Apple officially launched the iPhone 16 lineup during the “Glowtime” event on Monday. All four new models are now available for pre-order ahead of their release date on September 20.
All About the Newly Launched iPhone 16
The iPhone 16 lineup features Apple’s new AI system, Apple Intelligence, as its standout feature, along with a new generation processor and several hardware upgrades, including a larger display for the Pro models—all contributing to what are expected to be some of the best iPhones yet.
Among many other upgrades, the standard iPhone 16 models add a feature from the previous Pro model: the Action Button, and all four iPhone 16 models now include a new Camera Control button that allows for customizable photo and video options via touch-responsive gestures.
Models in the iPhone 16 Lineup
The iPhone 16 lineup shares the same model names as the iPhone 15 series.
Consistent with recent generations, the iPhone 16 lineup includes four models: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Apple has discontinued the Mini model starting from the iPhone 14 series. Similarly, there is no “Ultra” model in the iPhone 16 lineup with expanded upgrades over the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Release Date
Apple has made all four iPhone 16 models available for pre-order now on its website. The iPhone 16 lineup will be fully released on September 20 from Apple, various carriers, and other retailers.
Pricing
The pricing for the iPhone 16 lineup is equivalent to that of the iPhone 15 generation at launch.
- iPhone 16: $799 (128 GB), $899 (256 GB), $1,099 (512 GB)
- iPhone 16 Plus: $899 (128 GB), $999 (256 GB), $1,199 (512 GB)
- iPhone 16 Pro: $999 (128 GB), $1,099 (256 GB), $1,299 (512 GB), $1,499 (1 TB)
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: $1,199 (256 GB), $1,399 (512 GB), $1,599 (1 TB)
Camera
The iPhone 16 Pro features a 5x zoom lens for the first time.
The standard iPhone 16 models have camera specifications similar to their iPhone 15 predecessors, featuring a 48MP main camera and a 12MP ultra-wide camera, while the iPhone 16 Pro models come with a 48MP main camera, a 48MP ultra-wide camera, and a 12MP 5x zoom camera.
The most significant hardware change Apple made in the iPhone 16 lineup is upgrading the zoom camera of the iPhone 16 Pro from 3x (as seen on the iPhone 15 Pro) to the same 5x zoom as the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Additionally, Apple has made a series of routine tweaks and upgrades to the camera across the iPhone 16 lineup. As usual, photo quality improvements will be more noticeable if you are upgrading from older models, such as the iPhone 12 and earlier.
For the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, Apple has provided autofocus for the ultra-wide camera for better focus and also supports macro photography. The new ultra-wide sensor also captures 2.6 times more light for higher-quality images and will enhance performance in low-light conditions.
The standard iPhone 16 models also support spatial video and photo capture for viewing in Apple’s Vision Pro headset. The company has also upgraded noise reduction capabilities to minimize unwanted sounds, such as wind, when recording video in the standard iPhone 16 models.
The iPhone 16 Pro models have unique upgrades, including a second-generation sensor for the main camera that eliminates shutter lag, which helps capture moving subjects, such as children, pets, and flowing hair.
Apple has added the ability to record video in 4K at 120 frames per second (fps), allowing for slow-motion video capture in 4K. With four “studio-quality” microphones, the iPhone 16 Pro models can also capture spatial audio on supported devices like AirPods and Vision Pro. Apple has included home entertainment systems as devices capable of playing spatial audio.
Performance
The powerful A18 Pro chip in the iPhone 16 Pro models is optimized for Apple’s AI features.
All four iPhone 16 models are powered by Apple’s latest A18 processor, but only the iPhone 16 Pro models run on the more powerful A18 Pro variant.
Apple claims that the standard iPhone 16 models run the A18 processor up to 30% faster than the A16 processor in the iPhone 15 and up to 60% faster than the A14 Bionic processor in the iPhone 12. GPU performance has also improved by 40%, which is expected to lead to better gaming performance, according to Apple.
For the iPhone 16 Pro models running the A18 Pro processor, Apple states that it can execute AI processes 15% faster than the A17 Pro processor in the iPhone 15 Pro. The company also mentions that the A18 Pro is up to 22% faster than the A17 Pro.
So far, no noticeable differences have been reported between the performance of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro regarding applications, gaming, and AI, but it is hoped that performance will be fast and smooth across all four iPhone 16 models.
Apple Intelligence
All four iPhone 16 models are compatible with Apple Intelligence.
For Apple’s new AI service, Apple Intelligence, the company has announced several new features and capabilities available in the iPhone 16 lineup, as well as in the iPhone 15 Pro models, which also support Apple Intelligence.
Some of the new features include:
- A new writing tool feature that can convert shorthand notes into complete sentences or documents.
- Create AI-generated emojis based on prompts describing the emoji’s appearance.
- A new Image Playground app to create images from prompts.
- Search for images based on text descriptions and organize multiple matching images into an album or storyline.
- Summarize emails in the Email app and notifications.
- Create summaries from meeting notes.
