iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15: A Comprehensive Comparison of Apple's Latest Smartphones

iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 16: Should you upgrade to Apple's latest model?

The new iPhone 16 improves on the iPhone 15 by introducing gen AI and a slight design change to the series, but is it enough for you? The big day is here: Apple has officially unveiled the iPhone 16 series which consists of the base model, the iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and the 16 Pro Max. Whenever a new generation comes out, there is one question on every iOS user's head -- is it worth upgrading? Some would argue "not really" because so much of the next-gen smartphone family is still unproven, as impressive as they may be at first glance. The iPhone 16 introduces a subtle yet impactful design change, generative AI (gen AI) to the iOS ecosystem, camera updates, and more. People not interested in these updates or on a budget may want to purchase last year's iPhone 15 instead. It's still a great phone. Also: The best iPhone models you can buy right now (and if you should go for the iPhone 16) To help you make this decision, we've broken down all of the most important details for the Phone 15 and iPhone 16 below. We also included a couple of alternatives at the bottom. Apple is rolling out multiple AI features to the iPhone 16. Chief among them is the long-awaited Siri upgrade. The iOS assistant is much smarter than before as it is now aware of on-screen content, can better understand commands even if you stumble over your words, and can switch between text and voice inputs. This is just the tip of the iceberg, too, as Siri will fully integrate itself with ChatGPT later in the year. Also: Your AIrPods Pro 2 can soon double as over-the-counter hearing aids. Here's how There is more to the AI features beyond Siri. Apple Intelligence will be able to summarize notifications and Priority Messages in the Mail app. Like Siri, the feature will be able to understand context. Apple Intelligence will gain additional features later in the year like the ability to create custom emojis and perform multiple actions across apps. The iPhone 16 is seeing a new camera array. On the back will be a 48MP Fusion camera serving as the main lens. It'll have a 2x Telephoto option for up-close photography. Apple states it'll be like having "two cameras in one." Alongside it will be a 12MP Ultra Wide lens with an autofocus function that can enable "macro photography." It can also take in "2.6x times more light [than before] for higher image quality." Also: The 5 best iPhone 16 Pro features that enthusiasts will care about On the side below the Power Button is the new Camera Control. It's a tactile switch with a special sensor that can perform unique actions with a light touch. For example, pressing it quickly launches the Camera app for taking quick snapshots or recording a video. It even introduces a preview feature to help you frame the shot. And if that wasn't enough, it'll work with third-party apps. Powering the iPhone 16 will be Apple's A18 chipset which the tech giant claims "delivers a huge leap in performance and power efficiency." Its processor is 30 faster than the iPhone 15's A16 Bionic chip and requires 30 percent less power for the same workloads. The GPU on the iPhone 16 is better too, boasting a 40 percent speed boost over the previous generation. Gamers, in particular, will appreciate the stronger performance. Apple says players will enjoy higher graphical fidelity and consistent frame rates. The tech giant says the iPhone 16 will house a better battery. At the time of writing, it's unknown what Apple has done to improve the batteries. However, it revealed that it updated the internal design of the iPhone 16 to allow for a larger power source and "to better dissipate heat". All of the bells and whistles on the iPhone 16 are certainly nice, but are they must-haves? To many people, probably not. Generative AI still has its' issues despite advancing rapidly in the past couple of years. Apple Intelligence and the new Siri may be great, but we wouldn't be surprised to see users encounter performance problems or hallucinations. Also: iPhone 15 review: Why I recommend this model even to 'Pro' users in 2024 Sometimes it's best to wait until all the bugs have been ironed out. Plus, there's a lot of uncertainty surrounding the chipset. Early impressions indicate the A18 can handle all the AI features, but can it? Or will we see a performance drop once it launches? With the release of a new model, older phones often see a price drop, and that is exactly what we're getting here. Apple has cut the price of the iPhone 15 by about $100 off its digital storefront to entice new adopters. It wouldn't be a bad pick-up, either. The camera system of the previous generation is great to this day, the A16 Bionic chip is still plenty powerful, and the Dynamic Island is a welcomed addition. You can enjoy a similar camera performance. Plus, you won't be bogged down by nascent AI features you may or may not ever use.

iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 15: Key Upgrades and Specs Compared

