iPhone 16 Series: A Leap Forward in Apple's Smartphone Technology

I bought an iPhone 15 ahead of the iPhone 16 launch -- and I don't regret it

I knew well ahead of time that this year's iPhone 16 update figured to be a significant one with the kind of features to make owners of recent iPhones envious of the new models. That's not because of any of the rumors circulating around Apple's latest handsets, although there as certainly an ample supply of those. No, I knew Apple was going to hit it out of the park with its new devices because I bought an iPhone just before the iPhone 16 launch. Actually, to be accurate, I bought two iPhones. So that figured to make the iPhone 16 twice as good as before. To briefly recap, back in July, my wife found herself in need of a new phone and my daughter had reached an age where it made sense to get her a phone of her own. We briefly debated holding out until the iPhone 16 launch a couple months later, but a visit to our local Verizon store presented us with an offer we couldn't refuse -- half-off an iPhone 15 with trade-in along with a free iPhone 14 for my kiddo since we were adding a line of data to our plan. Not a bad piece of business, except for the part about entirely new iPhones coming along before the new phone smell had even worn off our purchase. To purchase any bit of tech -- smartphones, especially -- is to invite the specter of buyer's remorse into your life. You always have that haunting suspicion that something better is going to come along -- usually because something better is always coming along. Phone makers work very hard to come up with exciting enhancements to their handsets each year, and the second those are out the door, they've turned their attention on how to top that with the next year's model. So it goes with the iPhone 16. And yet, I don't have a single regret about jumping into the iPhone upgrade pool a couple of months ahead of time. That's no reflection on any of Apple's new models, which seem pretty impressive if you go by the first impressions in our iPhone 16 hands-on or our hands-on with the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models. Rather, it's a matter of identifying what you want in a phone and being satisfied with what you ultimately get. My guiding principle on upgrades is that the right time to get a new phone is the precise moment when you need a new phone. If that dovetails with when your favorite phone maker comes out with a new model, great, but if not, there's no need to make do with an outdated device just because of the promise of something better around the corner. We bought an iPhone in July because my wife needed an iPhone in July. Could we have stretched it out another two months and gotten an iPhone 16 instead? Probably, but why suffer through that? These aren't pioneer times. It helps remove the sting a bit that Apple reserved the most impressive improvements to the iPhone 16 Pro models. The bigger screens, the improved camera hardware, the impressive video capture features and the A18 Pro chipset top any of the enhancements you'll find in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. But as stellar as those improvements look on paper, my wife was never going to spend $999 or more on a new phone. There are people in this world who can stare down four-figure price tags on smartphones without blinking, and those people are not us. That leaves us with the iPhone 16 as the one that got away. (My wife shares my disdain for big-screen phones -- it should have been part of our marital vows -- so the iPhone 16 Plus would never have been a consideration.) And again, while that seems like a really good phone pending our full review, the changes it introduces didn't address what my wife was looking for in a phone. We figured that the addition of an Action button and what turned out to be the new Camera Control feature were really possibilities for the iPhone 16, but my wife didn't see either as a must-have addition. Similarly, the new ultrawide lens and its larger sensor should help the iPhone 16 challenge the best camera phones, but the feature my iPhone XR-toting wife really wanted was that 48MP main camera -- something the iPhone 15 offered. My wife also doesn't play the kind of graphically-intensive games that stand to benefit from the new A18 chip inside the iPhone 16. The A16 Bionic has more than enough horsepower for the things she does on a phone. There's an elephant in the room here, and it goes by the name of Apple Intelligence. By committing to an iPhone 15, my wife essentially gave up any chance of using those features until the next time she moves to a new iPhone, which, given her past upgrade schedule should be sometime around 2029. Thanks to Apple's WWDC 2024 preview of iOS 18 and the Apple Intelligence features that would arrive in a subsequent update, we had some idea of what she'd be giving up by upgrading to a phone that can't run Apple Intelligence. And going through the list of initial Apple Intelligence features, there's nothing in there that my wife considered a big miss. Like me, my partner has been a professional writer for the better part of three decades. The suggestion that she needs an AI bot to help her write an email is laughable. She's expressed no desire to create Genmoji or use text prompts to generate images in Apple's Image Playground. Her use of Siri is generally limited to arguing with the digital assistant about setting a timer. The Photo Clean Up tool piqued her interest, but not so much that she's ready to throw her new phone out a window. To put it more succinctly, my wife hasn't seen anything in Apple Intelligence that she'd consider essential to her iPhone use. That speaks to a larger challenge with Apple's push into artificial intelligence, but let's limit the takeaway for now that for one-third of my household, Apple Intelligence is a non-starter. So yes, it would have been nice to get our hands on the latest and greatest Apple hardware by holding off for the iPhone 16 launch before upgrading. And maybe there's an Apple Intelligence feature coming down the road that makes my wife rethink her disinterest. But in the end, we're left with an iPhone 15 that delivers exactly what my wife wants in a mobile device at a price she's more than happy to pay. You could do a lot worse the next time you upgrade.

I went hands-on with iPhone 16 Pro - my 3 favorite features of Apple's pocket supercomputer

Apple may be known for its slick design and marketing, but the company's engineering prowess is what powers the iPhone 16 Pro to new heights. I spent several hours with Apple's new flagship iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max earlier this week in the Steve Jobs Theater and quickly formed some first impressions. As I do in my iPhone reviews, I always try to keep in mind that most iPhone upgraders are coming from a phone that's at least three years old. Also: iPhone 16 hands-on: So packed with features, I didn't envy the Pro models And while the first thing lots of buyers may notice is the year's new phone color -- it's Desert Titanium this year, which is actually just a shade of gold -- the thing that most of us barely pay attention to is the latest advances in the brain that powers the iPhone. It's always the case that it unlocks new capabilities, but this year, that feels truer than ever with the new A18 Pro. Or at least it powers my favorite new feature -- and a bunch of others that prove how ridiculously powerful this device is. And yes, I'll quit talking about chips and get to my three favorite features. The new Camera Control allows users to do more with the iPhone camera and do it quickly. This new key sits on the right side of the phone underneath the power button, but it is made of darker metal and sits more flush to the side of the phone. It's also touch-sensitive, which is a feat of engineering. One press opens the camera app. A second press takes a photo. Press and hold and it starts recording video. A light press and a swipe to one side or the other lets you zoom in and out. A double light press and a swipe to either side lets you select different settings from zoom to depth of field to the new photo styles to several other options. Also: iPhone 16 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro: Should you upgrade? If it sounds a little complicated, it's not. You'll quickly get the hang of it. I tried it and it's is going to be super handy for people who take a ton of photos with the iPhone -- and let's be honest, there are a lot of us because the iPhone is the most used camera in the world. The Camera Control button gives the iPhone a feature no other phone in the world has right now. The Sony Xperia 1 V comes the closest with its dedicated shutter button, but it doesn't do nearly as much. People are going to love this feature. Both of the pro iPhones got bigger screens and thinner bezels this year, which makes them a little taller than last year's pro models. The Pro expands from 6.1 inches to 6.3 and the Max grows from 6.7 inches to 6.9. Both ZDNET reviews editor Kerry Wan and I noticed it immediately in the iPhone 16 demo area -- and we felt happy about it because we both tend to prefer the slightly taller and thinner form factors of most Android devices since it makes them a little easier to operate with one hand. Also: Apple just gave me a compelling reason to buy the smaller iPhone 16 Pro over the Max this year However, there was another new physical characteristic of the iPhone 16 Pro models that got me just as excited. The titanium sides have a new finish that feels way more grippy. In fact, it's so grippy that I'm tempted to do the unthinkable and try using it without a case. I'm also tempted to make the smaller 6.3-inch iPhone 16 Pro, rather than the Max, my daily driver -- especially since the smaller pro model now has the same camera system as the larger one. The other area where the new A18 Pro chip really shows its power is in the new video and audio recording options available in the iPhone 16 Pro. First, you can now record in 4K at 120 frames per second, which gives you the power to do the kind of super slow motion you only see in big cinematic films. Even just a couple of years ago, you would have needed an expensive pro-level camera and a desktop computer with a powerful video card to shoot and edit pro-level 4K120 video. Now you can do it on an iPhone -- and the footage Apple has shown so far looks virtually indistinguishable from pro equipment. Also: Every iPhone model that will be updated to Apple's iOS 18 (and which ones won't) Next, Apple also upgraded the audio in the iPhone 16 Pro with what it calls "four studio-quality mics" that are paired with software and AI to do some crazy things I haven't seen on a smartphone before. With the new Audio Mix software, you can now edit audio directly on the iPhone 16 Pro, which separates foreground and background sounds and lets you pick from several sound profiles, including a Studio profile that automatically dampens background sounds and a Cinematic profile that makes it sound like a movie edit. It can also now capture Spatial Audio surround sound during video recording (which you can also edit in Audio Mix). And the Voice Memos app is going to use these upgrades for an update later this year that will let you layer two different tracks. These audio features are a great example of where Apple is putting AI to use in practical, behind-the-scenes ways that are going to be a lot more approachable than typing in a chatbot. Apple called the new A18 Pro chip as powerful as high-end desktop PCs, which sounds like hyperbole, but the above features are convincing enough to make me think it may be at least as powerful as high-end desktops from a couple of years ago. When we get our testing devices, we'll run benchmarks and put the phones through some real-world scenarios to measure and compare the performance. Also: Every iPhone 16 model compared: Which new iPhone should you buy? Apple also claims the new A18 Pro chip is much more power efficient and will result in the iPhone 16 Pro Max having the longest battery life of any iPhone yet. We'll also challenge that claim with our own battery tests. The camera system upgrades to a 48 megapixel sensor for the ultrawide camera, which should result in better macro photos and a number of other improvements. We'll be testing that as well in a new set of ZDNET smartphone camera tests. The AI features that Apple mentioned this summer at WWDC, including the newly upgraded Siri, won't arrive until the iOS 18.1 update -- and even then, they'll still be in beta and some of the features won't come until iOS 18.2 or later. But when the AI features do finally arrive, Apple's new flagship supercomputer in your pocket looks like it's going to have the oomph to run them without breaking a sweat.

