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If you ask Apple, the iPhone 16 family revolves around generative AI. Apple Intelligence will ideally save you time, provide useful answers, and understand you in a way that many other phones never could. But, as of September 2024, Apple Intelligence isn’t here. The first features won’t be ready for general use until October. Is it still worth buying a phone, then?
As we’ll see in our iPhone 16 Pro review, the answer is a qualified “yes.” There are tangible reasons to upgrade if you don’t care for AI features. However, it’s not always an absolute must-have. There may be reasons to hold on to your existing phone a little while longer or consider the alternatives.
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iPhone 16 Pro Design: A Larger Iteration
It’s no secret that the iPhone 16 Pro design is a subtle evolution of last year’s 15 Pro. You’ll find the same titanium chassis, matte glass back, and pronounced camera hump. It’s very elegant-looking, whether it’s my Natural Titanium model or the new Desert Titanium hue, and the metal choice helps keep the weight down to 199g (7.03oz).
That’s almost exactly on par with the 198g (6.98oz) Google Pixel 9 and 9 Pro, and slightly lighter than the 206g (7.27oz) iPhone 14 Pro despite that older phone’s smaller dimensions. The base Galaxy S24 is decidedly lighter at 168g (5.89oz), though.
| Model | Weight (g) | Weight (oz) | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16 Pro | 199g | 7.03oz | Subtle design evolution, lighter build |
| iPhone 14 Pro | 206g | 7.27oz | Slightly heavier despite smaller size |
| Google Pixel 9 / 9 Pro | 198g | 6.98oz | Comparable in weight to iPhone 16 Pro |
| Galaxy S24 (base) | 168g | 5.89oz | Decidedly lighter than other models |
The larger 6.3-inch screen does increase the size, but only modestly, thanks to thinner display bezels. You’re looking at a phone that’s 3mm (just over 0.1in) taller and less than 1mm (0.01in) wider. If you’ve used any iPhone since the 12 Pro, it will feel right at home. That’s not strictly a bad thing.
I found the iPhone 16 Pro to be just the right size for typing and some one-handed tasks during my review stint, and definitely easier to stuff into a pocket than the 6.9-inch Pro Max. It’s shorter but wider than the Pixel and just a bit larger overall than the Samsung S24.
The button layout is unchanged except for one notable addition: Camera Control. It’s a physical key with a capacitive surface and haptic feedback that lets you perform some photography tasks without touching the screen. I’ll go in depth with this button in the camera section, but I will say that it’s not quite as convenient as I might like. It’s high up enough that it doesn’t sit where your index finger sits in landscape mode. And as a lefty, my hand naturally rests on that area in the usual vertical grip. I haven’t accidentally pressed Camera Control during my testing, and you can either require a double-click or even disable the feature entirely. Still, the placement is something to consider.
After that, the only other standouts carry over from the 15 Pro. The Action Button defaults to turning silent mode on and off, but you can customize it for tasks in other apps, or to launch shortcuts for more advanced functions. Whether or not there’s a SIM slot depends on where you live. If you live in the US, you won’t find one and will have to rely on digitally-activated eSIMs. That’s worth noting if you travel and want to get a local SIM instead of roaming.
Some will say it’s a very safe design, and they’d be right. The Pixel 9 series, while more conservative than before, is still more eye-catching and colorful. That’s not even counting more audacious brands like Nothing or OnePlus. But it still looks good, and might not matter much if you slip your iPhone into anything other than a clear case.
iPhone 16 Pro Display and Speakers: Bigger But Familiar
The iPhone 16 Pro is the first standard Pro phone to venture beyond a 6.1in display, moving to the previously mentioned 6.3-inch, adaptive 120Hz OLED panel. That bumps up the resolution to 2,622 x 1,206 while preserving the same pixel density.
You won’t find many other upgrades, but there are two worth mentioning. The screen now dips to as low as 1 nit of brightness. If you don’t want to sear your eyes while using your phone in the dark, you’ll appreciate that change. And the thinner bezels do more to produce that nothing-but-screen effect, even if the cutout for the front camera and sensors is larger than on rivals.