If you have an iPhone 15, you might be wondering if it's worth swapping for the new iPhone 16. And if you have an older or non-Apple device, you may be debating whether to get last year's iPhone at a discount or pay full-price for this year's model. Here's a comparison of the key specs on the baseline iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 to help with your decision making. The nice thing about new iPhone releases is that older models get a price drop. Thankfully, Apple didn't raise prices with the debut of its iPhone 16 lineup, and you can still get the baseline model starting at $800. If you'd rather save some money, you can now get last year's iPhone 15 for $700. More specifically, with the iPhone 16, you'll pay $800 for 128GB of storage, $900 for 256GB of storage and $1,100 for 512GB of storage. On the iPhone 15, you'll now pay $700 for 128GB of storage, $800 for 256GB of storage and $1,000 for 512GB of storage. So same storage options for $100 less. Neither phone comes with expandable memory. The iPhone 15 features a 48-megapixel wide and 12-megapixel ultrawide camera, while the iPhone 16 has a 48-megapixel fusion camera with a 2x telephoto option and also a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera. Despite the similar megapixel count between the two phones, the ultrawide camera on the iPhone 16 can take in more light, has a wider aperture and features autofocus for macro shots. Both phones have a 12-megapixel front-facing camera and can shoot 4K video. The main difference is the iPhone 16 can shoot 1080p spatial video at 30 frames per second (hence the vertical stacking of the cameras on this year's iPhone 16 and 16 Plus). Apple implemented more modest tweaks when it comes to displays. The iPhone 15 and 16 both have 6.1-inch OLED displays with a 60Hz refresh rate, though the iPhone 16 doubles the 15's peak brightness, reaching 2,000 nits. Both have a 460ppi pixel density. The iPhone 15 and 16 are the same size, with a height of 5.81 inches, width of 2.82 inches and a 0.31-inch thickness. They weigh just about the same: the iPhone 16 is 170g (6 ounces), while the iPhone 15 is 171g (6.02 ounces). The iPhone 16 comes in Black, White, Pink, Teal and Ultramarine. The iPhone 15 comes in Black, Green, Yellow, Pink and Blue. Both phones feature Dynamic Island, and use Face ID or a passcode to unlock (no fingerprint scanner). Apple doesn't disclose its battery capacity but says the iPhone 16 has up to 22 hours of video playback (18 hours streamed). The iPhone 15, meanwhile, has up to 20 hours of video playback (16 hours streamed). Both feature USB-C charging. The iPhone 16 supports MagSafe wireless charging up to 25 watts with a 30-watt adapter or higher, while the iPhone 15's MagSafe charging reaches 15 watts. They also each support Qi2 charging, up to 15 watts. The iPhone 16 sports the new A18 chip, while the iPhone 15 has the A16 Bionic chip. The iPhone 16 will arrive with iOS 18 out of the box, and though the iPhone 15 features last year's iOS 17, it's eligible for the operating system upgrade on Sept. 16. Apple Intelligence has been the company's key focus over the last several months, but you'll need an iPhone 16, rather than the baseline 15, if you want to tap into those upcoming AI features. (The iPhone 15 Pro models will also work with Apple Intelligence, but the company has since discontinued those phones.) Apple has also added the Action Button to the full iPhone 16 lineup, as well a Camera Control button. Check out the chart below for a more detailed breakdown of each phone's specs.

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

Apple unveiled the new iPhone 16 with standout camera improvements and larger displays, but which one is right for you? We'll break down how each model compares. Apple just unveiled a new line of devices, 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 and similarities. Also: Everything announced at Apple's iPhone 16 event: AI features, AirPods, Apple Watch Series 10, more 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: Why you shouldn't buy the iPhone 16 for Apple Intelligence 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: I want to be excited about the iPhone 16's new camera button, but can't (for now) 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: Four reasons I'm not upgrading to an iPhone 16 Pro from my iPhone 14 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. Also: 6 reasons why iOS 18 makes the iPhone 16 a must-upgrade for me 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. Other high-powered, AI-capable smartphones on the market give the new iPhones a run for their money. Here are some alternatives to consider:

Which iPhone 16 Model Should You Buy?