- AI suggestions for photo captures based on location and subject.
It is hoped that Apple’s AI will significantly improve Siri. Now, you can input queries for Siri. Siri will also recognize what you see on the screen and act upon your requests. For example, if someone sends you the name of a song in a message, you can ask Siri to “play that song,” and the phone will start playing it without requiring you to manually navigate to the music app and search for the song.
Siri will also do more for you with voice commands, such as sending images on your screen to friends via the Messages app. The company has emphasized that it will prioritize privacy by processing queries on-device whenever possible or on Apple’s own servers.
Apple Intelligence will be a free update when the beta starts rolling out in October with iOS 18.1. Many other AI features will also be launched in the coming months.
Battery Life
Apple claims “significantly improved battery life” for the standard iPhone 16 models. According to the company’s specifications, the standard iPhone 16 can stream up to 22 hours of video, while the iPhone 15 can stream for 20 hours.
The company also asserts that the iPhone 16 Pro Max has “the best iPhone battery life ever.” According to Apple’s specifications, the iPhone 16 Pro Max can play back video for 33 hours, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max can do so for 29 hours. The improved battery life across all four models is attributed to larger batteries and increased efficiency from the iOS 18 operating system along with the A18 and A18 Pro processors.
If the iPhone 16 Pro Max has “the best iPhone battery life ever,” we can expect it to outperform the iPhone 15 Plus, which has achieved the highest score ever recorded on a smartphone.
Display
The iPhone 16 Pro models feature a new larger display size.
For the first time since the iPhone 12 series in 2020, Apple has changed the display size on its iPhones, but only for the iPhone 16 Pro models.
The display of the iPhone 16 Pro has increased to 6.3 inches from the 6.1 inches of the iPhone 15 Pro, and the display of the iPhone 16 Pro Max has grown to 6.9 inches from the 6.7 inches of the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
- iPhone 16: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, 60Hz
- iPhone 16 Plus: 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, 60Hz
- iPhone 16 Pro: 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, ProMotion 120Hz, Always On Display
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, ProMotion 120Hz, Always On Display
There are no improvements in brightness that the iPhone 16 lineup can achieve (2000 nits), but they can dim down to 1 nit. This may help you comfortably check something on your phone right before closing your eyes, such as confirming if you’ve set an alarm.
Apple has also upgraded the iPhone 16 lineup with second-generation Ceramic Shield glass, claiming that this glass is 50% tougher than the first generation introduced with the iPhone 12. Apple also boasts that this glass is twice as tough as “any other phone glass.”
The standard iPhone 16 models still lack Apple’s ProMotion display with a 120Hz refresh rate and continue to operate sluggishly at the outdated 60Hz rate. Essentially, a 60Hz display is not an issue, but a higher refresh rate provides ultra-smooth motion and a premium experience on phones starting at $800.
Design
The basic iPhone 16 models have received design improvements.
The basic iPhone 16 models have upgraded their oval-shaped camera design with vertically aligned cameras reminiscent of the iPhone X/XS series, while the iPhone 16 Pro maintains the familiar three-camera design.
Apple states that the iPhone 16 Pro models feature the thinnest bezels “on any product” they have ever released. However, due to the new screen size, the iPhone 16 Pro models are slightly larger and heavier than the iPhone 15 Pro.
The basic iPhone 16 models continue to have an aluminum frame, while the iPhone 16 Pro models retain the titanium frame introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro generation. All four iPhone 16 models feature softer edges that Apple showcased with the iPhone 15 series.
The basic iPhone 16 models come in new color options, including Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, White, and Black. The iPhone 16 Pro models are available in Black, White, Natural, and Desert Titanium.
New Buttons
Each iPhone 16 model features a new Camera Control button.
Apple has introduced a new button called Camera Control on all four iPhone 16 models. This is a tactile feedback switch that captures touch actions and gestures, as well as various combinations of presses, taps, and swipes to allow multiple functions.
Across the iPhone 16 lineup, pressing the Camera Control button opens the camera app just like any other button, and pressing it again will take a photo. Pressing and holding the button will start video recording. A light tap on the button while in the camera app will display zoom controls, and double-tapping will show more detailed controls, such as depth of field and exposure.
On the iPhone 16 Pro models, the Camera Control button also allows you to switch between camera lenses and shooting modes.
Apple has advertised that the Camera Control button works in third-party apps like Snapchat, and its functionalities are widely available for developers to incorporate into their applications.
Apple has also replaced the iconic mute switch on the basic iPhone 16 with the Action button that was previously introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro models. Starting with the iPhone 16, it seems we can say goodbye to the mute switch, which has been present since the first iPhone in 2007.
Apple has enhanced the utility of the Action button by adding support for third-party applications. For example, the Action button can unlock a car using the FordPass app. The Action button also provides conventional functions, such as turning Focus mode on or off, opening the camera, toggling the flashlight, starting or stopping voice memos, launching the Magnifier app, accessing the Translate app, activating shortcuts in the Shortcuts app, or quickly accessing accessibility features.
