the iPhone 16 series is upgrading the iPhone 16 Pro's zoom camera from 3x (as it was in the iPhone 15 Pro) to the same 5x zoom as the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Beyond that, Apple made the usual assortment of tweaks and upgrades to the iPhone 16 series cameras that won't necessarily improve photo quality if you're used to recent iPhone photo quality. As usual, photo quality improvements will be more noticeable if you're coming from older iPhone models, like the iPhone 12 and older.
For the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, Apple gave the ultrawide camera autofocus for better focus, and it supports macro photography, too. The new ultrawide sensor also captures 2.6 times more light for higher-quality photos and improves quality in low-light conditions in our testing.
The base iPhone 16 models also support Spatial Video and Spatial Photo capture for viewing in Apple's Vision Pro headset. The company also upgraded unwanted noises, like wind, for video recordings in the base iPhone 16 models.
The iPhone 16 Pro models received unique upgrades, including a second-generation sensor for the main camera that eliminates shutter lag to help capture subjects in motion, such as kids, pets, flowing clothes and hair, and so on.
Apple added video recording in 4K at 120 frames per second (fps), which enables slow-motion recording in 4K resolution. Using four "studio quality" microphones, the iPhone 16 Pro models can also capture Spatial Audio on devices that support it, like AirPods and Vision Pro. Apple also included home entertainment systems as devices that can play Spatial Audio.
iPhone 16: Performance
All four iPhone 16 models run on Apple's latest A18 processor, but only the iPhone 16 Pro models run on the higher-powered A18 Pro variant.
In our testing of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models' performance for apps and games, we've seen fast and smooth performance on all four models that reflect the phones' new-generation processors, with expected benchmark discrepancies between the base and Pro models.
As we note in our iPhone 16 review, the A18 chip on the new base models outperforms the two-generation older A16 Bionic chip of the base iPhone 15s. The iPhone 16 Pro models show little difference from the iPhone 15 Pros in day-to-day use, but the newer models' greater benchmark scores suggest they may noticeably outperform the previous generation over time as AI features become more demanding.
iPhone 16: AI, or 'Apple Intelligence'
Apple's new AI suite, Apple Intelligence, launched its initial public iteration on the iPhone 16 series with iOS 18.1 in October. The iPhone 15 Pro models are the only other iPhones that support Apple Intelligence.
Current features of Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.1 include a new Writing Tools feature that can turn short-hand notes into messages or documents in complete sentences, enhanced search and editing features in the Photos app, and helpful summaries for emails and notifications.
Apple also made modest initial improvements to Siri. You can now type queries to Siri. Siri can also recognize what you're seeing on the screen and act on it, per your request. For example, if someone sends you a song name in a message, you can ask Siri to "play that," and your phone will start playing the song without you having to head to the music app yourself and search for the song manually.
In our testing of the iOS 18.1 version of Apple Intelligence, we found the initial AI suite promising, occasionally in need of refinement, and generally light on features. iOS 18.2, which will include ChatGPT integration, will include more features, and we're currently testing it in a developer beta.
iPhone 16: Battery life
Apple claimed a "big boost in battery life" for the base iPhone 16 models, but our battery testing showed that both new base models underperformed the base iPhone 15 models.
In contrast, we can corroborate Apple's claim that the iPhone 16 Pro Max has the "best iPhone battery life ever," as it scored the best result we've seen on any phone to date. The iPhone 16 Pro also showed a substantial year-over-year improvement in our testing.
iPhone 16: Displays
For the first time since the iPhone 12 series in 2020, Apple has changed the display size in its iPhones, but only for the iPhone 16 Pro models.
The iPhone 16 Pro's display grew to 6.3 inches from the iPhone 15 Pro's 6.1 inches, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max's display increased to 6.9 inches from the iPhone 16 Pro Max's 6.7 inches.
