iPhone 16 reviews are out. There is almost no difference with the 16 Pro

Two days before the start of sales, Western journalists published the first reviews of the iPhone 16.

Everyone liked the new product. Many note that this is one of the best updates to the basic iPhone in recent years.

Let’s find out what else they say about the new devices.

1. Edge

The gap with Pro models is not as big as it used to be.

If you’ve stuck with an older iPhone for all of its generations, I’m guessing it’s worth upgrading this year, and I think the answer this time around is simple: Go for it. It’s a good year for the base iPhone, and a good year for upgrades.

But this iPhone is still in development. Apple Intelligence, a major software feature, is labeled as “beta” in the early stages of its launch in iOS 18.1.

I also have mixed feelings about the camera control button, which lets you turn the camera on, take photos, and adjust some settings. I’m glad it’s not a Pro-exclusive feature, and I certainly like buttons. But I find it difficult to use, for example.

But the iPhone 16’s foundation is good. This year’s processor is the same one found in the Pro models, the camera itself is as good as ever, and the phone itself looks great because Apple is finally using rich colors. And it still costs $799. Even if Apple Intelligence never comes out, you’ll still have a good iPhone.

There’s one notable hardware feature missing from this top 2024 smartphone: a high-refresh-rate display. Only the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max got smoother ProMotion displays that ran at up to 120Hz, while the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus were stuck at 60Hz. It’s now a standard feature in modern mid-range and higher-end smartphones, and an iPhone without one looks awfully conservative.

I wish I could say something good about using the camera controls. I’ve used it many times and kept testing it, but I’m not impressed yet.

Pressing the button and releasing the shutter is difficult for me. The mechanism has proven too approachable for me, and no matter how hard I try to hold the phone, every time I take a photo it shakes. And if I accidentally hold my finger a little too long, I change the exposure settings.

I like using the button to launch the camera and control exposure, but I also wish there was more to assign to the button.

2. Tom’s Guide

It’s really a Pro in disguise given its good specs.

While there’s no difference in size between the iPhone 15 and 16, the new model is slightly lighter. However, despite Apple’s claims that the latest generation Ceramic Shield glass is stronger and more durable, my test unit was noticeably scratched immediately after I shoved it in my bag a few times.

Despite this, the iPhone 16 is a much more stylish phone than the iPhone 16 Pro, which is a shame because I would have loved to see these bold colors on the Pro versions. I also like how the colored back glass pops at certain angles, while smaller details like the color of the rear camera outline create a strong contrast as an accent color.

The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus feature dual rear cameras, consisting of a 48-megapixel main camera and an updated 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera. The latter is certainly a bigger focus this time around, as it now allows for macro shots, a feature previously exclusive to the Pro versions.

Since the iPhone 16 camera is very similar to the iPhone 16 Pro/16 Pro Max, it’s worth comparing the two. The iPhone 16 takes a good photo with similar detail in the trees, parked cars, and street signs. The only advantage the iPhone 16 Pro has is that it produces a brighter image by increasing the exposure in the shadows.

I think it’s safe to say that the iPhone 16 is the best all-round plug-in smartphone that delivers outstanding results in all situations.

I also like the Audio Mix feature. Using the four microphones in the iPhone 16, I can now improve the sound after recording a video.

I recorded myself with a camera and played a video of people talking in the background, like in a noisy restaurant. Then, in the Photos app, using Audio Mix, I was able to tone down the background noise and hear my own voice.

Audio mix example

This feature is nothing new in the video environment, but is usually found in professional video editing applications.

However, I have noticed that my voice becomes increasingly distorted as I remove more background noise, so it is a delicate balance to keep the sound clear and free of limitations.

The A17 Pro chip that was in the previous iPhone 15 Pro models, Apple equips the iPhone 16 with the latest A18 chip. In Geekbench 6, the iPhone 16 averaged 3301 and 8033 in single-core and multi-core tests, respectively. In synthetics, the iPhone 16 outperforms the iPhone 15 and even the 15 Pro Max.

The smartphone with the device quickly copes with everyday tasks, but the tension of the internal organs, which I can find fault with, is that its animations are not as smooth as in the iPhone 16 Pro Max. But this is not a chip problem, but the result of 120 Hz.

In Tom’s Guide’s battery test, the iPhone 16 lasted 13 hours and 19 minutes. That’s a big jump from the iPhone 15’s 11 hours and 5 minutes, a 20% difference in battery life.

There was news that the iPhone 16 supports 45W charging, but I only saw speeds up to 20W. That’s not fast at all, but considering the size of the iPhone 16, I was surprised that it charged 29% in 15 minutes and 57% in half an hour.

3. TechRadar

A great choice for those who don’t need the iPhone 16 Pro.

This year, the iPhone 16 gets two new buttons: an action button that can be assigned to a variety of functions, from turning on a flashlight to automating your smart home.

The second “Camera Control” button is actually much more than just a button.

It took me a few days to get used to the new controls, to understand how hard to press, and to realize that there was a hidden menu.

Those who love photography will feel right at home with the camera controls. Spend a few days learning and getting used to them and you will have a great tool for making various adjustments.

The $799 iPhone 16 is the standard procedure for those who don’t want to use two hands or spend money. It offers some really good features and will support Apple Intelligence.