Every iPhone 16 model compared: Which iPhone should you buy today?

Apple has finally unveiled the new iPhone 16 series, which features improved cameras and larger displays. But which one is right for you? Here's how each model compares. Apple unveiled its latest handsets earlier this week, including the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. While the lineup embodies Apple's push for larger displays, improved performance, and significant camera upgrades, all models have key differences that you should consider going into this year's buying cycle. Also: Preorder the iPhone 16 now (and even get one for free) - here's how The entire lineup features support for Apple Intelligence, Apple's artificial intelligence (AI) tools that will be released for some iPhone models with iOS 18 over the next few months. Aside from the iPhone 16, the only iPhones compatible with Apple Intelligence are the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. However, other features make the iPhone 16 lineup a good choice for an upgrade. Here's how you can choose the best one for you: Thankfully, you won't have to buy the largest, most expensive iPhone to access the Apple Intelligence features, as all four iPhone 16 models will support Apple's new AI tools. Apple Intelligence requires an A17 chip or newer and at least 8GB of RAM. The iPhone 16 features the A18 Pro chip to support AI processes and more advanced machine learning tasks. Also: iPhone 16 hands-on: So packed with features, I almost forgot about its Pro model Apple Intelligence requires considerable processing power, largely dependent on RAM capacity. Higher RAM capacity allows natural language processing (NLP) and AI-powered photo editing. The A18 chip is built with second-generation 3nm technology, a six-core CPU with two performance cores and four efficiency cores, and is 30% faster than the iPhone 15's CPU while using 35% less power than the A16 Bionic chip. The iPhone 16 also has an upgraded neural engine for more efficient AI task processing. The neural engine powers AI tasks like voice commands, image recognition, and predictive text. All the new iPhone 16 models will feature a capture button that works as a shortcut for the camera function. The touch-sensitive capture button will let users control the focus, zoom, and camera trigger with different gestures. This dedicated capture button is new to the iPhone experience and is available on the base model, which is noteworthy. Also: Four reasons I'm not upgrading to an iPhone 16 Pro from my iPhone 14 The iPhone 16 will also get the Action button, which was introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max in place of the mute switch. The iPhone 16 Plus features a 6.7-inch screen, which is still large, just the same size as the iPhone 15 Plus, but slightly smaller than the iPhone 16 Pro Max screen. It also supports Apple Intelligence and features the A17 chip and some RAM enhancements. Also: Buying an Apple Watch Series 10? Consider these 3 features before upgrading The iPhone 16 Plus features midrange pricing at $899, sitting squarely between the base and Pro versions. For a lower price, you can get the enhanced performance featured in the iPhone 15 Pro models last year and the same capture button available in the iPhone 16 Pro models. The iPhone 16 Pro models feature the best camera systems of any iPhone, but you don't have to splurge for the Pro Max to enjoy them. The iPhone 16 Pro has a 48-MP ultra-wide camera, up from 12 MP on the iPhone 15 and 14 Pro models. The new lineup brings the iPhone 16's UW camera in line with the main sensor, which is expected to reduce noise and improve image quality significantly Also: Apple just gave me a compelling reason to buy the smaller iPhone 16 Pro over the Max this year Aside from a new camera layout, the iPhone 16 Pro has more image capture features that make it appealing for photography enthusiasts, including a 5X optical zoom, new and improved camera sensors, 4K video support at 120fps (including slo-mo) and spatial video recording. You can enjoy your pictures in the larger 6.3-inch display, up from the 6.1-inch screen in the older Pro models, and choose a model with up to 2TB of storage. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus both support Wi-Fi 6E, but the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max also support Wi-Fi 7. Wi-Fi 7 translates into faster speeds, lower latency, and more efficient spectrum use, which is beneficial for high-demand tasks like online gaming, video conferencing, streaming 8K video, virtual reality (VR), and downloading large files. The iPhone 16 Pro supports up to 40W wired charging and 20W MagSafe wireless charging. While the iPhone 16 Pro's battery is only about 2.5% larger than the iPhone 15 Pro, the charging speeds are a definite upgrade from the iPhone 15's 15W charging with MagSafe and 27W with wired chargers. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a huge display, growing to 6.9 inches with the update. It features thinner bezels than previous models to maximize real estate display and a slightly taller frame for more space. The iPhone 16 Pro Max also has a larger 4,676 mAh battery, about 5.7% larger than the iPhone 15 Pro Max. If 5.7% does not sound like a big difference, think of how often your phone dies and how badly you wish you could have a few extra battery percentage points. Also: 7 Apple products you shouldn't buy right now The 4,676 mAh battery on the iPhone 16 Pro Max is still smaller than I hoped, especially considering that the direct competitor, the Samsung Galaxy Ultra, has a 5,000 mAh battery. We'll see what we can expect from the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

I just canceled my Pixel 9 Pro Fold order and bought the iPhone 16 Pro Max instead - here's why

So here's the thing: I want to ditch my iPhone and move to Android so badly, yet every time I verge on making the move, Apple pulls me back in. Last year, I used a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra for a week and really enjoyed it. But it was for an experiment and I was just waiting for the iPhone 15 Pro Max to launch. In September, titanium iPhones appeared, and just like that I was back to using iOS within my ever-growing Apple walled garden. This year was different, however, and it's the closest I've ever come to saying goodbye to the iPhone for good, well, at least for 12 months. After seeing the reveal of Google's new flagship smartphones in August, I was instantly intrigued by the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold. You see, up until very recently my idea of a folding phone was large gaps, peeling screen protectors, and a bulky footprint, but that all changed when I held a 9 Pro Fold at the store. In our Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold review, US Mobiles Editor, Philip Berne wrote, "When I showed the Pixel 9 Pro Fold to iPhone-toting friends and family they were all amazed, without fail. It's the first foldable that looks... normal, they all said. How normal? It isn't just that the front is the exact same size and shape as the Pixel 9. Being thin helps a lot - the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is so thin that it's less bulky than my iPhone 15 Pro Max if I keep the iPhone in a case." I may as well be one of his friends or a family member because that's exactly how I felt after just a few minutes with the 9 Pro Fold. For the first time in a long time, it felt like I was holding innovation in the consumer tech space and I felt like a kid again. Obviously, my idea of foldables was skewed and there are lots like Google's offering, but when most of the tech you use outside of work is "Designed by Apple in California" you lose a sense of what something genuinely refreshing to use feels like. Now that's not a diss at Apple, my Mac, my iPad, and my iPhone all work exactly how I want my technology to work, but when you've used incremental updates of the same products for nearly 15 years, at some point you want to see if the grass is greener on the other side. So I did it. I pre-ordered a Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold. I was finally going to sell my iPhone and try Android 15 for a year. But then things changed. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold was officially released on September 4 but my preorder with EE, one of the biggest networks in the UK. never arrived. I waited patiently, excited to test out Google Gemini built into Android and get my first taste of a folding smartphone with a beautiful 8-inch display. For whatever reason my preorder kept getting pushed back, September 5, September 6, September 7, September 8... And then it happened: Apple's iPhone 16 event on September 9. At the event, Apple showcased the iPhone 16 Pro Max alongside the rest of the iPhone 16 lineup. The hardware is an incremental improvement over my 15 Pro Max, but in our early hands-on iPhone 16 Pro Max review, Editor At Large, Lance Ulanoff, wrote, "The question is, can the small or even invisible changes add up to something big? Based on my brief hands-on time with the iPhone 16 Pro Max, I'd say the answer is yes." For me, it's not about the hardware, I own 2023's best iPhone and it's still a beast almost 12 months later. Instead, it was Apple's ability at the event to make me feel like I couldn't skip the first year of Apple Intelligence. Yes, I'll have access to Apple's AI on my iPad Pro M2 and my MacBook Pro M3 Pro, but the iPhone is at the core of the Apple ecosystem and it's arguably the smartphone experience that will define Apple Intelligence's success. AI is pivotal to the success of iOS 18 and the new iPhones deemed, "the first iPhones built from the ground up for Apple Intelligence", by Apple's CEO, Tim Cook. With incremental updates coming over the next year, we'll get to test out individual Apple Intelligence features as they cook in the oven and see just how much of an impact they can make on our day-to-day lives. I'm hoping at least one of Apple's AI tools is as useful as Universal Clipboard, quite possibly my favorite Apple feature which allows me to copy and paste between all my products. iPhone 16 Pro Max preorders are now live and yet again, I've got a new Apple smartphone to collect on launch day. I came so close to taking a leap of faith into Android, but stock delays, the fear of the unknown, and Apple's ability to make you feel FOMO hooked me back in. I'm excited for a year of Apple Intelligence and I can't wait until Siri has on-screen awareness to become the personal assistant in my pocket I've always wanted it to be. In around 11 months this cycle repeats itself, only next time Apple Intelligence will be less of an unknown and Google Gemini might be the way forward.

