iPhone 16 reviews are out. Is there a difference with the iPhone 16 Pro

Two days before the start of sales, Western journalists released 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.

The gap with the Pro models is not as big as before.

If you’ve been hanging on to an older iPhone for the past few generations, wondering whether to upgrade this year, I think the answer this time around is simple: Go for it. It’s a good year for the base iPhone, and it’s a good year to upgrade.

But this iPhone is still a work in progress. Apple Intelligence, which is the main software feature, is not available at launch and is marked as “beta” in iOS 18.1.

I also have mixed feelings about the Camera Control button, which lets you launch the camera, take photos, and adjust some settings. I’m glad it’s not a Pro-exclusive feature, and I certainly like buttons. But in practice, I find it difficult to use.

But the iPhone 16’s foundation is good. This year’s processor is from the same family as 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 get smoother ProMotion displays that run at up to 120Hz, while the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are stuck at 60Hz. It’s a standard feature on modern midrange and up smartphones by now, and an iPhone without it looks horribly outdated.

I’d like to say something good about the Camera Control button. I’ve used it many times and will continue to test it, but I’m not impressed yet.

I have a hard time pressing the button and releasing the shutter. The mechanism feels too rigid, and no matter how hard I try to hold the phone, it shakes every time I take a photo. 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.

It really is a Pro in disguise, given its similar 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 the right angle, 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 the standout this time around because it can now take macro shots, a feature previously exclusive to the Pro models.

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 camera smartphone that delivers outstanding results in any situation.

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 amplify 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 distortion-free.

Skipping the A17 Pro found in last year’s iPhone 15 Pro models, Apple equips the iPhone 16 with the latest A18 chip. In Geekbench 6, the iPhone 16 averages 3301 and 8033 in the single-core and multi-core tests, respectively. In synthetics, the iPhone 16 outperforms the iPhone 15 and even the 15 Pro Max.

The smartphone handles everyday tasks with ease and speed, but the only complaint I can find is that the animations are not as smooth as in the iPhone 16 Pro Max. But this is not a problem with the chip, but with the lack 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 could only see speeds up to 20W. That’s not fast at all, but considering the size of the iPhone 16, I’m surprised it charges 29% in 15 minutes and 57% in half an hour.

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

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

The second button, Camera Control, 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 are hidden menus.

Those who love photography will feel right at home with Camera Control. Spend a few days learning and getting used to it, and you will have a great tool for making various adjustments.

At $799, the iPhone 16 is a great option for those who don’t want to use two hands or spend a ton of money. It offers some really good features and will support Apple Intelligence.