iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Pixel 9 Pro XL: The AI Phone Face-off

Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: The AI phone face-off [Video]

We've seen Google take a few cues from Apple over the years. The result of following a tried-and-tested playbook is a very similar-looking handset no matter what side of the fence you fall on. How does the Pixel 9 Pro XL stack up against the iPhone 16 Pro Max? Here's what you need to know. Before we start comparing Apples to Googles, we must acknowledge that things can't be like-for-like. If you're an Android person - like us - you probably don't care about iOS things. If you're an iOS person, you probably don't care about Android. That's absolutely fine, but in the interest of seeing just how far Google has come, it wouldn't be fair if we didn't at least see how the market leading smartphone maker compares to the minnow. Google certainly understood the brief when it came to making an iPhone clone. There is more than a little homage being played with the entire Pixel 9 series to the iPhone. The Pixel 9 Pro XL and iPhone 16 Pro Max could be mistaken for siblings if it were not for a few design alterations. This duo is big. The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a 6.8-inch screen, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch screen. Note that this is just the screen size. The dimensions are substantial, but the iPhone is just a few millimeters taller, wider, and 6g heavier. It's hard to distinguish between these phones careless. The fit and finish is very similar owing to the shapes, but Google has kept things lighter with aluminum. Apple prefers titanium. The matte sides and muted colors give the iPhone 16 Pro Max a marginally more cohesive look, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL fuses gloss and matte. Logos aside, the camera bar is the only dead giveaway that these devices are not from the same company. Another change is the placement of buttons. Apple now has two extra buttons: the "Action" button and the new camera control. The new camera toggle lets you control some of the UI while taking photos and recording videos. It's actually pretty underwhelming, much like the Action button. If you want more vibrant color options, Google has you covered this year. You can go for a signature Hazel or even more standout Rose Quartz alongside standard black and white options. Apple has added a "Desert Titanium" color, which is akin to champagne or rose gold, alongside silver, white, and black variants. It's hard to argue, though, that Google's decision to stick with glossy side rails hasn't cheapened the appeal. For the first time, a Google Pixel can tout an arguably better display than an iPhone. Apple has managed to outdo Android with some seriously tiny bezels on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. It also has a lower minimum brightness, but the Pixel 9 Pro XL's display is brighter, has a higher resolution, and is better overall for all types of content. The iPhone 16 Pro Max's "Dynamic Island" notch implementation also obscures a substantial section of your screen if you want to watch movies or play games in full-screen landscape orientation. A tiny punchhole on the Pixel 9 Pro XL doesn't offer any 3D face-scanning tech, but it is less distracting and doesn't have any gimmicks baked in to try and justify its size. In reality, both Pixel 9 Pro XL and iPhone 16 Pro Max have exceptional panels that elevate all types of content. The 120Hz refresh rate is also felt when you're zipping through menus or scrolling through apps. There are many differences between Android and iOS that we could explore with this comparison, but the biggest variation for 2024 and beyond is how AI is being integrated. Google has actually shipped most of the AI functions with the Pixel 9 Pro XL, while Apple did not with the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Apple Intelligence will be released in beta over the next few months. Some of the headline functionality is not expected until 2025. Google even powers some camera-based functions, which feels completely at odds with how iOS has previously been siloed away and completely separate to whatever the industry does. Artificial Intelligence could be a great leveler for our mobile operating systems. Now, in the raw performance stakes, the iPhone absolutely outperforms the Pixel in just about every area and metric. That's likely why lots of Gemini-powered features are packed in like Add Me, Pixel Screenshots, Pixel Studio, and much more. Google can outmuscle Apple in terms of AI processing and functionality. AI-powered features like Magic Editor in tandem with Reimagine are superior to the "Clean Up" option on iPhone - which is only available in the iOS 18.1 Beta. Gemini Live is another area where Siri simply cannot compete. It's not exactly the best feature, but conversational interactions with AI can be much more concise than a chatbot that is only able to answer one query at a time. If you just want the most powerful phone and don't care about AI - which is hard to blame someone for - then the iPhone 16 Pro Max is without question the best smartphone in the industry. Period. Where things get a bit interesting is in the support window for this duo. It's practically identical to Google, promising 7 years of regular updates and software support. Apple isn't as concrete, but 7 years would be par for the course and in keeping with previous flagship iPhone support windows. To be honest, over the years Apple has done incredible things with such small internal batteries in flagship phones. It's the exact same once again. The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a larger 5,060mAh battery but the substantially smaller iPhone 16 Pro Max's 4,685mAh battery is a pure powerhouse. When the chips are down, it'll outlast just about every Android phone in daily usage or even in a stress test. The Pixel 9 Pro XL has "good" longevity. It's far from the best in the business, but it should provide most people with enough overhead, even if you are glued to the screen. There are some differences in charging speeds that favor the Pixel. You get faster 37W wired charging and 23W wireless charging with the Pixel Stand. According to public specs, Apple has stuck with 25W wired charging but slightly faster 25W wireless charging with supported Qi2 pads. Real-world tests suggest that the iPhone 16 series actually charges faster at almost 32W with a 65W power brick. Neither phone is "fast" in the traditional sense, but fairly similar when you're charging back to 100%. The difference is how often you're charging. There aren't as many upgrades to shout about in the camera stakes this time around, but what has changed makes a surprising difference to the Pixel 9 Pro XL and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Google has upgraded the selfie camera and 5x telephoto. The rest of the hardware is identical to the Pixel 8 Pro. The iPhone 16 Pro Max features an improved ultrawide lens and a new camera control button. Like the Pixel, the rest of the hardware is identical to its predecessor. Each system excels in specific scenarios. Zoom photos are a strength of the Pixel. Natural tones favor the iPhone. Everywhere else, it's a toss-up based on what you're preferred photograph style is. It's tough to decide which is objectively the better camera system because of how they process the final shot. If you are a big-time selfie taker, you might want to take a look at the Pixel. The upgraded 42MP sensor produces tack-sharp photos that are full of detail. Real Tone also means that skin tones are accurately rendered -- something the iPhone has struggled with and continues to struggle with year after year. Despite going toe-to-toe in still photography modes, there is less competition when we start to discuss video capabilities. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is the best Google can muster for video recording, but it relies heavily on Video Boost to compete with the iPhone. It's impressive that you can shoot 8K and 4K videos, which are improved drastically when they have been processed. It just takes a while and will use extensive data and storage space. It actually makes it all the more impressive that the iPhone 16 Pro Max can do 4K up to 120fps on-device without any limitations - save the use of an external drive and storage capacity. As noted, you can even record to external SSD using the default camera application, too - something not possible on Pixel without a third-party app. LOG and ProRes are just some of the biggest selling points of the iPhone series in recent years. The ability to shoot professional formats with class-leading video quality is not to be undersold. No Android phones even come close to what Apple has been doing with moving images, but we hope that we will get more improvements on Pixel soon. About upgrading: 9to5Google often gives specific product recommendations. Sometimes, we may suggest not upgrading, due to various reasons including, but not limited to: increased device cost, negligible performance gains, or environmental impact. Whether to upgrade is always your call, but our aim is to help you make as informed a decision as possible. One of the home truths about Android and iOS is that converts to the latter rarely come back. Most people who drop an Android phone in favor of an iPhone are unlikely to ever make the return switch. However, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is a very minor upgrade over the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Google has been making strides in recent years. There isn't and has never been a "perfect Pixel," but an imperfect iPhone and notable improvements to Google's core formula could pick up a few potential converts. I'm biased, I prefer Android. However, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is, once again, a very good smartphone that although only offers some very small upgrades, is going to make people happy.

IPhone 16 Pro vs. Google Pixel 8 Pro: Should You Switch to Apple?

Quick LinksSquare-Shaped Camera Module vs. Horizontal Camera Visor Pixel 8 Pro Offers a Bigger and Brighter Screen A18 Pro vs. Tensor G3 Both Phones Have a Similar Camera Setup iOS 18 vs. Android 14 iPhone 16 Pro Offers Faster MagSafe Charging Both Phones Cost the Same Key Takeaways Apple's iPhone 16 Pro comes with a 6.3-inch ProMotion (120Hz) screen, the powerful A18 Pro chip, a triple-camera setup with 5x optical zoom, and 25W MagSafe charging. The Pixel 8 Pro features a bigger 6.7-inch 120Hz screen, a weaker Tensor G3 SoC, a triple-camera setup with 5x optical zoom, and a bigger 5,050 mAh battery. Whether you should switch or not comes down to whether you like iOS or Android, and whether you'll use the iPhone's added power and camera features. Google's 2023 flagship, the Pixel 8 Pro, comes with a versatile camera setup and plenty of Google AI features, but how does it compare to the newly launched iPhone 16 Pro? Should you consider switching to Apple? Let's find out. Square-Shaped Camera Module vs. Horizontal Camera Visor Over the years, Apple and Google have found their own signature designs, which includes a square-shaped triple-rear camera module for the former and a horizontal camera visor on the rear. Even though both phones have an edge-to-edge screen, the iPhone 16 Pro has a Dynamic Island instead of the larger notch on older iPhones, while the Pixel 8 Pro sports a punch-hole notch, which is slightly less distracting for some users. There's no denying that the iPhone 16 Pro has a better in-hand feeling thanks to the grade-five titanium frame, but the polished aluminum frame on the Pixel 8 Pro is definitely durable. Both phones have a textured glass back. For those wondering, the iPhone 16 Pro weighs half an ounce (14g) less than the Pixel 8 Pro. Protecting the screen on the iPhone 16 Pro is the second-generation Ceramic Shield, while the Pixel 8 Pro gets the job done with the Gorilla Glass Victus 2. Dust and water resistance remain identical on the phones, as both have an IP68 rating. The iPhone 16 Pro offers two additional buttons over those on the Pixel 8 Pro, or any regular flagship for that matter: the Action Button and the Camera Control button. The former lets users perform tasks like enabling silent mode or invoking a Shortcut, while the latter lets them access the Camera app and shoot pictures. The iPhone 16 Pro is available in four titanium finishes: natural, desert, black, and white. Google's Pixel 8 Pro is available in more vibrant colors: mint, bay, obsidian, and porcelain. Pixel 8 Pro Offers a Bigger and Brighter Screen The Pixel 8 Pro has a 6.7-inch Super Actua display. In comparison, the iPhone 16 Pro features a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR screen. Notice how both brands use fancy marketing jargon instead of saying the phones have an OLED display. It might surprise you, but the Pixel 8 Pro has a brighter (2,400 nits vs. 2,000 nits) and sharper (489 ppi vs. 460 ppi) screen than the iPhone 16 Pro. Common features include higher refresh rates (up to 120Hz), support for HDR content, and always-on functionality. What's worth noting is that you can dim the iPhone 16 Pro's screen all the way down to 1 nit, something that night owls will appreciate. A18 Pro vs. Tensor G3 In our Pixel 9 Pro vs. iPhone 16 Pro comparison, we mentioned how the Tensor G4 SoC is no match for Apple's A18 Pro SoC. Now imagine how the Tensor G3 chip on the Pixel 8 Pro stacks up, being a whole generation older. Even though Google has stated that it isn't running on raw performance or benchmark scores, choosing instead to focus more on the day-to-day tasks users perform on their smartphones, it's hard not to compare the two handsets based on the performance they offer. The A18 Pro is leaps and bounds ahead of the Tensor G3 on the Pixel 8 series. That is not to say that you'd face issues while performing daily tasks on the Pixel. When compared, the iPhone 16 Pro would feel more responsive in most tasks. So, if raw performance matters to you, for, let's say, editing and rendering a video or playing a video game at its highest settings without facing frame drops, the Pixel 8 Pro is no match for the iPhone 16 Pro. Though the Pixel 8 Pro doesn't have as much horsepower, you have to give Google some credit for equipping the device with Gemini Nano. Further, the device lets you interact with the Gemini voice assistant, which is much more capable than Google Assistant. Moreover, the hardware optimizations help Google get the best out of the Pixel 8 Pro's chipset and redeem its position as an AI-enabled smartphone. Both Phones Have a Similar Camera Setup In 2023, Google equipped the Pixel 8 Pro with one of the most versatile camera systems on a smartphone. The default sensor is a 50MP shooter, and you get a dedicated ultrawide and telephoto lens (5x optical zoom), both of which have a 48MP resolution. In 2023, the baseline Pro iPhone didn't have a 5x optical zoom lens as it was exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This year, the company has included 5x optical zoom in the base iPhone 16 Pro, albeit with a lower resolution (12MP). However, like the Pixel phone, the iPhone's primary and ultrawide cameras have a resolution of 48MP (but with smaller apertures). Both phones can shoot macro pictures with their ultrawide cameras. What's worth noting is that the Pixel 8 Pro's ultrawide sensor has a wider field of view. Similarly, the phone provides Super Res Zoom (up to 30x), which is higher than what the iPhone offers. Both phones have a wide selfie camera with autofocus (12MP on the iPhone vs. 10.5MP on the Pixel). The Pixel also flaunts several AI-based photo editing features, including Magic Editor, Magic Eraser, Best Take, Photo Unblur, Video Boost, and Audio Magic Eraser. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro users are still waiting for Apple Intelligence. With their capable processors and camera sensors, both phones can record 4K videos at 60 fps. However, the iPhone 16 Pro can record 4K videos at 120 fps, which results in crisper slow-motion videos. You can also adjust the playback rate of a video after shooting it, and the same goes for the audio profile (via the Audio Mix feature). Notably, the Pixel 8 Pro has three microphones, while the iPhone 16 Pro has four microphones. The iPhone 16 Pro can also shoot Log and ProRes videos (4K at 120 fps), and if you're a professional who can put that to good use, switching to the iPhone might make sense for you. iOS 18 vs. Android 14 This part of the comparison depends on whether you like iOS or Android. Apple's latest operating system, iOS 18, has already been rolled out to many iPhones, but it doesn't include the fancy Apple Intelligence features the company showcased at WWDC 2024. Some of them will arrive with iOS 18.1, which will come in October 2024. On the other side of the table, the Pixel 8 Pro, which currently runs on Android 14, supports several AI-based features, like Pixel Screenshots. So whether you want to draft a message on Google Messages or edit the distractions out of a picture, the smartphone already has several impressive tricks up its sleeves. Soon, Google will push the Android 15 update, which will add a bit of freshness to your Pixel 8 Pro. iPhone 16 Pro Offers Faster MagSafe Charging Apple promises up to 27 hours of offline video playback on the iPhone 16 Pro, which is an improvement over last year's iPhone 15 Pro. As far as charging is concerned, the phone charges up to 50% in around 30 minutes with the Apple's 20W adapter. You get improved MagSafe charging speeds (25W when connected to a 30W adapter) and Qi2 wireless charging (15W) as well. The Pixel 8 Pro, on the other hand, offers 24+ hours of battery life, which goes all the way up to 72 hours with the Extreme Battery Saver mode. The phone charges up to 50% in about 30 minutes with Google's 30W USB-C charger. However, it only supports Qi wireless charging. Both phones feature a USB 3 Type-C port. Both Phones Cost the Same Apple sells the baseline iPhone 16 Pro, with 128GB of storage, for $999. Google's Pixel 8 Pro, with 128GB of storage, is also available at $999 on the company's official website. iPhone 16 Pro Pixel 8 Pro 128GB $999 $999 256GB $1,099 $1,059 512GB $1,299 $1,179 1TB $1,499 $1,399 So, should you switch to Apple? Well, it depends. The Pixel 8 Pro is a capable smartphone and can easily last you a couple of years before you'll need to upgrade. Further, switching from Android to iOS is a headache in itself, so unless you're willing to take on a weeks-long journey, stick with the Pixel 8 Pro. Get the iPhone 16 Pro if you want a phone with exceptional raw performance. Professionals or creators who edit videos on their smartphones could really benefit by switching to Apple. But that seems to be the only valid reason. Apple iPhone 16 Pro A version of Apple's newest iPhone with a larger screen featuring a camera button, a programmable action button, and artificial intelligence features. See at AppleSee at Best Buy Google Pixel 8 Pro $725 $999 Save $274 The Google Pixel 8 Pro includes the search giant's latest CPU, the Tensor G3, is among the best smartphone cameras on the market, and has some of the best AI-powered features. Buy on AmazonSee at Google StoreSee at Best Buy