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: Should you upgrade? | Digital Trends

The iPhone recently went through yet another upgrade cycle at Apple's "It's Glowtime" event. This year, the focus was more on Apple Intelligence and less on hardware upgrades. But we do see certain new elements on the Apple iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, especially the new multifunctional Camera Control button. There's also a new and controversial Desert Titanium color, instead of the tranquil blue from last year. Apple doesn't tend to drop radical changes with every iPhone generation, so the small-scale changes were already expected. That, however, does not mean there aren't any exciting changes at all. That's why many of you may be tempted to try out the iPhone 16 Pro Max instead of the older iPhone 15 Pro Max, especially if you're coming from a much older generation. Recommended Videos But what about folks who have the last year's model? The iPhone 15 Pro Max was the bestselling iPhone until June 2024. If you're among the lucky millions who bought the iPhone 15 Pro Max, should you upgrade to the newer iPhone 16 Pro Max? Let's answer that question! Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: specs Specs iPhone 16 Pro Max iPhone 15 Pro Max Size 163 x 77.6 x 8.25 mm (6.42 x 3.06 x 0.32 inches) 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.3 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 inches) Weight 227 grams (7.99 oz) 221 grams (7.80 oz) Screen 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED 1320 x 2868 pixels ProMotion with 120Hz dynamic refresh rate Dolby Vision, 2000 nits brightness 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED 1290 x 2796 pixels ProMotion with 120Hz dynamic refresh rate Dolby Vision, 2000 nits brightness Operating system iOS 18 Upgradable to iOS 18 RAM & Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 8GB RAM 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 8GB RAM Processor Apple A18 Pro 6-core CPU 6-core GPU 16-core NPU Apple A17 Pro 6-core CPU (2×3.78 GHz + 4×2.11 GHz) 6-core GPU 16-core NPU Camera Rear: 48-megapixel primary, f/1.8, 1/1.28'', OIS 48MP ultrawide, f/2.2, 120° FOV 12MP telephoto, f/2.8, 5x optical zoom Front: 12MP, f/1.9, 1/3.6'' Rear: 48MP primary, f/1.8, 1/1.28'', OIS 12MP ultrawide, f/2.2, 120° FOV 12MP telephoto, f/2.8, 5x optical zoom Front: 12MP, f/1.9, 1/3.6'' Video Rear: 4K, up to 120fps Front: 4K, up to 60fps Rear: 4K, up to 60fps Front: 4K, up to 60fps Connectivity Wi-Fi 7, dual-band Bluetooth 5.3 Wi-Fi 6E, dual-band Bluetooth 5.3 Ports USB-C Gen 3.2 DisplayPort USB-C Gen 3.2 DisplayPort Water resistance IP68 (maximum depth of 6m up to 30 minutes) IP68 (maximum depth of 6m up to 30 minutes) Battery & charging Details of battery capacity to be confirmed Wired via USB-C, speed to be confirmed 25W wireless charging via MagSafe 15W Qi2 wireless charging 4,441mAh battery Wired via USB-C, up to 27W 25W wireless charging via MagSafe 15W Qi2 wireless charging Colors Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, Desert Titanium Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium Price Starts at $1,199 Starts at $1,199 Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: design On the surface, you may not be able to identify many differences between the iPhone 16 Pro Max and the older 15 Pro Max. But there sure are some. For starters, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is marginally taller, wider, and consequently heavier than the last year's Pro Max. This allows the new model to accommodate a new and expansive 6.9-inch OLED display -- up from the 6.7 inches of last year. The overall design of the iPhone 16 Pro Max remains largely unchanged, except for the addition of a new multipurpose Camera Control button. You can simply tap the button to launch the Camera app, and then tap again to click a photo or tap-and-hold to start recording video. Like an actual camera's shutter button, the iPhone's Camera Control button allows for two-step clicks -- backed by haptic feedback -- to let you accomplish a wide range of functions such as bringing up manual controls or zoom levels. Once any menu is activated, you can also slide over the button to navigate the menus or zoom in or out. In the coming months, Apple will add more functionality, such as a Google Lens-style visual search using the Camera Control button directly. Apart from the new button, there are few other noticeable changes, but those that stick out include the new and smoother finishes on both the glass back and the titanium frame. Although three of the four available colors have the same names as last year, there is some visual distinction, with this year's models appearing less matte than last year -- at least in the images. We will have a better idea over the course of the next few weeks as we review the phone. In addition to these outward changes, Apple has now added four microphones to allow you to shoot more spatially apt audio that can be used with AirPods, Vision Pro, or other sounds systems capable of surround sound. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: display The display, as noted above, is now bigger than on last year's model. At 6.9 inches, the display is even bigger than that of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, and can seem impractically large for some people. If that doesn't apply to you, you will be pleased to see Apple chisel down the surrounding bezels even further. That may allow for easier gesture-based swiping across the interface and could look slightly better when both phones are compared side by side. But otherwise, you probably won't notice. The larger size also results in a higher resolution, but that's most of the advantage you get here over last year's model. Unlike other manufacturers cashing in on the brightness bid, Apple isn't interested in pushing ever-higher nits values. The iPhone 16 Pro Max still offers the same 1,600 nits of typical brightness and 2,000 nits in the high-brightness mode. That's not to say the iPhone 16 Pro Max's display will seem dull in comparison, especially since most other manufacturers rely on jargon to state higher figures than what we would experience in real life. You get the point, though, and that is, the iPhone 16 Pro Max display gets bare minimum improvements over the last year. The 120Hz dynamic refresh rate switching, thanks to ProMotion and LTPO tech, remains the same, and so does the Dynamic Island up top. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: performance Despite minimal changes on the surface, there are substantial upgrades under the hood, primarily as Apple looks to deliver sufficient power for on-device AI applications. Apple's new A18 Pro chip on the iPhone 16 Pro Max succeeds the A17 Pro from last year. As part of Apple's second generation of 3nm iPhone chips, the A18 Pro is fabricated on TSMC's N3E process, resulting in better efficiency than the previous generation. For its CPU, the A18 Pro maintains a six-core design (two performance and four efficiency core) but the frequencies are expected to be bumped up. While Apple doesn't reveal the specific clock speeds, it claims a 15% performance boost over the A17 Pro. The CPU also has two dedicated sectors or Scalable Matrix Extension (SME) units for better performance in AI or machine learning tasks, while low-level tasks can run off it without engaging the dedicated neural engine. Next, the GPU on the A18 Pro also comes with the same six-core design as last year, but Apple claims the "desktop-class architecture" enables 20% better performance. The new chip also supports rendering of frames that's twice as fast with hardware accelerated ray tracing. The 16-core neural engine is capable of up to 35 tera operations per second (TOPS). While Apple says it's twice as fast as the "previous generation," it is referring to the A16 and not the A17 Pro -- suggesting there may not be a physical improvement. What could contribute to better AI performance is the new 17% faster memory on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Besides AI applications, the faster RAM could also result in an overall improvement in performance. While Apple Intelligence is a compelling reason to upgrade to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, know that the iPhone 15 Pro Max will also be capable of all the AI-related functionality, and Apple hasn't explicitly announced plans to limit anything to the iPhone 16 Pro. Additionally, there's an upgraded passive cooling solution inside the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Considering the iPhone 15 Pro Max ran too hot initially -- and the problem really hasn't gone away entirely -- we hope the more efficient architecture and cooling upgrades will bring some respite. We will be testing this aspect further during our review. In terms of connectivity, the iPhone 16 Pro Max gets a new Snapdragon X75 modem, and you should expect faster 5G speeds. It supports Wi-Fi 7, though support for the 6GHz band is still missing. The iPhone 16 Pro Max also gets satellite connectivity with support for emergency SOS, calling, messages, and Find My via satellite when a standard network isn't available. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: battery and charging Apple claims the iPhone 16 Pro brings a "huge leap" in battery life. It doesn't exactly reveal the size of the battery pack on the new phone, but the claimed figures for video playback and video streaming are up to 33 and 29 hours, respectively, from 29 and 25 hours on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which had a 4,441mAh battery. We can't say if the improved battery backup has to do with a more efficient chip or a bigger battery, but we will test this soon. One thing to note is that the iPhone 15 Pro Max has shown an unreliable pattern with its battery backup. On its best days, the phone lasts only up to two days; on its worst, more than half of the battery is depleted within a few hours of unplugging the charger. The charging speeds have yet to be tested as well. Apple doesn't make any claims about faster charging speeds, but has amped up the MagSafe speed to 25 watts on the iPhone 16 Pro Max from 15W previously. For non-Apple or non-Apple-certified accessories, the iPhone 16 Pro Max will still be limited to 15W charging with Qi2 chargers. That, unfortunately, also means you will have to buy a whole new set of chargers to get the fastest speeds. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: cameras The differences between the cameras on the iPhone 16 Pro Max and the 15 Pro Max are barely visible from the outside. But two of the three cameras have been upgraded. First, the 48MP primary sensor from last year has been swapped with a new "Fusion" camera sensor. Although it still has a 48MP resolution, Apple says the sensor now shoots faster photos. Next, the iPhone 16 Pro Max now comes with a 48MP ultrawide camera instead of the previous 12MP. Apple says the field of view is now wider, and you can also use this sensor to capture 48MP ProRAW shots. Meanwhile, the 5X periscopic telephoto and the 12MP selfie cameras remain unchanged from last year. The iPhone 16 Pro Max -- alongside other iPhone 16 models -- can capture spatial photos with a third dimension of depth to them, so they can be later viewed on the Apple Vision Pro. Previously, the iPhone 15 Pro models could only record spatial videos -- but not spatial photos. Apple doesn't say if you can view these photos on other virtual reality headsets, but we will find out soon. The new primary camera and the improved image signal processors on the A18 Pro can also allow 4K video recording at 120 frames per second (fps) with Dolby Vision, ProRes, and Log (the latter two require external storage). The video clips can also be slowed down to 24 fps for a cinematic slow-motion effect. Apple supplements 120 fps video with four microphones. In addition to capturing spatial audio, the mics also allow you to capture sounds or voices from different distances, and machine learning algorithms on the phone help eradicate any unwanted background sounds, which can be especially useful while in postproduction. Lastly, Apple has rebooted its Photographic Styles, which are sophisticated lux filters. The styles have been optimized to match colors to subjects and give you a two-axis slider to change the intensity of different dominant colors in the filters. You can apply the filters in preview before capturing the photo or tweak it at a later stage. It looks really cool based on the demo, and we can't wait to try it. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: software and updates The iPhone 16 Pro Max comes with iOS 18 preinstalled. The latest version of the OS, which we have experienced through Apple's demo at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) earlier this year and then by trying the beta versions ourselves, has plenty of promising new changes. These include, but are not limited to, customization options for app icons and elements in the Control Center, new Photos and Camera apps, and a bevy of intelligence features. Our dedicated iOS 18 article covers these changes in much more depth. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is eligible to get iOS 18 when it releases later this month, as well as all the Apple Intelligence features -- except those that depend on the Camera Control button. We wouldn't necessarily expect any difference in experience on both the devices. The only benefit with the iPhone 16 Pro Max would be an extra year of software support. But with Apple's excellent track record of pushing software updates out for over five years, with day one access to all devices at once, we wouldn't necessarily worry about the iPhone 15 Pro being left out. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: price and availability The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a starting price of $1,199 for the 256GB unlocked variant. It will be up for preorder starting September 13 and will be available starting September 20. With the introduction of the new model, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is no longer listed by Apple, though you may find it being offered by third-party sellers like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, or certain carriers. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: Should you upgrade? For years, Apple has progressively improved the Pro iPhone models bit by bit instead of changing them drastically. This doesn't immediately make the older iPhones redundant or give owners FOMO over the latest tech features. At the same time, the slow progressions also make the newer iPhones easier to upgrade to, even if you're doing it just a generation later. The iPhone 16 Pro Max, therefore, lacks any swooping changes. So the biggest question is, do you need to upgrade from the iPhone 15 Pro Max to the new iPhone 16 Pro Max? The short, simple, and obvious answer is "no." The iPhone 15 Pro Max is nearly as capable as the new model and will continue to serve you well for several years. However, there are plenty of reasons why you should upgrade. First is the new Camera Control button, which helps you master various aspects of photography and lets you take the reins of manual controls such as exposure, ISO, or shutter speed. This could trigger the return of horizontally shot images, something we have been losing with the advent of vertical feeds on social media. The video controls equip you with abilities that may help improve your filmmaking or inspire you to ditch your video cameras for a more handy iPhone 16 Pro Max. The new A18 Pro chip offers top-notch performance and should endure the evolving processing needs of on-device AI. The last bit that could make the iPhone 16 Pro Max an attractive upgrade over the iPhone 15 Pro Max are the hefty trade-in benefits and preorder offers from Apple, which could knock several hundred dollars off the price and make the new Pro Max far less expensive than its daunting $1,200 price tag.

