iPhone 16 Pro, our review

iPhone 16 Pro is Apple’s new top of the range in its smallest version. We had the opportunity to try it for more than a month and in this review we want to tell you our opinion on the matter. Could more have been done this year?

iPhone 16 Pro: old design, new screen

What you like, you don’t change. Although perhaps, in this case, an update to the design of the iPhone 16 Pro would have been desirable. Also because, on its side, the “base” iPhone 16 line has been renewed and is now clearly more attractive. The new Pro and Pro Max however remain, once again, very similar to the previous models and certainly less appealing from an aesthetic point of view.

However, there is still a change, more aesthetic than functional: the edges of the new OLED panel have become smaller and even a less attentive eye can perceive the difference. This has allowed Apple to keep the overall dimensions of the device similar and, at the same time, has further optimized the screen diagonal which now reaches 6.1 inches on the Pro model and 6.7 inches on the Pro Max. The colors are even more vivid, the blacks are deeper and above all the brightness has improved, with the new screen being more readable outdoors and in direct sunlight. Furthermore, the ProMotion technology with a refresh rate that remains at 120 Hz for extraordinary fluidity.

Advanced camera

One of the most advanced aspects of the Pro models of the iPhone range has always been the camera. In the case of iPhone 16 Pro the evolution passes through the introduction of a new 48 megapixel sensor for the ultra-wide optics, therefore capable of capturing even more detailed photos with a wide field of vision. At the same time, the new sensor also helps with acquisition macro photos with even more details than beforeas well as in the management of shots in low light conditions thanks to less digital noise.

A very welcome piece of news specifically concerns the iPhone 16 Pro which can now also count on the presence of a 5X telephoto lens. Having used it for a whole year on the iPhone 15 Pro Max (it was not provided on the 15 Pro) I can confirm that this lens allows for decidedly more interesting enlargements and also offers more versatility than the “old” 3X. Thanks to the 48 megapixel sensor of the main camera we can still carry out 2X enlargements with very little loss of detail, but when necessary we can use 5X to have the maximum quality available and, at the same time, a more effective enlargement. This year, as mentioned, even those who don’t like the larger iPhone Pro model will be able to benefit from this new telephoto lens.

The improvements in the video field with the introduction of the 4K a 120fps (we invite you to look at the slow motion examples in the video review) and the new one advanced audio management which allows you to isolate the voice and personalize listening with studio or cinema effects.

Camera control: a disaster?

The evolution of the camera on the iPhone 16 Pro involves both hardware and software. But before getting to the latter we must necessarily talk about the elephant in the room, that is, what should have represented the meeting point between Apple’s software and hardware. The much-discussed “Camera control“.

Expectations on this new solution for opening and controlling camera functions were very high – especially after Apple’s enthusiastic presentation videos – but in practice things are different: at present the use of this button is quite awkward for the user or at least this is my feeling after more than a month of trying. That’s right, attempts, because in the end I decided to completely give up on its operation… at least for now.

The button is located in the bottom right corner of the devicea position that makes it practical to use when we hold the iPhone in landscape, but absolutely not comfortable if we take photos or record videos vertically. With a press (single or double) we open the camera and with a short press (photo) or long press (video) we can acquire our contents. And so far things are working pretty well. The problem occurs when you try to use the new control interface to change settings in the Camera app: tap, double tap, press, swipe, press again.

A disaster. Really. I’m sorry to admit it but at the moment, for me at least, this button is really unusable for two reasons: it doesn’t give any real added value in using the camera controls (in fact the settings are the same accessible via the standard interface, always appreciated for its simplicity and immediacy) and above all il margin of error in the execution of pressures, swipes and touches is very highalmost frustrating.

I’m sure that in the future Apple will completely rethink the user experience associated with the use of this new button, but for the moment I have preferred to avoid relying on it and will continue to use the Camera app as I did until iPhone 15.

A18 Pro chip: between performance and consumption

And speaking of chips, under the hood of the new iPhone 16 Pro we find the chip A18 Prowhich offers a significant increase in power and efficiency compared to its predecessor. This new processor is built with 3 nanometer technology and makes the iPhone 16 Pro incredibly fast in performance and also improves battery life. If the performance improvement is not very tangible today, it could become more interesting in the future with the arrival of Apple Intelligence, also confirmed in Italy for the month of April.

However, we appreciate the energy improvements brought by the new chip which now guarantees more autonomy across the entire iPhone line. From our tests, the battery of the iPhone 16 Pro is significantly improved compared to that of the predecessor: with my daily use, using a physical SIM and an E-SIM inside the iPhone, I have always managed to arrive around 9.30pm with still battery residual. And another important aspect is certainly the charging speed: now drastically improved and which reaches 30W via cable and 25W via MagSafe. This allows you to charge your phone 50% in just 30 minutes. Really practical!

iPhone 16 Pro: conclusions

In conclusion the answer to the question posed in the title is positive. Apple certainly could have done more this year with the iPhone 16 Pro, indeed it should have done more. This year’s one is for all intents and purposes the most modest evolution ever recorded from year to year in the iPhone “Pro” range. The situation changes for the standard iPhone 16 which has instead been significantly improved compared to the iPhone 15. With the Pro the improvements have been targeted, but certainly not enough to make those who already have an iPhone 15 Pro in their pocket want to upgrade or even a 14 Pro.

At least the price list has remained aligned with the past and the promise of Apple Intelligence in April can only bode well. However, the iPhone 16 Pro is certainly an iPhone designed for those who, in recent months, are on the hunt for a new “full-features” iPhone and have finally decided to upgrade or for those who are enticed by the latest one every year. technological discovery of the bitten Apple. If you are looking for the best iPhone in this year’s quality-price ratio, that is definitely the iPhone 16.

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