iPhone 16 Pro Max review: Bigger is better? | Digital Trends

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us? iPhone 16 Pro Max MSRP $1,199.00 Score Details "If you like big phones and need all the latest and greatest features, it's hard to go wrong with the iPhone 16 Pro Max." Pros Beautiful display Powerful performance Camera Control is a nice addition Great battery life Improved ultrawide camera Cons It's too darn big Boring colors Apple Intelligence not available yet Apple's iPhone 16 series is now available for everyone. There are four models in the lineup: the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. All of these have the latest chips, an Action button, and Camera Control. Contents iPhone 16 Pro Max: specsiPhone 16 Pro Max: designiPhone 16 Pro Max: Camera ControliPhone 16 Pro Max: displayiPhone 16 Pro Max: software and performanceiPhone 16 Pro Max: camerasiPhone 16 Pro Max: battery life and chargingiPhone 16 Pro Max: price and availabilityiPhone 16 Pro Max: verdictShow 4 more items Personally, I've had every generation of iPhone since 2008, and when given the option, I tend to go for the smaller device. But this year, I got the iPhone 16 Pro Max to check out, and I have a love-hate relationship with it because of the size. But looking beyond that fact, this is a fantastic iPhone and a worthy upgrade if you are coming from an older model. iPhone 16 Pro Max: specs Dimensions 163 x 77.6 x 8.25 mm (6.42 x 3.06 x 0.32 inches) Weight 227 grams (7.99 ounces) Display 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display 2868 x 1320 pixel resolution at 460 ppi 1-120Hz refresh rate 1,000 nits (typical) / 1,600 nits (HDR) / 2,000 nits (outdoor), 1 nit minimum Durability Latest-generation Ceramic Shield, IP68 Colors Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, Desert Titanium Processor A18 Pro RAM 8GB Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB Software iOS 18 Updates At least 5 years Rear Cameras 48MP Fusion (main), f/1.78 48MP ultrawide, f/2.2 12MP telephoto, f/2.8, 5x optical zoom Front Camera 12MP, f/1.9 Battery 4,685mAh Charging 30W fast charging (50% in 30 minutes) 25W MagSafe wireless 15W Qi2 wireless 4.5W reverse wireless Price Starts at $1,199 iPhone 16 Pro Max: design While the base model iPhone 16 got a pretty modest redesign with the camera layout, the iPhone 16 Pro models look pretty much the same as last year, and the year before that. Apple is still using the titanium frame with a brushed metal finish, flat edges, a matte glass back, and the Action button on the left-hand side, above the volume buttons. The triple-lens camera layout is also the same as before. The "latest generation" Ceramic Shield is on the front display, making it resistant to impact and scratches. In fact, if you look at an iPhone 15 Pro Max and an iPhone 16 Pro Max next to each other, you wouldn't even be able to discern a difference at first. Aside from Camera Control, the iPhone 16 Pro Max has an all too familiar design. That is, until you look toward the bottom on the right edge of the frame. That's where Apple has put in the new Camera Control button, which sits flush with the frame, rather than sticking out a bit like the other buttons. There's a few things that you can do with the Camera Control, which I'll get to in a moment, but that's basically the key differentiator between the iPhone 16 Pro Max (and the rest of the iPhone 16 line) and previous generations. The iPhone 16 Pro Max retains Apple's overall design from the last several years -- whether you love it or hate it, Apple seems to be sticking with the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" motto. It's a tried and true design, for sure, but I have to admit that it's growing a bit stale. I would have liked to see some changes made to the Pro models this year like Apple did with the base model iPhone 16. The iPhone 16 Pro models also come in four rather uninspired shades: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, and Desert Titanium. Seeing the incredibly saturated colors of the base model iPhone 16, the colors Apple chose for the Pro models are pretty dull. Desert Titanium isn't as bad as I originally thought it would be, but it's still not my personal preference of color. iPhone 16 Pro Max: Camera Control Now, let's talk about the biggest new feature on the iPhone 16 hardware this year, including the iPhone 16 Pro Max: Camera Control. The Camera Control sits below the halfway point on the right edge of the frame, underneath the sleep/wake button. I'll be honest here: I don't particularly like where Camera Control is located. As I've been using the phone, I often end up pressing the Camera Control unintentionally, and its current position requires me to adjust the way I hold the phone when taking landscape photos. The default pressure sensitivity for actually pressing the button is also set a bit too high for my liking, which can cause camera shake when capturing a photo. I feel like Apple should have moved the Camera Control down a bit, closer to the bottom, as that would have felt more natural when taking landscape photos, similar to a digital camera. One press of the Camera Control launches the Camera (or another app that supports it), and another press captures a photo, while a press and hold starts a video recording. You can also do a double half-press to switch between various camera settings, and slide your finger on Camera Control to make adjustments. Placement aside, I really like the Camera Control feature. I've been wanting a dedicated shutter button for the iPhone for a while, since Apple had one on its Smart Battery Case back in the day. With Camera Control now opening up the Camera app, I can remap my Action button to something else. I've often been using Camera Control to launch the camera, but adjusting the settings via Camera Control have a bit of a learning curve, which I'm still adjusting to. After years of using the touchscreen controls to take my photos and video, it's a very hard habit to break. And unless I use Camera Control with both hands, I don't like the fact that pressing it to capture can cause camera shake, which is not the best, especially for low-light scenes. Perhaps it may have been easier to press if it didn't sit flush and stuck out like the other buttons. I'm still tinkering around with Camera Control and trying to use it more, but I have a feeling this might end up the way of the Touch Bar on MacBooks. iPhone 16 Pro Max: display The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a massive 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with ProMotion and always-on technology. Its resolution is 2868 x 1320 pixels at 460 pixels per inch (PPI) density. Typical brightness is 1,000 nits, 1,600 nits for HDR content, and a maximum of 2,000 nits outdoors. This year, the Pro models can also get all the way down to 1 nit minimum brightness, which means less eye strain when using your phone in dark environments. The Dynamic Island also makes a return. So far, I have had no issues with the display on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. There has been some talk online about how the Pro models aren't always locked in at 120Hz refresh rate when doing various things on the phone, but honestly, I don't care. Apple does state that it has adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz, and in my daily use, scrolling is smooth and switching between apps is seamless. I also haven't had any stuttering or choppy frame rates when it comes to my use either. I have had no issues with the display on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The iPhone 16 Pro Max looks great. I've preferred how the iPhone keeps the display looking fairly neutral, whereas, on some competitor phones, the display is set to "Vivid" by default, which makes things overly bright. Colors still pop on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and blacks are rich and deep. For the size of the display, I'm not a big fan of the 6.9-inch screen. For me, it's just too big. It's impossible for me to use one-handed, and even two hands can cause fatigue for me after extended periods. It's a beautiful display, don't get me wrong -- I just don't care for the size and prefer the smaller iPhone 16 Pro. iPhone 16 Pro Max: software and performance The iPhone 16 Pro Max ships with iOS 18 out of the box. However, though the entire iPhone 16 line was built for Apple Intelligence, the AI features won't arrive until iOS 18.1 rolls out later in October. Thanks to the A18 Pro and 8GB RAM, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is speedy in daily use and performance. There's still plenty of cool new features in iOS 18 as well, despite not having Apple Intelligence, though some of the experiences are rather, frustrating. The biggest change that you'll notice from the get-go is the new home screen customization options. You can put your app icons and widgets anywhere on the screen, even with blank spaces. However, there are limitations like no 2×2 widgets in the middle, and sometimes the app icons just like to do their own thing while you're rearranging, which can lead to wanting to tear your hair out. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is speedy in daily use and performance. I do really like having the Dark theme for app icons and widgets, however, as I always keep my phone in dark mode. This has led me to stop using custom icons through Shortcuts, though the dark theme icons also depend on the developers supporting the feature. You can now also change your Control Center layout and even lock screen shortcuts. I did change up the Control Center a bit, but I've been stuck on muscle memory for years, so rearranging everything and adding new controls has taken some time to get used to. The same goes for the lock screen shortcuts. I don't like that it can be a bit of a tedious process, though, as moving controls around even the slightest bit can shuffle everything else. Messages got some nice upgrades too, with support for RCS messaging with Android users, as well as the ability to schedule iMessages to send later. I've been loving the RCS support as now photos and videos with Android users won't be pixelated and unusable, but actually high resolution. And Photos has a big new redesign, though it's either "love it" or "hate it" with most people. I think I fall in the latter. Since most of the iOS 18 features that Apple showed off use Apple Intelligence, which isn't available yet, these have been the biggest changes for me. We'll definitely be trying out the Apple Intelligence features once they drop and will update this review accordingly. As far as software support goes, Apple has been pretty good about it. Most of its devices last at least five years, and that applies to the iPhone 16 Pro Max as well. iPhone 16 Pro Max: cameras If you're looking to get a new iPhone for the cameras, you can't go wrong with the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Both phones have the same triple-lens camera setup this year, so even if you get the smaller Pro, you aren't missing out on camera features. The iPhone 16 Pro Max (and regular iPhone 16 Pro) have a 48MP Fusion camera (Apple's new marketing term for the primary camera), a 48MP ultrawide lens, and a 12MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom. Unfortunately though, the selfie camera is still the same at only 12MP. So far, I've been very impressed with the quality of photos I've captured with the iPhone 16 Pro Max. As someone who only had the iPhone 15 Pro last year, I've really enjoyed having the 5x optical zoom with both Pro models this time around. Photos I've taken look true to life with colors that pop, detailed textures, and overall sharpness. Macro photos are also improved with the new 48MP ultrawide lens. The entire iPhone 16 family also has the new Photographic Styles, which lets you fine-tune the tone and color of your photos, rather than just applying a generic aesthetic on the entire image like before. And the style can be changed after the fact too, which is a big improvement. Aside from the telephoto camera, the Pro models have other features that also differentiate themselves from the base model iPhone 16. These features include Apple ProRAW shooting, night mode portraits, 4K Dolby Vision recording at 120fps, ProRes video recording, Log video recording, and there is also a "studio-quality" four-mic setup. These are for sure great features if you're a YouTuber or plan to create your own film. But for the average person, it may be more than necessary. Still, if you really want the telephoto and new ultrawide camera, then the Pro models are the way to go. iPhone 16 Pro Max: battery life and charging Since the iPhone 16 Pro Max has the largest battery in the lineup, it should be no surprise that battery life has been excellent. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 4,685mAh battery inside, which can easily last a day and then some. Since I get fatigued after long periods of time with the Pro Max size, my use of it has been a bit lighter than normal. That said, it lasts at least two full days before I plug it in. For someone who can deal with the large size and use it more heavily, I'd imagine you can get at least a full day and a half. It's much better than the battery life we got from the regular iPhone 16 Pro. Apple didn't make any improvements to charging speed when plugged in, unfortunately. You still have about 27W-30W wired charging speeds, which means about 50% charge in 30 minutes. MagSafe wireless charging is faster, however, now at 25W instead of 15W. Wireless charging with a Qi2 charger is now 15W, and reverse wireless is 4.5W. iPhone 16 Pro Max: price and availability The iPhone 16 Pro Max is available to buy now directly from Apple, retailers like Best Buy and Amazon, or carrier stores starting at $1,199 for the 256GB model, $1,399 for 512GB, and $1,599 for 1TB. If that's a bit high, you can look for trade-in deals to knock off some dollars from the retail price. A great alternative to the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. You can get a 128GB model for $1,099, but the 256GB option is the same price as the iPhone 16 Pro Max at $1,199. The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a 6.8-inch Super Actua OLED display with variable refresh rate between 1Hz to 120Hz and 3,000 nits of brightness. The triple-lens camera system is also a bit better with a 50MP main camera, 48MP ultrawide lens, and 48MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom, and a 42MP selfie camera. With Tensor G4 and 16GB RAM, along with a 5,060mAh battery, the Pixel 9 Pro XL has incredible performance and battery life. You also get Google Gemini and other AI features already out of the box, and the Pixel 9 Pro XL comes in a beautiful Rose Quartz color too. iPhone 16 Pro Max: verdict If you can handle the size and need the telephoto and improved ultrawide lens, then the iPhone 16 Pro Max is worth it, especially if you're coming from an older iPhone. I don't think I can really recommend it if you are using an iPhone 15 Pro Max, since that will also get Apple Intelligence once that rolls out. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is a pretty iterative upgrade if you're coming from the last generation. It's also a little tricky to recommend either Pro model over the base iPhone 16. The regular iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus have the Action button, Camera Control, improved ultrawide lens (though it's only 12MP, not 48MP), new Photographic Styles, A18 chip, great battery life, and a better color lineup. For the first time in a while, the non-Pro iPhones are more appealing than their Pro siblings. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is worth it. Why upgrade to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, then? The telephoto lens, the always-on display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and the advanced photography and video recording capabilities. If you need those extra features, the iPhone 16 Pro Max won't disappoint you.

Apple iPhone 16 vs. Google Pixel 9: a clear winner | Digital Trends

Google and Apple unveiled their latest smartphone lineups in the past few weeks. If you're interested in an entry-level phone option, you might want to consider the Google Pixel 9 and the Apple iPhone 16, which both include the latest and most powerful processors, fantastic cameras, and cutting-edge AI features. Both also include versions with various storage levels at different price points, and while they're among the cheapest in their respective ranges, you're unlikely to buy both. So which should you buy? Let's compare these phones and see how they stack up. Apple iPhone 16 vs. Google Pixel 9: specs Apple iPhone 16 Google Pixel 9 Dimensions and weight 5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches 6.0 ounces 6.02 x 2.83 x 0.33 inches 7.0 ounces Display 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display 1179 x 2556 resolution (460 PPI) 60Hz refresh rate Up to 2,000 nits peak brightness 6.3-inch Actua OLED 1080 x 2424 pixels (422 PPI) 120Hz refresh rate Up to 2,700 nits peak brightness Processor A18 chip Six-core CPU Five-core GPU 16-core Neural Engine Google Tensor G4 Titan M2 security coprocessor Rear cameras Dual camera system 48-megapixel Fusion main 12MP ultrawide Dual camera system 50MP wide 48MP ultrawide Front camera 12MP selfie 10.5 MP selfie Storage and memory 8GB/128GB 8GB/256GB 8GB/512GB 12GB/ 128GB 12GB/ 256GB AI Apple Intelligence (coming soon) Google Gemini Durability IP68 IP68 Software and support iOS 18 Six to eight years of software updates Android 14 Seven years of software updates Battery and charging 3,561mAh 45W wired fast charging 30W wireless (with MagSafe) 4.5W reverse wireless 4,700mAh 27W wired 15W wireless 4.5W reverse wireless Colors Ultramarine Teal Pink White Black Peony Wintergreen Porcelain Obsidian Price Starting at $799 Starts at $799 Review 4 out of 5 stars 4.5 out of 5 stars Recommended Videos Apple iPhone 16 vs. Google Pixel 9: design and display The iPhone 16 and Pixel 9 have undergone design changes compared to their predecessors, the iPhone 15 and Pixel 8. These changes are not significant, but they are noticeable nonetheless. The iPhone 16 features a new, smaller camera design on the back that generally changes its look compared to last year's models. Unlike previous generations, the camera system is now pill-shaped rather than having a square cutout. It should remind many of the iconic iPhone X. It's gorgeous. The Apple phone is available in classic white, black, vibrant pink, ultramarine, and teal. The chassis is made of aluminum, while the back is color-infused glass. At just 6 ounces, the iPhone 16 is one of the lightest smartphones to date. The Pixel 9 and the rest of the Pixel 9 series feature a more polished design than the previous generation. Some say the phone lineup reminds them of Apple's in terms of its cleaner look. This is evident in the stylish dual camera system on the back, which has evolved from a visor into a prominent flat-top island mountain. It's simply gorgeous and something to appreciate. The phone's satin-finish metal chassis has just the right amount of curvature to seamlessly blend in with the flat Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 rear panel, making it a pleasure to hold. Like the iPhone 16, you can purchase a Pixel 9 in white (Porcelain) or black (Obsidian). It's also available in beautiful Peony and Wintergreen. Because Google's phone has a larger display than Apple's, it weighs an ounce more than its competitor. The iPhone 16 features a 6.1-inch OLED display, while the Pixel 9 has a slightly larger 6.3-inch OLED display. Both displays offer excellent resolution, though the iPhone 16 leads slightly in this aspect, with a higher pixels-per-inch count that means it's a bit sharper and crisper. In addition to screen size, the Pixel 9 outperforms the iPhone 16 in terms of its display's peak brightness and refresh rate. The Pixel 9 boasts an impressive peak brightness of 2,700 nits, surpassing the iPhone 16's still respectable 2,000 nits. Furthermore, the Pixel 9's refresh rate of 120Hz matches that of most high-end smartphones, while the iPhone 16 is limited to 60Hz. That's similar to previous iPhone models, but it's holding back the regular iPhone 16 series. As a result, the Pixel 9 delivers smoother screen refreshes, which is particularly noticeable during activities such as gaming. Winner: Google Pixel 9 Apple iPhone 16 vs. Google Pixel 9: performance and software Both phones feature new chipsets: the iPhone 16 has an A18, while the Google Pixel 9 has a Google Tensor G4. The iPhone 16 has significantly improved performance this year, thanks to the chipset and 8GB of RAM. Although Apple claims a 30% faster CPU and 40% faster GPU, you might notice little difference in everyday use since the iPhone 15 was already relatively fast. However, that A18 chip has other benefits that are (or will be) noticeable. Specifically, it enables the updated Photographic Styles on the phone and the upcoming Apple Intelligence package. The former has been around since the iPhone 13. This time around, however, the camera feature has been significantly improved. There are more styles to choose from, and you can now also customize the tone and color of each one using an improved slider control. Apple Intelligence, which the company has not yet released, will bring artificial intelligence to the iPhone for the first time. Once the feature is released, we will better understand how good the A18 chip is -- or perhaps isn't. The iPhone 16 ships with iOS 18, and based on previous iPhone releases, you'll likely get six to seven software updates. Circling back to the Pixel 9, previous Tensor G chips had been criticized for performance problems. In particular, some past Pixel users complained about overheating issues and occasional stutters, depending on what was done on the device. We had no issues with the Tensor G4 with 12GB of RAM featured in the Pixel 9. The performance on the Pixel 9 was the smoothest and most enjoyable Pixel experience to date. The Pixel 9 comes with Android 14 software. Google promises seven years of software updates, which means you can keep your device for a long time if you choose. The Pixel 9 ships with Google's built-in AI assistant, Gemini. Better still, Pixel 9 users get a free year of Gemini Advanced, which adds more intelligence. That's a savings of around $240 for the year. Leaving aside the issue of AI, which we'll get to below, both of these phones have high-tier performance and long update promises. As such, this has to be a tie. Winner: Tie Apple iPhone 16 vs. Google Pixel 9: cameras Cameras have always been a significant part of smartphones, and that's still the case with the iPhone 16 and Pixel 9. The iPhone 16 features a 48-megapixel Fusion primary rear camera, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 12MP selfie camera. The camera setup is quite similar to that of the iPhone 15, although there are a few notable changes. One significant change is that the ultrawide camera now offers autofocus, allowing macro photography. Additionally, you can capture Spatial photos that can be viewed on an Apple Vision Pro. The primary camera also now has a new anti-reflective lens coating, and it can capture pictures with zero shutter lag, similar to the iPhone Pro models. Overall, we're happy with the iPhone 16's cameras. The primary camera is excellent, capturing detailed photos with really pleasing colors. It also focuses quickly, handles moving subjects well, and does a great job in lowlight environments. The ultrawide camera makes taking macro photos a treat, and the selfie camera is as reliable as ever on the iPhone. The most significant change to the iPhone 16's growing list of camera tools is the addition of a physical Camera Control button. This button on every iPhone 16 series phone functions like a traditional camera shutter button, but offers more functionality due to its built-in capacitive sensor. The sensor allows you to access six options on a new camera menu: exposure, depth, zoom, cameras, styles, and tone. To navigate these options, you can slide your finger across the Camera Control, lightly press the button to select an option, and then adjust the chosen setting by sliding your finger again. It's early days, but Camera Control seems like a fun new way to interact with your iPhone's camera. However, it might take you a little bit of time to get used to it. The Pixel 9 also features two cameras on the rear: a 50MP primary camera and a 48MP wide-angle camera that enables a macro mode. The 10.5MP selfie camera also has autofocus. When testing the Pixel 9, we took many photos, and we came away impressed. The primary and wide-angle cameras shot sharp, colorful images that were never dull or underwhelming. We also enjoyed using the phone's Action Pan, which adds motion blur to moving objects, and the new Reimagine feature in Magic Editor, which allows you to change scenes based on your imagination. Casual photographers will enjoy using the cameras on both of these phones, as they are equipped with hardware and software features that will provide years of enjoyment. Winner: Tie Apple iPhone 16 vs. Google Pixel 9: battery and charging The battery life of both these phones is decent, but not exceptional, especially when compared to more expensive phones from the same companies. Despite them both being decent, one is better than the other. The iPhone 16 has a 3,561 mAh battery, which should last a day without recharging. On the other hand, the Pixel 9 has a bigger 4,700mAh battery, allowing you to use it for a second day (at least for a while) before recharging. The iPhone 16 theoretically supports 45-watt wired charging, but seems to be limited to around 20W most of the time. We tested the iPhone 16 with an Anker 747 and found that it charged from 5% to over 60% in 30 minutes. However, it took over an hour and a half to reach 100%. Charging from a low or dead battery to around 70% is relatively fast, but the final 30% takes a while. If you prefer MagSafe charging, you'll be pleased to know that the iPhone 16's charge speeds have increased from 15W to 30W. Apple's phone supports MagSafe, Qi2, and Qi wireless charging. The Pixel 9 maxes out at 27W charging, similar to the iPhone. It could charge a dead battery to 53% in 30 minutes and get an entire charge in 92 minutes. The Google phone supports Qi wireless charging, but not Qi2. We're giving this one to Google's phone, if only because it has a bigger and longer-lasting battery. Winner: Google Pixel 9 Apple iPhone 16 vs. Google Pixel 9: AI In just a few weeks, Apple plans to release at least the initial components of Apple Intelligence to the general public. Within six months, every feature should finally be available. Apple Intelligence is designed to provide a secure, helpful, and intuitive AI experience. It will offer personalized writing assistance, new creative tools, improved Siri, and more. Google Gemini, also available for iPhone through the Google App, is designed to help users make everyday tasks easier and offer a more helpful Google Search experience. Like Apple Intelligence, it will help you write better, improve your images, and more. Because Apple Intelligence isn't available, the Pixel 9 wins this category by default. Winner: Google Pixel 9 Apple iPhone 16 vs. Google Pixel 9: price and availability The iPhone 16 costs $799 for the 128GB model and $899 for the 256GB model. There's also a 512GB model for $1,099. The Google Pixel 9's base 128GB model also costs $799. The 256GB version is available for $859 if you need more storage. The Pixel scores points because its 256GB model is available for $40 less than the similarly equipped iPhone 16 model. However, it loses that point because only Apple offers a 512GB model. Apple iPhone 16 vs. Google Pixel 9: verdict This result may change in six months. However, for now, the Pixel 9 bests the iPhone 16 overall. Google's entry-level phone has much more going for it, from having a larger display and battery to offering an AI product right now when you open the box. The iPhone 16 isn't a bad phone; it's actually a terrific phone that currently lacks some of Apple's promised features. Ultimately, an incomplete product cannot outperform a completed one. However, your decision will likely be based more on each phone's operating system. If you prefer Android, you'll choose the Pixel 9 and Android 14; if you're a fan of iOS, then the iPhone 16 with iOS 18 is the one for you.