Apple iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro pre-orders are open now: Where to find the best deals

The new lineup of Apple iPhone 16 smartphones is available for preorder starting today from AT&T, Verizon, Best Buy and more retailers. The new phones include the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The biggest upgrade to the new iPhones is the addition to Apple Intelligence, which is Apple's own artificial intelligence functionality that's being integrated into iOS 18, the Siri digital assistant and many of the apps that come preinstalled with iOS 18 this fall. The new iPhone 16 lineup starts shipping on September 20, but the free iOS 18 operating system upgrade will be available for all compatible iPhone models. Pro tip: In addition, Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 10 smartwatch, new Apple AirPods 4 earbuds, and updates to the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Max headphones. You can pre-order those devices, as well. All of Apple's newest iPhone 16s have several things in common. They all run the iOS 18 operating system and have Apple Intelligence integration. This means you'll see some dramatic improvements in Siri and many of each phone's other capabilities, especially when it comes to taking pictures, shooting video and editing your content. All of the new iPhone models offer Wi-Fi 7 connectivity support. On the side of each phone, you'll find the new Camera Control button. This gives you quick and more advanced control over the Camera app when taking photos or shooting video. Display size: 6.1 inches | Display type: Super Retina XDR | Display resolution: 2,556 x 1,179 pixels (460 ppi) | Max. display brightness: 2,000 nits | Processor: Apple A18 | Storage options: 128GB, 256GB, 1TB | Housing material: Aluminum | Dimensions: 5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches | Weight: 6 ounces | Front camera: 12MP (TrueDepth) | Rear camera system: 48MP (Fusion), 12MP (ultra-wide) | Operating system: iOS 18 (or later) | Safety features: Emergency SOS via satellite, Crash detection, Roadside Assistance via satellite | Port: 1x USB Type-C | Waterproof rating: IP68 | Physical buttons: Camera Control button, volume up, volume down, Side button | Battery life: Up to 27 hours (with wireless fast charging support) | Casing color options: Ultramarine, teal, pink, white, black The iPhone 16 offers most of the new features and functions added to the higher-end iPhone models, but packs it all into a mobile device with a 6.1-inch touchscreen display. The phone itself is just 0.31 inches thick and weighs a mere six ounces. This phone has two rear-facing cameras (instead of three on the higher-end models), so if you're looking for high-end photography and videography capabilities, choose one of the iPhone 16 Pro models. The iPhone 16 is a well-rounded and nicely priced general-purpose iPhone. It comes in five beautiful casing colors, along with the ability to fully customize the appearance of the Lock and Home screens. Beyond the new features and functions offered by iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence, the iPhone 16 provides easy access to the millions of optional apps available from the App Store, so you can add all sorts of advanced functionality to the phone. This new phone operates up to 30% faster than last year's model and offers a longer battery life, too. With its new quick charge capabilities, you can go from 0% to 50% charge in around 30 minutes. You'll find a wide range of deals on the iPhone 16 available now. AT&T and Verizon are offering the phone for free, with an eligible trade-in and when you activate the phone with a qualifying service plan. Display size: 6.7 inches | Display type: Super Retina XDR | Display resolution: 2,796 x 1,290 pixels (460 ppi) | Max. display brightness: 2,000 nits | Processor: Apple A18 | Storage options: 128GB, 256GB, 1TB | Housing material: Aluminum | Dimensions: 6.33 x 3.06 x 0.31 inches | Weight: 7.03 ounces | Front camera: 12MP (TrueDepth) | Rear camera system: 48MP (Fusion), 12MP (ultra-wide) | Operating system: iOS 18 (or later) | Safety features: Emergency SOS via satellite, Crash detection, Roadside Assistance via satellite | Port: 1x USB Type-C | Waterproof rating: IP68 | Physical buttons: Camera Control button, volume up, volume down, Side button | Battery life: Up to 27 hours (with wireless fast charging support) | Casing color options: Ultramarine, teal, pink, white, black The iPhone 16 Plus is a souped-up version of the iPhone 16 with a slightly larger touchscreen display (6.7 inches versus 6.1 inches). Otherwise, these two phones offer the same core capabilities and camera setup. Compared to the iPhone 15 Plus, you get a larger and more responsive display, faster overall performance, and the new Apple Intelligence capabilities packed into a smartphone that's a mere 0.31 inches thick and that weighs in at 7.03 ounces. The iPhone 16 Plus is a mid-priced iPhone. If you're a moderate to heavy iPhone user and often use the phone to take pictures or record and share video content, our in-house smartphone experts recommend spending a bit more to get the iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max. You'll wind up with a better camera system and enhanced overall performance -- especially when it comes to using the latest AI tools and features, like the ability to record audio and have it transcribed and summarized. Many preorder deals are being offered in conjunction with the iPhone 16 Plus. AT&T is offering up to $830 off with an eligible trade-in and when you activate the phone with a qualifying service plan. You can also finance the phone for as little as $25.84 per month for 36 months. For even more processing power, a larger display and better overall performance, it's the Apple iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max you want in your hands. They're made with a titanium casing and provide some of the most advanced capabilities Apple has unleashed in any iPhone. However, several much-anticipated new features won't be launched until later this year or early next year. Beyond the advanced AI functions being integrated into the new iPhones this fall, one notable feature of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max is its ability to shoot 4K resolution video at up to 120fps using Dolby Vision. You also get advanced capabilities when capturing audio in conjunction with your video content. These phones are great for everyday users, as well as for content creators, students and business people alike. Display size: 6.3 inches | Display type: Super Retina XDR | Display resolution: 2,622 x 1,206 pixels (460 ppi) | Max. display brightness: 2,000 nits | Processor: Apple A18 Pro | Storage options: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Housing material: Titanium | Dimensions: 5.89 x 2.81 x 0.32 inches | Weight: 7.03 ounces | Front camera: 12MP (TrueDepth) | Rear camera system: 48MP (Fusion), 48MP (ultra-wide), 12MP (telephoto) | Operating system: iOS 18 (or later) | Safety features: Emergency SOS via satellite, Crash detection, Roadside Assistance via satellite | Port: 1x USB Type-C | Waterproof rating: IP68 | Physical buttons: Camera Control button, volume up, volume down, Side button | Battery life: Up to 33 hours (with wireless fast charging support) | Casing color options: Desert titanium, natural titanium, white titanium, black titanium The iPhone 16 Pro uses Apple's new A18 Pro silicon series chip which offers a 16-core Neural Engine to accommodate the new artificial intelligence functions. This is in conjunction with a 6-core CPU and 6-core GPU, which work together to offer 15% to 20% faster performance compared to the iPhone 15 Pro. This new processor also doubles the phone's ray tracing capabilities compared to last year's model, so gaming has been taken up a notch with more fluid graphics and more realistic lighting, not to mention improved responsiveness. The iPhone 16 Pro offers a longer-lasting battery and faster wireless recharging, plus hundreds of new features and existing feature updates that have been incorporated into iOS 18 and that work particularly well with the A18 Pro processor. This includes both text messaging via satellite and roadside assistance via satellite that'll work in areas where there's no cellular service. Other new features include the ability for the phone to use eye tracking as yet another way to interact with certain apps. One compelling reason to choose either the iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max is for the enhanced camera system, which includes three rear-facing cameras with up to 5x zoom and extreme macro photography capabilities, new photographic styles, enhanced sound when shooting video and the ability to capture 4K resolution video at up to 120 fps. Right now, when you preorder the phone from AT&T, you could wind up getting this phone for free with an eligible trade in and when you activate the phone with a qualifying service plan. At Verizon, you can finance the phone for as little as $10 per month for 36 months with an eligible trade in and when you activate the phone with an Unlimited Ultimate service plan. Display size: 6.9-inches | Display type: Super Retina XDR | Display resolution: 2,868 x 1,320 pixels (460 ppi) | Max. display brightness: 2,000 nits | Processor: Apple A18 Pro | Storage options: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Housing material: Titanium | Dimensions: 6.42 x 3.06 x 0.32 inches | Weight: 7.99 ounces | Front camera: 12MP (TrueDepth) | Rear camera system: 48MP (Fusion), 48MP (ultra-wide), 12MP (telephoto) | Operating system: iOS 18 (or later) | Safety features: Emergency SOS via satellite, Crash detection, Roadside Assistance via satellite | Port: 1x USB Type-C | Waterproof rating: IP68 | Physical buttons: Camera Control button, volume up, volume down, Side button | Battery life: Up to 33 hours (with wireless fast charging support) | Casing color options: Desert titanium, natural titanium, white titanium, black titanium If you want the absolutely fastest and most powerful iPhone -- the one with the largest and most responsive touchscreen display and the longest battery life -- it's the iPhone 16 Pro Max you should choose. It runs using the A18 Pro processor and easily handles all of the new Apple Intelligence features. You also get the most robust rear camera setup ever incorporated into an iPhone, including a 48MP Fusion camera and 28MP ultra-wide camera. But it's not just the camera hardware that sets this phone apart. You now get a pro-level still image or video camera at your fingertips, yet it's surprisingly easy to use thanks to the AI enhancements. This is the phone we recommend to power iPhone users and people who want to get the most out of what an iPhone has to offer -- especially when it comes to picture taking and videography, as well as utilizing the new AI features. If you preorder the phone from AT&T or Verizon, you can get up to $1,000 off with an eligible trade-in and when you activate the phone with a qualifying service plan. Financing through Verizon is available for as little as $5.55 per month for 36 months if you're a new customer, with an eligible trade-in and activation with an Unlimited Ultimate plan. If you're already an iPhone user and looking for the latest and greatest that Apple has to offer, you'll want to get your hands on one of the new iPhone 16 models. Which model will depend on the screen size you want. Plus, if you've been thinking about switching from an Android smartphone to an iPhone, now's the ideal time. If you're looking for a smartphone with a folding display -- like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 -- you'll need to stick with an Android mobile device, at least for now. Upgrading to an Apple iPhone 16 is a personal decision, based on your budget and the intensity of your desire to have the best iPhone model available (compared to an older model that runs the same version of the iOS 18 operating system and the same collection of preinstalled apps). As always, you can expect faster performance, a better display and a longer battery life from Apple's very latest iPhones. You can preorder and purchase one of the new iPhone 16 models outright, or take advantage of trade-in and financing deals now available from AT&T, Verizon and Best Buy. These deals could save you money, or at least allow you to spread out payment of the new phone over an extended period. Our smartphone experts recommend that average users choose the middle option, so for the iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Plus, choose 256GB. For the iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max, we suggest either 256GB or 512GB. Power users will likely want more storage. Lighter users can likely get away with less storage, especially if you use iCloud for cloud storage of data, documents, files and photos. Now that the iPhone 16 smartphones have been announced, last year's models -- the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max -- are already being discounted. At AT&T, you can currently finance the iPhone 15 Pro Max for as little as $5.56 per month for 36 months (with eligible trade-in). There's also a deal that gets you $1,000 off this phone. The iPhone 15 Plus can be financed for as little as $6.39 per month for 36 months (with eligible trade-in), while you can get the iPhone 15 for as little as $3.62 per month for 36 months (with eligible trade-in). The iPhone 15 Pro is currently being offered for free with an eligible trade-in. Of course, restrictions apply on all of these deals. Read our in-depth review of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which can now be upgraded with the latest version of iOS 18 for free. You can also find discounted "renewed" and "renewed premium" iPhone 15 models for sale on Amazon. While iOS 18 works in all iPhone models released in the past five years or so, to get the best performance from this latest version of the operating system, you'll want the faster and more powerful performance of an Apple iPhone 16 smartphone. iOS 18 offers enhancements to the operating system itself, as well as impressive improvements to virtually all of the apps that come preinstalled with the operating system. This includes new ways to customize your phone, fun new ways to stay connected with friends and family, and enhanced tools for capturing and sharing memories. And for the first time, you can experience Apple Intelligence (AI) on your phone starting this fall. Apple Intelligence can help you compose text from scratch, edit content you've already written, translate information between languages, help you create images from scratch based on text prompts, and so much more. It's Apple's answer to Google Gemini (now on Android phones), Galaxy AI (now on Samsung Galaxy phones), and CoPilot (now on the latest Windows laptops). Keep in mind, many of the new features Apple has promised are coming later this year or next year through iOS updates and will not be available when the iPhone 16 phones are initially released on September 20. You'll discover enhancements, redesigns and new features added to each of the apps that come preinstalled with iOS 18, plus improvements in overall performance, whether you're using this operating system on an older iPhone model or one of the new iPhone 16 models.

