Apple iPhone 16 Plus Review: Better Than The Pro?

At a look

Skilled’s Score

Execs

• Massive 6.7-inch Tremendous Retina XDR show
• A18 chipset delivers very good efficiency
• Wonderful battery life
• Helpful Digicam Management button

Cons

• No 120Hz refresh charge
• Incomplete AI options at launch
• Begins at solely 128GB storage
• No telephoto zoom lens

Our Verdict

The iPhone 16 Plus delivers distinctive efficiency with its A18 chipset, Digicam Management, and sensible show. These similar options additionally place it near the Professional Max for the primary time in years, and it provides virtually all the things individuals need from a large-screen iPhone at a way more inexpensive worth.

Worth When Reviewed

This worth will present the geolocated pricing textual content for product undefined

Finest Pricing In the present day

Worth When Reviewed

899

Finest Costs In the present day: iPhone 16 Plus

$929.99

The iPhone 16 Plus represents a big leap in design and performance, providing one of the vital related experiences to its premium counterpart, the iPhone 16 Professional Max, in years.

With a high-quality 6.7-inch show, it brings a large-screen expertise with out the added weight or price of the Professional Max. Notable design adjustments embody the introduction of the Motion Button, a characteristic that was beforehand unique to the Professional fashions, and the brand new Digicam Management button, which transforms the images expertise by permitting real-time customisation of zoom, publicity, and extra.

Whereas the iPhone 16 Plus doesn’t carry the Professional Max’s 120Hz show or telephoto lens, it’s the closest Apple has come to narrowing the hole between its commonplace and Professional fashions. This iteration of the Plus provides the identical 48Mp Fusion essential digital camera and superior picture processing, making it a wonderful alternative for customers who need the most recent options however don’t want the total energy of the Professional Max.

From the up to date design or the spectacular A18 chipset, the iPhone 16 Plus delivers an expertise that feels a lot nearer to Apple’s high-end choices than ever earlier than.

Design & Construct

• Vibrant colors make a comeback
• 199g – one of many lighter large iPhones
• Motion Button and Digicam Management each helpful

The iPhone 16 Plus retains to Apple’s smooth design language whereas refining some key facets.

With flat edges, the design is clear and fashionable, and really a lot consistent with Apple’s minimalist method. Total, the design manages to face out in a market the place many telephones begin to look the identical. You’ll discover that the digital camera design has reverted to the vertical tablet type from the iPhone X, changing the digital camera bump with diagonal lenses.

Apple determined to make this 12 months’s system lighter – down from 201g on the iPhone 15 Plus to 199g right here. It’s a minor however notable change that makes dealing with the 6.7-inch system rather more comfy, particularly over prolonged use. Ergonomically, it feels well-balanced, although it’s nonetheless a two-handed telephone as a result of display screen measurement.

The Motion Button, a characteristic first launched with the iPhone 15 Professional, has now made its technique to the iPhone 16 Plus.

This button replaces the outdated mute swap, providing extra customisability. You’ll be able to assign it to numerous duties, from launching the digital camera to activating shortcuts, making it a flexible addition for customers who crave a bit extra private management over their telephone’s {hardware}. Whether or not you need it to unlock your Tesla or entry your music playlists rapidly, it’s a characteristic that integrates properly into day by day workflows.

One new addition I respect is the Digicam Management button, which Apple insists isn’t fairly a button – however it’s. It sits recessed, providing gesture management and a fast launch to the digital camera, very similar to the Motion button launched final 12 months. The button offers tactile suggestions utilizing Apple’s Taptic Engine, guaranteeing that every interplay is exact and responsive, enhancing its usability when held in panorama mode.

I’ll speak extra concerning the Digicam Management later, however can share some early ideas now. Whereas I discovered the Digicam Management helpful for images, it typically competes with the Motion button for relevance. Apple might have to rethink the operate of the older Motion button in future iterations, because it feels underused in comparison with this newer management.

From a color perspective, the Ultramarine variant stands out, and is my private favorite. Nevertheless, I purchased the system in Pink on the request of my different half.

Whichever you determine to go for, you’ll discover a depth of color, with lighter tones contrasting in opposition to the shiny digital camera bump and including a premium really feel to the system. The Pink and Teal variants additionally present vibrant selections, providing a wealthy visible expertise that doesn’t really feel overdone.