Apple iPhone 16 Plus Review: The Definitive iPhone to Get in 2024

Key Takeaways The Apple iPhone 16 Plus sticks to a familiar design with an updated camera layout and new colors but doesn't significantly differ from its predecessors in terms of aesthetics or form factor. Apple introduces meaningful, if modest, updates like the 48MP camera and second-generation Ceramic Shield, though overprocessing remains an issue in detailed shots. Despite solid battery life and smooth performance from the A18 chip, the 60Hz refresh rate feels outdated compared to competitors offering 120Hz displays at similar price points. 2024 will be remembered as one of Apple's most unusual iPhone launches. The much-anticipated iPhone 16 series arrived with a glaring absence: Apple Intelligence. The flagship feature, which is set to integrate generative AI across the iPhone experience, didn't ship at launch. It's expected to roll out later this year, with a phased introduction across languages and regions. Without Apple Intelligence, the iPhone 16 series is an iterative update across the board; having spent the past week with the iPhone 16 Plus, I've found that while it may not currently ship the groundbreaking features we expected, it offers a dependable experience with meaningful, if modest, improvements. Apple iPhone 16 Plus 8/ 10 The iPhone 16 Plus is a refined iteration in Apple's lineup, featuring a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with vibrant colors and a peak brightness of 2000 nits. Powered by the A18 chip, it ensures smooth performance, but still sticks to a 60Hz refresh rate, which feels dated in 2024. Its design remains familiar, with a sleek camera layout, new color options, and a tougher second-generation Ceramic Shield for added durability. The 48MP camera system delivers impressive daytime shots but struggles with overprocessing at times. While it lacks Apple Intelligence at launch, the iPhone 16 Plus still stands out for its excellent battery life and reliability, making it a solid choice for those upgrading from older models. ProsGreat overall camera performanceExcellent all-day battery lifeLightweight design for a large phone ConsDisplay is still 60HzCamera Control awkward to use in portrait $899 at AppleSee at AT&TSee at T-MobileSee at VerizonSee at Best Buy How We Test and Review Products Price and Availability The iPhone 16 Plus is available starting at $899 with 128GB and can be configured up to 512GB. The device comes in five finishes: White, Black, Teal, Ultramarine, and Pink. You can pick one up at most major retailers and carriers, including Amazon and Best Buy, and directly through the Apple Store. Brand Apple SoC Apple A18 Display 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 2,000 nit peak brightness RAM 8GB Storage 128, 256, 512GB Battery 4674 mAh Ports USB-C Operating System iOS 18 Camera (Rear, Front) 48MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, Front camera 12MP selfie Colors White, Black, Ultramarine, Pink, Teal Weight 199g Charge speed 45W IP Rating IP68 Expand A Colorful New Design Like its smaller sibling, the iPhone 16 Plus adheres to a now-familiar formula in Apple's design language. The most visible update is the camera layout and new color options. The vertically aligned lenses on the back are a welcome departure from the diagonal placement of the past few years, and honestly, I think this is one of the best-looking iPhones since the iPhone X. The new arrangement gives the device a sleeker profile, which really complements the color-infused glass, especially in the new hues of Ultramarine and Teal. My unit was White, so it's less obvious, but when I went hands-on with the bolder color variants, the deeper saturation of the side frame and camera modules offered an excellent contrast to the matte glass back. This year's iPhones also feature an improved second-generation Ceramic Shield, which Apple touts as 50% tougher than any smartphone glass. While I didn't intentionally drop-test my device, I think this new glass formulation should be on par, if not better, than what's currently available on the market. There was no mention of any improved scratch resistance, and even after a week of using the phone case-less, you'll pick up on micro scratches just as you would with any other glass phone. The overall design feels familiar, almost too familiar. The iPhone 16 Plus largely retains the chassis and dimensions of the iPhone 15 Plus -- the bezels aren't thinner, nor is the chassis slimmer. Apple plays it safe here, sticking to what has worked. Aside from the camera, the key visual differentiator for the 16 series is the addition of the Action Button and new Camera Control. The Action Button is the same as you would find with the 15 Pro series, but it's now available across the new iPhone lineup. On this larger phone, it's a bigger reach to the top of the volume buttons; I have fairly large hands, so it wasn't that big of a deal, but coming from the smaller 15 Pro, it's not as comfortable. The same goes for the new Camera Control, which is ergonomically perfectly placed if you're holding the phone in landscape, but it feels awkward to press it when the device is oriented in portrait. I simultaneously used the 6.3-inch iPhone 16 Pro, and the placement on the smaller phone felt much more comfortable to operate in portrait with one hand compared to the 16 Plus, where you're more inclined to use both hands to use the Camera Control in portrait. While this feels like nitpicking, it's important to note that Apple plans to roll out Visual Intelligence, which is its version of Google Lens or Google's Circle to Search feature. This is a huge part of what the Camera Control will eventually be used for, and the most natural way to trigger it will be in portrait, so I hope if Apple keeps this around, they make the Camera Control bigger or shift to a more comfortable spot on the larger phones. That said, after using the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, the iPhone 16 Plus is surprisingly comfortable for a large phone. The phone's light body and rounded aluminum edges make it easier to hold than some of its heavier competitors. An Excellent But Stuck-Up Display The iPhone 16 Plus is equipped with a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, boasting 2000 nits of peak brightness for outdoor viewing. Aside from the new Ceramic Shield, this is identical to the 15 Plus from last year. This means a couple of things. First, color accuracy remains a strong point, as expected from Apple's calibrated panels. Whether scrolling through photos or streaming HDR content, the colors are vibrant without feeling oversaturated, and you're able to play Dolby Vision and HDR10. The bezels are uniform but noticeably thicker than on the Pro phones, which is no surprise. While I do like that they're uniform all around, these bezels make the 16 Plus outdated compared to the Pro phones, and it would've been nice to see a reduction here because Apple can easily make this phone body smaller without taking away the screen real estate. However, the biggest issue is the refresh rate. While the iPhone 16 Plus' display excels in brightness, contrast, and color, it still lags behind the competition with its 60Hz refresh rate. In 2024, this feels like a glaring omission for a phone at this price point. Competitors like the Google Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy S24+ have moved firmly into 120Hz refresh rates across their lineups, and the difference is very noticeable. Scrolling through content or navigating iOS 18 on the iPhone 16 Plus feels slightly less fluid, especially compared to the ProMotion displays on Apple's iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models. While it's likely that a person getting the iPhone 16 Plus is someone upgrading from an older iPhone that also ran on 60Hz, for a device that positions itself as a media-centric phone, this lack of a high refresh rate feels like a missed opportunity that shouldn't be left for the Pro phones, four generations in. Unsurprisingly Excellent Cameras The camera system on the iPhone 16 Plus is where I found myself 90% of the time, and I absolutely love it. This year's phones feature a new 48MP Fusion camera with a quad-pixel sensor that delivers detailed shots in well-lit conditions. Daytime photography was an absolute joy, with the camera capturing true-to-life colors and sharp details; the iPhone 16 Plus consistently delivered rich and vibrant images without feeling overdone -- most of the time. Thanks to its quad-pixel sensor, the camera also boasts an optical-quality 2x telephoto mode. While it isn't quite the same as having a dedicated telephoto lens like on the Pro models, which both can now go to 5x, the regular 16 does a decent job of maintaining clarity and detail at moderate zoom levels. Close The new Photonic Engine processes images to enhance brightness and reduce noise in low-light conditions, and for the most part, it works pretty well. I wouldn't put it on par with Google's Night Sight, but I took several shots indoors and during evening walks, and the level of detail retained was impressive. Close That said, the camera system isn't without its flaws; overprocessing continues to be an issue, especially when zooming into photos. Apple's image pipeline seems intent on sharpening details to the point where images can look unnatural upon closer inspection. This is particularly noticeable in textures -- rocks, skin, or fabric often appear overly crisp. I think what the phone tries to do is keep everything -- foreground and background -- sharp, and in doing so, gives images a weird, over-processed look. Close The problem feels as though the phone is overcompensating when it doesn't need to. The 48MP sensor is plenty sharp even when it bins down to 24 or 12MP images. This is part of the reason I typically shoot all my photos with ProRAW enabled because it retains the details true to the sensor without adding on Apple's aggressive post-processing, but that's not available on the non-Pro models. One area that does benefit from the processing is the new macro mode for the ultrawide camera, which is coming to non-Pro iPhones for the first time. Because this is a 12MP sensor, the processing, especially for macro shots, looks good, and I think a lot of people are going to have fun trying it out for the first time. Is it useful? For 95% of users, probably not, but it's better having it here than not. Close One of the standout features this year is the improved Photographic Styles. These presets offer more control over the look and feel of photos and allow you to adjust tone and warmth without compromising on detail. You're also able to adjust and alter them after taking the photos. Dramatic and Etherial were the ones that I used most often, and I think, in concept, they're much better than typical filters. You can tell that the processing is happening on a deeper level compared to putting a filter on top -- it's not exactly the same as editing a RAW photo, but it's along the same lines. Close If anything, Photographic Styles reminds me of using film simulations on Fuji cameras, but I think Apple continues to play it really safe with how it handles color, which means that the edited photos don't have the same character as something like on Fuji's film simulations. Now we have to talk about the Camera Control because it's the shiny new hardware feature that's coming to every new iPhone this year. I'm here to tell you that while it's cool, I doubt you'll be using it very often, especially on this larger phone. As I mentioned before, it's just in an awkward position to use in portrait on this larger iPhone, but more broadly, the things it can control aren't that substantial. For anyone who has used Apple's camera app for a long time, you just have a feeling for where everything is, and more often than not, it's always faster to use the screen to alter what you need than to use the Camera Control to do it. Credit where credit is due: I think the haptics and overall implementation of the hardware and software are top-notch, but they don't add to the iPhone camera experience the way you really want them to. Having used the Camera Control, it is very clear now that this new hardware is primarily going to be for Visual Intelligence, and until that ships, it's hard to wrap your head around the Camera Control as anything more than another camera shortcut right now. Unmatched Performance and Battery Life The A18 chip powering the iPhone 16 Plus is, unsurprisingly, a powerhouse. Built on a 3-nanometer process, it delivers a notable performance leap over the A16 of the iPhone 15, with increased efficiency and faster Neural Engine performance. In everyday use, the iPhone 16 Plus easily handles everything from switching between apps to gaming. iOS 18 runs smoothly for the most part, but it's still a bit rough along the edges, with small bugs throughout the OS. That said, I haven't had any notable slowdowns or stutters, even when pushing the phone with resource-intensive apps like Lightroom and batch exporting multiple 48MP photos at full resolution. Again, my biggest gripe is knowing that this phone can perform at a flagship level, but the refresh rate doesn't match up the same way it does on the Pro phones. Where the iPhone 16 Plus truly shines, however, is in its battery life. With a larger battery and improved power efficiency from the A18 chip, I consistently achieved a day and a half of moderate use on a single charge, pushing it to two days if I needed to with battery saver. My usage included social media, camera, and content consumption of Netflix and YouTube, with plenty of juice left to spare by the end of the day. Even during heavy usage -- such as gaming -- the phone comfortably lasted well into the night. Compared to competitors like the Pixel 9 Pro or Galaxy S24 Ultra, the iPhone 16 Plus holds its own, delivering one of the most enduring batteries I've tested this year, which makes sense given that it runs an OLED at 60Hz. The best addition to the battery experience this year is 45W wired charging and 25W wireless charging across the board, which means this phone can charge quite a lot quicker than before. Of course, you need to supply your own brick, and it's nowhere near other OEMs like OnePlus's 65W standards, but given how infrequently you'll need to charge the phone, this addition is great for faster top-ups. Should You Buy the Apple iPhone 16 Plus? Frankly speaking, if you're coming from an iPhone newer than the iPhone 13 series, there's no definitive feature or reason to upgrade unless you want to hold out for what Apple brings with Apple Intelligence over the next year or your phone is on its last legs. But, I preface this by saying one thing -- the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus offer one of the best updates to the non-Pro iPhones since the 12 series, and I think that anyone buying it right now won't find much to complain about. The improved battery life, refined camera system, and dependable performance make the 16 Plus a reliable daily driver, even without the cutting-edge AI features. Sure, it's not revolutionary, but for those who prioritize a balance between price and functionality -- within the Apple ecosystem -- it's a solid upgrade that should satisfy most people. Apple iPhone 16 Plus 8/ 10 The iPhone 16 Plus is a refined iteration in Apple's lineup, featuring a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with vibrant colors and a peak brightness of 2000 nits. Powered by the A18 chip, it ensures smooth performance, but still sticks to a 60Hz refresh rate, which feels dated in 2024. Its design remains familiar, with a sleek camera layout, new color options, and a tougher second-generation Ceramic Shield for added durability. The 48MP camera system delivers impressive daytime shots but struggles with overprocessing at times. While it lacks Apple Intelligence at launch, the iPhone 16 Plus still stands out for its excellent battery life and reliability, making it a solid choice for those upgrading from older models. $899 at AppleSee at AT&TSee at T-MobileSee at VerizonSee at Best Buy

iPhone 16 and 16 Plus review: The phone for everyone creeps into Pro territory

Those familiar with Apple's iPhone lineup understand that the company puts out two sets of phones: one set with "Pro" in the name to denote that they have advanced features not found in the other set of phones, which go by the iPhone name and version number-in this case, it's the iPhone 16 (and iPhone 16 Plus for the larger screen and battery). Before this release, choosing between the Pro and non-pro iPhones was a bit of a brain twister. The Pro has the fancier camera setup and you could convince yourself you don't need it, but then you start to look at the other features that the Pros have (Action button, ProMotion, 5x zoom, newer chip). You could start to develop a Fear of Missing Out. With that in mind, there's very good news with the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus: Some of the major new features Apple introduced are on both the iPhone 16 and the 16 Pro, plus the 16 Pro's features fill a high-end niche that most people aren't going to care about. The FOMO is gone, and with the iPhone 16, Apple has a phone that will make a vast majority of its users very happy. This review takes a look at the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. The only difference between the two is the size; the chip, display technology, buttons, cameras, and just about everything else is the same. When I refer to the iPhone 16, I'm talking about both phones and I call out the iPhone 16 Plus specifically when necessary, such as with the battery. With the iPhone 15 Pro, Apple introduced the Action button, which replaced the mute switch. It's still on the iPhone 16 Pro but it's now on the iPhone 16, too, so there's one "pro" feature that made its way down the product line. By default, the Action button is set for mute to mimic the previous switch's behavior, but it can be changed in iOS's settings to activate Focus, the Camera, the Flashlight, Voice Memo, Shazam, Translate, Magnifier, a Control Center control, a Shortcut you've created, an Accessibility feature, or No Action. The Action Button is so easy to appreciate, especially if you're tired of navigating through iOS to get to a feature or app you constantly use. I set mine to Flashlight and now it's available at the push of a button instead of having to wake the phone and tap-and-hold the Flashlight icon on the Lock screen or access Control Center. The next time I travel to a non-English speaking country, I'll set it to Translate and have quick access to the Translate app. If you want the Action button to do more than the provided options, you can create and assign it to a Shortcut-it sounds daunting, but it's really not. Learn how to use Shortcuts to make the Action Button do more. The new Camera Control button, which is exactly the type of feature Apple usually reserves for Pro model phones, is available on the whole iPhone 16 lineup. This button is placed below the power button on the lower right side, and when holding the iPhone 16 horizontally with the Camera Control on top, its placement is akin to the shutter button on a traditional camera. The button works regardless of how you hold the iPhone 16, but if you're not comfortable with its placement, you can still use the Action button to launch Camera and you can turn off Camera Control completely-it can't be reassigned to do a non-camera related task. By default, Camera Control is dedicated to the stock Camera app. You can change the Camera Control setting in the Camera settings so that it opens a third-party camera app such as Halide, Obscura, or Instagram, and it even works with Final Cut Camera. Apple has an API for Camera Control for third-party camera-centric apps, so if you don't see your favorite app in the settings, be on the lookout for a future app update. Considering how often users access the camera, Camera Control is a great idea, though it has a steep learning curve for figuring out its nuances. For example, press it completely, and then upon release your camera app opens, but it doesn't snap a picture. But once in the camera, the button acts as a shutter. You can also hold the button down to immediately begin recording a video but you'll need to keep it pressed the whole time. As soon as you lift your finger, it stops recording. The Camera Capture button does more than shoot; it provides access to options like zoom, exposure, and styles. To get to those options takes a "double light-press" of the button, not a full press, but after a week I'm still mastering the timing and sensitivity of this action. Users can adjust the sensitivity and speed of pressing the button in Accessibility > Camera Control, which I've found helpful in getting comfortable with Camera Control. Get all the details on how to adjust the Camera Control button. Apple continues to outfit the non-Pro iPhones with a dual camera system and the iPhone 16 has support for taking spatial photos-that's why the cameras are now lined up in a row instead of diagonally. The main Fusion camera (as it's now called) has a 48MP camera that includes support for 2x optical telephoto. Then there's the 12-megapixel ultrawide camera that's capable of taking macro shots-yet another feature that was previously only on the iPhone Pro. The iPhone has always taken great pictures and Apple has done nothing here to negatively affect the quality. The new macro ability allows users to find a creative outlet that wasn't previously available in the non-Pro iPhone. Thankfully, the ultrawide camera is better in low-light situations. A new camera feature throughout the iPhone 16 lineup is the new Photographic Styles, which are basically a bunch of themed presets to give your photo a certain look. I've never been into photographic filters or tweaking settings in such a way to make a dramatic, artistic impression, but I like the way Photographic Style has been implemented in the Camera app. It uses an interface that looks like a scatter chart and you move the dot within it to tweak each style. It's easy to use and previews are instant. The video camera has a new Audio Mix feature on the whole iPhone 16 lineup. It offers three different ways to adjust the audio after you've captured the video. For anyone who does even a small amount of editing to recorded videos, Audio Mix provides flexibility for making your content sound how you want it to sound. It feels like a feature that Apple could've easily made exclusive to the iPhone 16 Pro, but again, it didn't. The display remains one of the major components separating the iPhone 16 from the 16 Pro. The iPhone 16 uses a display with a 60Hz refresh rate while ProMotion, which offers the ability to automatically adjust the refresh rate to a faster 120Hz when scrolling, remains a Pro feature. As someone who previously used an iPhone 14 Pro Max daily, the difference between the 60Hz and 120Hz rates is noticeable at times, but it's more about nuance than practicality. There was never a point while using the iPhone 16 to play games, watch videos, web browsing, or any other everyday task where my experience felt lessened because of the 60Hz display. Most of the time I didn't even notice. The iPhone 16 also lacks an always-on display, so when the phone sits idle or you turn off the display, the display goes dark. In my carrying experience, not having an always-on display didn't bother me; I could just press the power button or tap the display to see notifications or the time. But when using the iPhone 16 in StandBy mode as a nightstand clock, the display also goes dark and to see the time you have to tap the screen, or trip the phone's accelerometer by shaking the table or stand, or use Siri. That's the most annoying part and if you use Standby Mode, consider a Pro model. The iPhones in recent history are more than fast enough for most people. However, Apple continues to improve performance with each new generation. To see how much of an improvement the new A18 offers, we ran a series of benchmarks, starting with Geekbench 6, which offers insight into general, all-around performance. Since the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus have the same A18 chip, the performance between the two is going to be practically identical. Compared to the iPhone 15's A16 chip, the A18 posted Multi-core and Single-core results that were 27 percent and 30 percent faster, respectively. That's a little better than the usual year-over-year boost, but remember, the iPhone 15 used an older-generation chip. The iPhone 16 offers a boost in graphics performance, too, so if you like to play graphic-intensive games, there's an improvement. I should note that while the A18's CPU is similar to the A18 Pro in the iPhone 16 Pro, the graphics processor is what makes the chips different. The A18 Pro has one more GPU core and a bit more oomph than the A18. Apple's big marketing push with the iPhone 16 is to tie it to Apple Intelligence. So, AI performance is now a thing to consider and to gauge AI performance, we use the Geekbench AI test. The results show dramatic improvement over the iPhone 15, as much as 107 percent. The results clearly reflect Apple's decision to make the non-Pro iPhones capable of supporting its upcoming AI features-the iPhone 15 isn't on the Apple Intelligence compatibility list, but the iPhone 16 is. (More on the iPhone 16 and Apple Intelligence below.) One major change between the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus and the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus is that the new phones have larger batteries. Combine that with the improved efficiency of the A18 chip in these phones and that means longer battery life. The iPhone battery life has always been good, but now it's even better. Way better. Battery life was tested using Geekbench 4's battery test. It's a more strenuous test compared to the ways Apple gauges battery life, so the numbers here should be taken within the context of our results, not versus Apple's numbers. These results are incredible. The iPhone 16's improvement is nearly four hours longer than the iPhone 15 and two hours longer than the iPhone 15 Plus which has a larger battery. The iPhone 16 Plus can last over four hours longer than the iPhone 15 Plus. Under regular use, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are going to get you through the day and then some, and you can feel comfortable about doing something that will take its toll on the battery-you're still going to have plenty of charge left over. If you were convinced that the marquee feature of the iPhone 16 is Apple Intelligence, that's probably because Apple is promoting it that way. But Apple Intelligence isn't available yet. That new version of Siri you want to chat with? Doesn't work yet. The clean-up tool for editing out that strange dude in the background of your photos? Can't do it yet. The summary you're looking for about the long email thread you've ignored? Sorry, you better start from the beginning. Apple will start rolling out Apple Intelligence features later this fall, starting with iOS 18.1. That will include a few features, and then later updates will gradually roll out more features. We have details of what's coming and when. The iPhone 16 hardware is all ready to go with Apple Intelligence, and it could make your new phone feel even newer. Almost everything the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus does, they do very well. It has all the features most people need every day and a few more that are usually reserved for Apple's Pro lineup. The iPhone 16 Pro still has more features, but they've ventured into the niche arena, addressing the needs of high-end users, such as video producers and professional content creators. You should read our iPhone 16 Pro review to learn more-what you'll probably figure out that the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus have all that you need.