5 best iPhone 16 Pro features that will make enthusiasts jump for joy

Apple just announced its iPhone 16 series, and there are some pretty big updates for both software and hardware. Here are the features that pro users will care about. Apple announced four new iPhones (among other things) at the "It's Glowtime" event on September 9th. Designed from the "ground up" for Apple's AI, we have the base model to the most souped-up: the iPhone 16, the iPhone 16 Plus, the iPhone 16 Pro, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max. There's a deluge of new features on both the hardware and the software side, so we don't blame you if you're struggling to break it all down. Also: Apple just gave me a compelling reason to buy the smaller iPhone 16 Pro over the Max this year But which features will actually have the most impact on iPhone enthusiasts? What are the truly novel features of the 16 Pro? Let's cut through the noise and look at what we've got. When Apple first released the iPhone 15 series, it only gave the 5x tetraprism zoom lens to the Max Pro. This time around, both the 16 Pro and the 16 Pro Max are getting the high-end zoom capability. This choice means the camera is essentially the same on the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, leaving other features to differentiate the two models. One of the new features getting a lot of attention is the camera control button coming to the entire lineup of iPhone 16 models. Designed to operate similarly to the shutter button on a DSLR, it's a physical button on the bottom right side of the phone with touch-capacitive capabilities that responds to swipes and soft presses. For example, a light press on the button focuses on the subject, and a harder press snaps the photo. Additionally, swiping on the button switches between photo and video modes or zoom in and out. Clicking and holding will take a video. Also: Why Apple's new A18 chipsets make the iPhone 16 models worth upgrading to The camera control button is available on all iPhone 16 models, but it's when paired with the advanced camera and the A18 Pro processor on the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max that Apple aims to provide a more seamless user experience that sets the Pro and Pro Max apart. The upcoming Visual Intelligence feature, for example, paired with the A18 Pro processor, will be faster and more efficient. Not everyone is a fan of the new camera button, however, as this shift from software to hardware will likely come with usability growing pains and mistakenly-accessed features. No offense to one of the OG voice assistants, but Siri has needed a makeover for a while now. When Apple's virtual assistant was first released in 2010, it set the stage for the ecosystem of virtual assistant technology. But fast-forward almost 15 years later and the market is full of competing AI models with capabilities that, let's be honest, blow Siri out of the water. Well, the time has finally come. Apple unveiled a ton of new functionality for Siri, and it's powered by Apple Intelligence. The new Siri includes conversational context so it can take cues from what you just told it, as well as the ability to finally actually make multi-step actions on your behalf like adding photos to specific albums and sharing them. Also: Every iPhone 16 model compared: Which iPhone should you buy today? Beyond Siri, we have Visual Intelligence, which allows multi-modal AI via the camera, similar to what we've seen across other AI models this year. Apple Intelligence will start with a live beta in October in the US, with additional countries in December, and additional languages next year. After much anticipation, Apple's own first-party generative AI (gen AI), Apple Intelligence, is coming to the iPhone 16 series and is powered by the new A18 Pro chip. With 17% more memory bandwidth, the A18 Pro chip is up to 15% faster than the A17 Pro and uses 20% less power in the process. Additionally, the advanced display engine on the A18 Pro powers unique features like ProMotion and the always-on display. The 3mm technology has smaller, more efficient transistors, and constitutes a big step forward in hardware that's geared to handle generative AI. The base iPhone 16 comes with 8GB of RAM and the Pro with 12GB of RAM. Also: 6 reasons why iOS 18 makes the iPhone 16 a must-upgrade for me Even with AI's demanding memory requirements, having this much memory on the iPhone is a bonus for overall performance, particularly multitasking and starting up apps. The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are the largest iPhones ever, with 6.3 and 6.9-inch displays, respectively. Not only that, but the microscopic bezels make them look even bigger. However, this is one feature that is sure to elicit a mixed response from consumers. The iPhone has hovered around the same size for quite a few generations now, and this bump-up in size could indicate a change in the direction they're going in.

