Apple has unveiled its latest flagship models, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro, continuing its annual tradition of iterative upgrades. Here’s a breakdown of what the new phones bring to the table, and whether they are worth considering.
Design: Small Changes, Familiar Look
At first glance, the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro look quite similar to their predecessors, the iPhone 15 models. The base iPhone 16 comes in familiar sizes: a 6.1-inch screen for the standard model and a 6.7-inch screen for the Plus. Apple introduced new colors, with ultramarine being the standout addition to the lineup. Otherwise, the overall aesthetic remains unchanged from last year.
One notable design change is the camera layout. Apple has returned to a straight vertical camera alignment, reminiscent of the older iPhone X. This is intended to improve spatial video recording. This feature integrates with the upcoming Apple Vision Pro headset. While this may not be a game-changer for most users, it hints at Apple’s push toward immersive video content.
Performance Boost: A18 Bionic Chip
Both the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro see significant performance upgrades with the new A18 Bionic and A18 Pro chips, offering a solid boost in processing power. The A18 Bionic is claimed to deliver a 20–30% increase in CPU and GPU performance, making tasks like gaming and video editing smoother than ever. This is coupled with 8GB of RAM, allowing for better multitasking and faster AI-driven processes.
While the real-world performance improvements might not be groundbreaking for everyday users, the power behind these chips will be particularly beneficial for those into mobile gaming, high-resolution photography, or any AI-intensive tasks.
Battery Life: Better, But Vague
Apple has remained tight-lipped about the specifics of the battery size, only suggesting a “big boost” to battery life. The official numbers from Apple show that the iPhone 16 promises up to 22 hours of video playback, a slight improvement from the iPhone 15’s 20 hours. However, until the phones are tested under everyday conditions, it’s hard to gauge whether this will translate to noticeable improvements for users.
Cameras: Small Yet Important Upgrades
The iPhone 16 camera system has received a slight upgrade. While the changes are not revolutionary, the main camera now includes autofocus on the ultrawide lens, which should result in clearer macro shots. For those who frequently capture close-up photos, this is a welcome change, although it’s been a feature in Pro models for a while now.
On the iPhone 16 Pro, the upgrades are more significant. The new 48MP main and ultrawide cameras offer improved detail, especially in low light, while the 5x optical zoom on the Pro Max offers greater versatility. There’s also the introduction of the camera control button, designed for better one-handed use when shooting in landscape mode, although its practicality for most users remains to be seen.
Action Button and Camera Control
One of the more noticeable features making its way to the iPhone 16 is the Action Button, previously seen in Pro models. Users can now map this button to various functions, such as launching the camera, flashlight, or other shortcuts. However, its placement has received mixed reviews, with some users finding it awkward to reach.
A new feature on both the 16 and 16 Pro is the Camera Control Button, which offers more advanced options for photographers, including the ability to zoom and adjust camera settings through swiping gestures. While this button provides a more professional camera experience, it seems designed more for power users than everyday consumers.
Software and Apple Intelligence
While the hardware is impressive, Apple has put considerable emphasis on its AI and machine learning capabilities. However, the full potential of these features won’t be available until the release of iOS 18.1, which will include the highly anticipated Apple Intelligence tools like Visual Intelligence (similar to Google Lens), Genmoji, and other camera and productivity features.
For now, the iPhone 16 and its Pros will launch with iOS 18, but most AI-driven features will roll out gradually with software updates.
The new iPhone 16 Pro #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/MsDGL2lqRA
— highsnobiety (@highsnobiety) September 9, 2024
Conclusion: Should You Upgrade iPhone 16/16 Pro?
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro continue Apple’s tradition of making small, incremental improvements year after year. The performance boost, improved battery life, and camera updates are all welcome, but none of these changes are game-changing for users of last year’s models.
That said, if you’re upgrading from an older iPhone or want the latest hardware to take advantage of future AI-driven features, the iPhone 16 series could be a solid choice. For those who want the best camera experience and are comfortable with the higher price point, the iPhone 16 Pro offers enough upgrades to justify the jump.
