With just a few days left until the official launch of the new iPhone series, the first reviews of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro are already appearing. Whether you’ve already ordered one of these new models or are still on the fence about buying one, reading these reviews will help you make a decision. Here, we’ll share some of the highlights.
iPhone 16/iPhone 16 Plus
This year’s regular iPhone lineup comes in fantastic new colors, includes a brand-new camera control like its Pro siblings, and features an action button for the first time. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus also feature the new A18 chip with more RAM, macro capabilities, improved battery life, and more.
The Verge says the iPhone 16 is “fully relevant” thanks to its “robust camera with versatile photo styles” and “useful” new action button.
A widely known criticism of the new iPhone is the lack of Apple Intelligence, which Apple was likely hoping to include in the iPhone 16 series but which will eventually appear in future versions of iOS 18.
The Verge also rightly criticized Apple’s decision to keep the refresh rate at 60Hz on entry-level iPhone models, calling Camera Control “a mix of successes and mistakes.”
TechRadar calls Camera Control a “game changer” that content creators will love. It also praised the Action button, saying it’s a “nice addition.” The outlet was impressed by the “powerful” A18 chip and new color options. It also noted the arrival of a new Passwords app in iOS 18.
Like The Verge, TechRadar criticized Apple for not increasing the refresh rate on its cheaper phones. Despite the positives, it also suggested that the iPhone 16 isn’t a significant upgrade from the iPhone 15, which is largely true.
CNET praised Camera Control and its new, miniature interface, which is “a lot of fun to experiment with.” They also appreciated the usefulness of the ultra-wide camera in low-light conditions and the new photo styles Apple has added across the iPhone 16 series.
However, CNET was not impressed by the continued lack of an always-on display on the regular iPhone 16 models or the lack of changes to wired charging speeds.
iPhone 16 Pro/iPhone 16 Pro Max
So what did reviewers like and dislike about the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max? Let’s take a look below.
Engadget was the first to note that both phones feature a fast camera with high-quality video shooting. The media outlet also praised the customization options available on the phone thanks to iOS 18, and praised the new photo styles.
The iPhone 16 Pro’s relatively short battery life was another criticism, though the iPhone 16 Pro Max received high marks in this regard. Engadget also noted that Camera Control isn’t perfect, which is understandable since all of the tool’s new features haven’t debuted yet.
Wired reviewers gave the Pro models an 8/10 and were impressed by their excellent performance and battery life. The new camera features were praised as fun and valuable. Faster wireless charging and some of the new Photos app features in iOS 18 were also praised.
On the other hand, critics noted the delay in the development of Apple Intelligence and wondered whether the new 6.9-inch screen of the iPhone 16 Pro Max was too big.
CNBC’s review praised the iPhone 16 Pro Max for its better battery life and the excellent cameras on both models, most notably the new Camera Control tool. The Pro’s new 48MP wide-angle lens was also praised for being sharper in long-distance photos and for capturing more landscapes.
The lack of Apple Intelligence was another criticism in this review. CNBC also noted that the slightly larger screens on the iPhone 16 Pro models don’t make much of a difference. The reviewer was only able to notice the difference when comparing the new phones to last year’s model. It’s a surprising point, and it will be interesting to see if other iPhone 16 Pro owners feel the same way.
Early reviews suggest that people will like the camera capture feature, be pleased with the longer battery life of the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and be happy to use iOS 18 on the new iPhone models. The big downside, however, is that the lack of Apple Intelligence in the current models means these phones are still in development, so the jury is still out on all four models.
Source: Digital Trends