A higher standard -- iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15 compared

Apple's latest edition of the iPhone 16 has the A18 upgrade for Apple Intelligence, as well as Camera Control. Here's what else is different compared to the iPhone 15. Apple's September 9 special event saw the roll out of the latest generation of iPhone models. The iPhone 16 range includes, as usual, a few Pro editions alongside the standard-tier releases. For 2024, the focus of the iPhone 16 is on Apple Intelligence, and the chip upgrade to facilitate the features. The physical controls also got some much-needed attention too. What follows is a break down of the specifications of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15, as well as their Plus counterparts. The iPhone 15 saw a small amount of growth in 2023, with a footprint of 5.81 inches by 2.82 inches. The Plus model was comparably similar to its predecessor at 6.33 inches by 3.06 inches. When it comes to the iPhone 16, there's no actual change in physical dimensions at all. Both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus match their iPhone 15 counterparts in terms of footprint. When it comes to thickness, all of the models are 0.31 inches thin. On the weight side, the iPhone 15 generation were 6.02 ounces and 7.09 ounces respective of size. The iPhone 16 series had a tiny diet, with the Plus slimming to 7.03 ounces and the iPhone 16 itself to 6 ounces dead. The construction of the iPhone 15 is based on the usual glass sandwich with a metal frame filling. This includes Ceramic Shield protection on the front glass and aerospace-grade aluminum in the middle. There's no change to the basic construction of the iPhone 16 models at all, with them using a pretty similar aluminum and glass sandwich approach. Even so, there are still differences. For a start, the camera bump on the back is no longer a square on the iPhone 16. Instead of diagonally-separated cameras, they're now in a vertical alignment. The buttons on the side are also updated for the iPhone 16. The new models follow the iPhone 15 Pro in eliminating the mute toggle switch in favor of the Action Button. This can be used to mute the ringer, but it can also be configured to perform various other functions. An addition to the iPhone 16 and Plus is the Camera Control, a side button that is placed so you can use the iPhone like a conventional point-and-shoot camera. It's also a capacitive button, so you can control various settings by sliding your finger along it. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus enjoyed small upgrades from the iPhone 14's display, and measure 6.1 inches and 6.7 inches respectively. At 2,556 by 1,179 pixels for the iPhone 15 and 2,796 by 1,290 for the Plus, the two have pixel densities of 460 pixels per inch. For the iPhone 16, Apple didn't change these specifications at all. The screens are the same size and resolution. The similarities continue further down the spec list, with the OLED Super Retina XDR displays for both generations having a contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1. Brightness is similarly static at 1,000 nits at maximum for typical SDR content, 1,600 nits at peak for HDR, and 2,000 nits peak for outdoor usage. At the top of the screen, the iPhone 15 was the first non-Pro models to switch out the notch in favor of the Dynamic Island. This allowed the punch hole space in the screen hiding the camera to be hidden by useful UI elemenets. The iPhone 16 retains this highly useful bit of software camouflage of a physical element. Apple also included True Tone, Wide color (P3), Haptic Touch, and a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating on all of the models. To end users, they can expect the same sort of display in the iPhone 16 that Apple included in the iPhone 15. On the back of the iPhone 15 are a pair of cameras, in a square camera bump. Apple switched this up with a vertical arrangement in the iPhone 15, reducing the bump's overall size. The iPhone 15 starts off with a 48MP Main camera with an f/1.6 aperture, sensor-shift optical image stabilization, and 100% Focus Pixels. The massive Main sensor is also big enough to pull off a party trick of becoming a virtual 2x Telephoto lens. This is simply pulled off by heavily cropping into the 48MP sensor's image. The other camera on the iPhone 15 is real, though. A 12MP Ultra Wide camera with an f/2.4 aperture and a 120-degree field of view. Overall, you have a 2x optical zoom in and a 2x optical zoom out, giving the iPhone 15 a 4x optical zoom range. The digital zoom maxes out at 10x. For the iPhone 16, Apple practically uses the same camera specifications, with relatively few changes. The least significant is probably Apple's decision to change the name of the Main camera to the Fusion camera. This time around, the iPhone 16's gaining a Macro mode from the iPhone 15 Pro models. The Fusion camera also has a new anti-reflective lens coating, which should minimize light artifacts. The new camera arrangement on the back also affords the iPhone 16 the ability to take Spatial Photos, which can create 3D images viewable on an Apple Vision Pro. In terms of features, the rear cameras include a True Tone flash, Sapphire crystal lenses, and computational photography benefits from the Photonic Engine and Deep Fusion. There's also Portrait mode with Portrait Lighting, Night Mode, 63MP panoramas, Photographic Styles, red-eye correction, and others. The iPhone 16 does upgrade the Photographic Styles with a new approach, including local adjustments of color, highlights, and shadows in real time. There's also more of an understanding of skin tones, and a wider selection of styles too. The front camera of the iPhone 15 is the dependable TrueDepth camera array. Centered around a 12MP sensor, it has an f/1.9 aperture with Focus Pixels, and the same still image benefits as the rear cameras, except for panoramas. The front camera also benefits from 3D depth mapping. This is typically used for Face ID, but it can also be employed for AR filters in some apps, among other tasks. The iPhone 16 doesn't mess around with this arrangement at all. It would've been nice to see an upgraded resolution here, but not even the Pro models had that change. For video, the rear cameras on the iPhone 15 can go up to 4K at 60fps with Dolby Vision HDR, 4K 30fps using cinematic video stabilization, a 2.8K 60fps Action mode, and 1080p 240fps Slo-mo. There's also continuous autofocus, stereo recording, audio zoom, Night Mode Time-lapse, and Time-lapse with stabilization. You can also take 8MP stills while recording video. The front camera can also do 4K Dolby Vision video at 60fps, including Cinematic mode at 4K 30fps, and 120fps 1080p Slo-mo. The iPhone 16 starts off with these video features, but builds on top of them in a few ways. Firstly, there are Macro video modes including slo-mo and time-lapse features. Just like Spatial Photos, you can also record Spatial Video at 1080p 30fps, again viewable on an Apple Vision Pro. There's also Spatial Audio to go with the stereo audio recording, along with a wind noise reduction. Audio Mix is also built-in, so users can easily add in their own music choices and mix that into a recording without necessarily cutting out the subject's voice. For the iPhone 15, Apple changed how it upgraded its chips so that the non-Pro would effectively get the previous year's Pro chip. After a marginally tweaked A16 in the iPhone 14, the iPhone 15 effectively used the iPhone 14 Pro's A16 instead. That gave it a six-core CPU with two performance cores and four efficiency cores, a five-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. Made using a second-gen three-nanometer process and skipping the A17 name altogether, the A18 has a similar 6-core CPU setup, but one that Apple claims is 30% faster than the A16 Bionic. It's also more power efficient, with it capable of using 30% less power under the same load as its predecessor. The five-core GPU is also improved running up to 40% faster and 35% more power efficient than the A16. It also has hardware-accelerated ray tracing too, which is five times faster than software-based versions. One thing that the newer iPhone 16 chip has as an advantage is support for Apple Intelligence, the big push in iOS 18 to introduce generative AI and more smart functions. In the iPhone 15, the A16 only has a Neural Engine capable of 17 trillion operations per second, while the Pro models did support Apple Intelligence with practically double the operations per second. The iPhone 16's 16-core Neural Engine is upgraded and, as Apple says, "runs ML models up to 2x faster than the A16 Bionic." With it capable of up to 35 trillion operations per second, that matches the capabilities needed to power Apple Intelligence to the same level as the iPhone 15 Pro series. The iPhone 15 has support for 5G in both sub-6GHz and mmWave formats, with Gigabit LTE with 4x4 MIMO and carrier aggregation as a backup. This is mirrored in the iPhone 16 lineup. Apple also included Emergency SOS via Satellite in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16, so people stuck in black spots could still get emergency assistance. There's also Roadside Assistance via Satellite, which does the same thing but for vehicles. On a more local level, the iPhone 15 has Wi-Fi 6 support, as well as Bluetooth 5.3. Ultra Wideband is included, with the iPhone 15 introducing features such as tracking other iPhone 15 handsets using a similar method to how you could track down an AirTag in a room. This is very similar in the iPhone 16, but Apple instead makes the upgrade to Wi-Fi 7. This is useful if you have the networking infrastructure to take advantage of it. The iPhone 15 saw Apple finally dispense with Lightning in favor of USB-C. While this allowed users to use the same charging cables as most other modern hardware, Apple kept the speed to Lightning's USB 2.0 settings, so you got 480Mbps data transfers instead of 10Gbps as seen on the Pro. Sadly, while the iPhone 16 does use USB-C, Apple has also retained the USB 2.0 speeds. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 also include GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou navigational support, along with a digital compass, iBeacon support, and NFC. That last one is mainly used for Apple Pay transactions. At launch, the iPhone 15 was declared to have a battery capacity that could last for up to 20 hours of local video playback, 16 if streamed, and up to 80 hours of audio. The Plus model managed up to 26 hours for local video, 20 hours streamed, and up to 100 hours of audio playback. For 2024, the iPhone 16 enjoys a bit of a boost to its timings. The iPhone 15 can do up to 22 hours of local playback, 18 hours streaming, while the Plus can do 27 hours and 24 hours respectively. Audio playback hasn't improved, though, as the new models can still manage up to 80 hours and up to 100 hours, depending on the size. For recharging, you can take advantage of Fast Charging with USB-C. A 50% charge is possible on the iPhone 15 and Plus within about 30 minutes using a 20W or greater charger. Apple offers a similar fast charging claim with the iPhone 16 generation, though it seems in reports that it can take up to 45W at a time. Wireless charging is fairly standard by now, consisting of 15W MagSafe, 15W Qi2, and 7.5W Qi on the iPhone 15. For the iPhone 16, MagSafe is upgraded to 25W. Biometric security is handled by Face ID in the iPhone 15, using the front TrueDepth camera array. There's no change here for the iPhone 16. The iPhone 15 and Plus have an IP68 splash, water, and dust resistance rating. It can effectively withstand submergence at a depth of up to 6 meters (19.7 feet) for up to half an hour. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus have the same IP68 rating. Apple launched the iPhone 15 in three capacities, with the 128GB at $799, 256GB for $899, and 512GB for $1,099. Plus models raised the priced by $100 to $899, $999, and $1,199 respectively. These prices are mirrored for the iPhone 16, so you'll pay the same prices for each capacity and size as the iPhone 15 generation. The iPhone 15 range launched with five colors: Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, and Pink. The iPhone 16 can be acquired in Black, White, Pink, Teal, and Ultramarine. Normally, when it comes to inter-year updates, it's hard to justify telling users of one-year-old iPhones that they should consider moving up to the new model. In most cases, the changes are welcome enough, but unless you had a good enough reason, it wasn't a plausible thing to do. For 2024, if we're looking at the hardware alone, there's not a massive leap forward here. The rear camera situation has slightly changed, and Camera Control is certainly a good addition, but beyond a performance improvement, there's nothing that really stands out as a must-have. At least, that's the case until you consider software. Since the iPhone 16 uses the A18, it can run the Apple Intelligence features which the iPhone 15 will miss out on completely. The promise of a smarter smartphone is a strong one, especially with the eventual addition of ChatGPT to Siri. The generative AI imaging features are also handy, as are the writing tools, but Siri's upgrade will be the main draw. Again, as usual, owners of the iPhone 14 and earlier models will find the iPhone 16 a great upgrade. But this time, Apple Intelligence may be enough to justify getting a new phone for users of the iPhone 15. Wireless carriers are incentivizing the new iPhone 16, along with remaining inventory of the last-gen iPhone 15. AT&T is offering deals to the tune of up to $1,000 off iPhones with an eligible trade.