It’s otherwise more of the same, but that still makes this one of the best displays in the business. Apple continues to deliver a color-accurate (in the DCI-P3 space) always-on screen with vivid colors that aren’t garish. The peak 2,000-nit outdoor brightness isn’t as good as on the 2,600-nit Galaxy S24 or 2,700-nit Pixel 9, but the difference isn’t very meaningful in practice. During my review, I could still use the iPhone 16 Pro in bright sunlight. That’s even more true for HDR, where the differences are imperceptible.
| Model | Peak Outdoor Brightness (nits) |
|---|---|
| iPhone 16 Pro | 2,000 nits |
| Galaxy S24 | 2,600 nits |
| Google Pixel 9 | 2,700 nits |
The aspect ratio isn’t ideal for most videos, and you might be distracted by the front cutout in some cases. And whether or not you like Apple’s approach to always-on displays is complicated. Android phones typically include more at-a-glance notification detail, but the iPhone’s widgets and dimmed wallpaper are more aesthetically pleasing. I’d add that Apple’s StandBy mode is very useful if you have an upright MagSafe or Qi2 charger and want to use your phone as an alarm clock.
The speakers (both the bottom-firing unit and the receiver up top) continue to provide above-average sound quality with a relatively rich sound and even a decent amount of bass. You’ll still want to use headphones most of the time, but you won’t regret using the speakers in a pinch for games or videos.
iPhone 16 Pro Camera Review: Camera Control and a Better Ultrawide
Camera Control is undoubtedly the main hook for photography this year. As on the regular iPhone 16, the Pro has a dedicated button that can not only launch your camera app of choice and take pictures but also control settings without requiring you to poke the screen. Theoretically, this helps with composing photos and quickly changing settings like aperture, exposure, and zoom.
It takes a bit of practice to get used to it. The button position requires a conscious and quick effort to reach. You’ll also have to get used to the combination of capacitive touch and haptics. A light press brings up the option to change the current camera setting, and swiping lets you scroll through that setting. A double light press lets you switch to another setting.You need a firm press to actually take the shot, and holding the button down will record video until you lift your finger. If it sounds complicated, that’s because it is; you’ll definitely get used to it, but you will have to train yourself for a while.
I did enjoy Camera Control, especially for those shots where framing is crucial. This might help with selfies, as you won’t have to contort your fingers quite so much to take a picture. That said, you can also accidentally shake the phone if you press the button without holding the phone steady on the other side. There will be times when you’ll want to tap the screen just to be sure the image is stable and sharp.
iPhone 16 camera capacities | Source: Jon Fingas for Techopedia iPhone 16 camera capacities | Source: Jon Fingas for Techopedia iPhone 16 camera capacities | Source: Jon Fingas for Techopedia iPhone 16 camera capacities | Source: Jon Fingas for Techopedia iPhone 16 camera capacities | Source: Jon Fingas for Techopedia iPhone 16 camera capacities | Source: Jon Fingas for Techopedia iPhone 16 camera capacities | Source: Jon Fingas for Techopedia iPhone 16 camera capacities | Source: Jon Fingas for Techopedia iPhone 16 camera capacities | Source: Jon Fingas for Techopedia
The camera upgrades are subtle but can make all the difference in the right situations. I most appreciated the 48-megapixel ultrawide for its effect on macros — I could get very close to a flower and still capture as much detail as the main camera could manage, albeit at a not-as-bright f/2.2 aperture. Wide-angle shots improve as well, of course, although you’ll still see some distortion toward the edges.
This is also the first time the 5X telephoto lens has been available on a non-Max iPhone. The story is the same as with the 15 Pro Max last year. It’s excellent for long-distance shots and lets you step back when taking portraits. You still have to deal with a 12MP sensor and an f/2.8 aperture, and I found myself shying away from it in low light or in situations that require an in-between zoom, like 3X. When the Pixel 9 Pro has a 48MP telephoto sensor and AI upscaling for zoom levels beyond 5X, this is a serious limitation.
The primary camera is still the 48MP f/1.8 unit from the 15 Pro, but it has a distinct advantage: a much-improved readout speed. It has the effect of freezing motion in a way you don’t usually see with phone cameras. In my iPhone 16 Pro review sessions, I could halt fire and catch a chipmunk in mid-sprint. While it’s not enough to prompt an upgrade by itself, it does make a compelling case if you’re coming from an older phone.