iPhone 16 Pro review: I love it, but I wouldn't buy it | Digital Trends

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us? iPhone 16 Pro MSRP $999.00 Score Details "The iPhone 16 Pro is a great iPhone with top-notch camera features. If the regular iPhone 16 isn't enough for you, this is the one to get." Pros Camera Control is a lovely addition Great display and performance 5x telephoto camera on a small iPhone The new Photographic Styles 4K 120fps video recording Cons Disappointing battery life Apple Intelligence not yet available The regular iPhone 16 is SO good The iPhone Pro is usually an easy recommendation. If you're shopping for a new iPhone and have a bit more money to spend, splurging for the Pro is typically a no-brainer. But this year is different. Contents iPhone 16 Pro specsGreat hardware, familiar designAn excellent (and bigger) screenThe camera is the real reason to go ProPerformance, battery life, and chargingiOS 18 and Apple IntelligenceiPhone 16 Pro price and availabilityShould you buy the iPhone 16 Pro?Show 3 more items The regular iPhone 16 is the best non-Pro iPhone released in ages, and it's so good that it makes justifying the iPhone 16 Pro more complicated than you may have thought. That's not to say the iPhone 16 Pro is a bad phone (it's very good!), but the group of people who should go for it over the regular model is smaller than in past years. Do you fall into that group? Let's find out. iPhone 16 Pro specs Specs iPhone 16 Pro Size 149.6 x 71.5 x 8.25 mm (5.89 x 2.81 x 0.32 inches) Weight 199 g (7.03 oz) Screen 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED 1206 x 2622 pixels ProMotion with 120Hz dynamic refresh rate Dolby Vision, 2,000 nits brightness Operating system iOS 18 Build Titanium with textured matte glass back Buttons Action button Camera Control Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB Processor Apple A18 Pro Six-core CPU Six-core GPU 16-core NPU Camera Rear: 48-megapixel primary, f/1.8, OIS 48MP ultrawide, f/2.2, 120° FOV 12MP telephoto, f/2.8, 5x optical zoom Front: 12MP, f/1.9 aperture Video Rear: 4K, up to 120 fps Front: 4K, up to 60 fps Connectivity Wi-Fi 7, dual-band Bluetooth 5.3 Ports USB-C Gen 3.2 DisplayPort Water resistance IP68 (maximum depth of 6m up to 30 minutes) Battery & charging Up to 23 hours video playback 45W fast charging 25W wireless charging via MagSafe 15W Qi2 wireless charging Colors Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, Desert Titanium Price Starts at $999 Great hardware, familiar design The iPhone 16 Pro is an incredibly well-built smartphone. Like the iPhone 15 Pro, it has a titanium frame with a matte finish. It's lovely and considerably improved from the old stainless steel frame Apple used on its older Pro smartphones. The flat sides are easy to grip, the rounded corners are comfortable in your hand, and the overall fit and finish are second to none. It's essentially the same hardware experience from last year's Pro, though that's not necessarily a bad thing. The Action button returns for another year and is just as convenient as ever. I wish Apple had allowed more customization, but being able to press and hold the button to turn on the flashlight, start a voice recording, or do whatever else you want remains a great addition. This year, it's also joined by the weird and wonderful Camera Control. The iPhone 16 Pro is an incredibly well-built smartphone. Camera Control is a new button on the right side of the iPhone 16 Pro. On the surface, it's very straightforward. Press the button to open the camera app, press it again to take a picture, and press and hold the button to record a video. However, lightly pressing and sliding your finger across the button allows you to select and adjust numerous camera controls -- including your zoom, depth of field, aperture, and more. The whole system takes some time to get used to, but once you've got the hang of it, it becomes a fantastic addition to the iPhone. It's satisfying to use, frees up the Action button to do something else, and has quickly become my favorite way to launch the camera. I also love that you can lightly customize the Camera Control, such as changing it to open Instagram instead of the regular camera app. I wish it were placed slightly lower on the frame, but otherwise, it's excellent. Objectively, the iPhone 16 Pro's hardware is as good as it gets. Subjectively, I desperately wish Apple had done something to freshen up this design. The iPhone 16 Pro looks identical to the iPhone 15 Pro, which already looked a lot like the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro. In a year when the regular iPhone 16 got a (admittedly subtle) camera redesign and phenomenal new colors, the iPhone 16 Pro's aesthetics are a bit too familiar for my taste. An excellent (and bigger) screen For the first time since the iPhone 12 Pro, Apple has made the display of its newest Pro iPhone bigger. Gone is the 6.1-inch screen we've had for the last few years, and in its place is a 6.3-inch one. Because of this, the iPhone 16 Pro is slightly taller and wider than the iPhone 15 Pro, though not dramatically so, thanks to reduced bezels. It's still easy to reach all four corners of the display single-handedly, and the slimmer bezels are pretty impressive. Also impressive is the quality of this display. The OLED panel produces gorgeous colors, the 120Hz refresh rate is wonderfully smooth, and the always-on display (AOD) looks as good as ever. It's frustrating that a 120Hz refresh rate and AOD remain limited to Apple's Pro phones, but there's no denying just how excellent they are. Combine all of this with 2,000 nits of peak outdoor brightness, and there's virtually nothing to complain about with this screen. The camera is the real reason to go Pro Apple has always reserved its best cameras for its Pro iPhones. But more than ever before, it feels like the upgraded cameras are the reason to get the iPhone 16 Pro over the iPhone 16 this year. In terms of specs, you get a 48-megapixel primary camera, a 48MP ultrawide camera, and a 12MP telephoto camera. The primary camera is essentially the same as last year's, while the ultrawide camera is new. Additionally, the 5x telephoto camera is the same one used in the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which is significant since the iPhone 15 Pro was stuck with a worse 3x telephoto shooter. As you probably suspected, the iPhone 16 Pro takes incredible photos. Shots from the primary camera are top-notch in every regard; images are detailed, colorful, and consistently great. There's very little to complain about. I've also been really happy with the new ultrawide camera. Not only do 0.5x ultrawide photos look better than ever but so do macro images. If you like taking macro shots (like I do), this is an excellent camera for that. The 5x telephoto camera is also a lovely touch. While not the longest zoom length you can get on a phone today, it's a high-quality sensor, and it's great getting the same 5x zoom on the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max this year. Like the iPhone 16, the iPhone 16 Pro also gets Apple's new Photographic Styles. Think of them like Instagram filters, except that they individually change the tone and color of your photos rather than applying a single, generic look over the entire thing. This is how Photographic Styles have always worked, but new for the iPhone 16 family, you can change them after you've taken a photo and fine-tune the look and feel of each style. As someone who has never bothered with Photographic Styles on previous iPhones, I've had a ton of fun playing with them on the iPhone 16 Pro. I consider myself a pretty casual photographer, but I've enjoyed stretching my creative muscles by toying with Photographic Styles. It's much simpler than shooting in RAW and taking images into Photoshop, yet more professional-looking than slapping on a filter. I think it's a fantastic middle ground that a lot of people are going to love. That said, for the people who do want to take their mobile photography skills up a notch, that's where the iPhone 16 Pro sets itself apart from the iPhone 16. The iPhone 16 Pro also gives you Apple ProRAW shooting, night mode portraits, 4K Dolby Vision video recording at 120fps, ProRes video recording, Log video recording, and a "studio-quality" four-mic setup. Those are impressive features, and for someone who wants to use their iPhone as a creative tool for their YouTube channel or moviemaking, it's easy to look at those extra camera features as legitimate reasons to buy the iPhone 16 Pro over the base model. But if you don't care about those things, it really comes down to how badly you want the telephoto camera and the improved ultrawide sensor. Performance, battery life, and charging It shouldn't be surprising that the iPhone 16 Pro is a fast smartphone. Whether you're bouncing between different apps, playing the latest games, or spending lots of time in the camera app playing with the new Photographic Styles, the iPhone 16 Pro handles everything with ease. This is all thanks to Apple's new A18 Pro chip. It's one of the most capable chips you can get in a smartphone today, and no matter what you throw at the iPhone 16 Pro, it can handle it easily. My one performance concern lies with how hot the iPhone 16 Pro can get. One day, while bouncing back and forth between Microsoft Teams, Asana, and Arc (an excellent web browser) on a 5G connection, my iPhone 16 Pro got really hot -- almost to the point where it was uncomfortable to hold. This hasn't happened since then, and I was admittedly using my phone a lot that day, but I thought it was worth mentioning. This one gaff aside, performance on the iPhone 16 Pro has been great. Battery life, on the other hand, has been disappointing. If I start my day at around 6:30 or 7 a.m. with a full 100% battery, I'm hitting 20% or lower by around 5 p.m. That's with four to four and a half hours of screen time each day and using apps like Snapchat, NFL Fantasy, TikTok, and Duolingo -- nothing over-the-top by any means. Battery life has been disappointing. This is noticeably worse than the battery life I saw with the regular iPhone 16, which gets to around 11 p.m. with over 30% battery remaining with similar usage. I'm curious to see if the iPhone 16 Pro's battery life gets better the longer I use it, but after a couple of weeks with the phone, it's firmly remained a device I need to top-up in the early evening. I love using the iPhone 16 Pro, and I wish I could use it longer before needing to seek out my charger. As for charging, wired charge speeds are still up to 50% in 30 minutes, while MagSafe charging has increased to 25W when using a 30W or faster charging block. The faster MagSafe charging this year is very nice, though I desperately wish Apple would ramp up its wired charging. In a world where the OnePlus 12 can charge from 0 to 100% in half an hour, needing over an hour to fully charge the iPhone 16 Pro is a pain. iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence iOS 18 is available on the iPhone 16 Pro right out of the box, and with that comes some pretty significant changes. The home screen, for example, is now much more customizable -- allowing you to change app icon colors and place widgets/apps anywhere you'd like. I don't personally love how tinted app icons look (like in the picture above), but I know other people who do, and for customization fans, this is a big win. Speaking of customization, there's the new Control Center. There's a lot new here. You can add/remove controls right from the Control Center (no more going to the Settings app to do this), place and resize controls with much greater flexibility, and have multiple pages in your Control Center (I have a dedicated one for smart home controls). It's a bit finicky to get everything looking just the way you want it, but overall, I'm happy with it. There's a lot more in iOS 18, too. RCS support means you can finally text Android phones and get read receipts, type indicators, and high-quality photo sharing. Being able to replace lock screen controls is long overdue but a very welcome touch. The new Photos app, which takes some getting used to, has a lot of great new features and customization options. Unfortunately, one of the main draws to iOS 18 -- Apple Intelligence -- is nowhere to be found on the iPhone 16 Pro. You can test the features now with the iOS 18.1 beta, but it won't be available as a stable update until later in October. I'm curious to finally use Apple Intelligence once it's ready. However, it's frustrating to see Apple market the iPhone 16 Pro so heavily around its AI features when they aren't ready yet. Apple Intelligence could be incredible, or it could be a flop. I won't know for sure until I've used it, and I'll update this review accordingly once I have. iPhone 16 Pro price and availability The iPhone 16 Pro is available for purchase now. It starts at $999 for 128GB of storage, with 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB models available for $1,099, $1,299, and $1,499, respectively. Natural Titanium, Black Titanium, and White Titanium -- all colors available last year for the iPhone 15 Pro -- return for the iPhone 16 Pro. This year's flagship color is Desert Titanium that, to my eyes, looks a lot like gold. With its $999 starting price, the iPhone 16 Pro is priced about the same as other competing Android smartphones -- namely the Google Pixel 9 Pro. But the iPhone 16, arguably the other phone most iPhone 16 Pro shoppers will be looking at, is just $799. A $200 price difference is not insignificant, and you should really think about if the iPhone 16 Pro is worth an extra $200 for what it brings to the table. Should you buy the iPhone 16 Pro? The iPhone 16 Pro is a well-made, powerful, and high-quality smartphone in almost every sense. I've had a great time using it, but is it the iPhone you should rush out and buy? I'm not so sure. The biggest problem with the iPhone 16 Pro is just how good the regular iPhone 16 is. It has the same Action button and Camera Control, a very similar primary camera, equally great performance, and -- in my experience -- better battery life. It also has the same iOS 18 software, will get the same Apple Intelligence features, and has a lighter, more comfortable, and more colorful design. It also costs $200 less. The iPhone 16 Pro is a well-made, powerful, and high-quality smartphone in almost every sense. If you need the 120Hz screen or the extra camera features, the iPhone 16 Pro has legitimate advantages over its cheaper sibling -- and I think you'll have a great time with it. But if you can live without those things, the base iPhone 16 is the way to go this year. It's the model I ordered for myself and the iPhone I think most people should buy.

Apple iPhone 16 Pro review: most powerful iPhone yet continues Apple's streak of evolution over revolution

Why you can trust Creative Bloq Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test. As about one in five of us have an iPhone, the release of the iPhone 16 Pro is big news in the world of tech, especially for those of us who like our camera phones to be as shiny and snazzy as possible. The iPhone may not be the clear leader among the best camera phones on the market any more, but the iPhone 16 Pro aims to reclaim that title and affirm its place as the phone of choice for creatives with an improved 48MP main camera on top of improved photo and video-editing suites, with the usual market-leading and rival-thrashing creative app selection still sporting the excellent iMovie, GarageBand and Freeform apps preloaded and free to use. I've had the iPhone 16 Pro for almost a week now, and as always, I've been left impressed by how easy it is to set up, with transferring data and apps from Android easier than ever, along with its smooth integration with accessories like the Apple Watch. The camera is also clearly better than before, perching it right atop the best iPhones for photography (although it may not beat the best of the best yet) and the ecosystem is nicely focused on user needs over innovation for innovation's sake. But unless you're an Apple aficionado and a professional content creator, you may not need this more expensive Pro model... In a shock move to absolutely no one at all, the iPhone 16 Pro looks almost identical to the iPhone 15 Pro. It's a chunky lil' rectangle made from steel, glass and aluminium, weighing just under 200 grams, with rounded corners and a three-lens camera array in the top-left corner when you look at the back, just like the 15 Pro. There are two, and exactly two, visible differences from last year's model. One is the size, as Apple have upscaled the Pro's display from 6.1 inches last year to 6.3 this time around (and the Pro Max has likewise grown from 6.7 to 6.9 inches). There is a corresponding increase in pixel count, retaining the XDR OLED screen's 460 PPI density on both the Pro and Pro Max. The corners remain more rounded than on most of the iPhone's Android rivals, which does make the screen feel a little smaller than it is (so you'll have more cut-off in the corners on this than an equivalent-sized Xiaomi or Samsung, for example), but it also helps it retain that classy look and comfortable hold we've grown to like so much with iPhones. The other visible difference is on the side, as there's a new button below the power button. Running flush with the side surface is a dedicated camera button, which not only opens the camera when you press it, but also offers touch-sensitive control of camera functions when using it. Half-pressing it opens the zoom control and a double half-click opens up a further menu for various camera controls. Then you simply run your finger along the touch-sensitive button to toggle between the options popping down onto the screen from the location of the button. Near-everything else on the phone looks the same though. The screen has been further reinforced to withstand falls, impacts and shocks, while the back has Corning-made textured glass and the frame is grade-5 titanium as before. The action button introduced last year is also still here, with more customisation options than before (and it will be one of the first things you'll be prompted to program when starting up the phone for the first time). As always, setting up an iPhone is delightfully easy and straightforward. Moreso obviously if you are moving from an iPhone to an iPhone, but I found the Android-to-iOS move easier this time than ever before, thanks to an improved bespoke transferring app for that purpose. Inside I found the new A18 chipset, with the integrated Apple GPU and 8GB of unified memory, and as before, Apple is focused on smoothness of user experience over flashy performance (even though there's plenty of performance, don't worry). These upgraded internals aren't a revolution from last year's model, but there's a handful of new features that are focused, as so often, on what Apple deems the user needs, and then to meet that need in as effortless a way as possible. That's the rationale behind the successful Action Button, which has more customisation options this time around, and the new camera-control button, which is aimed at shortening the journey from wanting to photograph or video something to having captured what you wanted, in the way you wanted. The camera button is an interesting addition, where a half-press enables you to adjust the zoom, and a double half-press opens up a further menu of camera options. It feels a little finicky at first, and the touch sensitivity where you can scroll along the mini-menu by stroking the button from side to side takes a bit of getting used to. After a week with it, I think I'm getting a handle on it, though, and as someone who gets frequent sudden urges to snap pictures of insects, flowers or random passing cats, it means a little less fumbling through menus in a race to catch my cat's pose before it saunters off. And for that, I'm grateful. My cat, a little less so. The A18 Pro chip continues Apple's theme of incremental progress, where benchmarking largely backs up the company's claims of a 10-20% performance increase from last year's A17 Pro chip. Multi-core testing in Geekbench 6 yielded an impressive 8,122 points, about 13% up on the iPhone 15 Pro (and equivalent to the average score for an M1 iPad Pro 11-inch), while single-core performance is better than ever, at 3,321 points. The Metal GPU test gave me an average score of 32,969 points, a hair above the aforementioned iPad Pro and a good 21% above the iPhone 15 Pro. Playing games on the phone is also better than ever. I tried out Resident Evil Village, the much more gentle Infinity Nikki (which utilises UE5 graphics) and the notoriously processor-picky drag-racing game CSR 2. It handled everything with ease, with only minimal temporary drops in framerate or resolution in CSR 2 and very smooth graphics processing through both the gore of REV and the hygge vibes of Infinity Nikki. It's not quite at the level of bespoke gaming phones, though (such as the Infinix GT Pro I tested last year), as the advertised variable and automatically engaged 120Hz refresh rate doesn't always kick in as effortlessly as I would have hoped, but that's a minor niggle that will only be noticed by the most demanding gamers. The sound produced by the speakers is also full and rich for a smartphone, with great depth and bass for such a small device, providing me with plentiful voluminous motivation as I played the BBC Radio 1 Drum & Bass Show while doing the dishes and cleaning the house. The brightness is also fantastic as ever, at 2000 nits in direct sunlight it remains eminently useable even in the harshest outdoor lighting conditions. Where the iPhone still lags behind, though, is charging and battery life. The battery here is smaller than in most Android rivals, at an oddly specific 3,582mAh, and even though it's bigger than last year's, battery life seems to have gone down a little. I eked about 13 and a half hours of fairly intensive use out of the 15 Pro, but only just under 12 on the 16 Pro. This is considerably less than I get out of phones like the Xiaomi 14 or the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, which have battery sizes between 4,200 and 5,000mAh. Charging is also much slower than in Android rivals, as the old-gen USB-C port seems to be unchanged from last year's model. You can get up to 50% charge in 30 minutes, which is about 10 minutes longer than it took me to charge the much cheaper nubia Z60S from 10 to 80% earlier this year. And though wireless charging has been upped to 25W when using Apple's specific MagSafe charger, it still feels like a frustrating oddity in a device that's so squarely focused on the user experience in most other respects. The advent of AI has finally made its way to Apple's shores, in the form of 'Apple Intelligence', a suite of AI features due to be rolled out to iOS 18 at the end of this year. This includes generative AI features like image and emoji generators (get used to hearing 'Genmoji' everywhere for a few months in a bit), along with writing aids, a more digital-assistant-focused Siri and more intelligent image search and recognition. I haven't been able to test this suite in its consumer form yet, but we will keep you updated with our testing of that as we get access to it on Creative Bloq. The photo app is improved from last year, with more customisation of images, and an added live preview with your desired settings. Filters, colour saturation, focus, lighting effects and more can all be programmed. The cameras themselves also see an incremental upgrade, with an improved macro lens and better ultrawide capabilities in general. You can also film up to 4K in 120fps, and there are some interesting editing options available for video shot in the highest quality, including near-cinema-quality slow motion and improved lighting effects. The 48MP main camera produces high-quality images, with the ability to capture them in pure HEIF form ideal for those who want to export and edit it to their heart's content. The sensor, whose exact specifications are unclear, is definitely among the better ones, but the iPhone still trails the likes of the Xiaomi 14 in sheer photo fidelity. The added macro functionality is a welcome and overdue sight on the Pro and it produces some stunning extra-close-up imagery. The video capture supports 4K video at up to 120fps on the Pro model, which is a step above the vanilla iPhone 16, which I tested alongside the Pro model. It is probably the best iPhone for photography we've ever had. Still, with the leaps many other makers have made in the last half-decade, if you're going for the camera above everything else, there are some better (and often more affordable) Android alternatives available. The iPhone 16 Pro starts at £/$999, but the model I tested, which has 1TB of storage, is a whopping £/$1,499, which of course is crazy money for a phone, no matter what brand it is. Go for the Pro Max and its 6.9-inch screen, and you'll be paying £/$200 on top of that. The iPhone 16 Pro sets itself apart from the regular iPhone 16 (or its identically specced but bigger-screened Plus sibling, which we've reviewed alongside the Pro) in only a few aspects, so this is probably not the iPhone I would recommend for the everyday user or casual content makers. If you are a professional, however, a content creator, pro camera-phone photographer or a YouTuber who needs the extra features (like UHD 120fps video, 5x optical zoom and macro images) the Pro becomes a viable choice. Everyone else going for a new iPhone will be more than happy with the 16 or 16 Plus.

