Nevertheless, it is sensible that some folks would nonetheless select the heavier and dearer iPhone Professional over the usual iPhone since, over time, Apple’s made positive to distinguish the 2 simply sufficient to make the improve worthy.
This yr although, I can’t assist however really feel that the additional weight within the iPhone 16 Professional doesn’t add a lot worth to the expertise, and I’m positive most individuals may be completely happy to stay to the vanilla model and save no less than $200.
The phrase “Professional” makes the iPhone 16 Professional sound prefer it’s miles forward of the common iPhone 16, however in actuality, not solely are the 2 are extra alike than you would possibly suppose, however the iPhone 16 is tangibly higher in a number of methods.
And I feel I can persuade you ways and why that is true…
Why look ahead to iPhone Slim? The super-light iPhone 16 is forward of its time in comparison with the chunky iPhone 16 Professional
On paper, the iPhone 16 is about 30g lighter than the iPhone 16 Professional, which could not sound like rather a lot, however you must go to an Apple retailer and maintain them to comprehend the distinction is large. It makes the iPhone 16 simpler to carry, and a pleasure to hold in your pockets.
It’s no shock Apple is gearing up for the alleged “iPhone Slim/Air” for subsequent yr. I’m telling you – mild telephones will likely be making a giant splash in 2025, and in a manner you might be forward of the curve in the event you select an iPhone 16 over the iPhone 16 Professional.
iPhone 16 battery life is no less than nearly as good as that of the iPhone 16 Professional (if not higher)
The iPhone 16 Professional might need a bigger battery, however each in keeping with our benchmarks and real-world use experiences, it’s clear that the iPhone 16 lasts no less than so long as the iPhone 16 Professional.
One factor I can’t do is to ensure one of many two or each telephones may have nice battery life in your private use, and that’s as a result of that is extraordinarily subjective. Some folks spend extra time on WiFi, watching movies, and a few are out and about, relying closely on information, which tends to empty extra juice.
Nevertheless, I’ll say that a number of assessments from completely different sources have proven the iPhone 16 may also outlast the iPhone 16 Professional relying in your utilization. So there’s that…
For what it’s value, the 2 additionally take the identical time to cost from 0-100%. So yeah – nothing “Professional” concerning the iPhone 16 Professional’s battery life.
Straightforward-to-replace battery makes iPhone 16 much less annoying and extra future-proof than iPhone 16 Professional
Not solely is it higher for the surroundings, nevertheless it’s additionally simpler in your pockets in the event you ever want to switch the battery down the road, which you completely will in the event you maintain the cellphone for 3-6 years.
The Professional fashions don’t supply this simpler battery substitute, which appears like a missed alternative. However I can see why Apple did what they did. It’s a take a look at, people.
Apple says iPhone 16 Professional is extra highly effective than iPhone 16 however is it REALLY?
The A18 Professional has an additional GPU core, which supplies it 10-15% higher scores in GPU benchmarks however except you’re doing one thing actually intense, like enhancing 4K video all day or working advanced 3D modeling software program in your cellphone (?!), the common A18 within the iPhone 16 ought to really feel the identical.
All in all, it’s superior to see the vanilla iPhone’s SoC come so near the Professional iPhone’s. Particularly since this wasn’t the case up to now few years.
RAM issues – 8GB of RAM makes iPhone 16 simply as “Professional” as iPhone 16 Professional
All that processor discuss brings me to at least one main a part of the SoC, which is RAM – a sensitive topic for iPhones particularly after it turned clear the vanilla iPhone 15 gained’t be getting any Apple Intelligence options resulting from having 6GB of RAM (as a substitute of 8GB just like the iPhone 15 Professional).
Fortunately, the push for AI has had a constructive aspect impact for the vanilla iPhone 16 – each the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Professional include 8GB of RAM, which is a giant deal – however not solely due to the presence of Apple Intelligence.
It additionally implies that your iPhone 16 ought to and can keep as easy because the iPhone 16 Professional in the long term – after years of updates. And as an iPhone 13 consumer (with 4GB of RAM), I can’t stress sufficient how essential that is for a stutter-free expertise.
