The iPhone 16 Plus is a big phone with a big screen, but is it worth the hefty price tag? In our iPhone 16 review, we questioned if the Pro models were truly necessary this year, so where does that leave the iPhone 16 Plus? It’s almost identical to the iPhone 16, apart from a few obvious differences. Does this make it a better buy, or is it simply unnecessary and unwanted? Or is it the ultimate choice if you crave a big-screen experience? I’ve put the iPhone 16 Plus to the test, and the answer, it turns out, is more complicated than I expected.
Design and Hardware
The iPhone 16 Plus, with its 6.7-inch screen, dwarfs its smaller sibling. But despite its size, it’s surprisingly manageable, weighing in at 199 grams and being only 6mm wider than the iPhone 16. It’s certainly not a small phone, and those who dislike large phones will find it unwieldy. But once you pick it up, you’ll immediately notice how Apple has refined the hardware this year. Compared to the iPhone 15 Plus, the new phone is a significant upgrade in its case, shape, and materials. The rounded, curved corners, perfectly tactile buttons, and stunning glass back make it a pleasure to hold. The camera module, another dramatic improvement over the 15 Plus, blends seamlessly into the case back, giving it a floating, almost liquid-like appearance. It’s truly striking.
The new color range is also impressive. I’ve been using the Teal version, and it’s beautiful, but the Ultramarine color is also a strong contender. The matte finish of the metal chassis perfectly complements the vibrant new colors. Although the metal chassis doesn’t quite match the titanium feel of the iPhone 16 Pro Max, it’s different, not worse. It’s warmer to the touch and provides a better grip without a case. However, the most notable difference when holding the two phones together is the additional 28 grams you’ll be carrying daily if you choose the Pro Max. The 16 Plus feels remarkably light by comparison, until you pick up the even lighter iPhone 16.
I’ve used the iPhone 16 Plus both with and without its official Apple silicone case, and it remains comfortably pocketable. The case provides excellent grip but does attract dust and lint. However, I appreciate the sapphire crystal cover over the Camera Control button, another design and functionality win this year, and the fun MagSafe wireless charging animation. Make no mistake, the iPhone 16 Plus is a big phone, and if that’s a dealbreaker for you, the smaller iPhone 16 is a better choice. But if size doesn’t bother you, this is a beautifully crafted, high-quality smartphone that, alongside the Google Pixel 9 series, should set the benchmark for other brands striving to compete in the coming year.
Screen
There are two main issues with the iPhone 16 Plus’ screen, and they’re shared by the iPhone 16. For a $900 phone, the 6.7-inch screen’s 60Hz refresh rate feels unforgivable, especially considering the prevalence of high refresh rate screens in even budget-friendly Android phones. While I won’t defend Apple’s decision, the iPhone 16 Plus does a decent job of smoothing out the 60Hz screen, making it a significantly better experience than the iPhone 14. However, it’s still a far cry from the smooth experience offered by a 120Hz ProMotion screen or any modern Android phone’s high refresh rate. It’s a cruel choice on Apple’s part, and personally, it’s a reason for me to avoid non-Pro iPhones, but it may not be a deal-breaker for everyone. I notice the blur when scrolling through apps like Threads and Reddit, and it’s both uncomfortable and visually unappealing.
Another issue is the lack of an always-on display, leaving you with a black screen when the phone is locked unless you’re actively interacting with it. While almost every other smartphone on the market offers always-on displays, even holdout Motorola is rumored to be finally adopting the feature. Apple’s always-on screen is highly customizable, helpful, and aesthetically pleasing, but you’ll have to buy a Pro model to enjoy it. Apple’s decision to exclude these features leaves you feeling shortchanged and detracts from an otherwise attractive screen. Despite its larger size, the screen has the same pixel density as the iPhone 16, offering sharp, vibrant, and remarkably bright visuals. Interestingly, the iPhone 16 Plus is slightly smaller than the iPhone 16 Pro Max, even with the latter’s larger 6.9-inch screen. The difference lies in the bezels, which are larger and more noticeable on the 16 Plus. It’s not a significant issue, but there’s no denying the 16 Pro Max’s futuristic look with its minimal bezels.
