Apple iPhone 16 Pro Review: The Full Experience…Eventually

Value When Reviewed

$999

Greatest Costs Immediately: Apple iPhone 16 Professional

Quite a bit can occur in a yr. It’s a phrase we’ve heard tons of of occasions, although hardly ever in reference to the iPhone. 

Apple’s telephones have matured lately, with the final real overhaul being 2017’s iPhone X. Since then, we’ve seen solely incremental updates, making what was already among the finest telephones simply that bit higher every time. 

I’m not about to say that issues have basically modified on the iPhone 16 Professional, however there are fairly just a few vital enhancements. 

With a brand new A18 Professional chipset, 5x telephoto digital camera, greater show, bigger battery and quicker MagSafe charging, it appears like an actual soar in comparison with the iPhone 15 Professional. That’s earlier than we even get to Apple Intelligence, although, which isn’t but out there on the time of writing. 

However is the iPhone 16 Professional you purchase at the moment actually value it? Do you have to look ahead to Apple’s AI options to turn out to be established earlier than making the soar? And is that this the iPhone 16 mannequin that’s greatest for most individuals? 

I reply all these questions and extra within the full evaluation that follows. 

Design & Construct

• Larger show inside comparable chassis 
• Premium titanium and glass construct 
• New Digicam Management button 

There are some huge modifications on the iPhone 16 Professional, however design isn’t certainly one of them. Its key options – glass back and front, a titanium body, rounded corners and a flat show – are all current on the iPhone 15 Professional, although this new mannequin has some refined refinements. 

A smaller bezel means Apple has been capable of squeeze a bigger show (6.3- vs 6.1-inch) inside a chassis that’s solely barely taller and wider, serving to the telephone to stay fairly compact. It’s in no way a one-handed telephone, however nothing like the massive 16 Professional Max. 

Coming from the 6.3-inch Pixel 9 Professional, I used to be stunned by how comparable it feels to Google’s telephone. That features the load, which is an identical at 199g. Not precisely gentle, however not one thing that ever turns into uncomfortable to carry both. 

Nonetheless, the iPhone 16 Professional has just a few design options that you simply received’t discover on any non-Apple telephone.  

The primary is the Motion Button, which changed the mute change on the iPhone 15 Professional and continues right here (in addition to that includes on the common 16 fashions). I nonetheless primarily use it to toggle Silent Mode (by way of a press and maintain), however it may be mapped to a great deal of different features, together with toggling key settings or opening your favorite app. Much more could also be added as soon as Apple Intelligence arrives. 

The opposite huge one is the Digicam Management button. It sits recessed on the bottom-right aspect of the telephone, and means that you can regulate a spread of digital camera choices while not having to faucet on the display screen.  

I’ll discuss its impact on pictures within the digital camera part, however I do discover the placement problematic. Whereas in a pure place for panorama pictures, it’s extraordinarily awkward should you’re taking pictures in portrait for the likes of social media. Utilizing it as an alternative of the Motion Button to rapidly launch the digital camera app is fiddly, too. 

Alongside the ability button and quantity controls, it means there are actually 5 bodily buttons on the edges of the iPhone 16 Professional. It’s beginning to get a bit crowded. 

The iPhone 16 Professional is likely one of the few telephones I may see myself utilizing case-free

Sadly, the colourful colors of the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus haven’t made it to the Professional. The golden Desert Titanium mannequin I examined might be essentially the most fascinating – it appears to be like very stylish in individual. If that doesn’t take your fancy, Pure (silver), White and Black are additionally out there. 

Nonetheless, the iPhone 16 Professional is likely one of the few telephones I may see myself utilizing case-free. The matt rear coating avoids seen fingerprint smudges whereas including some grip. Gorilla Glass on the back and front, plus a grade 5 titanium body, ought to make it proof against most scratches and drops, although I haven’t examined this for apparent causes.  

You additionally get IP68 mud and water resistance, which means it may be submerged in freshwater or surrounded by mud with none ailing results. 

Nonetheless, the £49/$49 official silicone case I examined alongside the telephone is a good possibility. It presents a satisfying textured again and raised lip to guard the display screen, plus the number of colors you may’ve been craving. 

Rounding off this part is a point out of the vibration motor. I’m not normally a fan of haptics and have a tendency to show them off on an Android telephone, however I couldn’t ignore simply how good they’re right here. The refined, clipped suggestions you get whereas typing, switching apps, utilizing the Motion Button and extra is an actual delight. 

