When the new iPhone models are unveiled, there might occasionally be a feeling of disappointment regarding one or more of the models. Why is it that some of the Pro’s exclusive features aren’t available on the standard iPhone? Why does the Pro cost so much? The differences between the standard and Pro models of this year’s iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are closer than ever. So, is buying one wise?
Differences Between the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus
This is a brief part, reader, as the two iPhones that aren’t named Pro are nearly similar. the same hardware specifications, cameras, features, applications, CPU, and even color scheme.
Three distinctions exist, and each is significant. The size comes first. Would you prefer the iPhone 16 Plus’s (6.7-inch) larger screen over the iPhone 16’s (6.1-inch)? Alternatively, would you like the smaller phone that fits more comfortably in your pocket of pants and suits your hand better? Do yourself a favor and test the Plus in your hand before deciding to go for it. The iPhone 15 Plus from the previous year is the same size.
The battery life is the second distinction. As you can see, all of this year’s iPhones have longer-lasting batteries and larger batteries, which is wonderful news. On the iPhone 16, it is nice; on the iPhone 16 Plus, it is much better. Consider the Plus if you’re a frequent user.
And there’s the cost. The larger screen and improved battery life come at a $100 price.
Everything else on the two phones is the same.
Design of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus
Concerns were raised by some that the iPhone 15’s colors were too subdued to be captivating. Apple appears to have taken it to heart, as seen by how much better this year’s are. Should you choose to avoid making a bold statement, black and white options are also available. However, the other three hues—a warm pink, a delicious but subtle teal, and my personal favorite, a fierce blue known as ultramarine—turn heads.
Though I’m sad that yellow isn’t included this time, these are some of the greatest, most striking colors the iPhone has ever seen, and they differ enough from one another that you’re sure to find one you like.
An enhanced version of Ceramic Shield, made to be even more effective at safeguarding your phone in the event of a drop, is now present on the front of the iPhone. This also exists in the iPhone 16 Pro.
The display is one item that hasn’t altered; it still has a 60Hz refresh rate. Many other manufacturers have included displays with dynamic or higher refresh rates in more reasonably priced phones, but Apple reserves its finest screens, which use a technology called ProMotion, for its Pro line only. Maybe one day.
Instead of being arranged vertically, the two cameras on the rear now rest one above the other. The large, imposing lenses stand out against the matte texture of the rest of the rear because they are situated on a glossy camera island.
The more versatile Action Button, which can be used for a variety of purposes, including muting the ring, has replaced the mute/ring button on every normal iPhone up until this point. This feature is exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and is part of the new design of these iPhones. For example, you may select to turn on the camera or begin recording voice notes.
However, the new Camera Control is so good that you might not want to assign that. If you’re right-handed like me and want to capture landscape photos, you’ll probably tilt the phone to the left. If so, the new button is exactly where you want it—that is, on the area that is now the top border, where your index finger is supposed to rest. In fact, when taking pictures in portrait mode, the button is also perfectly positioned. While we’re about it, let’s talk cameras.
Cameras on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus
Even with the iPhone in your pocket, you can feel the Camera Control: push it once to unlock it, and then press it again to capture a picture. Brilliant. You can access extra functionalities for more control by lightly double-pressing the button (you can be pretty careful here as it is a capacitive button in addition to mechanical), and you can zoom by sliding your finger. It’s an amazing new method for taking still images and recording video.
Let’s move on to more important topics: how excellent are the cameras themselves? First off, both lenses now have an anti-reflective coating that can lessen camera glare. Before we discuss the cameras and their capabilities, it is important to realize that.
Though the primary camera is now called the Fusion camera, these are essentially the same as those from last year. In contrast to earlier times, you may alter the impact of these new photography methods after the event. So, you may switch if you selected Dramatic but then realized that Ethereal was truly what you really wanted.
Other than that, the 48-megapixel camera functions exactly as it did before, pinching the center of the image to provide an optical zoom equal to two times.
The new Ultra Wide camera has more pixels and a quicker aperture (f/2.2 as opposed to f/2.4). My testing support the theory that something functions better in low light.
As a bonus, you may now snap macro photos, which were previously only available to Pro users. The iPhone 16 Pro still has a 48-megapixel Ultra Wide sensor, so it may still be said to be superior, but these results are good.
Other Features of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus
The audio mix is a really nice bonus. You may edit a video to totally remove a voice that was disturbing the ambiance by chatting loudly in the background while it was being recorded. It’s quite helpful.
The really helpful Passwords app is a fantastic new software that utilizes data that was previously hidden in Settings and puts it front and center in its own app.
Speaking of Settings, that app has undergone a strange little modification. Now, it’s much more difficult to locate the Phone setting. It was relegated to the applications section from a list of essential characteristics that included Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Although I understand that there is less of a need to make calls, I would still prefer to have very easy access to these options. The name of the device suggests that an iPhone should still be used for making calls.
Performance of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus
A hand-me-down CPU from the iPhone 14 Pro was included in the iPhone 15. Although it was quick, it was not even close to the speed of the iPhone 15 Pro’s A17 Pro processor. Only the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are able to use Apple Intelligence because of this.
This year, Apple unveiled the A18, a whole new CPU. The iPhone 16 Pro uses the A18 Pro, a more powerful variant. Let’s get past the figures and focus on the architecture of the new CPUs, which are both optimized for Apple Intelligence. This might indicate that the 16 and 16 Plus received a faster increase than they otherwise would have. Another way that this year’s standard iPhones have gotten closer to the Pro’s capabilities.
Naturally, a quick CPU helps the phone as a whole and isn’t limited to Apple Intelligence. It comes as no surprise that it operates quickly in every scenario—from the camera’s zero shutter lag to the menus’ instantaneous opening on all platforms.
Apple Intelligence, the company’s interpretation of artificial intelligence, can help with writing, condense emails and webpages, and instantly generate original emoji or graphics. It also brings Siri a lot closer to intelligence. However, it will happen later; the first features will be released in October.
In the meanwhile, there’s the much-needed longer battery life. Since almost everyone charges their phones overnight, a full day’s worth of use should be the minimum. This and more is what the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus offer.
Apple uses several metrics to measure battery life, and playing videos is one of them. The regular-sized phones of this year offer two extra hours of playback time, while the Plus model has an incredible five more hours. You realize that I haven’t been viewing videos too much, but both of my phones have had excellent battery life.
Verdict on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus
This year’s iPhone shares many features with the Pro versions of the iPhone 16 series, even if there’s no denying that the more expensive Pro models are superior due to their larger and better screens, third camera, exquisite titanium design, and other features. The Pro adds bells and whistles that many people can live without.
Although having more cameras is fantastic, keep in mind that this phone has a simulated optical 2x telephoto zoom lens and can now take macro photos for the first time.
There are also areas where the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro are identical, such as the adorable new Camera Control, enhanced photographic styles, Audio Mix, enhanced Ceramic Shield, and most importantly, the soon-to-be Apple Intelligence.
More than ever, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus resemble their Pro cousins. They are now the best smartphone option for everyone because they offer so many innovative and useful features.