Apple iPhone 16 Plus review: with a big screen and the latest chipset, this is my recommended iPhone 16

Why you can trust Creative Bloq Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test. It's autumn, so like every autumn, we get pumpkin spice everything, bring our warm coat out, and get a new iPhone. In my instance, I've had the iPhone 16 Plus for just under a week now. Still haven't had a pumpkin spice bolognese with pumpkin spice red wine yet though. While the iPhone 16 Pro may grab more headlines due to its new telephoto lens or added macro abilities (and better gaming performance than before), I assume all made specifically to put it back at the top of our list of best camera phones, I may actually prefer the iPhone 16 Plus. Why? Unlike previous years, where the vanilla iPhone gets the previous year's Pro chipset, Apple has given the 16 and 16 Plus a brand-spanking-new processor, the A18. It's slightly (and I do mean only slightly) less powerful than the Pro variant, with a 5-core GPU instead of 6, so it's become a much stronger candidate for any iPhone buyer outside the small group of professional content creators who need the Pro's more advanced camera features. It's even got interesting colours again! Just like the iPhone 16 Pro, the iPhone 16 Plus bears more than a passing resemblance to last year's model. It's the exact same shape and size, at 6.7 inches, all rounded corners and glass back with an XDR OLED screen on the front, it's somehow 2 grams lighter than last year's iteration. That very slight difference might be down to one of two visible deviations from last year: the camera notch. It's now narrower with both lenses inline with each other. This is to make the phone's camera VR-compatible (so can record VR-ready video for Apple Vision). The other visible difference is the camera control shortcut button below the power button, which works in exactly the same way it does on the iPhone 16 Pro. Despite the larger body, it weighs the same as the smaller 16 Pro, which is due to the frame here being aluminium rather than titanium. Still, it feels sturdy, comfortable and 'premium' in hand, with the rounded corners, while reducing screen space ever-so-slightly, make for a more comfortable fit in hand and pocket. Near-everything else on the phone looks the same though. The screen has been further reinforced to withstand falls, impacts and shocks, while the back has Corning-made textured glass and the frame is aluminium just like on the 15 Plus. It's also got the same pixel density as the 16 Pro, at an industry-leading 460 ppi. Oh, wait, there's one other big difference. After last year's - let's say muted - reaction to the washed-out colour scheme on offer, we get the big, bold colours back. There's white and black, and then there's teal, pink and ultramarine (blue), which is the colour I got in the iPhone Test Unit Sweepstakes. And I love it. Again just like the Pro, setting the iPhone 16 Plus is a breeze, where you're guided step by step to customise all the key features of the phone before starting to use it. Transferring apps and data across from another device is as easy as ever, with Android-to-iPhone transfers easier this year with the improved app provided by Apple. The A18 chipset powers the device, and it's only very slightly less powerful than the A18 Pro chip in the 16 Pro. With a 5-core GPU and a very efficient 8GB of RAM, I could play pretty much any game on this that I also played on the Pro, and app startup, watching video and listening to audio is equal in quality to the Pro. As the 15 Plus had the chipset from the 14 Pro, the jump in performance between years is much more pronounced in the 16 and 16 Plus than it is in the Pro model. Geekbench 6 benchmarking scores are astonishingly close to the Pro model, at 3,329 points in single-core and 8,060 for the multi-core score. That's only 62 points below my average for the Pro, and makes it well over 20% faster than the iPhone 15. The GPU scores are similarly impressive: 28,048 puts it just over 10% below the 16 Pro (and the iPad Pro M1), and about 25% ahead of the 15 I tested last year. As I had gone through my growing pains with the camera button when testing the Pro, I found it easier to get to grips with when I turned my hand to the 16 Plus. For quickly conjuring the camera it's a great addition, while the on-button touch sensitivity will no doubt frustrate as many as it delights. Some level of patience is recommended here. The speakers are nice and boomy for a smartphone, and there is a satisfyingly bassy bottom to the sound, without drowning out or distorting the mids and highs. It makes music easily audible and enjoyable over the clatter of washing dishes, confirmed. Interestingly, and perhaps due to the larger body, the battery is bigger in the 16 Plus than in the Pro, and it becomes a true full-day-use phone in the process. I eked out well over 14 hours of fairly intensive work and hobby use out of it in a single day, playing audio, video, communicating on work messaging platforms, browsing the web and taking and editing photos. I have the same complaint about charging here as I do for the 16 Pro (and indeed every iPhone before that). You can get up to 50% charge in 30 minutes, which is a much slower rate than in phones like the much more affordable nubia Z60S. Wireless charging has been upped to 25W, but more improvements are needed here for the iPhone to keep up with fast-charging Androids. AI is finally on the way to Apple devices, in the form of 'Apple Intelligence', a suite of AI features due to be rolled out to iOS 18 at the end of this year. This includes generative AI features like image and emoji generators, along with writing aids, a more digital-assistant-focused Siri and intelligent image search and recognition. I haven't been able to test this suite in its consumer form yet, but we will keep you updated with our testing of that as we get access to it on Creative Bloq. The camera is the biggest compromise you'll have to make if you choose the iPhone 16 or 16 Plus over the Pro model. There's no telephoto lens, and thus no 5x optical zoom or macro function. Also, the video maxes out at 4K/60fps, which limits the video-editing suite a little compared to the professional-ready Pro video camera. However, all regular photography is fully on par with the Pro, as the main camera is the same, and although the Ultrawide one is only a 12MP offering here (as opposed to 48 on the Pro), landscape shots are nearly identical to the Pro. It's very respectable quality, and unless you're a pro content creator, this model will do nicely. I do love me a macro lens though, so I hereby petition the powers that be at Apple to please for the love of Odin, Freyr and rest of my Pagan gods, please include macro next time. Phones less than half this one's price are doing it. Come on. The iPhone 16 Plus starts at £/$899, but the model I tested, which has 512GB of storage, comes in at £/$1,199, which puts it right at the high end of the flagship market. If you're okay with a smaller screen, going for the regular iPhone 16 will save you £/$100. Unless you're a professional content creator, the iPhone 16 Plus will be more than enough for you. Yes, the charging is still tortuously slow and why oh why isn't there a telephoto lens yet, but unless those are dealbreakers, there's very little need for any everyday user and casual creator of social-media content to spend hundreds more on the Pro. You get blistering performance, a great screen and ace sound here, and for the first time in quite a while, stepping up from the immediate predecessor could be worth it here...

iPhone 16 Pro Max Review: Apple's Crown Jewel?

The new Pro Max model features a bigger display compared to 15 Pro Max Alright, it's that time of the year! Apple finally took the plunge and went all out on AI with its new iPhone 16 series. Calling the latest iPhones as built for Apple Intelligence. Of course, the company coined its version of AI, short for artificial intelligence, which the rest of the world uses for its products, but this is Apple, so you know it. However, one big miss is these phones do not come with any Apple Intelligence features out-of-the-box. We've got the new iPhone 16 series and the Watch 10 model. I'm starting the proceedings with the all-new iPhone 16 Pro Max, the biggest iPhone in terms of display and size ever built by Apple. I will jump to the iPhone 16 Plus and Watch Series 10 models next, but those are for some other day, so stay tuned to Gadgets 360 for those. The iPhone 16 series is the first set of iPhones built or designed for Apple Intelligence. However, this is probably happening for the first time that Apple kept an AI-related theme for its launch event in September - Glowtime - to highlight how the new features change how everyone will use iPhones going forward but missed offering those out of the box. As a heads-up for readers, this review talks about how big of an upgrade the iPhone 16 Pro Max is over its predecessor in every way possible. Of course, I will do an in-depth piece when the latest iOS 18 update (read, stable) hits the new devices with Apple Intelligence features. But for now, let's dive into the new Max, shall we? Practically, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is 15 Pro Max on steroids. Why? Let me explain. If the 16 Pro Max is placed on a table with the display facing downward alongside the 15 Pro Max, not many people can figure out that this is the new-gen model - albeit if they notice closely. Design-wise, the iPhone 16 Pro Max packs a host of new things. Of course, the Camera Control is the biggest addition. Next, the bezels on the 16 Pro Max are slimmer than the 15 Pro Max. Last but not least, the 16 Pro Max packs the biggest display ever seen on an iPhone yet. I will deep dive one by one now. Apple introduced the Action Button last year with the iPhone 15 Pro series After introducing the Action button on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple has added Camera Control to its entire range of iPhone 16 models this year. Just when we thought smartphone manufacturers were moving towards gesture-based controls for interactions, Apple took a different route by adding another physical button. The iPhone 16 Pro Max packs the power and volume rockers alongside the Camera Control and Action buttons - four physical buttons overall. While setting up the 16 Pro Max, I intentionally removed the camera app icon from the home screen so that I could use the all-new Camera Control. However, my muscle memory led me to the home screen for the first few days until I realised the 16 Pro Max had a dedicated camera button. Once you get used to the Camera Control, there's no going back. It's convenient and easy to find, and the best feeling is that it sometimes gives a nostalgic point-and-shoot camera memory. The only problem is that vertical photos or videos are the new norm for social media, such as Instagram, Facebook, X, and other platforms like YouTube with Shorts. For a device like the iPhone 16 Pro Max, holding the phone with one hand and using the Camera Control to frame your shot is tricky. You need the second hand for better framing your shots. Camera Control on the smaller iPhone 16 Pro should be easily manageable. The Camera Control addition is a neat touch, and it's like a shoutout to all photography enthusiasts to go all out with this one. iPhone 16 Pro Max (right side) features a 6.9-inch display, while the 15 Pro Max (left side) packs a 6.7-inch display If you are happy using the app on the home screen to launch the camera and want to utilise the camera control for something else, Apple has you covered. You can choose between launching the Camera app, code scanner, Instagram, Magnifier or none. With future updates, Apple is expected to add more third-party apps to the list. The weight increase is minimal despite the screen size bump from 6.7 inches on the 15 Pro Max to 6.9 inches on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. It's 227 grams on the 16 Pro Max versus 221 grams on the 15 Pro Max. The best part is the weight distribution. It's even and aesthetically designed and can be managed by one hand. However, people with small hands will find operating the 16 Pro Max with one hand slightly inconvenient. I took some time to get used to the 16 Pro Max despite using the 15 Pro Max for almost a year. It's funny that nearly a decade back, we used to get tablets with 7-inch screen sizes that had a proper heft and thick bezels. The iPhone 16 Pro Max weighs 227 grams, while the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra weighs 232 grams The major changes you need to adapt to during daily use are in width and height. Compared to the 15 Pro Max (height 159.9mm and width 76.7mm), the 16 Pro Max measures 163mm in height and 77.6mm in width. As you can see, the 16 Pro Max is taller and wider than its predecessor. Jumping to colours, the Pro models again come in titanium shades this year. Desert Titanium, which we got for the review, is the best among the four choices this year - Natural Titanium, White Titanium, and Black Titanium, among the others. All the colours look striking. On the other hand, the iPhone 16 models get some really good colours this year. iPhone 16 Pro Max (left) vs iPhone 15 Pro Max (right) side-by-side comparison The iPhone 16 Pro Max has Apple's largest display ever and packs the thinnest borders on any of its products. Something that was instantly noticeable when I started using the 16 Pro Max for this review. Thin bezels mean more screen real estate and a more immersed experience. More on that in our display section. The iPhone 16 Pro Max, built with Grade 5 titanium, feels solid in hands and gives reassurance in everyday use. At the front, Apple has used the latest-gen Ceramic Shield, and the textured matt glass back reminds me of 15 Pro Max. Coming to the display, Apple has fit its biggest display in the 16 Pro Max, measuring 6.9 inches. To put some context, 16 Pro Max packs a bigger display than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (6.8-inch), launched earlier this year. The Super Retina XDR display comes with Dynamic Island and features ProMotion technology with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. The maximum brightness is 1000 nits (typical), and peak brightness is 2000nits (outdoors) - which we also saw on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This year's only change is that the minimum brightness can now go down to 1 nit, which wasn't the case earlier. This means you can keep scrolling or browsing on your phone without bothering others in the same room while in bed. The iPhone 16 Pro Max display has rounded corners that follow a curved design, which looks good. Talking about the display quality, the 16 Pro Max packs one of the best displays you can find in 2024's iPhone models. In everyday usage, the 16 Pro Max display feels apt for all needs, be it multimedia, gaming or scrolling on social media. The bigger screen size with thinner bezels means you get a more immersed viewing experience, and that's about it. The sunlight legibility is excellent, and 2000nits peak brightness is good enough for using the phone under harsh sunlight. The phone offers 1320x2868 pixels screen resolution at 460ppi pixel density iPhone 16 Pro Max now packs the all-new A18 Pro chip, a successor to the A17 Pro chip that powers the 15 Pro models. During my review, I tried everything from AAA gaming to streaming, video editing, photo editing, and AI apps to see how powerful the new chip is. Not to my surprise, the 16 Pro Max doesn't even stutter mildly anywhere - a similar case was with the 15 Pro Max (14 Pro Max and older Pro models). However, one of the big areas of upgrade is heat optimisation. Compared to the 15 Pro Max, the 16 Pro Max cools down quickly, thanks to Apple's improved heat dissipation setup. The phone comes with an IP68 rating for splash, water and dust resistance Playing titles like Call of Duty: Mobile, Asphalt 9: Legends, Alto's Odyssey and Fieldrunners 2 felt butter-smooth. I also tried out Ubisoft's famous title, Assassin's Creed Mirage, and the gaming experience was fantastic. In the performance department, the A18 Pro on the iPhone 16 Pro Max doesn't just seem incremental, and it makes the phone a better device for heavy graphics gaming and video editing on the go. Talking about synthetic benchmarks, below is a table to better reflect the performance bump. Talking about connectivity, the iPhone 16 Pro Max can latch onto networks swiftly, be it a basement with low cellular networks. Much like the 15 series, the 16 Pro Max also has a USB-C charger and supports the USB 3.2 standard. In my earlier iPhone reviews, I have said that haptic motors fitted in the iPhones are some of the best ones seen on modern-day smartphones. The same applies to the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Even the loudspeakers are amazingly loud (but in a good way). If you're in a medium-sized room, you can try the powerful speaker setup on the 16 Pro Max, and you won't be disappointed. It is powered by Apple's A18 Pro chip built with second-generation 3nm architecture iOS 18 will remain an update from Apple that will continue to make headlines until Apple Intelligence arrives on all new devices. One of the reasons why the 16 series is in the news is because they launch with a tagline that says "Built for Apple Intelligence" but do not offer it out of the box. As I mentioned at the start of this review, I will write another piece to talk about all new AI features in-depth when it hits 16 Pro Max. The latest iOS 18 update brings a host of upgrades - some that were much needed and some that I'm still trying to get used to. The Photos app was one of my go-to apps for pictures across devices, but ever since the iOS 18 update, the new refresh has been confusing. What I love about iOS 18 is the new personalisation options. Apple keeps adding to the list, and that's good. More options to customise means more new home screen designs to play with. The iPhone 16 series has been designed keeping Apple Intelligence at the core I briefly tried the iOS 18 beta, which ships with a bunch of AI features and offers what Samsung has been offering for months. Some AI tools I tried on the beta release briefly were a writing tool for improving writing and the Notes app, which gets a summarise feature for recorded meetings. Apple is bringing what it calls Genmoji thanks to the company's Image Playground app that lets your creativity go all out. Then, the favourite camera-related AI feature on Android is called Erase, but Apple has rebadged it to Clean Up, which can remove distractions or objects from your image. Of course, Siri is getting a whole bigger paint job and is almost refreshed. I will try them out in the final release before giving the verdict on who's done it better. Besides a bigger display and battery, the 16 Pro Max finally upgrades the ultrawide camera. From a 12-megapixel sensor, Apple has jumped to a 48-megapixel sensor. The telephoto, however, remains 12-megapixel only at the moment. Next year, we may get a triple 48-megapixel camera setup on the Pro models. Fingers crossed. If you have been following Apple, then you already know that they have been steadily ramping up their camera game to match the needs of pro users - content creators, artists, photographers, directors, and more. The 16 Pro Max is another chapter in that journey and brings some exciting additions. The phone gets an all-new 48-megapixel ultra-wide camera Camera Control has to be one of those additions that have helped push the camera to be used more and more, at least for me. It is intuitive and easy to jump from zooming to modes and more. However, there's a short learning curve attached, so be ready. During Apple's September launch, one of the executives talked about how the new 48-megapixel Fusion Camera can read data two times faster, enabling zero shutter lag. And I could test it during my review period; clicking photos of cars on the road while moving comes way better than before. The entire iPhone 16 range gets the Camera Control button Daylight photos on the 16 Pro Max come out stunning, which was the case with the 15 Pro Max. You have enough details in each shot, stunning dynamic range, excellent saturation, and, most importantly, natural and gorgeous colours. Some samples below to show you how good the cameras are on the 16 Pro Max. The primary 48-megapixel sensor is solid for daylight shots. Daylight photos from the primary camera of the 16 Pro Max This year, you can play around with your images with all-new Photographic Styles that adjust tones, colours, and more in real time. The new control pad in the Photography Styles puts you on top of your images and makes it convenient. Another small update is that you can now change the style after clicking an image, which wasn't possible earlier. Colour accuracy and ample details are highlights of the primary camera Videography enthusiasts are getting another big update this year with 4K at 120fps support - what Apple calls its highest resolution and frame rate with slo-mo. The best part is that Apple this year is not forcing you to make real-time decisions on the frame rate. You can adjust the playback speed after capture in the Photos app. The addition of these features makes on-the-go editing wonders. Bokehs come out amazing, too, with natural skin tones and no colour blowout. Something that iPhones are vouched for. Macro shots also come nice. However, you will need to do some work to make sure you nail the shot, or else you may end up with a few close-ups with the subject blurred. The telephoto camera has also received a decent update, and I got some fantastic zoom results. At 10x and 15x, the 16 Pro Max manages amazing results with ample details. This is the first time I have noticed that the iPhone 16 Pro Max did better than the S24 Ultra in some zoom shots. The ultrawide camera is also capable and does an excellent job in daylight. There's a noticeable upgrade over the 15 Pro Max shots in terms of image details captured. Jumping to low-light photos, there is considerable improvement in this department. Especially considering the 15 Pro Max lately was disappointing in challenging low-light conditions. Below are some night samples where 16 Pro Max flexes its muscle in low-light conditions. Why not test 16 Pro Max with the current flagship from the Android domain - Samsung Galaxu S24 Ultra? Below are some photos for your comparison. Though note, to merge both the shots, the quality has taken a slight hit, but this is representational to show you how well Apple has improved its low-light cameras on the new Pro models. iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra in low-light conditions Another iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra night sample In this image, the 16 Pro Max keeps colours and tone natural while the S24 Ultra blows it away with too much unnatural light The selfie camera is the same as the 15 Pro Max, and we don't see any variation in that either. Selfies come out excellent with natural skin tones and colours across different light conditions. The low-light photos, however, have a scope for improvement. Overall, the iPhone 16 Pro Max packs a stellar camera trio, and you cannot put it down compared to any phone in the market. By now, you may already know that Apple is the only company that doesn't advertise spec sheets. So, when it came to battery bump on the new iPhone 16 Pro Max, the only data Apple shared is that it offers up to 33 hours of video playback compared to the 15 Pro Max (and 14 Pro Max), which offered up to 29 hours of video playback. We did our HD video loop test, and 16 Pro Max impressed with a respectable 28 hours and 33 minutes of playback time. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is a capable smartphone when it comes to battery prowess Talking purely about battery performance, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is a stellar device that can offer over 8 hours of screen-on time. With heavy usage that included a couple of hours of gaming and streaming and a good 30-40 minutes of camera use for photos and videos, the phone easily lasted over a day with almost 25 percent of battery still left. In multiple tests we did on the review unit, the 16 Pro Max easily did over 8 hours of active screen on time, and the max we got was 8 hours and 30 minutes with 13 percent juice left. Of course, you can derive more battery backup if you turn off the always-on display and reduce camera use. On days with moderate use, the iPhone 16 Pro Max gave us nearly two full days of battery life. A MagSafe case by beats, a Silicone Case from Apple, and a case from Daily Objects for the iPhone 16 Pro Max Apple has really pushed the envelope when it comes to battery performance, which is something that will be tough for competition to match. However, wired charging speed remains the Achilles heel of the iPhone 16 Pro Max. In an era where phones offer full charging within 30 minutes, the 16 Pro Max reached 55% charge in 35 minutes. A full charge with a 20W adapter takes about 100 minutes and, at times, can take up to 120 minutes, depending on multiple factors. Who should buy the iPhone 16 Pro Max? The answer is simple - for iPhone users who are not already using the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Get it, of course, if your budget allows. For those who still prefer an under Rs. 1 lakh phone and are okay with compromising on some aspects, there's the base iPhone 16 with mostly all the goodies this year minus a 120Hz refresh rate display and a third telephoto camera. The best thing is that this is a sale season, and you can grab some great deals if you prioritise switching to an iPhone, as discounts are available across models in both online and offline stores. Camera Control is one of the highlights of the new 16-series Compared to the 14 Pro and 13 Pro series, the iPhone 16 Pro Max packs some of the biggest upgrades, while the 15 Pro Max now looks underrated. It has the biggest display on an iPhone yet. In my testing, the 16 Pro Max delivered unprecedented battery performance, and of course, this is a Pro device, so even heavy-duty users can go for this. The display is incredible, and the only downside is the slow wired charging, which seems to be taking forever to be upgraded. One big bummer is that there are no Apple Intelligence (read, stable) features on the 16 Pro Max, which certainly makes it look like not a great deal at the moment. But remember, these phones are built from scratch to work with Apple Intelligence, so an iOS update with all the goodies may drop in a few weeks. The two biggest alternatives to the iPhone 16 Pro Max are the iPhone 15 Pro Max (Review), retailing at all-time low prices during the festive sales in India. And, the second is the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (Review), the closest flagship that can take on the 16 Pro Max.