Display screen & Audio system

• Bigger 6.3-inch display screen 
• Wonderful Face ID and Dynamic Island 
• Spectacular twin stereo audio system 

As point out, the iPhone 16 Professional’s display screen dimension has grown to six.3-inch. That’s a change you’ll in all probability discover – it’s now greater than the 6.1-inch common iPhone 16, and consistent with a key rival within the Pixel 9 Professional.

Alongside the slimmer bezel, the viewing expertise is extra immersive. 

Similar to its predecessor, the iPhone 16 Professional has among the finest shows within the enterprise

Elsewhere, it’s functionally an identical to final yr, although that’s excellent news. Similar to its predecessor, the iPhone 16 Professional has among the finest shows within the enterprise. It’s a wealthy, vibrant ‘Tremendous Retina XDR’ OLED panel that gives beautiful, vibrant colors and deep blacks. 

It additionally will get impressively brilliant, providing a typical brightness of 1000 nits and peak of 2000 nits. Outside visibility, even in direct daylight, isn’t an issue in any respect. 

Apple continues to order the 120Hz refresh fee for Professional fashions, and it makes an actual distinction to the smoothness and fluidity of navigation and a few video games. LTPO tech means it might probably mechanically drop as little as 1Hz to save lots of battery life, which is an actual plus. 

The ‘Dynamic Island’ cut-out continues to be the easiest way to accommodate the entrance going through digital camera and all-important Face ID sensors, which work flawlessly. Including the power to manage media, maintain observe of timers and use third-party apps from there may be genuinely helpful. 

I describe Face ID as “all-important” as a result of Apple nonetheless doesn’t embrace a fingerprint sensor of any description on the iPhone. Unlocking and authenticating funds with my face is seamless, however there are occasions after I want an under-display model of Contact ID was there too. 

The iPhone 16 Professional’s stereo audio system are wonderful. The sound is wealthy and full-bodied, getting impressively loud whereas sustaining readability. If you happen to’re in a personal place (not on public transport please!), they’re a succesful various to connecting headphones. 

Specs & Efficiency

• A18 Professional chipset 
• Very good efficiency 
• Solely 128GB storage on base mannequin 

The iPhone 16 Professional is powered by Apple’s A18 Professional chipset. This 3nm SoC has six cores – two efficiency and 4 effectivity – aiming to ship the top-tier efficiency and energy effectivity that fashionable telephone customers demand. 

Does it succeed? If my expertise is something to go by, unquestionably. The 16 Professional excelled at all the pieces I may throw at it, whereas robust battery life (extra on that later) suggests effectivity can also be superb. 

The big selection of top-tier video games on the App Retailer makes the iPhone 16 Professional a potent gaming system

As anticipated, working a number of apps concurrently barely causes the 16 Professional to interrupt even the slightest sweat. It feels just like the telephone has a heap of efficiency in reserve, evidenced by it by no means even getting barely heat to the contact. 

Even whenever you transition to demanding apps or AAA cellular video games, all the pieces stays clean and lag-free. All through my time with the telephone, there was no slowdown or lag in any respect. And the big selection of top-tier video games on the App Retailer makes the iPhone 16 Professional a potent gaming system. 

Apple iPhone 16 Professional benchmarks

Because the benchmarks beneath present, the A18 Professional outshines all of the Android competitors in CPU efficiency, although the restricted GPU outcomes don’t replicate the superb efficiency. 

Frustratingly, the bottom mannequin of the iPhone 16 Professional solely presents 128GB of storage. This doesn’t really feel apt for a Professional telephone costing this a lot and with no expandable storage help, I’d advocate getting no less than 256GB, although 512GB and 1TB variations are additionally out there. 

Alongside Wi-Fi 7 help, you get 5G, Bluetooth 5.3 and NFC for Apple Pay, which works as marketed. 

Cameras

• Upgraded 12Mp 5x telephoto lens 
• Sturdy 48Mp most important and 48Mp ultrawide 
• Spectacular 12Mp selfie digital camera 

Be aware: Resulting from a technical challenge, digital camera samples will probably be added quickly.

Apple has made a welcome enchancment to the cameras on the iPhone 16 Professional. Whereas the telephoto lens continues to be 12Mp, it now helps 5x optical zoom reasonably than 3x, identical to the 16 Professional Max. 

It won’t sound like a giant change, nevertheless it had a major affect on the best way I took images. Slightly than attempting to maneuver nearer or avoiding sure conditions, I used to be completely satisfied to depend on the telephoto to get top-quality images from a distance. 

It’s a disgrace to lose the 3x optical zoom, however in my expertise, the digital model continues to be fantastic right here. On the different finish of the size, even images on the most 25x are detailed sufficient to be usable. 

