The iPhone Pro line has always been a safe bet for those looking for the best iPhone experience. But this year, the standard iPhone 16 is a game-changer, making the decision to upgrade to the Pro model more complex than ever. While the iPhone 16 Pro is still a fantastic phone, its strengths might not be enough to justify the extra expense for everyone.
Hardware and Design: Familiar Yet Solid
The iPhone 16 Pro builds upon the design of its predecessor, featuring a robust titanium frame with a matte finish. It’s a visually appealing and durable phone, but the design feels very familiar. The flat sides and rounded corners provide a comfortable grip, but if you’re hoping for a dramatic change from the previous Pro model, you’ll be disappointed. The Action button returns, providing quick access to features like the flashlight or voice recorder, while the new Camera Control button introduces a unique way to adjust camera settings on the fly. It’s an innovative feature that takes some getting used to but ultimately adds a lot of control to the user experience.
Stunning Display
For the first time since the iPhone 12 Pro, Apple has increased the screen size of its Pro model, offering a generous 6.3-inch display. While the phone is slightly taller and wider, the slimmer bezels make it comfortable to hold and use with one hand. The OLED panel delivers vibrant colors and exceptional clarity, while the 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and responsive interactions. The always-on display (AOD) is also excellent, making notifications and key information easily accessible at a glance.
Camera: The Pro Advantage
Apple has always focused on providing its best cameras for its Pro iPhones, and this year, the upgrade is more pronounced than ever. The iPhone 16 Pro boasts a powerful 48MP primary camera, a new 48MP ultrawide camera, and a 12MP telephoto lens that’s been borrowed from the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This means you get exceptional image quality, outstanding detail, and a superior telephoto experience compared to the standard iPhone 16. The new ultrawide camera is particularly impressive, offering excellent performance for both wide-angle shots and macro photography. The iPhone 16 Pro also introduces Photographic Styles, allowing users to fine-tune the tone and color of their photos after taking them. These features, combined with ProRAW support, night mode portraits, and 4K Dolby Vision video recording at 120fps, make the iPhone 16 Pro a dream device for photographers and videographers alike.
Performance and Battery Life
Powered by Apple’s new A18 Pro chip, the iPhone 16 Pro is a powerhouse that effortlessly handles demanding tasks like gaming, multitasking, and video editing. However, the phone does get quite warm under heavy usage, especially when using demanding applications on a 5G connection. This is a slight concern, but not a dealbreaker. Battery life has been a disappointment, with the iPhone 16 Pro falling short of the regular iPhone 16. While the phone can handle a day of average use, it might require a top-up in the late afternoon, which can be frustrating for some users. Fortunately, MagSafe charging has been upgraded to 25W, making it faster than ever to charge the phone wirelessly. While wired charging speeds remain unchanged, Apple has yet to catch up to the rapid charging speeds offered by some Android competitors.
iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence
The iPhone 16 Pro comes pre-loaded with iOS 18, bringing significant changes to the user experience. The home screen is now more customizable, allowing for adjustments to app icon colors and more flexible widget placement. The Control Center has also been revamped, offering more control over its layout and functionality. Additionally, RCS support finally arrives, enabling seamless texting with Android users. While Apple Intelligence, a new AI-powered feature, is not yet available on the iPhone 16 Pro, it is expected to roll out in a future update. This feature has the potential to revolutionize the user experience, but it remains to be seen how effective it will be.
Price and Availability
The iPhone 16 Pro is available now at a starting price of $999 for the 128GB model. It comes in four color options: Natural Titanium, Black Titanium, White Titanium, and the new Desert Titanium, which resembles a golden hue. While the iPhone 16 Pro sits in a similar price range to competitors like the Google Pixel 9 Pro, it is $200 more expensive than the regular iPhone 16. This price difference is substantial and should be a key factor in the decision-making process.
Should You Buy the iPhone 16 Pro?
The iPhone 16 Pro is an excellent phone with a high-quality build, powerful performance, and exceptional camera capabilities. However, the standard iPhone 16 offers a compelling alternative, offering similar features, better battery life, and a more affordable price tag. Ultimately, the decision to choose the iPhone 16 Pro comes down to individual needs and priorities. If you require the 120Hz display or the extra camera features of the Pro model, then the iPhone 16 Pro is a worthy investment. But if you can live without those features, the regular iPhone 16 is a more cost-effective option that delivers an impressive user experience. The iPhone 16 Pro might not be the automatic upgrade it usually is, making the choice this year a more thoughtful one.