iPhone 16 Pro Max review: improving photography for all in a more than iterative upgrade

While some are calling it boring, there are lot of great spec updates in iPhone 16 Pro Max with the most impactful being significant improvement to photography workflows that affect everyone. Iteration is only a sin if it isn't being useful, and iPhone 16 Pro Max manages to be a quiet leap over iPhone 15 Pro Max despite looking nearly identical. The only real giveaway besides color is the incredible size of the device and the new button. The last few iPhones have gone beyond the usual processor and camera updates by adding in some kind of special feature. iPhone 14 Pro included the Dynamic Island, iPhone 15 Pro added the Action button, and now iPhone 16 Pro has Camera Control. Apple has spent the last 17 years perfecting the iPhone, and while there is always room for improvement, the rate of change has slowed greatly. Between a lack of space for more components and a plateau in what's possible for a smartphone, it's getting harder to truly impress each year. Apple Intelligence was a big bet, and it may still pay off despite not being in the iOS 18 release. So, this review will focus on everything outside of those features, even though they are available in beta. I could tell right away this was going to be a tough review to write, not because it was a boring upgrade or lacking features, but much of what makes iPhone 16 Pro Max special is below the surface. The biggest upgrade isn't even unique to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, but more on that later. Top of the line iPhones get consistent scores, but for different reasons. My iPhone 14 Pro Max review emphasized the UI shift and real-world use cases provided by the Dynamic Island and brighter display, while my iPhone 15 Pro Max review focused on the impact of "seven cameras in your pocket" and the unique tetraprism sensor. The iPhone 16 Pro Max didn't change anything externally, which will make most onlookers call this an undesirable "s" year. However, A18 Pro, the promise of Apple Intelligence, Camera Control, a new photography pipeline, cooler operating temperatures, a larger display, and longer battery life all greatly affect day-to-day use -- making this anything but a boring update. Beyond color and Camera Control, you'd be hard-pressed to find a single external difference between the iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro Max. The black titanium is a darker shade on the edges and back, but that's it. Yes, the display and device are larger by a smidge, but your eyes won't see that difference easily with the display off. You'll notice it most when using apps, like Mail, where the UI stretches ever so slightly more, providing more information, more rows, or bigger images. Trimming the weight in the iPhone 15 Pro Max set the stage for making the device bigger for the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Incredibly, despite the bigger display and longer battery, it is still much lighter than the iPhone 14 Pro Max -- that's the weight savings from moving to titanium from stainless steel. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is 7.99 ounces, up from 7.81 ounces for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but under the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which weighed 8.47 ounces. It's bigger in height and width, but it maintains the same 0.32-inch depth. Camera specs are upgraded in some respects, but that didn't change the layout of the camera bump. It sits at the same height and shape as before. I will continue to complain about the IP68 water resistance rating until something changes. The rating has existed since the iPhone 12, and we are no closer to intentional submersion for underwater video than before. Though, it seems doubtful Apple would ever promote such a feature even if the iPhone would survive, just for liability reasons alone. External design is a significant selling point for many upgraders. That's why new colors like desert titanium will always sell best. The larger and heavier iPhone 16 Pro Max doesn't feel that way in the hand. Despite changing almost nothing externally, Apple gave users more screen real estate and battery life with seemingly zero negative tradeoffs. Apple increased the display size from 6.7 inches to 6.9 inches. That's it. I wish it were that easy to move along, but I'll explain what's actually here. Operationally, nothing has changed for the user year over year. The Super Retina XDR display has ProMotion, always-on, Dynamic Island, HDR, P3, and 2,000 nits peak brightness. There is a new 1 nit minimum brightness that is handy for dark rooms, and the ceramic shield is improved to be "tougher than any smartphone glass." Even though the display increased in size, Apple kept the same 460 ppi that's been there since iPhone 14 Pro Max. That required a tiny bump to 2,868p by 1,320p. I'm not going to intentionally scratch my iPhone display or launch it from my bicycle's handlebars (again), but I trust there's some work being done to ensure the display doesn't shatter easily. However, anyone that has studied material chemistry knows that making the glass more shatter resistant means it is potentially more prone to micro scratches. I've never been a fan of screen protectors, but considering my iPhone 15 Pro Max had a few good scratches after a year of use, I may need to get one. Especially if the new model is potentially more prone to scratches. I was ready to do an incredibly in-depth camera comparison for the iPhone 16 Pro Max, but as I began shooting photos, I realized the point may be moot. Apple has made the iPhone a consistent camera every year, and this release isn't any different. There's also the new 4K 120 fps video shooting mode, which results in stunning slow motion or crisp video at full speed. I've never been one to shoot a lot of video, but I am happy to have this new ability on the camera in my pocket. The new audio recording options are amazing too. I've tested shooting various videos of street performers or people talking and have heard incredible results in the microphone isolation options. It's not something I can demonstrate in this written review, so give it a try yourself or check out our YouTube channel where Andrew will inevitably test the feature. OK, let's talk about photos. The Tetraprism 120mm camera returns with identical specs to the new ISP and photo pipeline, so I'm not focusing on that camera in this review. Just know that some images captured in some conditions may be slightly improved thanks to that better pipeline, and you get the new reversible Photographic Styles in the Telephoto Camera too. I'm going to get the 48MP Ultra Wide Camera out of the way first, as it's the most changed, yet easiest to discuss. It's a big deal for all iPhone photography. The most significant camera upgrade in iPhone 16 Pro Max is to the Ultra Wide Camera. Increasing the resolution to 48MP means improved detail in regular shots and macro. Now that the Fusion Camera and Ultra Wide Camera are operating at the same resolution, users don't need to worry about a loss in detail when taking close-up photos. That range between using macro mode or not is used a lot for pets, food, and nature, and it was never a good experience to see a lower-quality photo as a result. The photo output from Ultra Wide is 12MP by default unless shooting ProRAW. However, macro mode will always take a 12MP photo. That doesn't mean the resulting photo is worse than the Fusion Camera's 24MP output, it just means it is using twice as much pixel binning, likely for light gathering. The result is macro or ultra wide photos that have more sharpness, color, and detail than what could be captured from iPhone 15 Pro Max regardless of the final megapixel count. Macro photos are stunning. Landscapes are detailed. You no longer have to worry about shooting with the Ultra Wide Camera, as it is no longer compromised. Comparing images taken in my dim office, the iPhone 15 Pro Max shot more noisy, less saturated photos whether it was macro or ultra wide. The Ultra Wide Camera is finally as consistent and reliable as the main Fusion Camera. The new 48MP Fusion Camera should result in consistently better images, though Apple kind of skipped over the why. It appears that the photo production pipeline has been reconfigured to result in more natural, crisp images by combining a well-exposed image with a high-resolution sharp image. That process was happening before, but it appears to be more efficient with the improved ISP in A18 Pro. Most photos taken in bright lighting should look nearly identical between the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro Max, but conditions that were more challenging for iPhone 15 Pro Max will be less challenging for iPhone 16 Pro Max. Normally, this is where I'd stack a bunch of images taken on both devices for comparison. I believe we've crossed a line in iPhone photography where I'm just wasting your time making you slide between two basically identical images suffering from web compression. Instead, you'll see photos straight from iPhone 16 Pro Max with different Photographic Styles and edits all performed in the Camera or Apple Photos app. There is nothing to compare to iPhone 15 Pro Max, because without the upgraded Photographic Styles and new image pipeline, you're just taking a high-quality iPhone photo. So, while those ISP upgrades and photo pipeline changes will result in marginally better photos year over year, let's look at what actually makes a big difference. And it's a feature available in all iPhone 16 models -- reversible Photographic Styles. The important takeaway is this -- if you buy one of the previous two iPhone Pro models, you'll get natural, consistent, and sharp photos. However, there is a big step up in iPhone 16 Pro Max with the new photo pipeline that implements reversible Photographic Styles. I believe this is a net positive. When you see dramatic changes in how photos look from generation to generation, that means the smartphone maker either didn't have confidence in the previous output, or they are chasing trends instead of having an opinion. Apple very clearly has an opinion on photography, one Android manufacturers seem to be diverging from -- reality. Every photo you capture on iPhone should represent that moment as a realistic snapshot, not an idealized dream. No, that doesn't mean Photographic Styles contradicts that mentality. Instead, it means users get greater control of the output to achieve an image that represents their artistic vision while maintaining realism. Apple isn't fundamentally changing the photo or its contents by adding AI-generated balloons or flowers. It is making professional-level color grading possible with a tool that feels as easy as an Instagram filter, but technologically closer to spending time in Photoshop. Photographic Styles were introduced as a way to apply a preconfigured and permanent style to every photo you took. The approach was clever -- introducing changes to tone and saturation during development rather than after. However, the process was irreversible and meant most people would never use Photographic Styles except as an afterthought. Now, you can shoot with a style enabled, reverse it after, or apply a whole new style in post. But these aren't filters by any stretch. Photographic Styles exist deep in the image development pipeline in a way that changing them is like going back to the dark room and using different processes. Photographic Styles intelligently account for foreground, background, and skin tone. You're not going to turn people purple or make the image look over-processed by applying a style. Some Photographic Styles lean into more surreal grading, while others use natural lighting. Finally, you can take complete control every time you click the shutter and get away from the "Shot on iPhone" default look without needing a complex photo editor or editing skills. The best part is you can set a default Photographic Style from the original set that is automatically selected when opening the camera. And even though it's selected by default, you can still reverse it afterward. Like with capturing Portrait Mode data with every photo, it removes some of the thought process and lets you just take photos. The next logical step in Apple's camera pipeline will be to enable spatial capture data without being in that mode. Also, the Photographic Styles data is portable, so you can shoot on your iPhone 16 and edit on your iPad. I'm likely one of the more heavy Apple Vision Pro users that still exist on the market, so of course I'm going to discuss the one specific feature available on iPhone -- spatial photos and videos. However, like with the rest of the Apple Vision Pro platform, there's not much to say. You'd think that introducing a new 48MP sensor to the Ultra Wide Camera would somehow improve the feature that uses it and the Fusion Camera for 3D photos and video. Turns out, no, that isn't the case. Resolution is a useful metric, and Apple could one day target that sensor and produce 4K spatial video by cropping the sensor in a way to ensure both the Fusion Camera and Ultra Wide Camera capture identical fields of view and resolution. But for now, Apple has chosen to replicate the spatial video and photo pipeline exactly in a way that creates identical results across generations. So, no, for now you're not getting any benefit from shooting spatial anything on an iPhone 16. However, third-party apps like Spatialify could find a way to take advantage of the larger sensor, but it is too soon to tell. I also wanted to compare spatial photos with converted 2D to 3D photos -- a feature of visionOS 2. The results are somewhat inconclusive. Looking back at old photos taken on ancient iPhones or DSLRs that lack included depth data, the 3D conversion effect is still quite solid. Older photos might run into poorer conversions or artifacts because of that lack of data. However, new photos bundled with the depth data captured in most recent iPhones provide enough information for near-perfect 3D recreations. Apple Vision Pro still takes better 3D photos due to the perspective and number of sensors, but whatever behind-the-scenes magic occurs when creating spatial photos on iPhone appears to be identical to the process of converting a 2D photo to 3D. I don't have unique insight into this process and could be wrong. But I believe there is a significant chance Apple is capturing depth data with the iPhone sensors and converting the resulting image into 3D using the same process as Apple Vision Pro's conversion feature. If not, that's more of a compliment to the 3D conversion process than the limited ability for iPhone to capture depth data. So, I want to know if there is any point in shooting spatial on iPhone. My conclusion is this -- never shoot spatial photos on purpose because you'll get more usable data by taking a regular photo and can convert it later. If you decide to capture spatial photos, do so only after you've taken regular photos as a backup. Spatial video should be treated somewhat similarly, but note there isn't a video conversion feature. You need to set out to shoot spatial, but only do so after you've captured 4K 60 fps, or 120 fps, of the same event. If you know you only have one chance to capture the footage, always choose the 4K option over spatial. The iPhone has more hardware dedicated to capturing photos and video than it does for making phone calls. If it weren't for the power behind the brand of iPhone, it would seem Apple should call it some kind of smart camera. Beyond the seven cameras in your pocket and the improvements to each, there's even more camera hardware to discuss -- Camera Control. The aptly named button that Apple won't call a button introduces a useful tool in iPhone photography. I won't call it a game changer, at least not at this early stage. Camera Control is excellent, but it is going to take an effort to get used to. There is certainly a learning curve and a danger of having it lie forgotten until it is accidentally pressed, not unlike the Action button. Sure, I use the Action button, but after a year I've only just started using it regularly and thinking of new ways to program it. Muscle memory is hard to break. Every time I want to open the Camera, I have to remember I can press a button on the side, but sometimes I'm already halfway to swiping my way to the App Library to hit the icon when I've realized. None of that is against Camera Control. I'm quite happy it exists and its implementation is completely unique. Sure, other smartphones have had camera buttons for ages, even since the days of the flip phone. Apple once toyed with the idea of a camera shutter button on its iPhone Smart Battery Case. Ever since I tried that shutter button, I've wanted more hardware camera systems on iPhones. I reviewed the ShiftCam SnapGrip with MagSafe charging and a remote shutter, but it performed like any other Bluetooth-connected shutter. Camera Control is something else. It is three buttons in one that can be pressed, half-pressed, or tapped, and swiped. If your iPhone is asleep, one press will wake the device, and another opens the Camera app. Rest your finger firmly on the button, and it'll open the current tool, like Photographic Styles. Firmly press twice in quick succession to bring up the tool selection menu. Every time I'm using Camera Control, I miss the on-screen UI. I feel like once I get the options memorized, I'll fly through everything quickly. There are some oddities with the system I hope to see updated in future iOS releases. In both the zoom and camera selection tool, you're unable to select the 1.2x or 1.5x zoom levels without fiddling with the dial. Now, let me contradict that complaint right off. Apple chose those zooms as part of the "seven cameras in your pocket" because they create effective focal lengths of 24mm, 28mm, and 35mm using the 1x, 1.2x, and 1.5x, respectively. When shooting at these focal lengths, you're automatically shooting the 24MP "fusion" photos using the photographic pipeline that combines the full 48MP image with multiple exposures into a high-resolution, high-contrast composite 24MP photo. So, it actually isn't necessary to have those particular focal lengths as presets in the zoom dial view since anything between 1x and 2x will shoot at 24MP using that pipeline. That said, the "Cameras" selector tool should include those focal lengths as presets to swipe between. The other tools include Exposure, Depth, Styles, and Tone. They are obvious choices for Camera Control, but you will still need the main Camera app UI for toggling flash, Dark Mode, Live Photos, and ProRAW. I believe this is the right choice, as burying every option in the fiddly button would get cumbersome very quickly. That said, Apple should rethink the Camera app UI with Camera Control in mind. The disappearing act of the current UI is jarring, and I may get used to it, but I wonder if Apple shouldn't reshuffle everything since every iPhone 16 and newer will have the hardware. One of the big stories around Camera Control has been how case manufacturers are handling it. Apple's approach is obviously the most elegant with the sapphire glass cover, while other case makers are going with a cutout. Depending on the cutout, it is a fine alternative to what is surely an expensive addition from Apple. Swipes, firm presses, and taking photos all work fine with a case, but bulky cases with deep cutouts are likely to be an issue. I use the Nomad Magnetic Leather Back, which is basically a slab of leather that attaches with MagSafe and leaves the sides exposed. So, I get the full use of Camera Control. What I'd love to see is third-party case makers build new and interesting interaction options for Camera Control. Perhaps using sapphire glass to get controls through like Apple, but adding grooves or touch points to tell the user where their finger is sight unseen. Apple's gaming promises didn't come to pass (shocker, I know). The The A17 Pro had everything it needed to make iPhone an attractive AAA gaming powerhouse, yet in 2024 we're looking at the same lineup as 2023 plus one popular Chinese Genshin Impact-like game. I don't want to spend a lot of time on games in this initial review, because frankly, I've not spent a lot of time gaming in recent weeks. Sure, Resident Evil 4 runs a bit smoother and Assassin's Creed Mirage looks as good as ever, but the specs tell us that would be true. It's the lack of new and unique console-grade titles on iPhone that have me returning to my comfort games that require little to no processing power. Games like those found in emulators or the never-dying Minecraft. I want to talk about gaming on iPhone, but there's nothing to say until Apple does something about it. So, let's get on to the A18 Pro and its specs. When I ran Geekbench on iPhone 16 Pro Max, it showed the A18 Pro has a single-core score of 3,244 and a multi-core score of 7,738. The metal score is 32,520. These scores were a bit lower than other iPhone 16 Pro Max scores, but likely due to my active apps, room temperature, battery percent, and other factors. Even so, that's a step up from the iPhone 15 Pro Max with a 2,864 single-core score and a 7,076 multi-core score. Its metal score is 27,085. The 6-core GPU is built with what Apple calls desktop-class architecture that results in 20% faster performance over the A17 Pro. Ray Tracing is twice as fast too. There aren't any concerns with heat either -- none that I've encountered anyway. It seems the new cooling considerations have solved whatever problem people had with overheating in the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The 6-core CPU is 15% faster. Since recent iPhones have never really struggled with running iOS or most apps, these speed gains don't really translate to regular use, but instead to power savings. A18 Pro is built on a second-generation 3nm technology, which Apple says is the first smartphone to use. Apple focused on the 16-core Neural Engine, which was designed for Apple Intelligence. Since Apple Intelligence isn't available to the public yet, there's not much to say here. The chip is likely better than the A17 Pro at these AI tasks, but I'm interested in how it performs versus the M4. Larger displays, longer battery life, Camera Control, the A18 Pro, 48MP Ultra Wide, Fusion Camera with 120 fps 4K video, and several other upgrades make up a solid year for the iPhone. There are a few other less impactful features I wanted to round up here. The iPhone 16 lineup is upgraded to Wi-Fi 7, which is meaningless to most consumers that likely barely just upgraded their home networks to Wi-Fi 6 or 6E. The USB-C port is unchanged and still operates at USB 3.0 speeds. Connecting an external SSD to record ProRes Log is still an option. MagSafe got upgraded to enable 25W charging, but of course, you'll need all new charging stands and pucks that support this speed. I've never had an issue with 15W, so I'm not going to rush to the store to upgrade the many charging spots in my home. The Action button still exists, but I've struggled to make it a part of my daily routine throughout the year. It was used a lot at first, then forgotten briefly, and in the past few months, I've tested different configurations. It is a muscle memory issue I hope to overcome. I expect when I find something compelling enough to assign to the button, it'll make me use it more. For now, it is a novelty -- very unlike Camera Control. Finally, I want to mention battery life. The time I've spent with the iPhone 16 Pro Max hasn't been enough to test the battery performance to any extreme, so I can't speak to it directly. But more is always good, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the best rated ever at 33 hours for video playback. I seriously doubt we'll ever see the "perfect" iPhone. Each year we're given new iterations on cameras and processors like clockwork, and if we're lucky, we're offered a special new bit. As I highlighted at the top, Apple has been on a feature addition spree of sorts over the past few years. The Dynamic Island, Action button, and Camera Control arrived one after the other in spite of commentary suggesting Apple is boring and stuck in a rut. In the 17 years of iPhone, it drastically saw its design change once with iPhone X. Interaction paradigms shifted slowly. But in four years, we've seen a ton of upgrades across every system on the product. I mean, Apple added an entire multi-touch, force-sensitive button. That's anything but boring. Compare the iPhone 12 Pro Max to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and the differences are astronomical. Most buyers are on a somewhat similar scale, and it is important to remember that when reviewing a product. Sure, the iPhone 16 Pro Max looks nearly identical to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The number of impactful new features can be counted on one hand, but that doesn't matter to 90% of people on the market buying these devices because they aren't upgrading from the 2023 model. The complaints I had in 2022 with the iPhone 14 Pro Max were mostly addressed last year. The iPhone 16 Pro Max polishes the product further to the point that my only real annoyance is with the ancient and unchanging water resistance rating. Apple's iPhone is a mature product, and every useful iteration is an achievement. If the iPhone 16 Pro Max is boring, then I'd love to find a single company on Earth that wouldn't want such a boring product in their lineup too. I'll be back to discuss more of the iPhone 16 Pro Max and how Apple Intelligence affects the product later. For now, I can easily recommend anyone looking to upgrade from an iPhone 14 Pro Max or earlier to make the leap. As always, look to the content of the review, not the Google-mandated numerical score, for a nuanced look at how I feel about the product. Wireless carriers are discounting the iPhone 16 Pro Max, with deals delivering up to $1,000 off at press time. You can jump straight to the carrier promotions below, or head over to our iPhone 16 Pro Max Price Guide and iPhone deals roundup to shop the latest offers.