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED You watched Apple's keynote, read WIRED's comprehensive coverage, and made a decision: you're upgrading to the iPhone 16. Now the question is ... which of the four iPhone 16 models should you buy? There's the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max, and they start at $829 unlocked and go all the way up to $1,199. Don't worry, I'll break down the differences and similarities of each model in this guide to help your find the right upgrade. All of these phones are available for preorder this Friday, September 13, and officially hit store shelves on September 20. Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today. Ah, the age-old question. Should you get the new iPhone? Our philosophy here at WIRED is that you should only upgrade if you really need to. Is your current phone operating perfectly fine? If the experience is OK for the most part but maybe your battery life has deteriorated, try doing a battery swap first -- Apple offers a battery replacement program for a modest fee -- and this could breathe new life into your device. There are also more ways to repair an iPhone than ever before. But if your current phone is frustrating to use, upgrade! Like the iPhone 15 range, the entire iPhone 16 lineup has the USB-C port. These new devices will also be able to take advantage of Apple Intelligence (alongside the iPhone 15 Pro), though these features won't arrive until October. If you feel like you'd benefit from Apple's upcoming artificial intelligence capabilities -- or you just want to try it out -- your best option is to upgrade.

iPhone 16 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro: Should you upgrade to the latest model?

The newest iPhone model features a larger and stronger display than last year's, a more powerful and efficient processor, and a camera control button. Is it worth upgrading? Apple today launched the iPhone 16 series, and if you want the Pro model but without the bulk, the iPhone 16 Pro is the way to go. Thanks to thinner bezels, this year's model features a 6.3-inch display instead of the 6.1-inch screen found on the iPhone 15 Pro. Apart from a bigger display, there's a new Camera Control button on the iPhone 16 Pro that'll make it easier for you to take photos and videos while fine-tuning settings as you do. It's like a dedicated shutter button but supercharged more features. Also: Everything announced at Apple's iPhone 16 event: AI features, AirPods, Apple Watch Series 10, more The key enhancements on the iPhone 16 Pro come with Apple Intelligence, which is also supported on the iPhone 15 Pro. You get features like upgraded Siri, Memory Movies in Photos, Notification summary and more without upgrading to the newer model. However, it could be confusing to decide if you need to upgrade (and there are plenty of reasons to). We are here to help. Here are the main differences between the two compact Pro iPhones. Apple is expanding its Pro iPhone lineup with the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, both featuring larger displays thanks to the "thinnest borders on an Apple product." The iPhone 16 Pro retains the Super Retina XDR display but comes with an upgraded Ceramic Shield that is 50% tougher than the one on the iPhone 15 Pro. Both models offer 2,000 nits of peak brightness and 1,600 nits of HDR brightness. Also: Every iPhone model that will be updated to Apple's iOS 18 (and which ones can't) If you've found the 6.1-inch display of the iPhone 15 Pro a bit cramped but weren't keen on the 6.7-inch (now 6.9-inch) screen size, the slight 0.2-inch increase could be just what you need. The iPhone 15 Pro improved upon its predecessor's cameras but lacked the telephoto lens available on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Apple has addressed this with the new iPhones. Both models now feature a comprehensive camera setup, including a 48MP Fusion camera, a 48MP ultrawide-angle lens, and a 12MP telephoto sensor with 5x optical zoom. Additionally, the iPhone 16 Pro introduces a new Camera Control button, which acts as a physical shutter key for capturing photos and videos. A single press launches the camera, another takes a photo, and a press-and-hold starts video recording. Light presses offer quick adjustments for lenses, portrait depth, and more. Later this year, Apple will roll out a two-step shutter control with an update. Also: The 5 best iPhone 16 Pro features that enthusiasts will care about The iPhone 16 Pro also boasts advanced camera features, including new styles akin to "professional color-grading in real-time." It comes equipped with four studio-quality microphones that enhance audio output with the Audio Mix feature, which separates background noise from speech and allows editing in three modes directly on the device. Overall, the iPhone 16 Pro offers enhanced pro-grade capabilities, making it a significant upgrade over the iPhone 15 Pro for creators. The iPhone 15 Pro had its strengths, but I found its efficiency lacking. The battery often struggled to last through the day, and the device occasionally got quite warm. According to Apple's keynote, these issues have been addressed with the iPhone 16 Pro. It now offers up to 27 hours of video playback, an increase from the 23 hours on the iPhone 15 Pro. Streaming video playback has also improved by two hours, making this the best battery life ever on a Pro iPhone. The iPhone 16 Pro is powered by the A18 Pro chipset, built on a 3nm process. It boasts a 17% increase in total system bandwidth, a 15% faster CPU, and a 20% faster GPU compared to the A17 Pro in the iPhone 15 Pro. The new GPU architecture also delivers twice the ray tracing performance of its predecessor. For gamers, the iPhone 16 Pro is a more capable choice. The new processor may offer enhanced speed and efficiency, but it's not the only factor powering Apple's latest intelligence features. I've been using Apple Intelligence in beta on my iPhone 15 Pro, and it includes some impressive quality-of-life enhancements. Also: Apple delivers on hardware upgrades but punts Apple Intelligence rollout For example, the notification summary effectively organizes Instagram DMs and WhatsApp messages from friends. You can also access the writing tools and Movie Memory AI features on the iPhone 15 Pro. These Apple Intelligence features are available on both the iPhone 15 Pro and the latest iPhone model, so you don't need to upgrade solely for AI improvements. The iPhone 16 Pro is stronger than the iPhone 15 Pro and features plenty of hardware upgrades. But these new additions result in a bigger and heavier base Pro. With the new model is releasing soon, the iPhone 15 Pro can also be had for less money if you buy a refurbished or used model. Even if it's just $100 or $200 off, the iPhone 15 Pro is still a formidable phone in 2024.

