Apple officially introduced the iPhone 16 series at its "Glowtime" event on Monday. All four new models are now available for preorder, with an official release date set for September 20.
The iPhone 16 series features Apple's new AI platform, Apple Intelligence, as its standout feature, along with next-generation processors and hardware enhancements, including larger displays for the Pro models. These improvements combine to make this one of the most impressive iPhone lineups yet.
Other notable upgrades include the addition of the Action button, previously exclusive to Pro models, now available on the standard iPhone 16 variants. Additionally, all four iPhone 16 models come equipped with a new Camera Control button, allowing users to access a variety of photo and video customization options through responsive touch gestures.
iPhone 16: Models
Reflecting the lineup structure of recent years, the iPhone 16 series offers four models: the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Fans hoping for the return of an iPhone "Mini" will be disappointed, as Apple discontinued the Mini series with the launch of the iPhone 14 lineup.
Similarly, there isn’t an "Ultra" version of the iPhone 16 with more advanced features than the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Although the "Ultra" model is a frequent subject of speculation, it wasn’t expected to debut this time around.
iPhone 16: Release date
Apple is now accepting preorders for all four iPhone 16 models through its website. The entire iPhone 16 lineup will officially launch on September 20, and will be available from Apple, various carriers, and other retail partners.
iPhone 16: Price
The iPhone 16 lineup retains the same pricing as the iPhone 15 series at launch.
- iPhone 16: $799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB)
- iPhone 16 Plus: $899 (128GB), $999 (256GB), $1,199 (512GB)
- iPhone 16 Pro: $999 (128GB), $1,099 (256GB), $1,299 (512GB), $1,499 (1TB)
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: $1,199 (256GB), $1,399 (512GB), $1,599 (1TB)
iPhone 16: Cameras
The base iPhone 16 models maintain the same camera specifications as their iPhone 15 predecessors, featuring a 48MP main camera and a 12MP ultrawide camera. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro models come equipped with a 48MP main camera, a 48MP ultrawide camera, and a 12MP camera with 5x optical zoom.
The most significant hardware update in the iPhone 16 series is the upgrade of the zoom camera on the iPhone 16 Pro from 3x (as seen in the iPhone 15 Pro) to the same 5x zoom found in the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
In addition to this, Apple has made a range of standard tweaks and enhancements to the cameras in the iPhone 16 series. These adjustments are unlikely to significantly impact photo quality if you’re already accustomed to the recent iPhone models. However, the improvements will be more noticeable for users upgrading from older models, like the iPhone 12 or earlier.
For the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, Apple has added autofocus to the ultrawide camera for improved focus and support for macro photography. The new ultrawide sensor also captures 2.6 times more light, enhancing photo quality in low-light environments.
The base iPhone 16 models now support Spatial Video and Spatial Photo capture, designed for viewing on Apple's Vision Pro headset. Apple has also enhanced video recording by reducing unwanted noises, such as wind, in these models.
The iPhone 16 Pro models received exclusive updates, including a second-generation sensor for the main camera that eliminates shutter lag, making it easier to capture moving subjects like children, pets, or flowing clothing and hair.
Apple has added 4K video recording at 120 frames per second (fps), allowing for slow-motion recording in 4K resolution. Additionally, with four "studio quality" microphones, the iPhone 16 Pro models can capture Spatial Audio on compatible devices like AirPods and Vision Pro. Apple also noted that home entertainment systems could play back Spatial Audio as well.
iPhone 16: Performance
All four iPhone 16 models run on Apple's latest A18 processor, but only the iPhone 16 Pro models run on the higher-powered A18 Pro variant.
Apple claims the base iPhone 16 models running the A18 processor are up to 30% faster than the iPhone 15 running the A16 processor, and up to 60% faster than the iPhone 12 running the A14 Bionic processor. GPU performance is also 40% improved, which should lead to better gaming performance, according to Apple's claims.
As for the iPhone 16 Pro models running the A18 Pro processor, Apple stated it can run AI processes 15% faster than the iPhone 15 Pro's A17 Pro processor. The company also said the A18 Pro is up to 22% faster than the A17 Pro.
We have yet to see how the base iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models differ in performance for apps, games, and AI, but we're expecting typically fast and smooth performance on all four iPhone 16 models.
iPhone 16: AI, or 'Apple Intelligence'
For its new AI service, Apple Intelligence, Apple introduced several features and capabilities that will be available on the iPhone 16 series, as well as the iPhone 15 Pro models, which also support Apple Intelligence.
Some of these new features include:
- New Writing Tools: A feature that converts shorthand notes into fully-formed messages or documents with complete sentences.
- AI-Generated Emojis: Create custom emojis using a typed description of what you want the emoji to look like.
- Image Playground App: An innovative app that generates images based on user-provided prompts.
- Photo Search and Organization: Find photos using text descriptions and automatically organize them into albums or storylines based on the matched content.
- Email Summarization: Quickly summarize emails and notifications in the Email app.
- Meeting Notes Summaries: Generate concise summaries from meeting notes.
- AI Photo Suggestions: Receive suggestions for taking photos based on your location and the subject matter.
Apple's AI is also set to bring significant improvements to Siri. You will now be able to type queries directly to Siri. Additionally, Siri will recognize what’s on your screen and take action based on your request. For example, if you receive a song name in a message, you can simply ask Siri to "play that," and it will start playing the song without needing to open the music app and search manually.
Siri will also have enhanced capabilities for voice commands, such as sending a photo currently displayed on your screen to a friend via the Messages app.
