Apple iPhone 16 review: Unexpectedly irksome

One other 12 months, one other iPhone. In 2024, the main target from Apple, like virtually each telephone maker, is on AI. 

Apple Intelligence goals to do all types of issues so that you can make your life simpler, but it surely’s absent from the iPhone 16 vary for now (within the UK), regardless of the telephones being constructed for the AI system. 

Luckily, there are additionally upgrades to the digital camera, battery life and two new bodily buttons however is it among the finest telephones you should purchase?

Design & Construct 

• New colors 
• Motion button 
• Digital camera management 

It’s no shock that Apple hasn’t overhauled the design of the iPhone for 2024. So, the iPhone 16 is the standard mixture of familiarity together with small tweaks right here and there. 

The general look is similar as the previous couple of generations, that means the iPhone 16 has that old-friend feeling (assuming you’ve used an iPhone earlier than) whereas having sufficient to make it new. 

For starters, there are new colors out there, together with the placing Ultramarine possibility I’m testing right here. It’s a vibrant mixture of blue and purple with out being garish, although you’ll in all probability cowl it up with a case anyway.

Different colourways comprise Teal, Pink, White and Black. Just like the iPhone 15, I just like the colour-infused glass on the again with its frosted end but it surely’s nonetheless extra slippy than I’d like. 

From the entrance, the telephone appears primarily equivalent to its predecessor, however there are adjustments on the edges and again. The digital camera module now has the lenses subsequent to one another, quite than in a diagonal association inside a sq. module.  

I desire the look of the cameras this 12 months, but it surely does make the telephone extra wobbly when on a flat floor, even with the official case on.

Chris Martin / Foundry

There’s a sensible cause for this which I’ll cowl within the digital camera part, the place I’ll additionally go into extra depth on the brand new Digital camera Management button/slider. This sits on the correct facet so below your index finger when taking pictures in panorama orientation. 

On the left, you’ll discover the Motion button, which was a Professional-only characteristic final 12 months. This customisable button can do numerous issues, but it surely replaces the enduring alert slider, which is a disgrace. I’d quite have that bodily swap for muting and release the Motion button for one thing else like Shazam, translation or a shortcut to an app. 

The bodily dimension and form of the iPhone are virtually equivalent to earlier generations, making it a pleasant steadiness of compactness however with sufficient display screen. If you’re upgrading from an iPhone 14 or earlier mannequin, there are extra noticeable upgrades. 

The most important of those is the swap from Lightning to USB-C for the bodily port and Dynamic Island as a show characteristic. Haptic suggestions is premium however I discover it too aggressive at instances for my liking, significantly whenever you get a telephone name.

Chris Martin / Foundry

As traditional, the telephone is IP68 mud and water resistant, and Apple has among the finest eco-friendly processes within the trade. The iPhone 16 makes use of extra recycled supplies than any mannequin earlier than it, together with 95% recycled lithium within the battery and 100% recycled copper foil within the MagSafe inductive charger. 

The packaging can be 100% fibre‑primarily based for the primary time. 

Display & Audio system 

• Nearly the identical 
• 1 nit brightness 
• Nonetheless 60Hz 

The show on the iPhone 16 is sort of equivalent to final 12 months, solely it could drop to simply 1 nit of brightness for darkish conditions whenever you don’t need to be blinded. 

In any other case, it’s nonetheless a 6.1-inch Tremendous Retina XDR, that means it’s an OLED panel with spectacular specs and options like True Tone, large color, Haptic Contact and extra.

Chris Martin / Foundry

There’s no difficulty with picture high quality, as you’ll count on from Apple. The display screen is crisp and vibrant and might attain a peak out of doors brightness of 2000 nits in response to the agency. 

I’ve had no issues utilizing it and should you’re upgrading from an iPhone 14 or older then you definately’ll be gaining Dynamic Island. It’s a intelligent strategy to make use of the pill-shaped part of the display screen which homes issues just like the front-facing digital camera to offer you snippets of data and a shortcut to the app exhibiting stated data. 

Chris Martin / Foundry

Whereas the display screen is nice total and I like the scale as a candy spot of dimension and value, there’s nonetheless one evident difficulty – Apple has nonetheless caught with a 60Hz refresh charge. 

In 2024 that is very fundamental and whereas 120Hz is reserved for Professional fashions, which I can perceive to an extent, why not at the least go for 90Hz? The leap from 60- to 90Hz is noticeable in so many use instances and in comparison with the Android market, the place you may get 120Hz on even finances telephones (with caveats), that is simply merely old-fashioned.

The stereo audio system are superb and make for an excellent expertise whenever you’re watching movies or listening to music with out headphones. 

Specs & Efficiency 

• Apple A18 chip 
• Begins at 128GB of storage

I’ll hold this part quick as, other than some software program glitches which I’ll tackle later, the efficiency of the iPhone 16 is as you’d count on. 

Somewhat than getting the chip from final 12 months’s Professional fashions because the 15 sequence did, Apple now provides up the common A18 chipset and the Professional telephones get the A18 Professional. 

As a fast overview, it’s a 3nm chip with a hexa-core structure and a 5-core GPU.

Chris Martin / Foundry

Efficiency is clean, although as talked about beforehand I’d like the next refresh charge show to take advantage of the A18. It may play video games from Monopoly Go to PUBG with no bother. 

By way of storage, it’s the acquainted story of 128GB on the entry-level and you’ll leap to 256- or 512GB must you really feel the necessity. Solely the Professional fashions have 1TB although, if that’s what you’re after.  