Iphone 16 Pro photo samples | Source: Jon Fingas for Techopedia Iphone 16 Pro photo samples | Source: Jon Fingas for Techopedia Iphone 16 Pro photo samples | Source: Jon Fingas for Techopedia Iphone 16 Pro photo samples | Source: Jon Fingas for Techopedia Iphone 16 Pro photo samples | Source: Jon Fingas for Techopedia Iphone 16 Pro photo samples | Source: Jon Fingas for Techopedia Iphone 16 Pro photo samples | Source: Jon Fingas for Techopedia
The image quality remains, for a lack of a better word, iPhoneish. That is, the default settings produce warm, vivid photos that are tack-sharp in most conditions and have a pleasant, subtle depth of field. Portrait mode preserves hair wisps and other fine details, and selfies with the 12MP front camera look Instagram-worthy with good skin tones. If there’s a complaint, Apple is increasingly producing “flat” photos where it brightens shadows more than it should. If you don’t change anything, the Pixel 9 might produce nicer snapshots.
Thankfully, this year iOS 18 has the solutions in the form of advanced camera settings and presets. The tone setting (available from Camera Control) can easily recover shadows. You now have much more control over Photographic Styles, which now include distinct colors (such as amber and rose gold) and a trackpad-style control to set the tone and color saturation. As you can make a Photographic Style your default and change it after the fact, you can correct those shadows or achieve a precise look every time you press the capture button. I’m going to change my tone after the review, which speaks volumes about the real-world usefulness.
Video continues to be Apple’s most conspicuous edge. This year, the iPhone 16 Pro adds 4K 120FPS video capture that you can drop to 60FPS, 30FPS, or 24FPS for slow-motion footage. The result is a clip that preserves volumes of detail even with moving subjects or reasonably fast panning movements. It’s even possible to record at this frame rate in Log (basically the video equivalent of untouched RAW) or Apple’s ProRes format, although you’ll need a USB-C SSD for those. It’s just as well, as even a regular 4K120 recording of mine used 132MB for 41 seconds of footage. You’ll want to dial back to 60FPS or lower most of the time, especially if you have the (frankly anemic) 128GB base storage.
Audio is better thanks to a four-microphone setup that now enables spatial audio, not just Vision Pro-friendly spatial video. That helps with a new Audio Mix feature that lets you focus the audio on subjects in the frame, replicate a studio, or achieve a cinematic sound balance. It worked well in my testing, but I can’t see most people ever touching this area. Professionals are likely to use dedicated mics. Still, it’s helpful if you’re a vlogger or find ambient sounds too distracting with the native input.
iPhone 16 Pro Performance: How Does it Compare?
All of the iPhone 16 series has at least an A18 chip, so you’re guaranteed up-to-the-minute performance in some respects. You’ll get the same six-core CPU, an improved 16-core Neural Engine for AI tasks, a better image signal processor for the cameras, and GPU upgrades that include faster ray-traced lighting. Although unspecified on Apple’s part, they all have 8GB of RAM — necessary for Apple Intelligence but also welcome for juggling multiple apps.
As such, the iPhone 16 Pro has one main improvement: faster graphics. There’s a six-core GPU in the A18 Pro instead of the five-core hardware from the base A18. That will matter for games, certain creative tools, and other apps that lean heavily on the GPU but not much else. You really don’t need the extra power unless you’re an avid gamer or really pushing the limits of mobile audiovisual editors, as day-to-day use is already very fluid.
Having said that, my review experience makes clear that the iPhone 16 Pro is the current phone performance champion. In the synthetic Geekbench 6 benchmark, it handily beats the Galaxy S24 Ultra with a 3,370 single-core score (versus 2,257) and 8,292 multi-core (versus 6,703). 3DMark is more of a close fight, where Apple trails slightly in the Wild Life Extreme test (4,235 vs. 4,526) but strides ahead in Steel Nomad Light (1,831 vs. 1,523) and draws even in the ray tracing-oriented Solar Bay (7,827 vs. 7,833). It won’t be surprising if Qualcomm’s expected Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 changes the story, but for now Apple can rest easy.
| Model | Geekbench 6 Single-Core | Geekbench 6 Multi-Core | 3DMark Wild Life Extreme | 3DMark Steel Nomad Light | 3DMark Solar Bay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16 Pro | 3,370 | 8,292 | 4,235 | 1,831 | 7,827 |
| Galaxy S24 Ultra | 2,257 | 6,703 | 4,526 | 1,523 | 7,833 |
That’s borne out in real-world gaming, although it also shows where there’s room to improve. It won’t surprise you to hear that games like Genshin Impact can run at the Highest detail level at 30FPS, but you’ll still have to dip down to Medium or lower if you want to go to 60FPS. Apple’s greatest advantage is simply the selection of games you can run: you have access to console-quality games like Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Death Stranding, where they’re not even options on Android.