One other good thing about the improved telephoto is its portrait skills, although I’d advocate the default 1x or 2x as an alternative. I used to be capable of take some impressively professional-looking images, and it’s enjoyable to have a spread of lighting modes to select from. Nonetheless, edge detection was missing at occasions, particularly on pet fur. 

Crucially, the iPhone 16 Professional is excellent in the case of straight point-and-shoot pictures.

In all environments, I discovered element and dynamic vary from the 48Mp most important lens to be wonderful, with stills trying impressively true to life. Cellphone cameras generally tend so as to add numerous saturation and distinction, however Apple leaves this as much as you within the edit. 

The 16 Professional is nice in brilliant outside eventualities, but additionally the gray, dreary days throughout most of my testing. In low-light environments, the brightening impact is refined, which means photographs keep sensible whereas noise is saved to a minimal. 

With barely any shutter lag, I may depend on the iPhone 16 Professional’s most important lens to seize significant moments with minimal fuss. The ‘Reside Images’ mode that’s enabled by default isn’t for everybody, although capturing the moments earlier than and after you hit the shutter button will be helpful. 

For persistently nice selfies, I’d select the iPhone 16 Professional or Professional Max over every other telephone

Importantly, I didn’t discover a major drop-off intimately or total picture high quality when shifting to the 48Mp ultrawide digital camera. The pliability of a wider discipline of view is beneficial in a wide range of eventualities, together with whereas taking macro images. Among the greatest close-up photographs I’ve ever taken on a telephone have been with the iPhone 16 Professional. 

On the entrance, a 12Mp lens is among the many greatest round. Selfies are clear and crisp in virtually all lighting situations, whereas the portrait impact is pretty convincing. For persistently nice selfies, I’d select the iPhone 16 Professional or Professional Max over every other telephone. 

The bodily Digicam Management button is beneficial for rapidly launching the digital camera, snapping a picture or adjusting the zoom stage by urgent or sliding your finger throughout it (even with a case on).  

Nonetheless, accessing publicity, depth, kinds and tone modes utilizing a lightweight double press is fiddly, and infrequently appears like extra work than accessing them on display screen. In addition they solely actually attraction to Professional photographers who wish to fine-tune photos. 

For video, the iPhone continues to be the gold normal. The 16 Professional can shoot in as much as 4K at 120fps, providing clear and clean footage because of OIS (optical picture stabilisation) on the primary and telephoto lenses.

Alongside 4 studio-quality mics and numerous intelligent software program options like Cinematic mode, it’s one of many best possible telephones for capturing video. 

For video, the iPhone continues to be the gold normal

Battery Life & Charging

• 3582mAh battery (unconfirmed) 
• Sturdy battery life 
• 20W wired charging
• 25W MagSafe charging

As traditional, Apple hasn’t revealed the iPhone 16 Professional’s particular battery capability. Nonetheless, GSMArena estimates it to be 3582mAh. 

If you happen to’re conversant in Android telephones, that sounds very low, particularly for such a power-hungry premium handset. However the mixture of a power-efficient chipset and the tight integration of {hardware} and software program means Apple can do extra with much less. 

Throughout my time with the iPhone 16 Professional, it provided persistently strong battery life

And so it has proved. Throughout my time with the iPhone 16 Professional, it provided persistently strong battery life. A full cost comfortably lasted a full day in all conditions, or two on the times after I was working from house. 

Primarily, this can be a telephone the place you don’t have to fret about battery life. It doesn’t fairly match the excellence of the iPhone 16 Professional Max, nevertheless it’s greater than ok for the overwhelming majority of individuals. 

Nonetheless, charging continues to be a supply of frustration. Wired speeds are nonetheless restricted to 20W, and solely a cable is included within the field. No less than USB-C is the norm now. 

MagSafe charging has been upgraded to 25W, which means it’s really the higher possibility when you’ve got the fitting accent. There’s additionally 15W common wi-fi charging utilizing the newest Qi2 normal, or 4.5W reverse wi-fi charging for the likes of AirPods. 

Software program & Apps

• iOS 18.0 at launch 
• No Apple Intelligence options but 
• Possible no less than seven years of updates 

At launch, the iPhone 16 Professional runs iOS 18.0 out of the field. That’s vital, as a result of the primary Apple Intelligence AI options received’t be added till iOS 18.1, with a full rollout taking a number of months. The US is getting it in October and the UK has to attend till December. 

You possibly can obtain a public beta of iOS 18.1 now, which incorporates enhancements to Siri, generative AI writing instruments and notification summaries. For extra on what these options are like, learn our iPhone 16 Professional Max evaluation. 