Display & Audio system

• Brilliant 6.7-inch Tremendous Retina XDR OLED show
• Nonetheless no 120Hz refresh charge
• Stereo audio system present clear, loud sound with respectable bass

The iPhone 16 Plus maintains its 6.7-inch Tremendous Retina XDR OLED show with a decision of 2796 x 1290 pixels, delivering a crisp, shiny, and immersive expertise. This show shines in most eventualities, from gaming to watching motion pictures, and handles on a regular basis duties with aplomb.

Nevertheless, the dearth of ‘ProMotion’ excessive refresh charge is probably essentially the most notable distinction from its pricier siblings, and really irritating in 2024. The 60Hz refresh charge feels dated in comparison with different flagship fashions that supply smoother scrolling and animations.

This omission is felt most whereas enjoying video games or switching between apps, the place a 120Hz show would make issues really feel extra fluid. That mentioned, the iPhone 16 Plus nonetheless offers a pointy, colour-accurate visible expertise, however customers upgrading from current Professional fashions might discover the distinction.

Nevertheless, the display screen can attain spectacular ranges of brightness, making it usable in direct daylight or brightly lit rooms. In line with Apple, the display screen can attain as much as 1000 nits usually, with 1600 nits for HDR content material and 2000 nits in peak brightness, that means it’s greater than able to dealing with harsh lighting situations.

With 2000 nits peak brightness outdoor and a brand new 1 nit low setting for nighttime use, it’s straightforward to see why this is among the greatest shows available on the market. The brand new low brightness is available in significantly useful when utilizing my telephone in mattress at evening.

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Nevertheless, the 1 nit assist nonetheless doesn’t enable the All the time-on show to make an look, so you possibly can’t rapidly verify notifications, time, or different widgets with out absolutely unlocking the telephone. Nevertheless, it could possibly dim intelligently to save lots of energy when not in use.

The Dynamic Island characteristic continues to impress, particularly with extra apps integrating its performance in iOS 18. It’s significantly helpful for managing notifications, dwell actions, and sure app features with out taking on vital display screen actual property.

From monitoring your Uber to managing notifications for sports activities scores or flight info, Dynamic Island offers a useful, much less obtrusive technique to hold up to date.

Then we get to the stereo audio system, with audio coming from the highest speaker and backside audio system. Whereas not dramatically improved from the earlier mannequin, the iPhone 16 Plus nonetheless provides loud, crisp sound with respectable bass. For a telephone this measurement, it’s a surprisingly succesful audio system.

Specs & Efficiency

• Powered by the A18 Bionic chipset – which outperforms most Android units
• Nice for gaming and multitasking
• 8GB RAM is a big increase from the earlier technology

The iPhone 16 Plus is powered by the most recent A18 Bionic chipset, Apple’s most superior cell processor to this point. This 6-core CPU is made up of two efficiency cores and 4 effectivity cores, working in tandem to ship distinctive multitasking efficiency.

Whether or not you’re shopping a number of apps, modifying pictures or movies, or participating in AAA cell gaming, the iPhone 16 Plus handles all of it with out a hitch. The 5-core GPU ensures buttery-smooth graphics efficiency in demanding video games like Asphalt 9 or less complicated titles like Vegetation vs. Zombies.

The improve to 8GB of RAM – a notable improve in comparison with 6GB on the iPhone 15 Plus – ensures the system can deal with intensive duties with out slowing down. Apps load quicker, multitasking is seamless, and you’ll work with extra apps open concurrently with out noticing any slowdowns. This quantity of RAM is especially advantageous for heavy customers who swap between a number of apps or video games often.

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Efficiency-wise, it’s onerous to fault the iPhone 16 Plus for any slowdown or lag, even throughout essentially the most intensive duties. Whether or not you’re streaming 4K video, enjoying demanding video games, or modifying high-resolution pictures, the telephone delivers constant, top-tier efficiency.

As compared, the Samsung Galaxy S24+ is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Whereas it provides stronger reminiscence efficiency with its 12GB of RAM, it falls behind in uncooked CPU energy and effectivity in comparison with the iPhone. The Pixel 9 is powered by Google’s newest Tensor G4 chip, which delivers even decrease efficiency attributable to Google’s give attention to AI and machine studying duties reasonably than brute efficiency.