iPhone 16 Pro vs. 15 Pro vs. 14 Pro vs. 13 Pro: Should You Upgrade This Year?

A new iPhone Pro series often includes a number of additional perks to justify a premium price over the entry-level iPhone. These perks usually include a third telephoto camera -- which has remained exclusive to the Pro series -- and other newer features that debut on a Pro model and roll out to the standard iPhone a year later. For instance, the Action button debuted on last year's iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, but now it's also available on the iPhone 16. But while Apple keeps its base level iPhone on sale typically for two years after its initial launch, the Pro model usually gets discontinued after one year. That doesn't mean you can't find last year's iPhone 15 Pro -- it's likely still in stock at physical stories while supplies last or available as a refurbished model -- but the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will otherwise displace last year's 15 Pro and Pro Max. The iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max each offer a slightly new design over last year's Pro phones that could make a noticeable difference in how you use the phone. Both of this year's Pro devices are shipping with larger screens, with the smaller Pro getting a larger 6.3-inch display (up from 6.1 inches on the 15 Pro) and the Pro Max getting even bigger with a 6.9-inch display (up from last year's 6.7-inch display). The 16 Pro now has an identical camera to its corresponding Pro Max model, whereas typically the Pro Max would get a smaller enhancement. This includes a 5x optical zoom, which wasn't available on last year's 15 Pro but was on the Pro Max. All of the iPhone 16 devices, including the base and Plus models, get a new Camera Control button that provides quick access to photo and video modes. The iPhone 16 Pro will gain access to various AI features from Apple Intelligence, including a Visual Intelligence feature, which uses the camera and AI to identify objects and places around you. While the iPhone 15 Pro will also gain access to these features, the iPhone 14 Pro and earlier Pro models will not. These features will also include note summarization, an enhanced Siri assistant and Genmoji -- a method of generating new emoji using a prompt. Apart from AI-enabled hardware, iPhone 16 Pro also shares features with the iPhone 15 Pro that aren't available on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro. Those premium iPhones have a titanium finish introduced last year, which helps make the phones lighter than most earlier models despite their larger screen size. Both the 15 Pro and 16 Pro have USB-C ports instead of Lightning connectors, and both can record spatial video, which is a type of 3D video that you can watch on the Apple Vision Pro headset. An always-on display, Dynamic Island camera cutout and satellite connectivity for Emergency SOS are features available across all of these Pro models apart from the iPhone 13 Pro. We've outlined in the below specs chart all of the other differences between each of these iPhone Pro models, so you can see how the phone has evolved over the years. In recent years, upgrading year over year typically offers small differences, but jumping from an iPhone 13 Pro or earlier to the iPhone 16 Pro would be an impactful change.

How to Pre-order iPhone 16 Series and Get Best Deals

The iPhone 16 pre-orders will begin on Friday, September 13 at 5 am PT on Apple's website as well as all major retailers and carriers. The new iPhone 16 series arrives with much-capable A18 processors, specifically designed to work with Apple Intelligence. Now that the pre-order day is here, you can expect the shiny new AI iPhone in your hand super soon. In addition to Apple stores and the Apple website, several retailers and carriers are offering special deals on the new iPhone 16 so you can own the latest beauty and still save a lot of money. Read on to learn how to pre-order the iPhone 16 series and steal the best iPhone 16 deal. You can pre-order the iPhone 16 series from the Apple Store starting Friday, September 13 at 5 am PT, and expect it to be available by September 20. The iPhone 16 starts at $799, 16 Plus at $899, 16 Pro at $999, and 16 Pro Max at $1199. If you wish to be the first one in the virtual line for the iPhone 16, you must place your pre-order as early as possible. This becomes even more important if you're eyeing some specific iPhone 16 colors like the iPhone 16's Ultramarine or the iPhone 16 Pro's Dessert Titanium. Here's how to pre-order the iPhone 16 from Apple: Apple is offering up to a $650 credit when you trade in an eligible smartphone. However, you can find carrier deals on iPhone 16 pre-orders that are better than what Apple is offering. With a trade-in, AT&T customers can save up to $800 on the iPhone 16 models. Verizon customers can get up to $930 when they opt for trade-in. Boost Mobile and existing T-Mobile customers can save up to $1,000 with no trade-in required. AT&T will start taking iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 pre-orders from September 13. New and existing AT&T customers can get up to $1000 off on iPhone 16 Pro & 16 Pro Max, and up to $830 on iPhone 16 & 16 Plus, with the trade-in option. This means you can actually grab an iPhone 16 for free if you've got an eligible device. It's worth knowing that your old device must have a minimum trade-in value of $180 for $1000 off on the higher-end iPhone 16 Pro models. To qualify for the $830 off on the vanilla iPhone 16 models, your trade-in device should have a minimum value between $130 to $179. Also, you have to sign up for one of AT&T's qualifying unlimited plans to seize this deal. Verizon is offering a number of iPhone 16 pre-order deals. New and existing Verizon members can get an iPhone 16 Pro for free, or secure up to $1000 off any other model in the iPhone 16 lineup. This iPhone 16 Pro deal is valid when you trade in any smartphone in any condition. Users opting for the Unlimited Plus will get up to $830 off. If you go for the Unlimited Welcome plan, you'll save up to $415 on all iPhone 16 models. Verizon is also encouraging users to bring their own devices and add a new smartphone line. You'll get a $360 promotional credit if you opt for the Unlimited Plus plan or $540 for the Unlimited Ultimate. This offer cannot be combined with any other deal and the promo credit will be applied over 36 months. T-Mobile is offering some exciting iPhone 16 pre-order deals. Existing and new customers can get the iPhone 16 for free (up to $1000) when they trade in an eligible device on a Go5G Next plan. If you have another Go5G, you can still get up to $830 off on an iPhone 16 model, if you trade in an old smartphone and add a new line. The complete iPhone 16 lineup will be up for pre-orders on T-Mobile starting September 13. When buy an iPhone 16 from Boost Mobile on a $25 per month unlimited plan, you'll get one entire year free of Boost Unlimited 5G mobile service. Otherwise, you can opt for $1,000 off on the new device, without the usual trade-in rebate. If you purchase a Boost mobile service through Apple Stores or the official Apple website and trade in an eligible iPhone, you can get additional credits between $180 and $650. Best Buy is also offering iPhone 16 pre-order deals when you go for AT&T or Verizon plans. You can get an iPhone 16 and iPhone Plus for $23.05/mo and $25.83/mo from Best Buy. Also, you can get up to $750 off when you trade in your iPhone 16 Pro Max. Walmart also offers some tempting deals when you pre-order an iPhone 16 model. You can save up to $930 on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. Also, you can find some huge deals on the Pro models. So, make sure to check them out. Some network carriers are giving up to $1,000 off when you trade in an eligible device, which could essentially net you an iPhone 16 Pro for free. It's worth knowing that most iPhone 16 carrier deals require you to become a customer and then opt for one of the priciest plans. If you don't wish to lock into a specific carrier, Apple will give you a $650 credit when you trade in an eligible smartphone. It's worth knowing that select retailers with trade-in programs will offer you gift cards for future purchases, so you don't have to be locked into a contract. That said, those offers might not be as tempting as the carrier deals. Let's understand the iPhone trade-in offers with some examples. You can save up to $650 when you trade in an eligible phone and buy an iPhone 16 model from Apple. For instance, an older iPhone 11 can help you save $120, whereas last year's iPhone 15 Pro Max can give you a $650 credit. Also, you can save up to $100 when trading in your old OnePlus 11 for an iPhone 16, or up to $175 when you give away the Google Pixel 7 Pro for the new iPhone 16 Plus. If you're switching from the Galaxy S22 Ultra to an iPhone 16 Pro Max, you can save up to $390. That's how you can pre-order the iPhone 16 series and get the best deals. Are you planning to buy an iPhone 16? What do you think about these iPhone 16 and 16 Pro pre-order deals? Tell us in the comments below.

