Apple has officially launched its latest-generation iPhone 16 series, comprising the standard iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. These models succeed last year’s iPhone 15 lineup, alongside the debut of the AirPods 4 and Watch Series 10. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus feature incremental improvements over their predecessors, with the introduction of Apple Intelligence taking center stage this year.
Design Changes and New Features
The most notable update in the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus is their design. Apple has returned to the iPhone X-inspired aesthetic, replacing the square camera island and diagonal sensor layout of recent models with a protruding, pill-shaped camera module. The sensors are now stacked vertically. Additionally, the legacy mute switch has been swapped for the Action Button, which was introduced on last year’s Pro models. The iPhone 16 series also retains the frosted glass back panel, a staple from the previous generation. A new feature on both models is the dedicated camera button, offering DSLR-style functionality.
Display and Camera Enhancements
Both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus come with the same OLED screens as their predecessors, measuring 6.1 and 6.7 inches, respectively. The displays feature a dynamic island and a peak brightness of 2,000 nits.
On the camera front, the iPhone 16 duo carries over the same setup as the previous generation. This includes a 48MP main camera with 2x telephoto capabilities and a 12MP ultra-wide sensor that supports macro photography. One notable addition is the ability to capture spatial photos and videos, a feature previously limited to the Pro models. The new camera button works like a DSLR shutter, offering light presses for focusing and full presses to capture images. It is also touch-sensitive, allowing users to adjust zoom and other settings by sliding on the button.
Performance and Hardware
Powering the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus is the A18 processor, paired with 8GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage. The new phones are equipped to handle Apple Intelligence features, which are set to be released next month after being previewed at this year’s WWDC. With hardware-accelerated ray tracing, the iPhone 16 series is capable of running AAA gaming titles, while a thermal sheet ensures sustained performance during intensive tasks. Apple has also hinted at a significant battery boost for the iPhone 16 models, though the exact battery capacity has yet to be disclosed.
Other notable features include a USB-C port, emergency SOS via satellite, WiFi-7, and MagSafe charging.
Pricing and Availability
The iPhone 16 starts at $799, while the iPhone 16 Plus begins at $899 for the base 128GB variants. Pre-orders open today, with sales beginning on September 20.
