This review covers the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro, focusing on their hardware improvements and the much-hyped, but not-yet-released, Apple Intelligence features.
Unfinished Product?
The iPhone 16 represents a minor update over the 15, primarily focusing on AI features labeled “Apple Intelligence.” However, these features are currently absent, creating an awkward situation given the heavy marketing emphasis on them. Billboards, the launch event’s “glow time” theme (referencing the new Siri animation), and Tim Cook’s statements all highlight Apple Intelligence, yet the feature is missing. This makes the phone feel unfinished, the most unfinished iPhone launch to date. Until Apple Intelligence arrives, we’re left with a very incremental upgrade.
Physical Changes (Minimal, but Present)
While not drastically different, the iPhone 16 does have some physical changes:
- Design: The iPhone 16 looks slightly different from the iPhone 15. Apple has added buttons, rather than removing ports as some speculated. The action button from last year’s Pro models is now included, along with a new camera control button (discussed later). There are new colors and slightly larger, more protruding cameras. The phone feels wobbly (likely due to the camera bump). The overall shape, flat sides, and dimensions remain familiar.
- Pro Displays: The Pro models have new, larger displays (6.3 and 6.9 inches respectively) with noticeably thinner bezels.
- Batteries: All models have slightly larger batteries. Apple claims the Pro Max has the longest battery life ever in an iPhone, but didn’t provide specific milliamp-hour or usage time improvements. Real-world testing shows about a 6% larger battery across the board and 9% larger on the Pro models, with similar battery life to the previous generation.
- Charging: A significant improvement is faster charging. All iPhone 16 models support up to 45-watt wired charging. MagSafe also supports up to 25-watt wireless charging (from 15W). However, a fast charger is not included in the box.
Internal Upgrades (Subtle)
- Chips: The phones feature the A18 and A18 Pro chips. Performance gains are not immediately noticeable in everyday use but are expected in benchmarks and future-proofing.
- RAM: All models now have 8GB of RAM, likely to support the upcoming Apple Intelligence features.
iOS 18
iOS 18 launched alongside the new iPhones. It offers more customization options for the home screen, lock screen shortcuts, and more. A separate review of iOS 18 is available.
Camera Control Button (Finicky but Potentially Powerful)
The new camera control button is a key feature. It acts as both a shutter button and a customizable control slider. It allows adjustments for exposure compensation, zoom, photographic styles, and tone. Tone adjustment is crucial for shadow control. A D-pad also offers control over undertones, mood, and color. While powerful, the button’s placement and half-press sensitivity take getting used to. It is likely that most users will only use it as a shutter button.
Cameras (Incremental Improvements, Pros Shine)
- iPhone 16: The iPhone 16 cameras are good but not significantly better than previous models.
- iPhone 16 Pro: The Pro cameras, with a larger main sensor, higher resolution ultrawide, and 5x telephoto, offer a significant upgrade. The main camera is exceptional. The ultrawide is better in daylight, but nighttime performance is hampered by vignetting. The 5x telephoto is useful, though digital zoom can be an issue in the 3x-4x range. Shutter speeds are improved. Shallow depth of field is comparable to Android flagships. Lens flare issues at night persist. Video recording is impressive, with a new 4K 120fps mode (storage intensive).
- Fusion Camera: This year’s term refers to an updated image processing pipeline for the “punch in optical quality” zoom, which is not true optical quality.
The AI Question Mark
The biggest issue is the absence of Apple Intelligence. Launching a product heavily marketed on a feature that’s not available is problematic. This situation is compared to recent flawed AI products like the Rabbit R1 and Humane AI Pin. While the iPhone is a functional product without AI and Apple has a track record of delivering on promises, the reliance on future updates is a concern.
Should You Buy It?
- iPhone 16: Recommended if you’re upgrading from an iPhone 13 or older. Newer models might not justify the upgrade.
- iPhone 16 Pro: Recommended if you prioritize camera and display improvements.
The base iPhone 16 is a strong value proposition. The Pro models offer compelling camera and display advantages for those who need them. Regardless, buy the phone for its current capabilities, not future promises. Even without the AI features, the iPhones are solid, if incremental, upgrades.