Why I Dropped the Extra Cash on an iPhone 16 Pro Max

How to Wirelessly Transfer Files Between Windows, macOS, Linux, and Mobile Key Takeaways Upgraded to the iPhone 16 Pro Max for its better battery life, more storage, and a bigger screen. The Pro Max feels like the perfect upgrade if you hate carrying power banks or intend on shooting lots of photos and videos. The Pro Max models start at 256GB storage, unlike the regular iPhone 16 Pro which comes with 128GB by default. I use my iPhone extensively for photography and videography. Therefore, camera quality, storage capacity, and great battery life top my list of preferred features. Like clockwork, I always upgrade to the flagship Pro Max model with 512GB of storage, and this year was no different. I Spend $200 More on an iPhone Pro Max I bought an iPhone 16 Pro Max with 512GB of internal storage in the new Desert Titanium color, replacing my 512GB iPhone 15 Pro Max. While no exclusive camera features exist on this year's flagship, the iPhone 16 Pro Max still offers perks not found on the regular iPhone 16 Pro, such as a larger display, a bigger battery, and twice the base storage. Those improvements are important to me, hence spending an extra $200 on them. Who Wants to Carry Power Banks All the Time? As a full-time digital nomad working remotely, I don't get the luxury of always being near a power outlet, but I also don't want to carry powerbanks all the time. There's something soothing in the peace of mind that comes from knowing my iPhone can sustain me all day long. My gripe with power banks is that they are another extra thing to carry. I don't want to walk around the city carrying all my gadgets in a huge backpack. I've always been a minimalist. If I need to run some quick errands, I'll only take my iPhone, keys, ID, and maybe some cash. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is my go-to camera. I often find inspiration from watching people go about their daily routines but taking photos can drain your battery fairly quickly (almost like playing a game). Regular-sized iPhones are not great for random street photoshoots unless you carry a portable battery. I don't need the frustration of seeing the battery level dip below the 20% mark, knowing I won't have enough juice to finish the shoot (or do anything else once I'm finished). Apple says that the iPhone 16 Pro Max battery provides up to 33 hours of video playback, 29 hours of streamed video, and 105 hours of audio playback. That's six more hours of video playback, seven extra hours of video streaming, and 20 more hours of audio than the regular-sized iPhone 16 Pro. This phone packs a 4,685mAh battery, about 5.5% more than last year's iPhone 15 Pro Max flagship. By comparison, the regular iPhone 16 Pro has a 3,582mAh battery. Testing conducted by Tom's Guide showed that the iPhone 16 Pro Max lasted for 18 hours and six minutes, beating the iPhone 15 Pro Max by more than four hours. This has been my experience so far. It's quite incredible; I can't drain the battery thriugh normal daily usage unless I use the camera a lot and sync my Photos library via cellular. Unfortunately, the iPhone 16 Pro Max's battery is not encased in aluminum like the regular iPhone 16 Pro to help heat dissipation. The Apple Watch's battery has a similar enclosure, but this is the first time an aluminum-encased battery has appeared in an iPhone. I don't understand why Apple debuted this solution in regular iPhone Pros, but not the Pro Max. The iPhone 16 Pros have faster MagSafe wireless charging , now at 25W instead of 15W. Apple says 25W MagSafe will fast-charge any iPhone 16 Pro up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes (I'll test the claim when I get Apple's updated MagSafe Charger). Who Doesn't Like Twice the Storage? The iPhone 16 Pro starts at 128GB and the Pro Max at 256GB. I don't think there's an excuse for offering an iPhone Pro with just 128GB of storage other than squeezing more money out of people like myself. I don't care about base storage. What I need is at least 512GB. Twice the storage makes the extra $200 that I paid for the Pro Max easier to swallow, knowing I'll be able to have my full-resolution Photos library downloaded to the device and still have plenty of storage left for my favorite apps, streaming and other needs. The iPhone Pro models have slightly larger displays, with the 16 Pro going from 6.1 to 6.3 inches and the Pro Max from 6.7 to 6.9 inches. The 0.2-inch difference is subtle but enough to show a bit more text when reading websites and enjoying photos and videos. I always go with the biggest-screened iPhones because they have the most room inside for what every iPhone owner loves -- bigger batteries. Having more screen real estate is a nice bonus, though you do have to trade some pocket space. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is marginally wider and taller due to the 6.9-inch display, but I don't really feel the difference in the palm of your hand despite the humongous size. I Don't Regret My Decision Call me foolish for dropping $200 extra on a slightly bigger screen, but I don't regret my purchase the tiniest bit. I'm loving that extra battery life, and more storage is definitely a plus. As someone who stares at his iPhone for hours a day and multitasks the hell out of it, it only comes naturally that I'm willing to pay a bit more for Apple's flagship pocket computer. With no exclusive camera features this time, like the 5x telephoto lens on last year's iPhone 15 Pro Max, choosing between the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max no longer means missing out on camera features. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max The iPhone 16 Pro Max is a battery powerhouse. It offers unparalleled longevity among iPhones and outperforms most of its competitors. See at AppleSee at Best Buy Apple iPhone 16 Pro A version of Apple's newest iPhone with a larger screen featuring a camera button, a programmable action button, and artificial intelligence features. See at AppleSee at Best Buy

The best iPhone of 2024, tried and tested by an expert - which should you buy?

From the latest iPhone 16 Pro to the cheapest iPhone SE. These are the best iPhone models, based on what you might be looking for Britta O'Boyle 02 October 2024 3:28pm This article contains affiliate links. The products or services listed have been selected independently by journalists after hands-on testing or sourcing expert opinions. We may earn a commission when you click a link, buy a product or subscribe to a service. Apple's iPhone has been kicking around since 2007 but it has changed significantly since then. There was only one model back then, and it didn't even have 3G. Fast forward 17 years and we not only have four models in the latest iPhone 2024 lineup, but they are some of the best smartphones around with features we couldn't even have imagined in 2007 when BlackBerry ruled the roost. With those four models in the latest iPhone 16 series, you already have a tough decision on your hands. We've seen four models since the iPhone 12 series in 2020 however, so there are a considerable number of older iPhones out there too, some of which are still available through various retailers. Apple itself sells the iPhone SE, iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, and the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, alongside the latest Phone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max so when it comes to deciding which iPhone is right for you, it's not straightforward. I've been testing technology and Apple devices for over 12 years, and I owned the original iPhone and its 3G successor, before using every iPhone as my everyday device since the iPhone 6. In the last few years I have switched between the standard iPhone models and the iPhone Pro models so I've got plenty of experience with not only the latest iPhone 16 models, but all the older models too. You can read my full reviews of the best iPhones below, followed by answers to frequently asked questions - but if you're in a bit of a rush here's a quick look at my top five based on the available iPhone 2024 lineup: Which is the best iPhone in 2024? At a glance Best iPhone overall - iPhone 16Best value iPhone - iPhone 14Best iPhone camera - iPhone 16 ProBest iPhone for largest screen - iPhone 16 Pro MaxBest iPhone for battery - iPhone 16 PlusApple iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone 16 - which is better? It's easy to assume the best iPhone is the top of the range, iPhone 16 Pro, and in many cases it is. I spoke to Ben Woods, chief analyst and CMO of CCS Insight, who has over 25 years experience in the mobile sector, who said: "My pick of the new models would be the iPhone 16 Pro (rather than the Max). You are investing in an iPhone with the best camera and a device that will support Apple Intelligence, which will continue to evolve for several years. Furthermore, when you come to trade it in, the residual value should hold up well." The iPhone 16 Pro model offers three camera lenses over two, so you get extra features like 5x optical zoom, and there's higher resolution macro photography along with the ability to shoot 4K video at 120fps. You'll also find a faster refresh rate display for a smoother scrolling experience than the iPhone 16, and a titanium build over aluminium. The iPhone 16 offers many of the same main features as the iPhone 16 Pro however, including the same software experience with both running iOS 18, and the same user controls like the Action Button and the Camera Control button. The iPhone 16 is also cheaper and so while the iPhone 16 Pro is the better device overall, as Woods explains and as you would expect given the 'Pro' name, there are still plenty of reasons to opt for the standard iPhone 16 models, especially this year. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our thorough, real-world tests will always help you find the best product at the best price. No manufacturer ever sees copy before publication and we do not accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. How I tested the best iPhone I've used all the iPhones below for at least a couple of weeks, and in many cases months, to help determine which is the best iPhone model overall, as well as which is the best iPhone to consider if you're on a budget or you're after something specific from your phone, such as great battery life or especially good camera performance. I compared the camera results of all the models, their battery performance, the extras you get when you opt for one iPhone model over another, as well as what you get if you choose a newer model over an older model. I also looked at their display resolutions and technologies, affecting colour, detail and brightness, and their build quality and weight, affecting the overall user experience. I used each iPhone for the same tasks during testing, from taking pictures and videos in the day and at night, running various apps, and streaming, watching and listening to content, to general day-to-day tasks like taking calls and sending messages and emails. Best iPhone 2024 1. Apple iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus From £799, John Lewis Best iPhone overall, 10/10 We like: the excellent upgrades over last year's models and super battery life in the Plus model We don't like: that there is no Always-On Display and a 60Hz refresh rate Screen: 6.1in / 6.7in, Super Retina XDR OLED, 60hz refresh rateCameras: Dual (48MP Main and 12MP Ultra Wide), 12MP selfie cameraProcessor: Apple A18 BionicStorage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GBDimensions: 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8mm / 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8mmWeight: 170g / 199gBattery life: Up to 22 hours / Up to 27 hoursColours: Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine The Apple iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 might miss out on a couple of features compared to the iPhone 16 Pro models below, but what they do offer, coupled with their lower prices and excellent performance, make them very compelling options and very recommendable. The camera performance from the two rear lenses is great, and while you don't get 5x optical zoom like the Pro models, you do get 2x. The OLED displays offer plenty of pop, good detail and there's ample brightness too, while the 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch size options make good use of the available footprint. The aluminium frames result in lightweight and easy to manage devices, whichever model you choose, and the colour options are striking. There's black and white for those that are looking for something a bit more subtle, but the Ultramarine, Teal and Pink are stunning in the flesh, with much more pop than the Pros. It's the fact that the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus get the Action Button that was first offered on the iPhone 15 Pro models last year, the new Camera Control button, and support for Apple Intelligence, that makes them so great this year, however. Yes, they miss out on a faster refresh rate display, an extra camera sensor, a couple of extra features and bigger displays, but that's about all. When it comes to overall experience, the Phone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus get nearly everything the Pro models do, with the Action Button offering quick access to a favourite app or feature, while the Camera Control button adds convenience for the camera and its tools. Battery life has improved on all iPhone 16 models - as have charging speeds, but I found the battery particularly impressive on the iPhone 16 Plus so if its battery life you're after, it's the iPhone 16 Plus I would pick. Apple Intelligence will come to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus later this year too, which will bring features like Clean Up for removing unwanted objects in images, Writing Tools, natural language search and a more personal Siri, so there's more to come. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are already excellent though, and they have very much narrowed the gap between standard and Pro this year. £799Buy now Price atJohn Lewis 2. Apple iPhone 14 From £599, John Lewis Best value iPhone, 8/10 We like: there's good performance and good value for money We don't like: there's no USB-C and the notch at the top of the screen isn't as nice as the design in the newer models Screen: 6.1in / 6.7in, Super Retina XDR OLED, 60hz refresh rateCameras: Dual (12MP Main, 12MP Ultra Wide), 12MP selfie cameraProcessor: Apple A15 BionicStorage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GBDimensions: 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8mm / 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.8mmWeight: 172g / 203gBattery life: Up to 20 hours / Up to 26 hoursColours: Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, Yellow, (PRODUCT)RED The Apple iPhone 14 and 14 Plus support the latest software - iOS 18 - so they deliver a similar user experience and many of the same iPhone features as the other iPhones within this round-up, but for quite a bit less money these days. Camera results are decent, there are punchy and vibrant displays and there's a smooth performance too, resulting in a good overall experience from the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus. Compared to the iPhone SE below, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus also offer safety features like Crash Detection and Messages via satellite, so while you don't get some of the newer experiences like Apple Intelligence or spatial video recording, which you can playback through the Apple Vision Pro, you do get a device that performs well on most counts. "If you are chasing value I'd go for the iPhone 14", Woods recommends and I agree. The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus miss out on a couple of things compared to the iPhone 15 models, but they are cheaper and still solid offerings with software support expected for at least another few years. Plus, given the iPhone 15 models don't support Apple Intelligence either, you can save quite a bit opting for the iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Plus instead. £599Buy now Price atJohn Lewis 3. Apple iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max From £999, John Lewis Best iPhone camera, 9/10 We like: the superb camera results and excellent overall performance We don't like: the low starting storage for the iPhone 16 Pro Screen: 6.3in / 6.9in, Super Retina XDR OLED, 120hz refresh rateCameras: Triple (48MP Main, 48MP Ultra Wide and 12MP Telephoto), 12MP selfie cameraProcessor: Apple A18 Pro BionicStorage: 128GB (iPhone 16 Pro only), 256GB, 512GB, 1TBDimensions: 149.6 x 71.5 x 8.3mm / 163 x 77.6 x 8.25mmWeight: 199g / 227gBattery life: Up to 27 hours / Up to 33 hoursColours: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, Desert Titanium The Apple iPhone 16 Pro models are excellent and as Woods says, they are the iPhone models with the best camera so if camera performance is your number one priority, it's the iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max you'll want. Results in good conditions are superb, with natural colour representation and great detail, and low light shots are impressive too. There's also higher resolution macro photography in these models, making for some fabulous flower, food and furry friend shots, while shooting at 4K 120fps is good fun with great results. The Camera Control button on the right edge makes for an easy way to access the camera, take photos or shoot video, as well as switch between the various tools, zoom and lenses, and although it takes a bit of time to get used to, it's a nice addition. The Action Button on the left also offers one-tap access to another app or feature of your choosing like the iPhone 16 models, and while it could do more, like offer functions for double tap and triple tap, it's something I use on a daily basis. The iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max's titanium frames deliver premium builds and the colour options are lovely, especially in the case of the Desert Titanium and Black Titanium. Meanwhile, the larger displays - now expanded to 6.3-inches and 6.9-inches - are glorious with super slim bezels around their edges, rich and vibrant colours, plenty of detail and lashings of brightness. The brightness now drops to 1 nits too, which is excellent for night time viewing, while the 120Hz refresh rate makes everything buttery smooth, whether you're gaming or browsing the web. Overall performance is excellent too, and in all honesty, there's very little to complain about here. The 128GB starting storage of the smaller iPhone 16 Pro is low for the price, and the iPhone 16 models offer a lot for a cheaper price, but that's most of the negatives covered. The battery life improvements mean the Pro models both more than see you through a day, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max easily goes into the following day. As with the iPhone 16s, there's more to come from these models too when Apple Intelligence arrives so they are only set to get better and offer more features as the months and years go on. £999Buy now Price atJohn Lewis 4. Apple iPhone 15 Pro From £899, Argos Best iPhone for Pro features on a budget, 9/10 We like: it offers great performance on all counts and will support Apple Intelligence We don't like: it's still quite pricey, despite being older Screen: 6.1in / 6.7in, Super Retina XDR OLED, 120hz refresh rateCameras: Triple (48MP Main, 12MP Ultra Wide and 12MP Telephoto), 12MP selfie cameraProcessor: Apple A17 Pro BionicStorage: 128GB (iPhone 15 Pro only), 256GB, 512GB, 1TBDimensions: 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.3mm / 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25mmWeight: 187g / 221gBattery life: Up to 23 hours / Up to 29 hoursColours: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, Blue Titanium Apple doesn't sell the iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max anymore, but other retailers still have stock and if you can get hold of it, it's a better option to buy than the iPhone 15 models below. The reason for this isn't just the extra camera lens and power, but the iPhone 15 Pro models will support Apple Intelligence, like the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models above. There aren't huge differences between the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro either, so while you miss out on the larger displays with slimmer bezels, the Camera Control button for easier access to camera tools and functions, and the upgraded Ultra Wide camera lens, there's plenty on offer with last year's models. Camera performance is excellent on the iPhone 15 Pro model, especially in the iPhone 15 Pro Max with its 5x optical zoom capabilities, and performance is superb too. If you want an iPhone Pro, but the iPhone 16 Pro is a little out of reach in terms of price, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are well worth considering. £899Buy now Price atArgos 5. Apple iPhone 15 From £699, Currys Best iPhone for a newer design on a budget, 8/10 We like: it has good camera performance and a lightweight design We don't like: doesn't support Apple Intelligence Screen: 6.1in / 6.7in, Super Retina XDR OLED, 60hz refresh rateCameras: Dual (48MP Main, 12MP Ultra Wide), 12MP selfie cameraProcessor: Apple A16 BionicStorage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GBDimensions: 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8mm / 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8mmWeight: 171g / 201gBattery life: Up to 20 hours / Up to 26 hoursColours: Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink The Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus ditched the notch at the top of their displays and introduced the Dynamic Island feature that first arrived on the iPhone 14 Pro models the year prior. That feature is great when it comes to multitasking on iPhone, enabling you to access music controls, timers, alarms and other elements like voice recordings through the pill-shaped interface at the top of the screen, without having to leave the main display. It also gives the iPhone 15 models a different look compared to older standard iPhones. Camera and battery performance are good too, and the aluminium frame makes for a lightweight build that's comfortable to hold, and subtle in design with a range of pastel colour options. The Ultra Wide camera sensor was also improved in the iPhone 15 models compared to the iPhone 14 models, allowing for 2x optical zoom without the need for a telephoto lens, and the display is also brighter, so they are better when using on a bright, sunny day. There is something you need to keep in mind if you buy the iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Plus however, and that's that neither model will support Apple Intelligence when it launches later this year. They don't have the processing power to run the on-device intelligence, which includes Clean Up in photos, similar to Magic Eraser on the Google Pixel 9, along with Writing Tools and a smarter Siri. It means if your budget can stretch to any of the models mentioned above, they are the better buys to future proof your phone for a couple of years. £699Buy now Price atCurrys 6. Apple iPhone SE From £429, John Lewis Best budget iPhone, 6/10 We like: it's slim, lightweight and affordable We don't like: it misses out on several features and its design looks dated now Screen: 4.7in Retina HD LCD, 60hz refresh rateCameras: Single (12MP Main), 7MP selfie cameraProcessor: Apple A15 BionicStorage: 64GB, 128GB, 256GBDimensions: 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3mmWeight: 144gBattery life: Up to 20 hours / Up to 26 hoursColours: Midnight, Starlight, red The iPhone SE is still sold by Apple, but it's several years old now and it looks like it too, with a design that's the same as the iPhone 6 that launched back in 2014. There are large bezels at the top and bottom of the screen and a single camera on the back so it's nowhere near as accomplished as other iPhone models. It is priced more affordably, and one of the cheapest ways to get an iPhone, but as Wood points out: "If you are chasing value I'd go for the iPhone 14. This is because rumours are currently pointing to Apple updating the iPhone SE in the first half of 2025." The iPhone SE (3rd generation) does support 5G, it's compact and lightweight, and it has features like Apple Pay so it still does general day-to-day things without a problem. It loses out on a number of features however, including Night Mode, making low light photography tricky, not to mention it offers quite a small display for its footprint. If this is as far as your budget can stretch, I'd highly recommend trying to get an iPhone 13 mini instead. £429Buy now Price atJohn Lewis iPhone FAQs How much internal storage does each iPhone have? It depends on the iPhone you choose as to how much storage there is available, but options start at 64GB and go up to 1TB if you consider the entire range. The iPhone SE is the only model to have 64GB, and it only goes up to 256GB. The standard iPhone models - 14, 15 and 16s - all come in 128GB, 256GB or 512GB options. The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro come in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro Max come in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB options. What are the main differences between the iPhone SE, iPhone 14, iPhone 15, iPhone 16, and iPhone 16 Pro Max? There are differences in designs, camera offerings, processors and features across the iPhone SE, iPhone 14, iPhone 15, iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models. The main differences are the Pro models have titanium builds over aluminium and have three camera lenses on the rear. The iPhone SE has the old design with a home button at the bottom of the screen, while the iPhone 14 has a notch at the top of the display. The iPhone 15 models moved to the Dynamic Island design and upgraded the camera, while the iPhone 16 models support Apple Intelligence and add the Camera Control button and Action Button. That's it in a nutshell, but Apple's comparison website lets you scan through each difference between any iPhone model. Which iPhone models support the latest iOS? The latest iOS is IOS 18, which is supported by the following iPhone models: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro MaxiPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro,iPhone 14 Pro MaxiPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro MaxiPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro MaxiPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro MaxiPhone XS, iPhone XS MaxiPhone XRiPhone SE (2nd generation or later)What are the new features on the latest iPhone? The latest iPhone 16 models add a Camera Control button on the right edge for controlling the cameras and their tools, which is the biggest physical difference of note, though the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max also have slimmer bezels around the screens and larger displays. All models also have the Action Button in place of the silent toggle on the left edge. There are also improved cameras, improved batteries, more advanced processors and improved charging speeds across all four models, as well as better microphones and a feature called Audio Mix for editing audio on videos. The iPhone 16 Pro models also introduce the ability to record 4K 120fps video. All four models run on iOS 18 and they will all support Apple Intelligence when it arrives in the UK supporting UK English in December. Is the new iPhone compatible with other Apple products? Yes, all the new iPhones are compatible with other Apple products. They work brilliantly with Apple Watch and AirPods for example, but there are also a range of features that make for a seamless experience between iPhone and MacBook. My favourite is the ability to copy on your MacBook and paste directly on your iPhone thanks to a feature called Continuity, but you can also use your iPhone to immediately scan documents you're attaching to an email on your MacBook for example, take calls or answer messages. With iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia, you will also be able to use iPhone Screen Mirroring, allowing you to completely control your iPhone from your Mac so long as your iPhone is on the same Wi-Fi network and within Bluetooth range. What is Apple Intelligence and what iPhones is it available on? Apple Intelligence is Apple's take on artificial intelligence, like Google's Gemini that is built into its latest Pixel phones and Samsung's Galaxy AI that you'll find baked into its more recent smartwatches and phones. When it was announced, Apple CEO, Tim Cook said: "Apple Intelligence will transform what users can do with our products -- and what our products can do for our users. Our unique approach combines generative AI with a user's personal context to deliver truly helpful intelligence." It will be integrated into the systems of iPhone, iPad and Mac, and it includes features like a more personalised Siri that you can type to ask, Clean Up in photos to remove things like a bin or car from your shot, and Priority Messages in Mail that filters out important emails. Apple Intelligence will also offer Writing Tools across a range of apps, Priority Notifications to filter out important notifications and things like Live Transcription for calls. You'll need an iPhone 16. iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max to get access to Apple Intelligence when it arrives.

