This yr’s iPhone occasion was a serious disappointment: though iOS 18 is coming to numerous gadgets, Apple followers outdoors of the US must make do with out the Apple Intelligence in the meanwhile. However is not that what would have made the iPhone 16 so thrilling? And are the brand new digicam management and the brand new SoC sufficient to modify from the earlier mannequin? I attempted out the iPhone 16 for nextpit!
Apple iPhone 16
Good
- Motion button and digicam bar present a unique “really feel”
- Prime efficiency of the A18 within the first benchmarks
- Can take 3D photographs for the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional
- Wi-Fi 7, satellite tv for pc telephony and ultra-wideband
Dangerous
- Sadly nonetheless with out Apple Intelligence
- Show solely gives 60 Hz
- Nonetheless no always-on show
Apple iPhone 16: All offers
The place can I purchase the iPhone 16?
The iPhone 16 shall be formally launched on September 20, 2024—till then you’ll be able to already pre-order it. Costs begin at $799 for the essential mannequin, with 256 GB of reminiscence you pay $900 and for the complete 512 GB, you must finances $1100.
Design & Show
At first look, the iPhone 16 is harking back to the 2020 mannequin, as Apple is switching from a diagonal digicam association again to a vertical one. If we take a more in-depth look, we uncover new colours, a brand new digicam bar and different modifications. Whereas the iPhone is shifting with the occasions right here, Apple is sadly counting on a 60 Hz panel for the show.
For this hands-on and my later check, Apple offered me with the iPhone 16 in “Ultramarine”. The blue coloration variant transitions from a barely paler shade to the digicam island and a darker shade on the perimeters. In consequence, the machine seems to be fantastically colourful and underlines the daring coloration accents that Apple has repeatedly set in its cheaper gadgets lately.
The “hand really feel” is once more first-class due to the high-quality workmanship. Nevertheless, I notably like the truth that the again has an nearly “rubbery” texture. This makes it simpler to carry the iPhone 16.
The most important visible change is the brand new digicam hump. With the iPhone 13, Apple needed to swap to a slanted association as a result of bigger cameras. In 2021, the completely different look instantly revealed who was utilizing the newest iPhone—and it is the identical this yr. In comparison with the iPhone 12, nonetheless, the person digicam parts are considerably bigger and be certain that Apple’s iPhone 16 tilts closely on the desk and not using a case. Annoying!
The place Apple can be breaking new floor is within the operation of the essential iPhone. The “motion button” now replaces the legendary mute swap on the iPhone 16, providing new choices on the contact of a button. The digicam bar can be a totally new management ingredient in all iPhones of the 16 era. The bar is positioned on the right-hand aspect of the casing within the decrease third of the casing and permits a brand new digicam management—extra on this beneath within the digicam class.
By way of the show, little has modified total. Apple has improved the brightness of the built-in OLED panel to 2,000 nits at its peak. Sadly, nonetheless, the essential and Plus fashions nonetheless come with out Professional Movement shows—i.e. with 60 hertz. And that simply seems to be actually outdated in 2024.
The place Apple does transfer with the occasions, nonetheless, is in bettering the sustainability of the gadgets. The Crystal Protect glass used on the again is alleged to be 50 % extra secure than final yr. Naturally, the iPhone 16’s housing is protected in opposition to mud and splash water in accordance with IP68.
Software program & UI
The most important shock for me after unboxing the iPhone 16 was that
iOS 18 is already pre-installed. You may get pleasure from many new features in iOS 18 and, above all, must get used to the brand new management heart.
The iPhone 16 definitely feels “dumber” than the Google Pixel 9 we reviewed a couple of days in the past or the Galaxy S24 from Samsung earlier this yr. Capabilities such because the magic eraser or AI-supported search features, the place you’ll be able to define parts on the show, have nearly grow to be boring. Apple, however, is at present rolling them out within the USA, with different nations anticipated to get the goodies solely in 2025.
Nevertheless, when you purchase the iPhone 16, it is extremely possible that it is possible for you to to make use of Apple Intelligence sooner or later. It is because Apple is as soon as once more providing lengthy replace assist, which is just being adopted by Android manufacturers.
As I have not been in a position to collect too many impressions of iOS 18 but, I wish to clarify extra right here within the ultimate check. Within the meantime, you’ll be able to check out the brand new Apple working system for your self—the linked information reveals the way it works!
Efficiency & SoC
Aid: Apple is taking up board the criticism from final yr and can be equipping the bottom and Plus fashions with the newest processor era. The A18 Bionic is manufactured utilizing the three nm course of and combines a 6-core CPU and a 5-core GPU with a 16-core NPU, which is at present nonetheless largely conserving its toes nonetheless. For my first impression, I’ve introduced alongside a couple of benchmarks-let’s check out them!
Final yr, the essential model of the iPhone 15 nonetheless needed to make do with the A16 SoC. The truth that Apple is skipping a era this yr and integrating the A18 Bionic is thrilling in that the manufacturing course of is leaping from 4 nm to three nm. The brand new SoC ought to subsequently be much more environment friendly, and maybe Apple also can tease out longer battery life in consequence.