Apple iPhone 16 Plus benchmarks

When it comes to benchmarks, the A18 chipset has confirmed itself as a powerhouse. In Geekbench checks, the iPhone 16 Plus achieved a single-core rating of 3377 and a multi-core rating of 8371, outperforming comparable flagship Android smartphones just like the Google Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy S24+, which wrestle to match this stage of efficiency.

For instance, the Galaxy S24+ managed a single-core rating of round 2036 and a multi-core rating of 6018. Elsewhere, the Pixel 9, powered by Google’s newest Tensor G3 chip, achieved a single-core rating of 1712 and a multi-core rating of 3920.

I used to be impressed with how snappy and responsive all the things felt, from multitasking to gaming and watching content material. It takes an terrible lot of multitasking or heavy utilization to trigger this system to freeze up, decelerate, and even start to drop frames.

Cameras

• 48Mp essential digital camera delivers versatile efficiency
• 12Mp ultra-wide lens provides improved macro pictures
• 4K 60fps video recording, plus new AI audio options

The iPhone 16 Plus embodies Apple’s give attention to images with its 48Mp ‘Fusion’ essential digital camera, which provides dynamic changes by the brand new Digicam Management characteristic. This lets you fine-tune zoom, publicity, and photographic types straight whereas taking pictures.

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Apple has upgraded the sensor behind the principle digital camera, enabling quicker autofocus and improved low-light efficiency. Even in difficult lighting situations, the iPhone 16 Plus captures spectacular element with out oversaturating colors or introducing noise.

The ultrawide digital camera continues to be caught at 12Mp, not like the upgraded 48Mp model on the iPhone 16 Professional Max. So that you’re getting the identical ultrawide efficiency because the previous few years. It’s dependable and the pictures look nice general. However whenever you begin to zoom in, sharpness begins to drop and particulars can develop into fuzzy.

As you may know, the ultrawide lens doubles as a macro digital camera, making it supreme for close-up pictures. With iPhone 16 Plus, Apple modified issues up just a little bettering low-light efficiency dramatically in comparison with the iPhone 15 Plus. This offers customers the flexibility to shoot in numerous environments with out sacrificing readability.

You’ve acquired loads of different modes to choose from as properly. Portrait pictures come out trying exceptionally pure and sharp, with element and sharpness being retained even whenever you zoom in. That is true for each the rear digital camera and selfie snapper. The evening mode is downright distinctive, with the picture processing normally choosing extra lifelike color in substitution for further sharpness.

For those who’re hoping to simply level and shoot your pictures, the iPhone’s digital camera app is arguably the perfect for this. And with quicker apertures on the entire cameras, taking pictures is faster than ever – one thing you possibly can actually discover for those who’re attempting to seize one thing that’s transferring or need to take plenty of back-to-back snaps.

One of the thrilling additions is the Digicam Management button. This touch-sensitive management enables you to entry numerous digital camera modes with gestures. Whereas it took some getting used to, I discovered it extremely helpful when taking pictures on the go – particularly once I was out and about or solely had one hand free. You’ll be able to modify zoom and depth of area, and even swap lenses, with out ever tapping the display screen.

In fact, you possibly can nonetheless do all this from the display screen. And whenever you’re taking pictures ordinarily, it’d really be simpler to not use Digicam Management. My different large gripe with that is that when the telephone is switched off, you’ll should press the button twice to launch the digital camera. Urgent it as soon as will swap your system on first.

Visible Intelligence seems to be compelling as a Google Lens different, however this isn’t obtainable on the time of writing (even on the beta software program I used to be working).

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Video recording sees a notable improve with 4K at 60fps in Dolby Imaginative and prescient, bringing cinematic-quality filming to on a regular basis customers. The iPhone 16 Plus additionally introduces the flexibility to decelerate movies post-capture, letting you obtain {smooth} slow-motion results with out having to modify digital camera modes. This characteristic is quick and simply accessible inside the Pictures app, making it a fantastic device for content material creators.