Camera
The iPhone 16 Plus shares the same camera system as the iPhone 16, so don’t expect any differences in specifications or performance. You get a 48-megapixel main camera, a 12MP ultrawide camera, a 2x optical zoom mode, and a 12MP selfie camera. The wide-angle camera now boasts autofocus, a welcome addition, but otherwise, it’s very similar to the iPhone 15 Plus camera system. New to iOS 18 and the iPhone 16 are updated Photographic Styles, which act as real-time and post-capture filters. With 15 styles to choose from, you can have a lot of fun experimenting with them. The Camera Control hardware button on the side of the phone adds an element of fun and allows for both subtle and dramatic alterations to your images.
On the positive side, the camera captures sharp, detailed photos with better balance than previous iPhone cameras, resulting in less contrast and exposure issues. You can achieve a lovely depth of field when close to a subject, and while the wide-angle camera lacks the detail of the primary camera, its consistent treatment of the scene is commendable. The camera app is fast and intuitive, the editing suite, while not immediately intuitive, becomes easier with use, and the Camera Control button adds a fun element to photography.
However, low-light performance is less impressive. Even in dim indoor lighting, shots are grainy, a problem that also affects macro mode, which struggles in anything but perfect lighting. The on-the-go editing of Photographic Styles is beautifully designed, using a combination of swipes and sliders, but it’s a bit fiddly. Mastering this feature helps compensate for the camera’s tendency to oversaturate shots. The optical quality 2x photos are decent but lack detail when cropped further.
I’m being critical of the iPhone 16 Plus’ camera because it needs to be exceptional, not just because of its price, but because it should be a compelling reason to choose the Plus over the regular iPhone 16. Unfortunately, it’s not, as the camera is identical. Considering the compromises you’re already making with the screen, if photography is a top priority, a Pro model might be a better investment. If you’re looking to capture fun vacation shots to share with friends, you’ll be more than satisfied. Just make sure you learn to use the Photographic Styles, as they’re crucial for maximizing the iPhone 16 Plus’ camera potential.
Software
What can I say about iOS 18, preinstalled on the iPhone 16 series? It’s excellent. While not flawless, it offers numerous features that are incredibly user-friendly and enjoyable, with minimal unnecessary interruptions or gimmicks that disrupt the smooth flow of the operating system. Apple’s A18 processor (not the A18 Pro found in Pro models) ensures a consistently fast and responsive experience right from the start. While benchmark results show slight variations between it and the smaller iPhone 16, there’s no apparent hardware reason for this.
The look of iOS 18 is more customizable than before, allowing you to change the position and color of app icons, reduce their number on the screen if desired, and use a wider variety of widgets. While it’s a step in the right direction, I’m perfectly content with the familiar layout I’ve used for years. The color options range from the acceptable dark mode icons to the overly colorful tinted option, which can easily be overdone and ruin the look of your home screens. These are minor cosmetic tweaks compared to the things iOS excels at. Apple Pay is flawless, simple to set up, and reliable. Apple Maps has significantly improved and now rivals Google Maps for driving routes in my area. The built-in Podcasts app is packed with features and easy to use, and iMessage now offers a plethora of features and is enjoyable if you have contacts who use it (I only have one contact who prefers it over WhatsApp). The overall app experience is so effortless and reassuring that I use my iPhone for virtually every app that handles on-the-go payments, like my parking app and the Shell app for pay-at-the-pump service.
And that’s before we even consider the plethora of pay services Apple offers, from Apple Music and iCloud to Apple Fitness+ for those with an Apple Watch. Apple seamlessly integrates its services and hardware, encouraging you to consider adding them without ever feeling overly pushy. On the downside, iOS is becoming so feature-packed that it can be overwhelming to keep up. The many customization features, from icon colors to editing and rearranging the Control Center layout, feel clunky and often pointless. The ever-growing menus and pull-down screens risk overwhelming the OS.
Despite its flaws, Apple’s iOS software is a major selling point for the iPhone. It’s easy to learn and use, remains simple enough for everyone, features a range of well-crafted standard apps and many optional services, allows for customization if you desire it, and enjoys long-term support. Only Android on the Pixel 9 series comes close, but even it falls short of Apple’s superb, well-rounded software package.