- iPhone 16: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, 60Hz
- iPhone 16 Plus: 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, 60Hz
- iPhone 16 Pro: 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz ProMotion, always-on display
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz ProMotion, always-on display
No upgrades were made on the brightness the iPhone 16 series can achieve (2000 nits), but they can go to a new low in dimness at 1 nit. As a parent putting babies and toddlers down for bed, this is a great addition. Or, it could make it more comfortable to check something on your phone right before closing your eyes, like whether you set the alarm.
Apple also upgraded the iPhone 16 series with its second-generation Ceramic Shield glass, which the company claims is 50% tougher than the first generation introduced with the iPhone 12. Apple also boasts it's twice as tough as "any other phone glass."
The base iPhone 16 models still don't feature Apple's ProMotion displays with a 120Hz refresh rate, and they continue to lumber along at an outdated 60Hz. There's nothing inherently wrong with 60Hz displays, but we'd expect a higher refresh rate that delivers super smooth animations and a premium experience on phones that start at $800.
iPhone 16: Design
The base iPhone 16 models got a refreshed oval camera design with vertically aligned cameras that hark back to the iPhone X/XS series, while the iPhone 16 Pros retain the same three-camera design year over year.
Apple said the iPhone 16 Pro models have the thinnest borders "on any product" they've released. Still, due to the new display sizes, the iPhone 16 Pro models are slightly larger and heavier than the iPhone 15 Pros.
The base iPhone 16 models continue to feature an aluminum frame, while the iPhone 16 Pro models carry over the titanium frame introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro generation. All four iPhone 16 models have the softer contoured edges Apple introduced with the iPhone 15 generation.
The base iPhone 16 models come in new color options, including Ultramarine (a kind of blue), Teal, Pink, White, and Black. The iPhone 16 Pro models come in Black, White, Natural, and Desert Titanium color options. For more information, see our comprehensive guide to the iPhone 16 colors.
iPhone 16: New buttons
Apple introduced a new Camera Control button in all four iPhone 16 models. It's a tactile switch with haptic feedback that registers touch and gestures, and various combinations of presses, taps, and swipes enable several functions.
On the entire iPhone 16 lineup, pressing the Camera Control button like you would any button opens the camera app, and pressing it again takes a photo. Pressing and holding the button starts a video recording. A light touch on the button while in the camera app reveals zoom control, and a double light touch brings up finer controls, like depth of field and exposure.
On the iPhone 16 Pro models, the Camera Control button will also let you switch between camera lenses and photographic styles.
Apple has also replaced the iconic silent switch on the base iPhone 16 with the Action button that was previously introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro models. Starting with the iPhone 16, it seems we can say goodbye to the silent switch, which featured on the very first iPhone in 2007.
Apple upgraded the Action button's usefulness by adding third-party app support. It showed the Action button unlocking a car with the FordPass app, for instance. The Action button also offers its usual functions, like enabling or disabling a Focus mode, opening the camera, toggling the flashlight on or off, starting or stopping a voice memo, opening the Magnifier app, opening the Translate app, enabling a shortcut in the Shortcuts app, or quickly accessing an accessibility feature.
Should you buy an iPhone 16 model?
As with most new iPhone releases, the perceivable improvements are usually felt more strongly when your current model is on the older side. If you're upgrading from an iPhone 15, for example, the iPhone 16 isn't likely to deliver a wildly different experience.
Yet, that conventional analysis changes a little with the introduction of Apple's AI, and a new question emerges: Should you buy an iPhone 16 to start using Apple's new AI features? To be clear, those who own an iPhone 15 Pro model don't need to upgrade solely to use Apple's AI, as those high-end models are the only previous iPhones that support Apple Intelligence. See our iPhone 16 upgrade guide for a full breakdown of who would benefit most from upgrading.
In our testing of the iPhone 16 generation, the devices themselves have proven to be excellent, as usual. However, we can't say it's worth upgrading from a recent iPhone to the iPhone 16 series solely for Apple's AI in its initial iteration. Read our full iPhone 16 review or iPhone 16 Pro review for further assessment.
If you're set to order an iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro, it's worth equipping your phone with a dependable case to ensure its longevity. See our guide to the best iPhone 16 cases and best iPhone 16 Pro cases for vetted top options.
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