Why I'm Buying the Base iPhone 16 Over the Pro Model

My 7 Favorite Apple Watch Series 10 Features That Make It Worth a Buy Quick LinksiPhone 16 Now Has an Action Button Like the Pro Models Camera Control Isn't Exclusive to the iPhone 16 Pro The Base iPhone 16 Models Support Apple Intelligence AAA Games Can Run on Base Models Too The iPhone 16 lineup is here, and naturally, most of the spotlight is going to the Pro models, but I wouldn't click that buy button just yet. The base iPhone 16 and 16 Plus get many improvements that you wouldn't miss out on much if you skip the Pro variant. 1 iPhone 16 Now Has an Action Button Like the Pro Models Apple made heads turn in 2023 when it replaced the Ring/Silent switch with the Action button on the iPhone 15 Pro models. Unlike the power or volume buttons that are dedicated to a specific use, you can use the Action button for a variety of functions. By default, it still works as a Ring/Silent switch, but you can customize the Action button to open an app, turn on the flashlight, record a memo, activate a Focus mode, launch the camera, and much more. This versatility was exclusive to the Pro models until now, but with the iPhone 16 lineup, Apple has added it to the base iPhone 16 models as well. 2 Camera Control Isn't Exclusive to the iPhone 16 Pro I was expecting Apple to keep the new Camera Control button exclusive to the Pro models, but surprisingly, the entire iPhone 16 lineup gets it. The Camera Control button assists you during photography by making it easier to use certain camera features like zooming in and out, adjusting focus, aperture, etc. It's essentially trying to minimize the learning curve involved with photography. Most people take photos by just pulling out their phone and hitting the shutter button without utilizing the vast array of powerful camera features iPhones include. They don't tap to focus, adjust the zoom level, use grids, or switch between lenses. But by spending just a couple of seconds adjusting your camera settings, you can take remarkably better photos with your phone -- which is exactly what the Camera Control button is trying to deliver, but in a more natural way. You can tap the button to launch the camera and tap again to take a photo or long-press to start a video recording. A light press reveals UI elements, after which, you can double-tap to see more options. 3 The Base iPhone 16 Models Support Apple Intelligence Apple Intelligence is quite the treat for anyone who wants to get more out of their Apple devices. It's similar to Gemini on Google Pixel phones, but I would argue Apple's implementation is better. Apple Intelligence isn't a chatbot but a system-wide collection of AI features spread across the operating system. Besides the usual AI features we've come to expect, like proofreading and rewording emails or creating generative AI emojis and images, you can also use Apple Intelligence to search for a particular photo in your gallery or view a specific moment in a video you took via a text prompt. The feature is also integrated into the camera app and can essentially work as a replacement for Google Lens, identifying places around you and surfacing relevant info. Apple Intelligence makes Siri a lot smarter, and as a result, it has on-screen awareness. So, if you come across a cool album cover, you can just ask it to play the song on Spotify directly. For the non-tech-savvy, it can also give a step-by-step guide on performing a certain action on your phone, so you don't need to look it up online or ask your children. 4 AAA Games Can Run on Base Models Too Since the iPhone Pro models have faster chips, people usually assume that you can't play graphically demanding games on the base models. That's not true this time because the A18 chip on the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus is powerful enough to handle AAA titles like Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and Assassin's Creed Mirage without breaking a sweat. The only real noticeable difference is that the Pro models can sustain their performance for longer and are slightly more efficient. That means the iPhone 16 Pro can indeed game for longer on max settings, but not by that much. The base iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are both excellent devices, boasting several upgrades over their predecessors. With all their improvements, getting the Pro variant doesn't seem sensible unless you really need the 120Hz ProMotion display, dedicated telephoto lens, or titanium frame.

