Apple has finally unveiled the much-anticipated iPhone 16 series, and this year, the company has significantly bridged the gap between the standard iPhone 16 and 16 Plus and their Pro counterparts. Gone are the days when the Pro models held a clear advantage. This year, both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro share similar features like the latest processors, camera capabilities, the Action Button, and the Camera Control button. This makes the decision of which iPhone to buy more difficult. Do you need the extra features of the iPhone 16 Pro, or is the standard iPhone 16 enough? Let’s dive into the differences and help you make the right choice.
Design: Almost Identical Twins
While the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro may look very similar, the design changes this year are far more subtle compared to last year’s noticeable distinctions. The iPhone 16 finally gets the Action Button that was previously exclusive to the Pro models, and both phones feature the new Camera Control button. This innovative button, located on the bottom right side of the frame, is a physical button with an integrated touch sensor. It enables a range of interactive gestures, including swiping, pressing, and half-pressing. The iPhone 15 Pro series saw Apple introduce a Titanium frame for its Pro models, and the iPhone 16 Pro continues this trend. It comes in three titanium colors: Black Titanium, White Titanium, and Natural Titanium, with a new Desert Titanium option replacing the Blue Titanium. The non-Pro iPhone remains Apple’s most colorful smartphone, and this year is no exception. The iPhone 16 retains the aluminum frame from previous non-Pro models and is available in a variety of vibrant colors: White, Black, Pink, Teal, and Ultramarine.
Display: Subtle Size Difference, Shared Excellence
Last year, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro shared the same screen size, but Apple has slightly increased the Pro model’s size this year. The iPhone 16 Pro is now 0.2 inches taller at 5.89 inches compared to the iPhone 16’s 5.81 inches. Despite the difference in height, both devices maintain a similar width and thickness. The iPhone 16 Pro also boasts narrower bezels, which Apple claims are the thinnest on any Apple product. If you’re looking for a slightly larger display but find the iPhone 16 Plus or iPhone 16 Pro Max too big, the iPhone 16 Pro might be the ideal choice. This also means the iPhone 16 Pro shares the same 6.3-inch display size as the Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro.
Both displays feature a 1,000-nit typical brightness, 1,600 nits for HDR content, and peak brightness of 2,000 nits for outdoor use. They can even dim down to just 1 nit in very dark environments to prevent eye strain. While both phones utilize Apple’s Super Retina XDR OLED display, the iPhone 16 Pro has ProMotion features, offering an adaptive refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz based on the displayed content. The iPhone 16 Pro also comes with the Always-On Display, a feature enabled by the ProMotion display, which is missing on the iPhone 16. Both displays are protected by Ceramic Shield, Apple’s claim to be the strongest glass on any iPhone. Based on past generations, it will protect against drops, but scratch protection may vary.
Cameras: Catching Up, But Still Differences
Apple dedicated significant time at its event to discussing the cameras on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro. Both have been updated, but as in previous years, the iPhone Pro models offer higher-grade cameras for photos and videos. On the rear, the iPhone 16 features a 48-megapixel fusion camera and a 12MP ultrawide camera. The fusion camera uses pixel binning to capture high-resolution 24MP images. The 2x optical zoom, advertised by Apple, is achieved by cropping the middle 12MP of the sensor. The cropped telephoto also boasts a faster aperture compared to previous dedicated 2x telephoto cameras on iPhones, allowing more light and better low-light photos. The upgraded 12MP ultrawide sensor also adds autofocus and macro photography capabilities for the first time.
With the iPhone 16 Pro, you get the same 48MP Fusion camera but an upgraded 48MP ultrawide sensor and the 5x telephoto lens previously exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The ultrawide sensor captures even better photos and enables 48MP macro photography, while the upgraded telephoto lens is perfect for those who love zooming in before taking pictures. Both cameras come with a range of new software features that leverage the latest technology. The iPhone 16 Pro gains a few more exclusive features. Both offer Audio Mix, allowing users to adjust the sound with different effects after capturing a video. They can both capture spatial photos and videos for use with the Apple Vision Pro, while the iPhone 16 Pro also gets Dolby Vision and 4k recording at 120 frames per second (fps). Unlike previous years, the iPhone 16 camera shares many of the same capabilities as the iPhone 16 Pro. Unless you need the telephoto lens, the better ultrawide camera, or the advanced video recording capabilities, you can enjoy a similar experience with the iPhone 16 and save yourself $200.
Software and Performance: Powerhouses
Apple has designed the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro with Apple Intelligence in mind. Both devices feature the latest 3nm processors, resulting in significant increases in memory bandwidth and improved gaming and AI performance. This year’s iPhone 16 is the first non-Pro iPhone to utilize the same technology standard as its Pro siblings. It’s powered by the A18 processor, which features a six-core CPU with two performance and four efficiency cores. The processor is up to twice as fast for on-device machine learning compared to the iPhone 15, up to 30% faster for general tasks, and has a desktop-class five-core GPU that’s up to 40% faster than the iPhone 15.
The iPhone 16 Pro features the A18 Pro chipset, offering similar benefits with one more core in its GPU. With the same number of CPU and Neural Engine cores in both chipsets, performance is likely very similar, especially for everyday tasks and Apple Intelligence. Hardware-based ray tracing is present in both chipsets, meaning the non-Pro iPhone can now run desktop-class games like Assassin’s Creed and Resident Evil 7 for the first time. Both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro run iOS 18 out of the box, and Apple Intelligence features will be rolled out in the coming weeks and months. A software update later this year will add new Vision Intelligence features to the Camera Control button, similar to those offered by Google with Gemini AI.
Battery Life and Charging: Faster and Longer
Apple doesn’t disclose individual battery capacities for its iPhones, but based on the provided specs, the iPhone 16 Pro is expected to have slightly better overall battery life. The iPhone 16 offers up to 22 hours of video playback, while the iPhone 16 Pro is rated at up to 27 hours. The lack of the ProMotion display and a slightly larger battery likely contribute to this difference. Both models offer improved battery life compared to last year’s models. This year’s significant difference lies in charging, with both models boasting much faster charging capabilities. Whether you opt for the iPhone 16 or the iPhone 16 Pro, you’ll benefit from improved wired, wireless, and MagSafe charging.
MagSafe wireless charging has been boosted to 25 watts with a 30W adapter or higher. However, you’ll need Apple’s latest MagSafe charger for this faster charging speed. If you purchased a MagSafe charger before the iPhone 16 event, you’ll be limited to 15W charging speeds, similar to non-MagSafe Qi2 chargers. When using a wired connection, you can charge both phones up to 50% in approximately 30 minutes.
Verdict: The Pro Isn’t Always Better
For the first time, the non-Pro iPhone 16 could be the ideal choice for most users. In previous years, Apple made compromises with the non-Pro models. But this year, the iPhone 16 delivers most of the iPhone 16 Pro experience at a lower price. The iPhone 16 starts at $799 for 128GB of storage, while the iPhone 16 Pro is $999 for the same storage option. If you prioritize a telephoto lens, a larger display with the ProMotion adaptive refresh rate, and a superior ultrawide camera, the iPhone 16 Pro is the one for you. The Titanium finish of the iPhone 16 Pro is also expected to offer enhanced durability, although both devices share the same Ceramic Shield protection. However, if these features aren’t critical, or you prefer a more colorful iPhone, the iPhone 16 is a compelling alternative. For once, you don’t need to purchase a Pro iPhone to experience a Pro-like experience. Regardless of your choice, the best iPhone 16 deals will help you snag a fantastic deal on Apple’s latest smartphones.