Apple emphasized its commitment to privacy, stating that it will prioritize running queries on-device whenever possible, or on Apple's own servers.
Apple Intelligence will be available as a free update starting with the beta release in October with iOS 18.1, and additional AI features will be introduced over the following months.
iPhone 16: Battery life
Apple has promised a "big boost in battery life" for the base iPhone 16 models. According to the company's specifications, the iPhone 16 can deliver up to 22 hours of video playback, compared to 20 hours for the iPhone 15.
Apple also stated that the iPhone 16 Pro Max offers the "best iPhone battery life ever." Based on Apple's data, the iPhone 16 Pro Max can achieve up to 33 hours of video playback, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro Max was rated for 29 hours. This improved battery performance across all four models is attributed to larger batteries and greater efficiency from the iOS 18 operating system, along with the A18 and A18 Pro processors.
Given that the iPhone 16 Pro Max is claimed to have the "best iPhone battery life ever," it could potentially surpass the iPhone 15 Plus, which previously achieved the highest battery performance in our testing.
iPhone 16: Displays
For the first time since the iPhone 12 series in 2020, Apple has updated the display sizes of its iPhones, but this change applies only to the iPhone 16 Pro models.
The iPhone 16 Pro now features a 6.3-inch display, up from the 6.1-inch screen on the iPhone 15 Pro. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro Max's display has increased to 6.9 inches, compared to 6.7 inches on the previous iPhone 15 Pro Max.
- iPhone 16: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, 60Hz refresh rate
- iPhone 16 Plus: 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, 60Hz refresh rate
- iPhone 16 Pro: 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, 120Hz ProMotion, always-on display
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, 120Hz ProMotion, always-on display
While there are no improvements to the maximum brightness of the iPhone 16 series displays, which still peak at 2000 nits, they can now dim down to as low as 1 nit. This feature is particularly useful for parents putting babies or toddlers to sleep, or for anyone who wants a more comfortable experience when checking their phone in the dark, such as confirming an alarm before going to bed.
Apple has also enhanced the iPhone 16 series with its second-generation Ceramic Shield glass, which is claimed to be 50% tougher than the first generation introduced with the iPhone 12. Apple also asserts that it's twice as durable as "any other phone glass."
However, the base iPhone 16 models still lack Apple's ProMotion technology, which offers a 120Hz refresh rate. They remain at the older 60Hz standard. While there is nothing fundamentally wrong with 60Hz displays, a higher refresh rate would provide smoother animations and a more premium feel—something expected on devices starting at $800.
iPhone 16: Design
The base iPhone 16 models feature a refreshed oval camera design with vertically aligned lenses, reminiscent of the iPhone X/XS series, while the iPhone 16 Pro models retain the same three-camera layout from previous years.
Apple claims that the iPhone 16 Pro models have the thinnest bezels "on any product" they've ever released. However, due to the new display sizes, the iPhone 16 Pro models are slightly larger and heavier than their iPhone 15 Pro counterparts.
The base iPhone 16 models continue to use an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 16 Pro models retain the titanium frame first introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro series. All four iPhone 16 models feature the softer, contoured edges that Apple brought in with the iPhone 15 lineup.
The base iPhone 16 models are available in new color options: Ultramarine (a shade of blue), Teal, Pink, White, and Black. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro models come in Black, White, Natural, and Desert Titanium.
iPhone 16: New buttons
Apple introduced a new feature called the Camera Control button across all four iPhone 16 models. This tactile switch with haptic feedback registers various touch gestures and combinations of presses, taps, and swipes to activate different functions.
On all iPhone 16 models, pressing the Camera Control button opens the camera app, and pressing it again captures a photo. Holding the button starts a video recording. A light touch on the button while in the camera app brings up the zoom controls, and a double light touch reveals more advanced settings, such as depth of field and exposure adjustments.
For the iPhone 16 Pro models, the Camera Control button also allows users to switch between camera lenses and select different photographic styles.
Apple highlighted that the Camera Control button is compatible with third-party apps, such as Snapchat, and that its functions are available for developers to incorporate into their apps.
Additionally, Apple has replaced the iconic silent switch on the base iPhone 16 models with the Action button, which was first introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro series. With this change, it appears that the classic silent switch, present since the original iPhone in 2007, is being phased out.
The Action button has been enhanced with support for third-party apps. For example, Apple demonstrated using the button to unlock a car via the FordPass app. The Action button also retains its usual functions, such as enabling or disabling a Focus mode, opening the camera, toggling the flashlight, starting or stopping a voice memo, launching the Magnifier or Translate apps, activating a shortcut in the Shortcuts app, or quickly accessing an accessibility feature.
Is the iPhone 16 Worth Buying?
As with most new iPhone launches, the most noticeable improvements tend to come when you're upgrading from an older model. For instance, if you're moving up from an iPhone 15, the iPhone 16 probably won't offer a drastically different experience.
However, this usual assessment is slightly altered by the introduction of Apple's new AI capabilities, raising a new question: Should you buy an iPhone 16 specifically to access Apple's AI features? It's important to note that iPhone 15 Pro users don't need to upgrade solely for Apple's AI, as these are the only previous models that support it.
We haven't yet tested Apple's latest AI advancements or the iPhone 16 series overall. While the new devices are likely to perform exceptionally, as always, whether upgrading from a recent iPhone to the iPhone 16 for Apple's AI features—or any other reason—will be worthwhile remains uncertain until we conduct our reviews and tests.