Nonetheless, it’s at all times dangerous to put in non-final software program in your most important system, so I can perceive should you’d reasonably wait. That’s what I’ve carried out on the iPhone 16 Professional, to offer you an thought of what the software program is like should you purchase the telephone at the moment. 

Primarily, in case your iPhone is appropriate with iOS 18, there’ll be no tangible variations from the present model of the 16 Professional.  

That’s to not say there aren’t any new options, although. The brand new customisation choices for the house display screen are wonderful, permitting you to fine-tune the best way all the pieces appears to be like and lock or disguise apps. 

In case your iPhone is appropriate with iOS 18, there’ll be no tangible variations from the present model of the 16 Professional

Lock display screen controls and grouped Management Middle icons are good touches, although the redesigned Images app is complicated should you’re used to the earlier model. Math Notes is a handy approach to remedy equations throughout the Notes app, nevertheless it’s comparatively area of interest. 

In its present type, iOS 18 feels loads like iOS 17. It’s nonetheless a slick, visually interesting person interface that normally feels genuinely intuitive.

Nonetheless, as somebody who normally exams Android telephones, I can’t get my head round the best way Apple handles notifications or the final lack of multitasking options. 

Software program help is an space the place Apple continues to excel. Assuming the iPhone 16 Professional matches what we’ve seen up to now, you possibly can count on no less than seven full years of updates. 

These embrace common safety patches and the brand new main model of iOS as quickly because it’s out there, one thing many Android telephones can’t match. 

Value & Availability

The iPhone 16 Professional is an costly telephone.  

It begins at £999/$999 for the 128GB mannequin, although I’d advocate most individuals spend no less than £1,099/$1,099 for 256GB. The 512GB model I examined prices £1,299/$1,299, whereas the top-spec 1TB mannequin is £1,499/$1,499. 

It’s out there outright immediately from Apple UK and Apple US, plus a spread of third-party retailers and carriers. See the total choice in our information on the place to purchase the iPhone 16 sequence. 

After all, many individuals will wish to purchase the iPhone 16 Professional on contract, which is able to break the fee down into extra manageable funds. See essentially the most inexpensive choices within the UK and US beneath. 

Nonetheless, that outright value places the iPhone 16 Professional up towards a number of the best possible telephones you should buy.

It’s cheaper than the iPhone 16 Professional Max (from £1,199/$1,199), however proper consistent with Android rivals such because the Samsung Galaxy S24+ (from £999/$999) and Google Pixel 9 Professional (from £999/$999). 

Do you have to purchase the iPhone 16 Professional?

If you happen to want smaller telephones however nonetheless need the very best iPhone expertise, sure. Other than barely worse battery life, the 16 Professional is only a extra compact model of the 16 Professional Max at a extra inexpensive value. 

It means you get virtually all the pieces that makes that telephone so nice. Chic A18 Professional efficiency, a beautiful 120Hz show and a slick premium design. Battery life continues to be very strong, too. 

The 16 Professional additionally has a number of the greatest cameras within the enterprise, together with the 5x telephoto that was beforehand unique to the Professional Max. Even should you don’t use the hit-and-miss Digicam Management button, it excels for each images and movies. 

Nonetheless, it’s vital to bear in mind that Apple Intelligence isn’t but out there on the time of writing. With out AI, particularly in 2024, the iPhone 16 Professional software program expertise is way the identical as every other telephone working iOS 18. 

The opposite frustration is charging speeds, although these are sluggish whatever the iPhone you select, and MagSafe is a handy wi-fi possibility. 

Finally, if you’d like the very best iPhone expertise in a extra compact bundle, the 16 Professional is the telephone for you.

Specs

• iOS 18 
• 6.3-inch FHD+ 120Hz LTPO OLED  
• Dynamic Island with Face ID 
• Apple A18 Professional chipset  
• 8GB RAM  
• 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB non-expandable storage  
• 3582mAh battery (unconfirmed) 
• 20W wired charging 
• 25W MagSafe charging 
• 25W Qi2 wi-fi charging 
• 4.5W reverse wi-fi charging 
• 48Mp f/1.8 most important digital camera  
• 48Mp f/2. 2 ultrawide digital camera  
• 12Mp f/2.8 5x telephoto digital camera  
• 12Mp f/1.9 entrance digital camera  
• Twin stereo audio system 
• USB-C 3.2  
• 5G  
• NanoSIM + eSIM  
• Wi-Fi 7  
• Bluetooth 5.3  
• IP68  
• 149.6 x 71.5 x 8.3 mm 
• 199g