5 features that prove the iPhone 16 is a sweeter deal than the iPhone 16 Pro

If you've felt a rising pressure to buy 'pro' tier phones, you're not alone. Increasingly, phone makers -- Apple included -- have prioritized their premium models, adding all the latest and greatest hardware and features that make a new generation of smartphones genuinely worth upgrading to. That means if you want a phone that really feels different year-to-year you'll have to fork out extra money to notice a difference -- or at least, that used to be the case. If the iPhone 16 is anything to go off of, non-pro phones are back in a big way. This year, Apple took a major step in rolling back the 'pro tax' by releasing a non-pro phone that still has enough bells and whistles to justify a year-to-year upgrade and compete with the big leagues. If you're wondering exactly what makes the iPhone 16 so enticing, we've got you covered with five key regular iPhone 16 features that prove you don't have to go Pro Max to add value. It was a huge day for fans of physical buttons. While last year's iPhone 15 Pro kept the 'Action Button' -- a programmable button on the side of the phone -- all to itself, this year saw a redistribution of the button wealth. Both the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Pros have the Action Button and a Cameral Control button which has me particularly intrigued. According to Apple, the Camera Control button can do quite a few things -- act as a shutter, zoom, and even bring up additional camera settings. All that on a single (albeit capacitive) button? Consider me impressed. As I mentioned, Apple already set the precedent of separating physical buttons by phone tiers, so the inclusion of Camera Control on the iPhone 16 comes as a bit of a surprise. I can feel the savings already. If you were starting to get used to the separation of chips between pro and non-pro devices, I also have some good news. While the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max do have the A18 Pro chipset, the iPhone 16 isn't using last year's A17. Instead, Apple is loading this year's non-pro phone with the regular A18, a new chip. That move represents a departure from last year which saw the iPhone 15 sporting an A16 chipset, the same one that was on the iPhone 14 Pro instead of the iPhone 15 Pro's A17 Pro chipset. If you're the type of person who's hung up on phone performance -- maybe an avid mobile gamer -- this year's more equitable chipset allocation is a major selling point. Cameras always tend to be one of the most pronounced areas of have and have-nots when it comes to pro versus regular phones, but this year, both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pros will come with a new 'Fusion' sensor. While the Fusion camera probably warrants a deep dive on its own, what you need to know is that, according to Apple, it gives users 'two optical-quality cameras in one.' As a bonus, it's worth noting that all of the Fusion cameras across the lineup are also supported by a 48-megapixel sensor. Yet another win for non-pro iPhone 16-havers. If you were worried that Apple might also splinter off its recently announced Apple Intelligence suite of AI features, fret no more. Apple -- at least for now -- seems to be committed to making sure that Apple Intelligence can be used across devices. Now, whether those features will flow as smoothly on the A18 versus the A18 Pro is a different story, but only time will tell on that front. I think spatial video and photos are one of the coolest things an iPhone can do, which is why I was bummed to learn last year that only those who own the iPhone 15 Pro would be able to record videos in semi-immersive 3D. This year, however, every phone across the iPhone 16 lineup will enjoy the privilege of being able to look at and watch spatial photos and videos in the Vision Pro. That is if you actually had the funds to buy one of Apple's $3,500 'spatial computers' in the first place. Either way, the thought is nice, and if the Vision Pro finally comes down in price you might be smitten to know that you can watch your daughter's piano recital in glorious 3D.