Pre-order iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro : Where to Buy, Which Price?

Apple unveiled the long-awaited iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro. Pre-orders begin today, 9/13. The highly anticipated iPhone 16 lineup is set to launch, with preorders beginning today, Friday, September 13th at 5 AM Pacific Time (8 AM Eastern Time). Apple enthusiasts are gearing up to buy their preferred iPhone 16 models as quickly as possible. The official release date for the new iPhones is September 20th, but those who want to make sure they receive their devices on launch day should act fast when preorders open. Historically, popular iPhone models and configurations have seen shipping estimates slip rapidly, sometimes within minutes of preorders going live. In previous years, delivery dates for certain variants pushed back by several weeks shortly after preorders began. To avoid potential delays, customers are advised to have their selections and payment information ready in advance of the pre-order window opening. You can buy the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus in five color options: black, white, pink, teal, and ultramarine. The Pro models come in four titanium finishes: black, white, natural, and a new desert titanium. Pricing of these new iPhones starts at $799 for the base iPhone 16, $899 for the iPhone 16 Plus, $999 for the iPhone 16 Pro, and $1,199 for the iPhone 16 Pro Max. You can grab a deal with a mobile carrier on Best Buy to reduce the cost. Customers can prepare for preorders by visiting Best Buy's website (or via Amazon, the Apple Store...) to buy their desired model, color, storage capacity, and any trade-in options. Having all details finalized ahead of time will streamline the checkout process when the preorder floodgates open. With the September 20th release date approaching rapidly, those hoping to be among the first to experience Apple's latest innovations should be poised to place their orders as soon as the opportunity arises. Made from aerospace-grade aluminum and 80% recycled materials, the new iPhone 16 is durable and slick as ever. It's water and dust resistant, with 2x tougher glass than any other smartphone on the market. It is available in ultramarine, teal, and pink, along with the traditional white and black. Size-wise, the iPhone 16 comes in at 6.1 inches, and the iPhone 16 Plus at 6.7 inches. The iPhone 16 Plus has the largest iPhone display ever that you can buy. Apple revealed that this next generation of iPhone is the first build with generative AI in mind from the ground up. The iPhone 16 is built with the new A18 chip created specifically for it. A 16-core neural engine makes the iPhone capable of handling large generative models. It has 17% more memory bandwidth and is 30% faster than the iPhone 15 (60% faster than the iPhone 12). Faster than competition, too, challenging even desktop PC, or so Apple claims. And that's just the non-Pro version. Apple Intelligence can create images, language, and take action on your behalf. Writing Tools will be available right from anywhere you type to rephrase Slack messages to your boss or invites to a party sent over iMessage. You can create unique emojis or original images on the fly, which I guess is just a thing we need to have everywhere in our lives. Notifications can be summarized from the lock screen so you can get the gist of what you're missing in a longwinded group chat. A genuinely interesting improvement Apple Intelligence offers is what it's done to Siri as it enters a "new era" with richer language understanding and a more expansive knowledge base. The livestream showed off a user asking Siri to "Send erica the photos from Saturday's barbecue" and then it did it. This is honestly pretty cool, as it feels like Apple is finally fulfilling the promise of what Siri was supposed to be from the start â€" a digital assistant that can help you with simple tasks and make your life easier. Private Cloud Compute is Apple's way of ensuring that your data is never shared and stored, handling more of the AI computing on the user side, and not retaining anything that must be computed over the cloud. New controls on the side of the iPhone change the way you take photos and videos. Just slide finger across the side to adjust camera controls like zoom or depth of field, and use it in third party apps like Snapchat. The iPhone 16 features a 48 MP main camera with 4x more resolution than that on the iPhone 14 as well as a 12M Ultra Wide camera that can capture 2.6x more light than the previous iPhone. It's now built for macrophotography, allowing you to get super close to small subjects and still retain detail and light. Using machine learning, unwanted audio from background sounds like wind can be removed from video automatically.

iPhone 16 preorders are live: here's where to buy Apple's latest range of flagships

The time has finally come folks - Apple iPhone 16 preorders are officially available worldwide. After an initial announcement period, Apple and several other carriers have made these flagships available to buy and there are some great promotions available for those looking to upgrade. I've listed the main carriers for both the US and UK below and you'll find information on everything you need to know before you lay down some cash. Overall, I'm not expecting iPhone 16 preorders to sell out but it's worth picking up a device in the initial launch period versus later if you're upgrading since the deals tend to be particularly good. Generally speaking, the preorder deals tend to be better than those over Black Friday. There are a few exceptions to this, however, which you can read about just down below. The iPhone 16 series is officially released on September 20th, so that's when you should receive your preorder if you buy one today. This is also when the iPhone 16 will be available to buy in-store if you'd prefer to simply head down to your local Apple Store to pick one up. Yes, but with one caveat. First up, the deals in the initial preorder period tend to be the best you'll get at the major carriers outside of Black Friday. If you're looking to pick up a device at AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile, then it'll be worth securing a preorder to get the best possible value and a device sooner rather than later. This also applies to Apple, since we don't expect the official store to budge on trade-in rebates of up to $650/£650 off anytime soon. You may want to wait, however, if you're looking to pick up a device at one of the cheaper carriers in the US. Most of the prepaid carriers like Visible and Mint Mobile won't be stocking the device until release, meaning you'll have to wait a full week before you can pick one up. Visible has already confirmed that it will be offering $360 off all the latest devices, which is a great deal combined with the carrier's super-cheap unlimited data plans (and no trade-ins are needed, either). Both the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro represent fairly substantial upgrades compared to the previous models. From the new A18 series chips built from the ground up for AI integration to the improved cameras, these devices offer plenty of enticing new features. First up, the A18 Series chipsets come with the debut of 'Apple Intelligence', which, as the name suggests, is a whole suite of new AI features across the entire range of existing Apple apps. Think ChatGPT-like language models for texts or emails, image and emoji generators, and a new 'Visual Intelligence' app that is just like Google Lens. In terms of hardware, the iPhone 16 series not only features new chipsets but also an improved camera with a new physical camera control button that directly interacts with the camera app. Apple is calling the new 48MP main camera the 'Fusion camera' since it can seamlessly switch between high-resolution images and more storage-friendly images, plus Stereoscopic capture for Apple Vision Pro. The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max feature slightly bigger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays with slimmer bezels versus their predecessors. The main upgrades for the Pro models this year include the option for 4K video at 120FPS (perfect for slow motion) as well as the usual 48MP wide angle lens and 5x telephoto (12MP and 2x on the standard iPhone 16).

iPhone 16: You Can Preorder Apple's New Phone Now. Trade-In Details and Today's Best Deals

Apple iPhone 16 series at Visible Save $360 on Visible Plus plan with iPhone purchase All four iPhone 16 phones are now available to buy through preorder sales, starting at $799 (see below for more pricing details). That means you'll be able to purchase Apple's new iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max so that it arrives the same day it goes on sale in stores. With Apple, retailers and carriers vying for your preorder sale, you'll thank yourself for paying attention to their different trade-in deals and sales. We've got all that info below, so read on. Read more: Get the New iPhone 16 Pro for Free With This T-Mobile Preorder Deal The iPhones' biggest selling points? The camera processing and AI features, of course. But also, two new physical buttons -- something we haven't seen in an iPhone for years. There's a tactile camera button you can press down and slide your finger along, and an "action" button that can pull up one app during the day (let's say, Maps), and another at night (like the flashlight). All the new iPhones will come loaded with iOS 18, the latest version of Apple's mobile operating system (iOS 18 will come to all iPhones that support it on Monday). Across all models, you'll have nine colors to choose from and four storage capacities, all the way up to 1TB. You can also, of course, scoop up MagSafe accessories. Meanwhile, we'll keep updating this page as we find more iPhone 16 preorder deals. Buying the new iPhone 16? Check out the best deals on iPhone accessories like Apple Watch Series 10 and AirPods 4. Apple's iPhone 16 and 16 Pro lineup will go on sale in stores on Sept. 20. If you preordered your iPhone 16, it should arrive on your doorstep by then. You'll also be able to pop into any retailer that sells the iPhone -- like an Apple Store, BestBuy or your carrier -- and buy from their available stock. It's not unheard of for popular configurations of colors, models and storage capacities to sell out of available stock and experience a delay. So we suggest you have a couple backup options in mind if you're determined to get a new iPhone on Sept. 20 or shortly after. Or be prepared to wait. iPhone 16 preorders are open now -- they kicked off in the early hours of Friday, Sept. 13. First, decide which model iPhone you want to buy -- iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max. Then, select your preferred color and storage capacity, and decide if you're trading in an older iPhone, which could get you up to $650 back from the Apple site. Then choose an optional carrier and AppleCare Plus coverage (or not) and click the blue Get ready for pre-order button. You can then choose any accessories you want to add and finally enter your payment information to complete your purchase. Prices differ depending on the amount of storage you buy, but here's the range: Read more: All-New iPhone 16 Button Adds Camera Control to Apple's Flagship Phone Some carriers are offering up to $1,000 on eligible trade-ins, which could net you an iPhone 16 Pro for free. One important thing to keep in mind is that most trade-in deals from carriers require you to become a customer, and they often apply to the priciest plan options. Select retailers with trade-in programs could offer you gift cards toward future purchases instead, so you don't have to be locked into a contract to take advantage of the savings from parting with your old device. However, those offers may not provide as much of a deal as traditional trade-in offers. We've got specifics on how much you can expect to receive for trading in your phone at select retailers and carriers below. We'll continue updating the below list with all of the best iPhone 16 deals across all of the major US retailers and carriers at this preorder stage. Want to get a deal on previous iPhone models? Our roundup of the best iPhone deals includes sales on the iPhone 15, iPhone SE and more.