After all, day-to-day multitasking may even be smoother with 8GB of RAM as a substitute of 6GB – apps keep open within the background for longer, and you may swap between them with out having to attend for an app refresh.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Professional get the identical Apple Intelligence options, and in the event you suppose that is “no huge deal”, you do not have an iPhone 15
Whether or not it’s improved Siri capabilities, AI-powered photograph enhancing, or smarter app interactions, each telephones will profit equally from these options. There’s no must go for the Professional mannequin simply to get the newest AI magic.
It’s insane however iPhone 16 will get the identical quantity of storage because the iPhone 16 Professional, and that’s the worst/greatest information relying on who you might be
For higher or worse, each the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Professional begin with 128GB of storage, which is somewhat surprising as a result of the iPhone 16 Professional Max begins with 256GB.
It actually makes you surprise why Apple didn’t give the smaller Professional mannequin extra storage, however in any case, the constructive information is that this makes the vanilla iPhone 16 a good higher deal. In a twisted Apple manner of constructing one factor worse somewhat than making two higher.
Not just for “professionals”: As terrible/wonderful as it’s, Apple’s new “Digital camera Management” button is for everyone
Apple launched a brand new Digital camera Management button on the iPhone 16 collection, and the surprising information was that this seemingly pro-grade {hardware} improve got here to the non-Professional iPhones too. Nevertheless, whether or not you discover this button helpful or not is an entire completely different story.
In truth, most individuals who’ve tried utilizing the Digital camera Management for taking photos have discovered it to be far more sophisticated than it ought to be, and like utilizing the display controls. Together with me.
In a nutshell, this might’ve been an superior pro-grade {hardware} improve, which Apple was (surprisingly) beneficiant so as to add to the vanilla iPhone 16. However the “digital camera management” function of the Digital camera Management button type of… sucks.
The excellent news is that Apple is planning to make use of the button for triggering AI options sooner or later, so I’m positive it’s going to repay sooner or later.
Do not be fooled by the additional microphones – iPhone 16 Professional’s super-handy “Audio Combine” function is on the iPhone 16 too
Now, the Professional mannequin has 4 microphones, whereas the common iPhone 16 has solely two, however I’d say that except you are a “pro-grade” podcaster or filmmaker, you gained’t discover a lot distinction in on a regular basis use.
Each fashions supply class-leading audio high quality, so this alone isn’t a motive to go Professional.
Colours, colours, colour – the blue and black iPhone 16 are my favourite (and most blatant) causes to decide on the usual iPhone 16 over the Professional
It’s actually fairly easy – I obtained to mess around with all iPhone 16 fashions in all colours, and the Professional fashions appeared tremendous boring.
The Professional fashions are restricted to extra conventional, muted colours, whereas the iPhone 16 lineup provides you vibrant, eye-catching choices. In truth, my favourite could be the Ultramarine blue/purple, which is surprising since I hate blue telephones. However significantly, this colour is exclusive.
To not point out, the black of the iPhone 16 appears to be like black-er than the one of many iPhone 16 Professional, which makes it my second favourite colour – it’s SO badass.
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Professional – $200 much less for dropping the 5x zoom digital camera and ProMotion display may be a fantastic deal for many individuals
Try our full iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Professional comparability
In the long run, whereas the iPhone 16 Professional might need a number of further perks, the iPhone 16 provides practically all the identical nice options at a lower cost.
And whereas I’d most likely go for the Professional mannequin because of the 5x zoom digital camera, I imagine, for most individuals, the usual iPhone 16 is greater than sufficient – particularly given how related it’s to the iPhone 16 Professional this yr.
After all, essentially the most compelling motive to decide on the iPhone 16 over the 16 Professional is the worth. The iPhone 16 is solely extra inexpensive, and when you think about how most of the core options are the identical, it’s arduous to justify the additional price of the Professional fashions except you actually need that 120Hz show or the 5x zoom digital camera.
Aside from the refresh fee, the show know-how and brightness is identical on each telephones, whereas 5x zoom apart, the remainder of the digital camera expertise is extra related than ever earlier than. In truth, iPhone 16 provides 2x sensor-crop zoom, and Macro mode – one other function, which was once reserved for the Professional mannequin.
So… Did I persuade you to go vanilla?