The iPhone 16 is the first non-pro iPhone I'd recommend since the iPhone 13

Apple finally took the wraps off what could be called the AI iPhone series. The new iPhone 16 lineup is the first designed with AI-powered features front and center. But that's not all. While much of the 100-minute keynote focused on the company's Apple Intelligence tools, the new iPhones feature a handful of fresh, eye-catching hardware as well, like the Camera Control button. Still, the most important announcement was the one Apple didn't outrightly announce: The new iPhone 16 restores the non-pro iPhone's flagship status. I've been a non-pro iPhone user for as long as I can remember. It was ideal for my use. The pro iPhones often offered "professional hardware" that most consumers wouldn't care about, such as a LiDAR sensor, at a premium. But over the last couple of years, Apple began to reserve even the most mainstream features, like an updated chipset, behind the pro paywall and recycled them onto the next generation of "new" non-pro iPhones. The standard models then made little sense. At a few hundred extra bucks, the pro iPhones offered much more. For people who plan to hold onto their phones for a while, it was a no-brainer to shell out to ensure their phones don't turn into a relic next year. When Apple announced the iPhone 15, I called it a mid-range phone at a flagship price, and a year later, the $899 iPhone 15 Plus I use is obsolete since its two-year-old processor isn't compatible with any of the new AI-powered software. Fortunately, that hasn't lasted long. Apple says the new "iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus mark the beginning of a new era for iPhone," and it does feel like it, given the lackluster upgrades the standard models have featured since the 13th-Gen refresh. It's the first time in a while we've seen a major new update demoed first on the non-pro iPhone, as opposed to debuting on the pro models and trickling down to the standard ones after a year. Above all else, Apple had to bring the non-pro iPhone up to speed. To run Generative AI models, it could no longer rely on chipsets from yesteryear, so it was forced to give the iPhone 16 a rare two-generation silicon boost. "We're bringing our latest breakthroughs and jumping two generations ahead -- from A16 Bionic in iPhone 15 to A18 [to run powerful experiences like Apple Intelligence]," said Apple's VP of Silicon Engineering, Sribalan Santhanam, at Tuesday's keynote. On the iPhone 16, the A18 chip has the same 6-core CPU -- 30 percent faster than the A16 Bionic chip -- and 16-core Neural Engine as the pro model's A18 Pro. Plus, it matches its pro counterpart in memory, featuring 8GB of RAM, up from 6GB on the iPhone 15. Unlike before, the iPhone 16's GPU also supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing, allowing buyers to run AAA games previously only available on iPhone 15 Pro. Of course, the other highlight of this year's iPhone 16 is the addition of two new hardware buttons. One of them is the Action button, which debuted last year on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. You can assign it any custom function, like triggering the flashlight or recording a voice memo, and activate it with a press. More surprisingly, the iPhone 16 comes with the same new Camera Control found on the iPhone 16 Pro since, before the event, it was rumored to be exclusive to the Pro models. The Camera Control sits under the power button on the right edge and houses an array of sensors to function as a multi-purpose switch. Clicking it once, for example, fires up the Camera app or takes a picture, but a light press on the force sensor allows you to swipe through controls like zoom. The iPhone 16 catches up to the Pro models in a few other areas too. Its camera can now snap macro photos and spatial media for the Vision Pro. Its screen brightness can go as low as 1 nit in dark conditions and up to 2000 nits outdoors. MagSafe wireless charging speeds have been bumped up and so is the battery life by a few hours. Although it still doesn't have a telephoto lens, Apple claims the upgraded 48-megapixel camera can capture "optical-quality" 2x shots. The centerpiece of Apple's renewed iPhone strategy is the identical Neural Engine across the Pro and standard lineups. It enables the iPhone 16 to run the same suite of Apple Intelligence features as the iPhone 16 Pro, like the more contextually-aware Siri, a writing aid that you can pull up even in third-party apps, and the Image Playground app to produce Generative AI visuals. It's similar to the strategy Google follows with its Pixel lineup, where, no matter the other hardware differences, the chipsets remain identical so that as many people have access to the AI capabilities as possible. The more people use Apple's AI, the better it will get over time. The iPhone 16, though, is far from perfect, especially compared to even lower-priced Android phones. Apple even boldly highlighted some of its key misses on a slide when it walked through the iPhone 16 Pro's features. The iPhone 16 still sports a 60Hz screen, and it also lacks an always-on mode. In addition, it's still stuck at aging USB 2.0 and offers outdated 20W wired charging speeds. That said, the iPhone 16 significantly closes the gulf of quality in experience between the non-Pro and Pro variants and it's the first standard iPhone I feel comfortable recommending since the iPhone 13.