Within the benchmarks, the iPhone 16 is admittedly forward of the sport:
| Apple iPhone 16 (A18 Bionic) |
iPhone 15 Professional |
iPhone 15 (A16 Bionic) |
iPhone 15 Plus (A16 Bionic) |
iPhone 14 (A15 Bionic) |
iPhone 14 Professional Max (A16 Bionic) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3D Mark Wild Life Excessive | 3.911 | – | 3.036 | – | 2.431 | 3.362 |
| 3D Mark Wild Life Excessive Stress Check | Finest loop: 3,643 Worst loop: 2,082 |
Finest loop: 3,553 Worst loop: 2,763 |
Finest loop: 3,171 Worst loop: 2,378 |
Finest loop: 3,253 Worst loop: 2,271 |
– | – |
| Geekbench | Single: 3,099 Multi: 7,638 |
Single: 2.945 Multi: 7,171 |
Single: 2,651 Multi: 6,698 (v6) |
Single: 2,623 Multi: 6,605 (v6) |
Single: 1,699 Multi: 4,817 (v5) |
Single: 1,885 Multi: 5,406 (v5) |
With 16 NPU cores, Apple can be making ready the iPhone 16 for Apple Intelligence. Nevertheless, we do not discover any of those benefits in the intervening time. Other than that, the iPhone 16 nonetheless has to switch information through a USB 2 port, which might solely obtain 480 Mbit/s. It is good to see that Apple has opted for Wi-Fi 7 and helps Bluetooth 5.3. Assist for satellite tv for pc telephony from final yr and ultra-wideband are in fact again on board.
As with each new Apple machine, the person expertise is totally fluid and nearly all the time with out loading occasions. Solely the 60 Hz show actually slows issues down right here, which additionally limits the fluidity of cellular video games. I briefly tried out “Name of Obligation: Cellular” and there was actually nothing to complain about!
Digicam
Due to the vertical association of the iPhone cameras, spatial photographs and movies could be taken with the iPhone 16. Whereas the digicam modules are nearly equivalent to its predecessor, taking photographs feels utterly completely different due to the digicam bar. And I’ve to say: after the primary 30 photographs, I am actually enthusiastic about the best way Apple needs us to take photographs sooner or later!
The digicam setup within the iPhone 16 actually solely has a couple of modifications to supply this yr. There’s the aforementioned completely different association of the 2 lenses, which now permits “spatial photographs” to be taken. You may view these on the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional and revel in a 3D impact. Sounds fairly cool, however sadly, I haven’t got a Imaginative and prescient Professional—and sadly, Apple does not use this characteristic within the iPhone 16 in any respect. They may have been extra artistic right here and simulated a 3D impact utilizing the gyroscope of the brand new iPhones.
Taking photographs and movies with the iPhone 16 is one factor above all: extra enjoyable! That is partly as a result of new lens of the ultra-wide-angle digicam. With an aperture of f/2.2, it’s barely brighter—f/2.4 on the iPhone 15—and gives a brand new macro mode. This brings you nearer to your topic and is of the identical high quality as you’d anticipate from smartphone macro cameras. Enjoyable, however not likely wonderful.
Which brings me to essentially the most thrilling digicam innovation within the iPhone 16: the digicam bar. The brand new working choice is at its finest in horizontal mode—it additionally works vertically, however requires some hand acrobatics to keep away from dropping the cellphone. The brand new button means that you can management the next independently of the standard menus:
- Publicity
- Depth of subject in portrait mode
- Stepless zoom degree from 0.5x to 2x
- Cameras (0.5x, 1x and 2x)
- Photographic kinds
- Coloration tone
Above all, I’ve hardly modified the depth of subject and photographic kinds on my iPhone 13 mini since setting it up. And now that they’re extra conveniently out there, I already really feel motivated to take extra artistic and assorted photographs with the iPhone 16. As is typical for Apple, you shortly learn to use the brand new menu and discover your manner round.
I can not say an excessive amount of concerning the digicam high quality but. At first look, the standard seems to be like that of final yr’s iPhone. You will get an impression in my photograph gallery. However as I stated: I am curious to see how a lot my iPhone pictures will change due to the brand new operation!
Battery & Charging
Apple is as soon as once more conserving the precise dimension of the iPhone 16 battery beneath wraps. Nevertheless, the battery life is alleged to be two hours longer than its predecessor when taking part in movies. So 22 hours as a substitute of 20—sadly I have not been ready to make use of the brand new iPhone for that lengthy but. Each quick charging and the charging choice through MagSafe ought to work quicker—the iPhone 16 can be appropriate with the Qi2 customary.
After a couple of hours of use, I can not say something concerning the endurance of the iPhone 16. Nevertheless, the battery is meant to last more—however an improve of two hours when taking part in movies in comparison with its predecessor is sufficiently small that you just in all probability will not discover a lot of it in on a regular basis use. Give me a bit of extra time right here—I am going to proceed on the detailed evaluation!
Technical Specs
| iPhone 16 | |
|---|---|
| Show |
|
| SoC | |
| Reminiscence capability | |
| OS | |
| Digicam |
|
| Selfie digicam |
|
| Battery |
|
| Connectivity |
|
| IP certification | |
| Dimensions and weight |
|
Early Verdict
After this yr’s Apple keynote on the brand new iPhone fashions, I used to be actually disillusioned. One way or the other there appeared to be hardly any improvements that have been related to me. This impression pale a bit of after the primary few hours with the iPhone 16. It is because the motion button and the brand new digicam management considerably change the operation of the essential mannequin.
On the similar time, they bring about features to the fore that I by no means used on older fashions. Along with the brand new iOS 18, this leads to a totally new person expertise—and I am actually eager to discover it additional.
Since Apple depends on the A18 Bionic, this person expertise can be extremely fluid and “snappy”. Sadly, there may be once more just one panel with 60 Hz, which will definitely be one of many largest criticisms of the iPhone 16 in my ultimate check. I additionally don’t love the truth that Apple remains to be utterly lacking out on potentials similar to spatial recording. So: It stays thrilling with the iPhone 16—I will be again quickly with extra check impressions!