Apple Intelligence
The Apple iPhone 16 Plus doesn’t come with Apple Intelligence preinstalled unless you opt for the public beta version of iOS 18.1. I don’t recommend this if it’s your only phone, as I’ve been using it, and it’s not entirely reliable. Besides, it’s not worth it yet. The software has indicated Apple Intelligence is running, but I haven’t noticed any changes or improvements to my workflow. Apple Intelligence will officially launch with iOS 18.1 in October in the U.S. and as a beta version in the U.K. in December. Based on my experience with Google Gemini and Samsung’s Galaxy AI services, which offer similar functionalities, Apple Intelligence is unlikely to be a deciding factor in purchasing the iPhone 16. Don’t wait for it to make your decision. If it turns out to be exceptional and better than the competition, consider it a bonus.
Battery Life and Charging
Apple doesn’t disclose the iPhone 16 Plus’ battery capacity; instead, it provides metrics like video playback times for battery life assessment and comparison. The iPhone 16 Plus boasts a video playback time of 27 hours on a single charge, compared to 22 hours for the iPhone 16, confirming a larger capacity cell than its smaller counterpart. Battery life has been consistently strong, with an easy six hours of screen-on time from a single charge. Interestingly, this is nearly identical to the usage time we saw with the iPhone 16. So far, battery life has been reliable, unlike my experience with the iPhone 15 Pro Max over a year of ownership, suggesting iOS 18 has been optimized well.
Recharging the battery can be done with a USB-C cable or a MagSafe wireless charger. Apple claims a 50% charge in 30 minutes with a 20-watt charger, which seems accurate, but a full charge via cable takes at least 90 minutes. While not the fastest charging phone, I make good use of the brilliant iOS StandBy feature, placing the 16 Plus on a MagSafe charger overnight. This transforms it into a convenient smart display and bedside clock while it charges. Even with three hours of screen-on time, the battery consistently had about 50% remaining at the end of the day, eliminating any battery life concerns when used and charged in this way.
Price and Availability
The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is available now, starting at $899 for the basic 128GB version. You can pay an extra $100 for 256GB of storage space or another $200 for 512GB. Offering only 128GB on the base model is restrictive, especially considering the high price, so seriously consider getting more storage space if you plan to keep the phone for a while. Otherwise, expect to pay for additional iCloud storage in the future. You’ll pay $100 more for the larger screen compared to the smaller iPhone 16. Whether it’s worth it depends on your comfort level with using and carrying a big-screen phone daily. If you’re not comfortable with that, you won’t be missing out on much by opting for the iPhone 16.
A more difficult decision is whether to spend more for the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which boasts an even larger, always-on screen, a 120Hz refresh rate, and all the other camera and performance benefits. Looking at it this way, the case for the iPhone 16 Plus is a tough one. It’s not the cheapest iPhone, nor is it the best. It’s simply the most affordable big iPhone, which is heavier than the cheapest small iPhone, limiting its appeal.
Is This the iPhone 16 to Buy?
The iPhone 16 Plus is excellent, and I have no problem recommending it, but I’m not entirely sure who I’m recommending it to. The compromises you’ll be making, from the overall size and weight to the low refresh rate screen, might mean it’s wiser to spend less on the equally excellent iPhone 16 or spend more for the bigger, better iPhone 16 Pro Max. It’s frustrating that I don’t see any significant battery life improvement over the iPhone 16. The cameras and processor are the same, and the screen is larger but still lacks features I consider essential in 2024.
I want to emphasize that the iPhone 16 Plus has been impressive, but unless you absolutely need a larger screen, the iPhone 16 is cheaper and otherwise identical. But if you’re determined to have a big-screen phone and are willing to spend more, the iPhone 16 Pro Max offers an even larger screen without feature compromises and boasts various other advantages. I’m looking forward to putting my SIM back in it and leaving the iPhone 16 Plus behind, like the last player chosen for the team. It’s not because it’s bad, but because it lacks a compelling edge and doesn’t do enough to stand out from the crowd.