iPhone 16 Pro vs. iPhone 14 Pro: Is it worth an upgrade?

Apple held its annual iPhone event to debut the iPhone 16 line and other devices. All the artificial intelligence (AI) features Apple unveiled may be very tempting, but is the iPhone 16 enough of an upgrade to warrant a new $1,000+ payment? Also: Four reasons I'm not upgrading to an iPhone 16 Pro from my iPhone 14 As an iPhone 14 Pro Max user, I'm not convinced that the new AI-enabled iPhone 16 Pro is worth the upgrade for me. But the USB-C charging, the action button, or new camera features may make the upgrade worthwhile to you. If you're trying to decide, read on to learn why you should upgrade or why it may be worth holding off until the iPhone 17. Apple's artificial intelligence push, aptly named Apple Intelligence, will be available over the coming months on the iPhone 16 lineup, but it's not coming to the iPhone 14 Pro. Though the iPhone 14 Pro will get iOS 18, it'll be short on AI features, rendering it outdated very soon. If you'd like to stay up-to-date with the latest AI features or already use other AI tools in your day-to-day life, the iPhone 16 Pro is likely a worthy upgrade. Also: The 5 best iPhone 16 Pro features that enthusiasts will care about To run smoothly, the Apple Intelligence features require an A17 chip or newer and at least 8GB of RAM, but the iPhone 14 Pro has the A16 chip and only 6GB of RAM. The iPhone 16 Pro features an A18 Pro chip and 8GB of RAM, making it a perfect device to run Apple's AI features. Apple has thinned out the iPhone 16 Pro's bezels to the bare minimum and stretched the Pro models' displays to 6.3 and 6.9 inches for the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, respectively. This gives users more screen real estate to watch videos, play games, view and edit documents, and read shared screens on video conferences. Also: 7 Apple products you shouldn't buy right now The larger smartphone also means that the iPhone 16 Pro has a larger battery than the 14 Pro, at 3,355 mAh compared to 3,200 mAh. But even without the welcome battery upgrade, the new Pro models support faster charging than ever. The iPhone 16 Pro supports 40W wired charging and 20W of MagSafe charging, so if you find the iPhone 14 Pro's charging slow, it could be time to upgrade. The iPhone 16 Pro features some of the best camera enhancements, including the improved ultrawide camera. The UW camera moved to align with a larger, improved Sony sensor, so it's going from a measly 12MP to 48MP. Also: The iPhone 16's new camera button is the feature I'm most excited about. Here's how it works If you love taking photos with your smartphone, the camera upgrades alone may be enough to upgrade to an iPhone 16 Pro. The optical zoom is now 5x, an upgrade from the iPhone 14 Pro's 3x zoom. The iPhone 16 Pro will also feature Apple's new capture button, which lets you control the camera with gestures, like moving your finger and tapping the touch-enabled button. Even with the Apple Intelligence features, the iPhone 16 seems to be an incremental design change rather than a revamp; the design and functionality aren't a radical departure from the iPhone 14 Pro. If you're content with the look, feel, and performance of your iPhone 14, getting the iPhone 16 Pro likely won't feel like a huge upgrade, especially since many of the AI features will come later. Also: Buying an Apple Watch Series 10? Consider these 3 features before upgrading Rumors suggest the iPhone 17 may feature more dramatic design and functionality updates, making it a worthwhile jump. Besides, upgrading after two generations can be costly, which brings me to my next point. One of the biggest reasons to hold off on an upgrade is financial. The iPhone 14 Pro started at $900 at launch, which isn't pocket change. Most buyers choose a 12-, 18-, or 24-month financing option through a carrier or Apple on a new iPhone. If you're one of them and you just finished paying off your iPhone 14 Pro and feel like you're not financially ready to commit to another payment plan, it may be worth passing on the new iPhone 16 Pro. As an iPhone 14 Pro Max user, I'm still pretty happy with how my iPhone performs, its battery life, and charging time. While USB-C charging would be convenient, I don't see myself springing for the new iPhone 16 Pro, though I may go for the iPhone 17 when it's launched.

