The Apple iPhone 16 enters the scene as a strong contender, bringing a lot of the Pro features but without the Pro price tag. It has a sleek design, improved cameras, and the powerful A18 chipset, which makes it faster than ever. This year, Apple has made the standard model feel closer to its Pro sibling, which is great if you don’t want to splurge. However, it’s not all perfect. The 60Hz display feels like a blast from the past in 2024. So, is it worth your money? Let’s take a closer look.
What’s Great?
- Design with a Splash of Color: Apple keeps it stylish. The iPhone 16 comes in bold new colors like ultramarine, pink, and teal. It’s light and durable, thanks to its aerospace-grade aluminum and Ceramic Shield glass. It’s a head-turner for sure, though a case would be wise because it can scratch easily.
- Supercharged by A18 Chip: The new A18 chipset delivers blazing speed. Whether you’re gaming, editing videos, or using heavy apps, it handles everything like a champ. No stuttering, no delays—just smooth sailing, even under pressure.
- Improved Cameras: The dual-camera setup includes a 48MP main sensor and a 12MP ultrawide lens, which means better low-light shots and clearer details. The Camera Control button adds extra functionality, but it does take a little practice to master. If you love photography, you’ll appreciate how this phone holds up against big names like Google’s Pixel 9 and Samsung’s Galaxy S24.
- Battery Life That Won’t Let You Down: One of the best things about the iPhone 16 is its battery life. You’ll get around 13 hours of use, which is a solid 20% improvement over the iPhone 15. It’s a phone that can keep up with you throughout the day without needing a midday charge.
What’s Awful?
- 60Hz Display Feels Dated: While the Super Retina XDR OLED display is sharp and bright, it’s limited to a 60Hz refresh rate. In 2024, when even mid-range phones offer 120Hz, Apple’s choice to stick with 60Hz feels like a compromise. You’ll notice the difference if you’ve experienced smoother screens.
- Apple Intelligence Missing at Launch: Apple has promised big things with its AI-powered Apple Intelligence suite, which includes features like Visual Intelligence and Photo Clean Up. However, it’s not available out of the box. You’ll have to wait for the iOS 18.1 update to unlock these features, which might leave some feeling short-changed.
- Slow Charging: The iPhone 16 supports 20W wired charging and 25W MagSafe wireless charging, but compared to some of its rivals, this feels slow. Many competitors are offering much faster charging speeds that can juice up your phone in minutes, which makes the iPhone 16’s charging feel sluggish.
Apple iPhone 16 Review
Overall
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Features
(3.5)
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Performance
(4.5)
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Price
(4)
User Review
( votes)Verdict
The iPhone 16 is a great choice for anyone upgrading from an older iPhone, especially if you’re coming from the 11 or 12. Its A18 chip makes it fast, the camera delivers, and the battery lasts all day. But that 60Hz screen might leave you wanting more, especially if you’ve seen smoother displays. Still, for the price, it’s a stylish, powerful phone that won’t disappoint most users.
Pros
- Fun, bold design with new color options.
- A18 chipset delivers fast, smooth performance.
- Battery life lasts more than a full day.
- Cameras handle macro shots and low-light scenes well.
Cons
- 60Hz refresh rate feels outdated.
- Apple Intelligence features aren’t available yet.
- Charging is slower than some of its rivals.
