The "1-Minute" Review
Verdict
Offers robust features but lacks innovation, maintaining the same design with marginal upgrades that may not justify an upgrade for recent models.What's good
- 5x optical zoom
- Upgraded ultrawide lens
- New camera control button
- Slightly larger screen
- Better battery efficiency
What's bad
- Incremental updates
- No Apple Intelligence yet
- Pricey accessories
- Similar design to predecessor
- Low resolution selfie camera
Design
The iPhone 16 Pro's design retains a familiar elegance, featuring a robust titanium frame that feels premium in hand. This model includes a new "Desert Titanium" color, providing a tasteful option for those preferring subtler hues.
Apple has increased the display size to 6.3 inches, enhancing the viewing area without compromising the phone's overall manageability. A reviewer from T3 noted, "The new 6.3-inch size is a good compromise between pocketability and being able to see your photos well."
The phone's added Camera Control button introduces a more tactile photography experience, though some experts describe it as "a bit tricky" to use initially. Overall, the iPhone 16 Pro delivers on design with incremental, yet significant, improvements in usability and aesthetics.
Display(s)
The iPhone 16 Pro has upgraded from a 6.1-inch to a 6.3-inch screen, improving your viewing experience with more space to enjoy content like videos and games.
The Super Retina XDR OLED display delivers vibrant colors and deep contrasts, making images and videos look stunningly realistic.
According to reviewers, the display is "still one of the most solid-feeling smartphone displays out there." It supports HDR, enhancing the brightness outdoors to up to 2,000 nits, which keeps visibility clear even on sunny days.
The Promotion technology ensures smooth scrolling and responsiveness, making navigation a delight.
Performance
The A18 Pro chip inside the iPhone 16 Pro offers about 10-20% faster processing and 20% faster graphics. This means smooth multitasking between apps, fast gaming, and effortless handling of high-end tasks.
The phone stays cool even under heavy use, such as while gaming or using multiple apps, which reflects its efficient thermal management. PCMag described the phone's multitasking capability as "like a warm knife through butter," showcasing its power and performance.
With the latest chip and plenty of RAM, expect long-term speed without slowdowns, keeping your phone future-ready.
Software & Storage
The iPhone 16 Pro runs on iOS 18, providing enhanced customizations like the ability to change app icon colors and place apps and widgets anywhere on your home screen. This level of personalization allows you to tailor the phone to match your personal style and needs.
Despite iOS 18 being rich in features, Apple Intelligence is delayed, with its much-anticipated AI capabilities rolling out in future updates. Reviewers have noted this gap as a significant factor when considering an upgrade, advising that the current software improvements make the iPhone 16 Pro appealing but not game-changing yet.
Overall, the iPhone 16 Pro’s software experience is robust, characterized by ease of use and efficiency, retaining Apple's reputation for streamlined smartphone experiences.
Cameras
The iPhone 16 Pro introduces a compelling camera system, featuring a 48MP ultrawide sensor and a significant 5x telephoto lens. This upgrade allows iPhone photographers enhanced versatility, particularly for macro photography and distant subjects. From the latest reviews, Amy from "Amateur Photographer" highlights the upgrade from a 3x lens to the new 5x, stating, "You're now no longer 'punished' for opting for the smaller phone by getting a shorter (3x) telephoto lens..."
A qualm shared by several experts. With the upgraded ultrawide camera, your wide-angle and macro shots are more detailed than ever.
The Camera Control button offers convenience with a touch, letting you easily adjust zoom and other settings. Some reviewers affirm its potential, calling it "a fantastic addition" to the Pro model's photography suite. Integrating the button does take practice, but once mastered, it can redefine your photo-taking experience.
Battery
The iPhone 16 Pro offers solid battery life, lasting about 38 to 40 hours on mixed usage, which includes active screen time of over five hours. Reviewers often highlight the consistency of its battery performance, making it suitable for almost two days of use between charges for light to moderate tasks. This feature reduces the frequent need to recharge, a common pain point for mobile users.
Fast charging remains a key feature, allowing you to reach 50% charge in about 30 minutes. This quick boost can save you time when you're in a rush. Additionally, the iPhone 16 Pro now supports 25W wireless charging with Apple's new MagSafe charger. This addition means you can easily top up your phone wirelessly, minimizing downtime and keeping you connected throughout your day.
According to experts, though charging is quicker in some aspects, traditional wired charging times could improve further to meet the advancements seen in other flagship devices. This slight drawback aside, the charging experience is largely efficient, catering well to a busy lifestyle.
Audio
The iPhone 16 Pro offers dynamic sound with its stereo speakers delivering a full-bodied audio experience. You can watch movies or play games without the need for additional speakers, making it a convenient choice for audio enthusiasts.
For calling, the phone excels with its clear microphone setup, ensuring your voice is heard sharply even in a bustling environment. When using features like voice assistants, you'll find the interaction to be intuitive and reliable.
What Hi-Fi? noted that the sound quality surpasses previous models, making it "the best-sounding phone we've heard all year." With its balance of depth and clarity, you'll appreciate every audio detail.
The Bottom Line
This phone includes a sleek design with a larger display, improved ultrawide camera, and faster chip which ensures better performance. You'll appreciate the 5x optical zoom from the camera control button and the same functionality between the Pro Max model, all fitted into a more compact size.
However, its battery life remains middling, and promised features like AI capabilities are yet to roll out. "The photographic styles feature is really handy but not a breakthrough," suggest experts in the reviews.
What the Critics Are Saying...
- David Murphy, Android PoliceYou can't go wrong with an iPhone 16 Pro, but the same could be said for the Pixel 9 Pro or Galaxy S24. They're all great devices in their own right, and none of them suffer from a critical flaw that would make them a pariah among their peers. Android will always be more customizable than iOS, but A...
- Leigh :) Stark, PickrThis little beauty is a handheld powerhouse. It’s exactly what normal-sized phones have needed: an equal. They almost never are. The sheer excellence of the iPhone 16 Pro cannot be understated. With the exception of the battery life, this is a brilliant handset and easy to recommend.
- Nick Baker, uSwitchThe iPhone 16 Pro is an ideal choice for those seeking top-tier performance in a manageable size. With substantial updates to processing power, camera quality, and display brightness, it stands as a refined, highly capable flagship.
- Max Parker, TrustedReviewsWhile I am yet to be sold on Apple Intelligence, the iPhone 16 Pro is still a very good iPhone with upgrades in most of the right places. It shouldn’t interest those who plumped for the iPhone 15 Pro, but if you’re coming from an older device this ticks all the right boxes.
- Simon Cocks, Good HousekeepingBoth iPhone 16 Pro phones are of course the best iPhones that Apple has ever made. But it’s the iPhone 16 Pro in particular that’s such an impressive smartphone over its predecessor. With only a very minor increase in height, it remains a compact phone to use one-handed with a big and bright display...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
Apple iPhone 16 Pro prices will vary depending on retailer, age, special offers and whether or not it's purchased with a service plan. If purchased with a 2 year service contract for example, you would likely pay much less for the phone itself up front. Apple's suggested retail price is $999.00. You can compare iPhone 16 Pro prices from around the web here on The Informr.
Apple backs up the iPhone 16 Pro with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your iPhone 16 Pro has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Apple support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Apple's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
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