Of course, the question is whether you even need all that extra headroom. If you’re just checking your social media apps, taking casual photos and playing the odd game, the iPhone 16 Pro (and the S24, for that matter) is overkill. You’d be just as happy with the base iPhone 16 or an earlier-generation phone. Even Apple Intelligence is likely to run similarly on any A18-based iPhone. The 16 Pro is for people who either insist on the best or know they’ll appreciate the extra performance.
At least the thermals shouldn’t be a significant issue. iPhone 15 Pro users had to deal with overheating issues even after a software update, but the 16 Pro has a new graphite-covered aluminum cooling architecture that’s supposed to minimize heat issues. My device did get warm during demanding sustained tasks like 3DMark, and the gradual decline in frame rates pointed to likely throttling. But it didn’t get uncomfortably hot or crash, even in extended tests or outdoors in an unseasonably warm late September.
Battery Life and Charging Speed for the iPhone 16 Pro
Owners of regular-sized iPhone Pro models have sometimes complained about short battery life in recent years, and Apple appears to have addressed this with the 16 Pro. There’s a considerably larger 3,582mAh battery compared to the 3,274mAh of the 15 Pro. Combined with the A18 Pro and a display that can get dimmer, you shouldn’t be hunting for a charger on most days.
I can confirm that it’s better in most respects. During a busy day full of photography, social media use, web browsing, and half an hour of gaming, I still had over 30% left when I plugged in. It’s not as robust as the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which is known to easily last over a day, but the improvement could make the difference between using your phone at full capability and having to nurse it with Low Power Mode.
Charging has also improved if not as much as you might like. You now get 25W MagSafe wireless charging rather than the earlier 15W, and there’s 15W Qi2 wireless charging (based on Apple’s original MagSafe) for more universal stations. In practice, you can climb from empty to 50% in about half an hour with an up-to-date MagSafe charger and at least a 30W power adapter. Apple doesn’t include any power adapter in the box, which is in line with most manufacturers but still unfortunate.
However, the 20W wired charging over USB-C is lackluster compared to the Pixel 9 Pro’s 27W and Samsung’s 45W, let alone the extreme speeds of Chinese devices like the 100W-capable OnePlus 12. The iPhone 16 Pro reaches a 50% charge in half an hour using at least a 20W adapter, but the OnePlus 12 and similarly powerful phones can get a full charge in roughly that amount of time. And let’s not forget that some of those competitors include the charger where it’s a separate purchase for iPhone shoppers.
Software on the iPhone 16 Pro: Buy for Customization, not Apple Intelligence
Apple made much ado about how the iPhone 16 series is made for Apple Intelligence. The generative AI system will summarize notifications and emails, help write text, create images (including custom emojis called Genmoji), and let you remove objects from photos, as in Google’s Magic Eraser. You’ll have the option of getting answers from ChatGPT. Siri, in turn, will be aware of your personal context, know what’s happening on screen, and have more direct control over apps.
As mentioned earlier, though, Apple Intelligence will not start reaching general users until October at the earliest. Based on what’s available right now, I have to review the iPhone 16 Pro, and the AI is currently a no-show. If that matters to you, wait until at least some of the finished features are ready. You don’t want to buy solely on the promise of what’s coming.
Thankfully, iOS 18 picks up some of the slack. This is the version of iOS you want if you’re a would-be convert from Android who wished there was greater customization over the home screen. You can finally put icons on the screen in any order you like, rather than snapping them to the top left. You can theme icons, too, whether dark, light, or tinted. I’m not a big fan of tinting as it makes the icons harder to distinguish, but I love the overall flexibility; I finally have iPhone home screens that match the exact layout I want.
That customization extends elsewhere. You can specify other app shortcuts on the lock screen, such as a third-party camera app. Control Center now has extensive personalization and multiple pages themed around groups like music or the smart home. You still can’t use custom launchers or download icon packs like you can on Android, but there’s not as much of an urge to do so as there was in the past.
