This year, Apple fans’ expectations reached a new peak as everyone eagerly awaited the release of the iPhone 16 Pro .
Rumors and leaks fueled interest for months: from possible design to updated camera and processor specifications. Each new insider report only increased the excitement around the gadget, promising numerous changes. At the end of September, the iPhone was successfully shown.
And now this day has come. The long-awaited smartphone has finally reached the stores, we spent some time with it and it’s time to figure out how much it lived up to expectations.
We’ll tell you what’s so cool about this new iPhone.
Design: Meet the new camera button
The iPhone 16 Pro design has some changes compared to previous models, while maintaining a recognizable aesthetic. The case is still made of titanium, available in several shades: black, white, natural and “desert” (gold). The smartphone weighs 194 grams and measures 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.25 mm, making it slightly larger and thinner than the iPhone 15 Pro.
The front of the device is covered with Ceramic Shield glass, which is 50% stronger than the iPhone 12. The bezels around the screen are smaller, which allowed Apple to increase the display diagonal from 6.1 to 6.3 inches (from 6.7 to 6.9 inches on the Pro Max). This is slightly larger than previous versions, but it offers more space for working and watching movies or games.
In terms of buttons and ports, the iPhone 16 Pro has received several important updates. On the bottom, we are still greeted by USB-C, which replaced Lightning back in the iPhone 15. It supports data transfer at speeds of up to 10 Gbps and allows you to connect the device to external displays. The body still has physical volume buttons, as well as an Action button that can be configured for various functions, such as turning on the camera, flashlight, or launching other apps. It still replaces the silent mode switch.
But for the first time, a new Camera Control button has appeared. In the entire iPhone 16 line, it adds deeper integration with camera functions, making the device even more convenient for professional shooting. The innovation is located on the side panel, but may not be convenient for everyone. We recommend that you touch the smartphone in the store before buying.
The button can be used to change exposure, adjust depth of field, adjust zoom, and even select different lenses when shooting. It also supports additional functions such as switching between photographic styles or tone settings, which is especially useful for photographers and videographers who need to quickly change settings while working.
Display. Everything is super.
Both iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max feature high-quality Super Retina XDR displays that deliver stunning image quality and accurate color.
The iPhone 16 Pro display has a 6.3-inch diagonal and a resolution of 2622 × 1206 pixels with a pixel density of about 460 ppi. The screen in the “pros”, unlike the base models, supports a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz thanks to ProMotion technology, which makes scrolling and interaction with the interface smooth and responsive. The refresh rate automatically adapts depending on the content, which saves battery when displaying static elements.
In addition, the display supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, which significantly improves the quality of video playback. Peak brightness reaches 2000 nits when displaying HDR content, allowing you to see details in bright and dark scenes.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max display measures 6.9 inches diagonally and has a resolution of 2868 x 1320 pixels, giving it a similar pixel density of 460 ppi. Support for a 120Hz refresh rate is also present, providing the same smoothness in use as the smaller model.
The other specs are absolutely identical, and overall, these are some of the best screens on the market.
Processor: Feel the power of A18 Pro
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max feature the new A18 Pro chip, which delivers significant performance improvements over previous models — up 20% over the previous generation. The processor is built using a 3nm process technology, which improves energy efficiency and overall device performance.
In more detail, we are greeted by a 6-core CPU and 6-core GPU, but now the company is focusing on graphics performance. For example, in the 3DMark benchmark, the iPhone 16 Pro Max showed high results with 3009 points, while the iPhone 16 Pro scored 2383 points (an unexpected result). This suggests that despite the same processor, the Max version can handle graphically intensive tasks better.
Both iPhone 16 Pro models come with 8GB of RAM. While this isn’t a record for a flagship smartphone, thanks to iOS optimization and the A18 Pro architecture, this amount of RAM allows the devices to handle apps, games, and multitasking efficiently.
In AI performance tests, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max also take the lead. In AI tests, the iPhone 16 Pro Max scores 4478 points for single AI tasks, while the Pro version slightly outperforms with 4498 points. This minor difference suggests that in real-world use, performance between the models will be almost identical.
In other words, both devices once again offer excellent performance in both graphics and processing. Apple once again leads the smartphone market in terms of computing power.
Cameras. Everything in the best Apple traditions
The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max cameras have received a number of significant improvements that clearly set them apart from their predecessors. Let’s start with the ultra-wide-angle camera: it now has a resolution of 48 MP, replacing the previous module with 12 MP, which primarily improved the quality of photos in both normal mode and macro photography. Thanks to this upgrade, photos have become sharper, with more detail and color depth, especially when shooting landscapes or close-up objects. Although its aperture remained at f / 2.2, the updated sensor compensates for this shortcoming, making photos in low light conditions better.
In addition, both iPhone 16 Pro models received support for the new JPEG-XL image compression format, which is an important addition for photographers and enthusiasts. This format allows you to save high-quality images, but at the same time take up less space on the device. JPEG-XL supports more colors and improved lossless compression, which is especially useful for those who work with professional graphics or want to store high-quality photos without using up a lot of memory.
The new format works well with the capabilities of the updated cameras, which also include an advanced 48 MP system and are now called Fusion cameras. They work by taking multiple 48 MP images and combining them into a 24 MP frame with more accurate detail, shadows and highlights, especially in low light.
Now a little more detail about shooting in different conditions:
Daytime
The 48MP main camera performs well in daylight, producing bright, detailed photos with natural color reproduction. The new Fusion sensor enables efficient photo processing, producing high-quality images even in challenging lighting conditions.
Evening
When shooting in the evening, the cameras maintain high quality thanks to their improved ability to work in low-light conditions. The ability to combine multiple shots is especially good, which helps minimize noise and improve detail.
The noise has become much less, although the sensors have hardly changed. Thanks to the updated AI algorithms.
Night
At night, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max perform well. The main camera does a great job in the dark, delivering clear and rich photos.
Of course, it would be possible to achieve better results. But it would take a lot of time and proper lighting in the frame. In any case, the gadget allows you to do this – you just need to want it!
Battery: How Long Does the iPhone 16 Pro Last?
For the first time in recent years, we heard from Apple that new smartphones began to “live” longer. Let’s figure out if this is true.
Capacity and operating time:
- The iPhone 16 Pro has a 3,650 mAh battery, which provides up to 26 hours of talk time or up to 25 hours of video playback.
- The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 4,685 mAh battery. In real-world tests, it showed top results — up to 28 hours in various usage scenarios, including calls, video streaming, and gaming.
According to the results of tests by foreign bloggers, the iPhone 16 Pro Max demonstrated about 28 hours of operation in mixed mode. This is a whole hour more than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, which showed 27 hours and 18 minutes in similar conditions.
In video streaming tests, the iPhone 16 Pro Max managed to work for 10 hours and 24 minutes, which is also an excellent result for smartphones in this category.
Both the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max support fast charging. For example, the iPhone 16 Pro Max charges to 57% in 30 minutes using a wired charger. A full charge takes about 1 hour and 42 minutes.
Wireless charging is also available, but its speed is slightly lower: 42% in 30 minutes. But now an improved version of MagSafe is supported (the “puck” has also been updated, you need to buy it separately) – up to 25 W.
To take or not to take
The iPhone 16 Pro, like all iPhones, is excellent. It is the best modern iPhone ever released. Yes, it has a specific button for controlling the camera that you need to get used to. But this is the only drawback, which is hard to call a drawback.