Apple has even launched AI-powered Audio Combine instruments, that are particularly helpful when modifying on the fly. Whether or not I used to be modifying clips for social media or extra skilled use, the combo of cinematic video and studio-quality audio instruments made the iPhone 16 Plus a greater video recorder than ever earlier than.

In reality, these options are virtually an identical to the iPhone 16 Professional Max. The noise discount doesn’t work fairly in addition to I’d have hoped, however it’s undoubtedly higher than not being there in any respect.

Battery Life & Charging

• Lengthy-lasting battery lifetime of 14-16 hours with typical use
• 50% cost in half-hour with fast-charging
• Quicker MagSafe charging and Qi2 assist

The iPhone 16 Plus is powerful in the case of battery life. Whereas it doesn’t take the crown for the longest-lasting iPhone (that honour goes to the iPhone 16 Professional Max), the iPhone 16 Plus simply delivers over 16 hours of battery life throughout normal use.

This contains duties like shopping the net, streaming movies, FaceTiming, and interesting in gentle gaming. Extra demanding duties, reminiscent of extended gaming or in depth digital camera use, will trigger the battery to empty quicker, however it nonetheless comfortably lasts by a full day on a single cost. In reality, when attempting to run down the battery to check the charging speeds, I really discovered it tough to get this telephone to 0%.

In fact, Apple received’t inform us the precise mAh determine of the battery, although GSMArena estimates it to be 4675mAh. Nevertheless, the model does declare that that is the largest battery ever seen on this iPhone mannequin. Up to now, that appears true, and my outcomes line up with Apple’s estimates.

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

This all-day battery efficiency is primarily as a result of energy effectivity of the A18 Bionic chip, which optimises energy consumption throughout much less demanding duties. Whether or not I used to be streaming video, utilizing GPS for navigation, or taking pictures all through the day, the telephone simply made it to the night with battery to spare.

The USB-C charging port is a welcome change, supporting 20W quick charging. This enables the system to cost from 0% to 50% in about half-hour when paired with the proper adapter, making it handy for fast top-ups in the course of the day.

Apple has additionally enhanced MagSafe charging, which is now quicker than ever earlier than. Apple claims the telephone can cost as much as 50% in half-hour utilizing a 30W charger, which is spectacular for a battery of this measurement. In my testing, it beat that, getting from 0-50% in 28 minutes. Additionally, this 12 months the USB-C port has been bumped as much as Thunderbolt 4, enabling quicker information switch.

It additionally helps Qi2 wi-fi charging, making it future-proofed as extra third-party charging pads undertake this new commonplace. Although USB-C is now commonplace for charging, the iPhone 16 Professional Max may also be used to cost different units, like AirPods or an Apple Watch, by reverse wi-fi charging.

Software program & Apps

• Apple Intelligence reveals enormous potential however isn’t obtainable at launch
• New iOS 18 options like Math Notes and AI Writing Instruments are helpful
• Spectacular seven years of software program assist

The iPhone 16 Plus ships with iOS 18 out of the field. And whereas Apple is leaning closely into AI with its Apple Intelligence options, you don’t get these out of the field.

The primary of those be coming in iOS 18.1 – software program that’s at the moment obtainable for the general public to obtain in beta forward of an October launch. Nevertheless, lots of the most anticipated AI options received’t be absolutely obtainable till future updates even additional down the road, making the software program expertise really feel prefer it’s in transition.

For this overview, I did set up the iOS 18.1 beta to check Apple Intelligence, as anybody can do the identical. Ordinarily, I’d say you possibly can’t overview what’s not on the system. However, since anyone can technically get Apple Intelligence, I’ll embody it within the overview.

Simply be aware that you simply received’t get any Apple Intelligence options out of the field, whereas solely the options I discussed under are confirmed for an October launch. Rumours recommend the remainder of the options ought to have completed rolling out by February/March subsequent 12 months, however Apple has not confirmed this.

The commercial of Apple Intelligence however exclusion of the options out of the field is disappointing to see from Apple. The corporate is thought for releasing options just a little later than the competitors, however usually does issues even higher than rivals. Apple Intelligence is hailed because the iPhone 16 line-up’s core characteristic, however it’s not right here but, which makes the advertising and marketing really feel disjointed.