The Best iPhones of 2024

How to Wirelessly Transfer Files Between Windows, macOS, Linux, and Mobile With the release of the iPhone 16 series, it's time to rethink what are the best of Apple's offerings. The 15 series took everything to a new level, but the 16 series offers even more improvements. Apple iPhone 16 Best iPhone Overall See at Apple Apple iPhone SE (2022) Best Budget iPhone See at Best Buy Apple iPhone 16 Pro Best iPhone for Photos and Videos See at Apple Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Best iPhone for Battery Life See at Apple Considerations Before Buying an iPhone in 2024 There are four newly released models in the iPhone 16 series: the standard iPhone 16, the 16 Plus, the 16 Pro, and the 16 Pro Max. Apple has narrowed the gap between the standard and Pro models, with the former suitable for most and the latter catering to those seeking advanced features. When choosing an iPhone, it's essential to understand that the rapid advancement of technology makes some older models less appealing. Processors get faster with each generation, camera systems improve rapidly, battery capacities get bigger, and, of course, AI features are on the rise at an exponential rate. Not only that, but Apple provides newer models with software updates for more extended periods. And, as cellular network technology evolves, you'll need the newer models to access those faster 5G speeds. That's not to say all older models are redundant. Some phones, such as the iPhone SE, received its last update in 2022, which makes it an affordable choice with a bit of life left in it yet. It may be a particular feature that sways your decision, such as the advanced AI functions of the latest iPhone series. Photography enthusiasts will need to carefully evaluate their options, too. You could just plump for the latest and greatest camera suite if you have the deep pockets for it and will use all the features on offer. However, the absolute best iPhone camera system is only a good buy if you'll use the functions that give it its premium price. Therefore, it's essential to consider all the specs and features and compare them to the cost before committing to a purchase. If you're a smartphone gamer, you'll need to consider the phone's processing power in relation to the games you play. The newer the model, the more performance it can deliver. Apple's A-series chips improve with each generation, providing increasingly better performance for graphics-intensive games. You'll want to consider the refresh rate, too. Pro and Pro Max models since the iPhone 13 have been blessed with ProMotion, Apple's term for a 120Hz display. This ensures smoother gameplay and animations for a more enthralling gaming experience. You'll want to consider other elements of the display, including brightness, color accuracy, resolution, and HDR support. This is important if you like to watch media content on your iPhone. A quality display is also preferable for viewing your photos and videos. If you don't send everything to the cloud, you'll need the appropriate storage size to house all those files. How Did We Research Models Evaluated Hours Researched Reviews Analyzed 17 3 12 How-To Geek's product recommendations come from the same team of experts that have helped people fix their gadgets over one billion times. We only recommend the best products based on our research and expertise. We never accept payment to endorse or review a product. Read More " Best iPhone Overall: iPhone 16 Pros Cons Improved battery life No ProMotion 120Hz 25W MagSafe and Qi2 charging Powerful A18 chipset Excellent camera system Unique choice of colors Apple's standard iPhone model showcases the best balance between value and features. However, this time around, the gap between the standard and Pro models is narrower, and the iPhone 16 offers plenty of high-end features at a more accessible price point. This model is driven by the powerful A18 chip, has an excellent camera suite with improved controls, sports some eye-catching color choices, and has upcoming AI features still to arrive. The new vibrant color options may be the most fun upgrade for many. With ultramarine, teal, and pink in addition to the usual black and white, these may be Apple's most stylish designs yet. However, the familiar iPhone aesthetic still remains. However, despite claims of improved durability, you might still want to purchase a screen protector to prevent scratches, and, of course, a protective case is a given. The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display has a 2,556 x 1,179 pixels resolution and can reach an impressive peak brightness of 2,000 nits. This means that the display is well-detailed and color-saturated with excellent contrast, and you can easily view your pictures, videos, and games even on a bright day outside. It does lack Apple's ProMotion adaptive refresh rate; the 60Hz display is starting to feel somewhat dated. The iPhone 16 Pro models boast more fluidity when watching fast content and scrolling. However, the A18 chipset ensures all-around performance is excellent, and it is even better than the A17 Pro chip that the iPhone 15 Pro Max sported. In terms of AI features, the iPhone 16 won't showcase its true potential until the iOS 18.1 update. For now, Apple promises more natural conversations with Siri, notification summaries (ideal for large group chats where you can't read everything), Writing Tools to aid in message composition, and Clean Up for removing objects from photos. For smartphone photographers, the iPhone 16 offers a dual-camera system with the lenses now arranged vertically. This allows for spatial photo and video captures (the lenses are next to each other like real eyes, as opposed to the diagonal arrangement of the iPhone 15). Furthermore, the addition of the Camera Control button simplifies the whole image and video-taking process. The 48MP main camera features a 2x optical zoom, and the 12MP ultra-wide has improved macro capabilities. The periscope telephoto camera found on the Pro models is, sadly, omitted, and some advanced video features also don't make the cut. Serious smartphone shutterbugs may well prefer the Pro or Pro Max models for the ultimate in iPhone imagery. Still, for most, the standard iPhone 16 is more than sufficient. However, if you're just after a display size and battery life upgrade, the iPhone 16 Plus may be the best choice for you. Best iPhone Overall Apple iPhone 16 The iPhone 16 represents a significant leap forward in Apple's smartphone lineup. It offers an impressive blend of advanced features, stylish color choices, and an improved performance. See at AppleSee at Best Buy Best Budget iPhone: iPhone SE Pros Cons Supports 5G connectivity No mmWave support All-day battery life No MagSafe charging Support for Qi wireless charging IP67 water and dust resistance Excellent price While a new series of iPhones is never likely to contain a budget-friendly option, that doesn't mean there are no affordable iPhones available. You won't get the advanced features of newer iPhones, but if you just need a reliable, sturdy model that won't bankrupt you, the classic iPhone SE rarely disappoints. It may be getting slightly dated now, but it's reliable and will do its job as advertised with minimal fuss. It's also compact, surprisingly powerful, and takes wonderfully decent photos. It's a classic-looking iPhone, no two ways about it. The thick bezels may not be at the point of nostalgia yet, but they don't have the contemporary look of newer iPhones. Yet, it is compact, with its 4.7-inch LCD (Apple's smallest), and lightweight at just 5oz. But don't let the classic look and small size fool you. The 1,344 x 750 pixels resolution is plenty for the compact display. Detail is impressive and Apple's TrueTone technology improves visual comfort and helps to maintain color balance across various lighting conditions. In terms of apps and features, this phone stands shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the more premium iPhones. The SE is powered by the A15 Bionic chip -- the same processor found on the iPhone 13, making it faster than most phones in this price range. However, storage is limited to 64GB, which might be plenty for some users, but going for 128GB is not much more expensive. There's also a 256GB option that still falls into the affordable category. Crucially, the iPhone SE's single camera delivers impressive results. This makes it stand out head and shoulders above many phones in this price range, Apple or otherwise. While the lack of any Night Mode means low-light performance is less reliable, medium-to-good light images are helped by some excellent processing. Smart HDR4 and Deep Fusion ensure indoor images look natural, while those taken in good light are sharp, vibrant, and well-contrasted with excellent detail. You can also shoot some nicely detailed 4K video at 60fps. Best Budget iPhone Apple iPhone SE (2022) The iPhone SE is the standout cost-effective option in Apple's lineup with its blend of classic design and modern performance at a price that won't break the bank. See at Best BuySee at Apple Best iPhone for Photos and Videos: iPhone 16 Pro Pros Cons 12MP periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom Expensive Excellent low-light performance and OIS 4K video at up to 120fps Camera Control button for improved usability High-quality 12MP selfie camera The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are both powerful tools for smartphone photographers. While the Pro Max wins hands down for battery life and features a larger display, the cameras are virtually identical. There's no doubt these differences give the Pro Max a bit of an edge, so if you don't mind paying the extra, it's an excellent shout for smartphone photography. However, if you want to save a few bucks and get the same camera, the iPhone 16 Pro is the way to go. The triple camera system features 48MP main and ultra-wide cameras. The former is the one you will use for everyday shots. It has a wide f/1.8 aperture, which combines with the phone's large sensor for sharp, detailed images. This also contributes to the phone taking tricky lighting in its stride. Pictures are constructed from multiple exposures, and its sensor-shift optical image stabilization (OIS) contributes to the overall low-light sharpness. Focusing is fast and accurate, and 'zero shutter lag' ensures there is no delay between pressing the button and the image being taken. The ultra-wide lens is used for sweeping landscapes, cityscapes, and large group photos. Its high MP (megapixel) count ensures that expansive shots are highly detailed, a considerable jump from the standard iPhone 16's 12MP ultra-wide lens. Additionally, a 12MP periscope telephoto camera with a 5x optical zoom offers a 3D sensor-shift OIS for even more comprehensive stabilization when zooming in. This lens is another feature omitted from the standard iPhone 16. Finally, there's a 12MP selfie camera from which you can shoot fine vanity shots and 4K video at up to 60fps. It's similar to the iPhone 15 Pro front lens but with some added audio features. Video enthusiasts will be happy to hear that the iPhone 16 Pro has upgraded its movie recording capabilities, too. You can now shoot 4K video at up to 120fps for slow motion with superior detail. Thanks to the 120Hz display (which trumps the dated 60Hz of the standard iPhone 16), video playback is also smoother. The Pro supports Dolby Vision HDR, albeit at up to 60 FPS, and offers ProRes recording for high-quality post-production editing. These professional videography standards are also omitted from the standard iPhone 16 and are further reasons to use the Pro for media creation. Finally, if all that isn't enough, Apple has added a helpful new Camera Control button to launch the camera, take a snap, record video, zoom in and out, and tweak settings with a range of quickly learned presses and slides. Best iPhone for Photos and Videos Apple iPhone 16 Pro With its advanced triple camera system offering exceptional image quality, versatile shooting options, and professional-grade video capabilities, the iPhone 16 Pro is the best choice for smartphone photography. See at AppleSee at Best Buy Best iPhone for Battery Life: iPhone 16 Pro Max Pros Cons Best battery life of any iPhone Photo editing features might be overkill 25W MagSafe wireless charging support Fast charging Bright OLED display with ProMotion Powerful A18 Pro chipset While the iPhone 16 Pro Max is essentially a similar phone to the iPhone Pro, its features distinguish it, and its larger battery capacity is one of them. If battery life is your main priority, this phone sweeps everything aside. While Apple doesn't expressly state the battery size of any of its models, it states on its website that the Pro Max offers the best battery life of any iPhone ever. For specific uses, Apple says you can get up to 33 hours of consistent video playback, 29 hours of video streaming, and 105 hours of continuous audio. This means that, with constant general use, you should get around 18 hours of battery life before needing a top-up, leaving both Galaxy and Pixel in the dust. All phones in the iPhone 16 series support 25W MagSafe wireless charging, a significant increase from previous models. However, 15W Qi2 charging remains. The 16 Pro Max can reach a 50 percent charge in around 30 minutes via USB-C using a 20W or 30W adapter or higher with the MagSafe charger. In addition, the Pro Max features the same powerful triple camera setup as the iPhone 16 Pro and an identical high-quality OLED display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. Both phones can also reach a peak of 2,000 nits, ensuring the display is easily seen on bright sunny days. However, the Pro Max has a larger display at 6.9 inches compared to the 16 Pro's 6.3 inches, and the resolution is slightly higher at 1,320 x 2,868 pixels. Additionally, both Pro models have a more powerful chipset than the standard iPhone 16 and one that outperforms most of the Android competition. While the standard iPhone 16's A18 chipset is fine for most people, the Apple A18 Pro takes things even further. Best iPhone for Battery Life Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max The iPhone 16 Pro Max is a battery powerhouse. It offers unparalleled longevity among iPhones and outperforms most of its competitors. See at AppleSee at Best Buy FAQ What is the latest iPhone model? The latest iPhone is the iPhone 16 series. There are four models in this series: the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max. The iPhone 16 Plus is an upgrade on the iPhone 16, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max is an upgrade on the iPhone 16 Pro. However, existing iPhone users with older models should consider if it is time to upgrade at all. What is the difference between the iPhone models? Each iPhone generation is an improvement on the last. The iPhone 16 series is no different, and each model has their own features, similarities, and specifications. The standard iPhone 16 offers plenty enough for most users with its powerful performance and capable camera system. The 16 Plus ups the ante with a larger display and better battery life. Furthermore, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus have aluminum frames. Moving onto the Pro models, you have premium titanium builds. In addition, you get a more sophisticated camera suite, including a telephoto lens, better video capabilities, and a faster 120Hz display. The latter allows for smoother scrolling and browsing and an enhanced gaming experience with reduced motion blur and better response times. Regarding battery life, performance varies throughout the series. It's hard to say the standard iPhone 16 has the worst battery life, so we'll say it has the 'least good,' with performance increasing until you get to the pinnacle of the Pro Max's unchallenged battery performance. All in all, the standard iPhone 16 strikes a nice balance between features and cost, while the Pro models cater to those seeking some more advanced features. Can I transfer my Android settings and media to an iPhone? Yes, you can migrate your Android settings and media. You'll need to download the Move to iOS app from Google Play on your Android device and wirelessly transfer your Android data to your new iPhone. The app provides detailed instructions and walks you through each stage. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when making the switch. How do I take a screenshot on an iPhone? Taking a screenshot on an iPhone is relatively straightforward. However, it can vary from model to model. On the iPhone 16, press the large side button on the right and the volume up button on the left at the same time. You'll hear a shutter noise and see a small flash to indicate the screenshot has been successful. What cable do I use to charge my iPhone 16? Since the 15 series, USB-C has been the cable to use with iPhones. This means that the iPhone 16 and its derivatives will all charge using a USB-C cable. Your brand-new iPhone 16 will come with a 1-meter USB-C charging cable in the box. If you're a seasoned Apple user but have just recently joined the USB-C revolution, here's what you can do with your old Lightning gear.