iPhone 16 just made the iPhone 16 Pro look pointless -- here's why

Now, whatever decision you make will absolutely come down to what you need to do with it. All I can do is make the judgment call based on my workload with an iPhone: And with all of these in mind, my mind was set on moving over to the iPhone 16 Pro. But as the "Glowtime" event finished, I was left with one simple conclusion: a lot of this is going to be unnecessary for the vast majority of users. In fact, with iPhone 16 sharing a lot of the Pro's best features, the standard model is the one to buy for me and pretty much everyone. So what makes the Pro a Pro this year when compared to the standard iPhone 16? I mean they have the same new Camera Control and Action Buttons now. But there are some differences that may make the world of difference for you: I know that there are going to be some of you out there positively salivating at the ways you can use these tweaks, and more power to you. But in reality, with what the 16 and 16 Pro have in common, they are closer than ever -- meaning you could save yourself $200 and still get a banger of a smartphone. Because let's be real, okay? Chances are a lot of people are going to buy the iPhone 16 Pro -- automatically going for the best one -- and then never use it to its full potential. I mean I made that mistake with the 15 Pro. Not once have I ever used the USB 3 data speeds for an external SSD while filming, as I'm transferring quickly and deleting. The Academy Color Encoding System and ProRes video recording have gone untouched, because my color grading is built around the processed video. And probably most alarming, the number of telephoto shots remains at a paltry low, as I have simply no use for it in what photos I take. Plus, I'm certain that the rest of my day-to-day tasks would've been easily handled by a standard iPhone. Watching this event has been an eye-opening experience about how I didn't actually need as much of what the Pro actually offers. This is overkill and a lot of you won't need it too. Beyond what I said before (and a difference in battery capacities and display sizes), they're very similar -- more alike than they've been in years. Both now have that 48MP Fusion camera (the iPhone 16 actually has a wider aperture than 16 Pro to let in a little more light), both have Camera Control buttons, and Apple has finally killed the silent switch and given us the Action Button across the whole lineup. The Cupertino crew are still hammering on about mapping a singular function to this button, but I have a fix to that, which lets you map up to six tasks to the button (spoiler alert: it's all about your phone's orientation). Alongside this, if you're OK with giving up a graphics core that will slightly slow down gaming performance and creative edits, the A18 looks the same as the Pro in terms of core configuration and the Neural Engine. This means you're getting the same Apple Intelligence across the board, including that oh-so smooth implementation of vision AI -- seriously, I fell in love with that demo. Look, I'm going to level with you. By this point, I don't think Apple's ever going to just bite the bullet and give us a 120Hz screen on a standard iPhone. That smoothness is just too good of an enticing selling point to get people to upgrade. But then I got thinking a little more, and it hit me harder than a freight train. A learned behavior since the iPhone 13 Pro has been to put the phone on Low Power Mode -- the stamina of the 13 always made me nervous. And since then, that has always been the same, so realistically, across all these generations, I've just lived with the display constrained to 60Hz and been just fine with it. This is not to excuse Apple from not having it as standard in 2024, as there are far cheaper phones with far smoother displays. But it gave me food for thought that maybe it's not the end of the world if I give up this feature to save cost. This is advice my Grandad always gave me as a kid, which I went on to not listen to while buying yet another PS1 game. But in an iPhone 16 world, this is more important than ever. Differences between the 16 and 16 Pro are definitely present, but said differences aren't necessarily things the vast majority of people will ever actually use. That's what I've learnt after five years of owning Pro iPhones. So this is the year, dear reader, that I will be trading down, and I bet I won't have a single regret about it -- especially since that new blue finish is jaw dropping.