For instance, within the Apple retailer, demo iPhone 16 fashions present the brand new Siri UI in promotional reels. However for those who really use Siri, the outdated interface seems. Issues really feel rushed, and that’s not like Apple.

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Connor Jewiss / Foundry

Siri has acquired a big overhaul, changing into extra responsive and conversational. In beta, the brand new design takes over all the display screen when activated, offering a extra immersive expertise.

Siri is now higher at dealing with multi-step requests and retaining context between interactions, which makes it really feel extra like a real assistant reasonably than only a voice command system. This context will get even deeper in later updates, which will even embody ChatGPT integration.

Elsewhere, writing instruments inside apps like Mail and Messages use AI to assist enhance the tone and readability of your writing, providing strategies on making your textual content extra skilled or concise.

You additionally get notification summaries, which choose the important thing factors out of notifications from any app so that you don’t should learn the total factor. These work surprisingly properly, and is likely to be the perfect implementation of AI on a telephone. There’s additionally a ‘Decreased Interruptions’ focus mode, which restricts notifications to solely those Apple thinks are most essential.

Options like Genmoji, the Picture Playground, ChatGPT integration, and the total Siri improve are unavailable. However there’s loads new in iOS 18 past Apple Intelligence.

iOS 18 introduces helpful options like Math Notes, which helps you to clear up equations straight within the Notes app by writing them out. There’s additionally the flexibility to additional customise your app icons, together with the choice to depart clean areas in your house display screen’s app grid for extra personalised layouts, one thing iPhone customers have been asking for.

Apple doesn’t explicitly say how lengthy the iPhone 16 Plus can be supported for, but when earlier fashions are something to go by, it’ll most likely proceed receiving updates for no less than seven full years. That matches the perfect on any Android telephone, and may even be prolonged after we get nearer to the time.

Worth & Availability

The 16 Plus is the second most cost-effective telephone in Apple’s iPhone 16 vary. Because it provides extra Professional-level options than ever and delivers longer battery, it’s superb worth for cash.

Beginning at £899/$899 for the bottom mannequin with 128GB of storage, it’s the identical worth as final 12 months’s 15 Plus, however with added options. The 256GB model prices £999/$999, whilst you’ll pay £1,099/$1,099 for 1TB of storage (which is identical worth because the 256GB iPhone 16 Professional Max).

The telephones can be found outright from Apple UK and Apple US, but additionally through a spread of third-party retailers reminiscent of Amazon. See the total vary of choices in our information on the place to purchase the iPhone 16 collection.

That article contains contract choices, however lots of the most inexpensive choices are included within the widgets under.

Do you have to purchase the iPhone 16 Plus?

The iPhone 16 Plus is a superb system for customers who desire a big-screen iPhone expertise with out the upper price of the Professional fashions. From the A18 chipset to the brand new Digicam Management and improved battery life, this telephone hits the mark for efficiency, images, and day by day use.

Whereas it misses out on a number of the Professional-exclusive options just like the 120Hz ProMotion refresh charge and a telephoto lens, the iPhone 16 Plus provides loads to be enthusiastic about. Additionally, the total potential of Apple’s AI options just isn’t but obtainable, and with many options not launching till later within the 12 months, some customers might need to wait.

Total, the iPhone 16 Plus provides very good worth for cash. It provides an virtually an identical expertise to the iPhone 16 Professional Max for many, whereas nonetheless delivering the bigger display screen and 16 hours of battery life. In all honesty, for many, this is likely to be a greater purchase.

Specs

• Working System: iOS 18
• Show: 6.9-inch 2868×1320 460ppi Tremendous Retina XDR show
• Chipset: A18 Professional chipset
• RAM: 8GB RAM
• Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB
• Rear Cameras: 48Mp f/1.8 essential digital camera, 12Mp f/2.2 ultrawide digital camera
• Entrance digital camera: 12Mp f/1.9
• Battery: 4675mAh (reported)
• Charging: USB-C quick PD 2.0 charging, 25W wi-fi MagSafe charging, 15W wi-fi Qi 2 charging, 4.5W reverse wi-fi charging
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, 5G
• Water Resistance: IP68 water and dirt resistance
• Dimensions: 163 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm
• Weight: 227g
• Colors: Ultramarine, Pink, Teal, Black, White