After that, the upgrades are more iterative. The iPhone 16 Pro can now use satellite communication for regular text messages, not just emergencies. Safari can find highlights on a page and summarize articles. There’s a dedicated password manager app, hiking-friendly navigation in Maps, and note-taking upgrades that include transcribed audio notes as well as Math Notes in Calculator that can solve equations and produce graphs. The calendar, privacy settings, and Journal app have also received tune-ups.
As you might have guessed, the catch is that you don’t need an iPhone 16 Pro to use these features. Many will work on devices dating back to the 2018-era iPhone XS, and satellite service is available on the iPhone 14. The iPhone 16 Pro just happens to be a good showcase for iOS 18.
You might still be drawn to Android for a few reasons. Google already has its Gemini generative AI available on shipping Android phones, and Apple Intelligence just doesn’t have a direct counterpart to the ‘natural’ conversation of Gemini Live (which, admittedly, requires a subscription). Android is still more customizable, and you don’t need to live in the EU to install apps from outside of the official app store. It’s just that the practical differences between Android and iOS are now small, and you might find the switch to an iPhone less jarring.
iPhone 16 Pro vs. Competitors: Galaxy S24, Pixel 9 Pro
It’s no secret that there’s a back-and-forth competition between the top smartphone manufacturers: one adds a faster chip or innovative feature only to be superseded months later. The advantages Apple has now might not last long.
Still, as I write this review, the iPhone 16 Pro has a few advantages. The performance edge is clear, though not overwhelming. This is also the phone to get if you love recording video, especially if you use your iPhone as a production tool. The customizable Photographic Styles also make this the camera phone of choice if you have a preferred look for your photos. And yes, Apple’s tight ecosystem integration makes it a good fit if you have a Mac or want accessories like the Apple Watch and AirPods.
The Galaxy S24 line is several months old and doesn’t fit neatly in an iPhone comparison. The standard S24 that’s closest in size is more affordable at $799, but it’s smaller, limited to “just” a 1080p display, and has inferior telephoto and ultrawide cameras. The S24+ isn’t quite a good match either as it’s larger, but it might be your pick if you want a big, sharp screen without paying at least $1,199 for an iPhone 16 Pro Max or settling for the $899 16 Plus.
Against the Pixel 9 Pro, it’s a tougher battle. While Google’s phone has the slower, if still quick, Tensor G4, it also has some of the best overall camera performance in the business. You might prefer its photo output, particularly if you’re keen on AI features like Super Res Zoom (which can produce usable 20X zoom shots) or Add Me (to insert yourself into group photos). Call screening and other Pixel-exclusive features are excellent as well. Moreover, Google has significantly improved its design skills and battery life. The Pixel really is the iPhone of Android, providing a tight bond between hardware and software.
Diehard Android fans won’t be swayed. After all, it’s easier to switch between a Galaxy and a Pixel or to find another brand that suits you best. But if you’re not quite so committed, there’s a lot to like here.
The Bottom Line: Should You Buy the iPhone 16 Pro?
The iPhone 16 Pro is one of the best phones on the market; that much is for sure after a thorough review. It’s fast, boasts a gorgeous display, and lasts reasonably long on battery. The photo and video output is top-shelf, especially if you’re willing to put in some extra time with settings and edits.
However, the recommendation you get depends entirely on what phone you already have. If you have an iPhone 15 Pro, forget about it. The 16 Pro has some useful improvements and fixes some flaws, but it’s not so much of a leap that you’ll want to abandon your existing device. That’s also somewhat true for the 14 Pro, as you already have a 48MP main camera and an always-on display.
If you’re coming from an iPhone 13 Pro, the standard 14, or any Android flagship that’s at least three years old, it’s another story. The 16 Pro delivers a raft of upgrades that you’ll notice virtually every day. I’d skip the 128GB version unless you seldom take photos and run only a handful of third-party apps.
It’s worth noting that next year’s model could represent a sea change in iPhone design. The iPhone 17 is rumored to be considerably slimmer, packed under-display Face ID (and thus shrink the screen cutout), and offers a 48MP telephoto camera. Your patience might be rewarded if you think you can hold out another year. But if you want to get a phone now, you’ll likely come away very satisfied.