Cameras 

• Related specs however now ‘Fusion’ 
• New spatial mode 
• New Macro images 
• Digital camera Management button 

Though the cameras have moved bodily, the iPhone 16 comes with the acquainted mixture of a 48Mp primary digital camera with a 12Mp ultrawide alongside it.  

Although the specs are primarily the identical because the iPhone 15, Apple is asking this an ‘all-new’ Fusion digital camera, that means the principle one can take full-resolution photographs in addition to the power to take 2x optical‑high quality telephoto snaps.

Chris Martin / Foundry

Primarily, the decision is excessive sufficient to crop it to create a 2x zoom picture, however this isn’t unusual within the wider telephone market (and was on the iPhone 15 with out this advertising time period). A tweak to the ultrawide (which has a sooner f/2.2 aperture) means it’s higher in low mild than earlier than, at the least in idea.

Keep in mind although that photographs from the Fusion digital camera might be 12- or 24Mp relying on numerous elements, until you go into the settings and swap on ‘Decision management’ to entry the complete 48Mp. Simply watch out should you do choose this and have the 128GB storage capability as a result of it can refill quick.

That setting, together with many different helpful issues, as traditional, is a bugbear of mine. They’re not accessible within the digital camera app however in the principle settings of the telephone, with no shortcut to get there both. 

Specs and settings apart, the standard of photographs from the iPhone 16 cameras is usually superb. Out and about in good lighting, you’ll be able to snap away to your coronary heart’s content material, figuring out you’ll get a well-rounded mixture of element, color, publicity and the like.

I’ve discovered the digital camera to be much less spectacular in relation to indoor low-light conditions, however these are difficult even with out attempting to get a terrific shot of a two-year-old who’s virtually at all times transferring. 

A brand new (to the common fashions) Macro images mode can routinely swap to the ultrawide digital camera for close-up photographs however as I discover with this kind of characteristic (Apple or in any other case) I virtually at all times desire to change it off and use the principle digital camera, largely for the pure bokeh (seen on the left).

Spatial is a brand new mode within the digital camera app and the principle cause why the cameras are actually in a vertical format on the again. It may create 3D photographs and movies, however you’ll want a Imaginative and prescient Professional headset to view them making it extremely area of interest. As such, I can’t touch upon their high quality. 

Everybody can use the brand new Digital camera Management button, which Apple hasn’t held again for the Professional fashions. It sits on the facet wanting like a further energy button of types. 

You need to use it to launch the digital camera (or customise it to a different app) after which use it primarily as a mixed shutter button and zoom management. It’s a terrific thought and just like what we’ve seen, in a extra fundamental type, from the likes of Sony for a few years. 

Nevertheless, the execution of it isn’t nice, beginning with the place. It’s too far up the facet, so when holding the telephone in panorama, it’s a little bit of a stretch to succeed in. It needs to be nearer to the nook. 

There’s a little bit of a studying curve to utilizing Digital camera Management however you do get used to it. Apply a small quantity of strain and the zoom management comes up so you’ll be able to slide left and proper. Nevertheless, I need to swap the path of what zooms out and in to what feels pure to me – you’ll be able to’t.

Chris Martin / Foundry

You need to use the Digital camera Management slide gesture to regulate different parts resembling publicity and types however this isn’t apparent. Different apps can use it too and lots of of those points may be doubtlessly fastened with software program updates, however the placement can’t. 

I’d nonetheless quite have it than not as with the ability to rapidly launch and snap with one button has resulted in some good photographs I wouldn’t have achieved in any other case. Particularly when a fast-moving toddler or canine solely supplies a slender window of alternative to get the shot. 

To spherical off this part, the front-facing digital camera is 12Mp once more and provides good-quality photographs. The iPhone 16 additionally stays among the finest telephones in the marketplace for video, with glorious high quality and a spread of options. I significantly just like the Cinematic mode. 

Battery Life & Charging 

• Related efficiency 
• Quicker wi-fi charging 

On Apple’s web site, it says the iPhone 16 can final 22 hours of video playback, which is 2 hours greater than the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15. 

Nevertheless, I haven’t observed a distinction generally utilization in comparison with final 12 months’s flagship. Battery life is fairly good but in addition nothing to put in writing dwelling about. 

I’m a light-weight person, working from dwelling and after I end for the day taking care of a toddler, and in my expertise I take advantage of round 50% battery per day. It’s a two-day telephone, however solely with this lighter utilization.

Chris Martin / Foundry

Most individuals will discover themselves charging it in a single day or maybe even topping it up late on within the day. If I used to be nonetheless commuting to an workplace and utilizing my telephone for extra hours of display screen time every day, I’d critically be contemplating the iPhone 16 Plus with its bigger battery. 

In the case of charging, Apple nonetheless simply provides a cable, however advertises 50% cost in half-hour should you use a 20W adapter. Wi-fi charging is now sooner at 25W quite than 15W, however once more, you want the correct MagSafe charger and a speedy sufficient adapter. 

It additionally helps Qi and Qi2 wi-fi charging so that you don’t have to make use of MagSafe. There’s no reverse wi-fi charging although, which is a disgrace. 

Software program & Apps

• iOS 18
• No Apple Intelligence
• Surprising bugs

It’s no shock that the iPhone 16 ships with the newest model of Apple’s working system for telephones, iOS 18. 

It’s largely as you’d count on – user-friendly and slick – however I’ve had extra issues than anticipated. Some bugs within the first variations of OSes are to be considerably anticipated, however I expertise them extra with Android than iOS.

Chris Martin / Foundry

Oddly, on the iPhone 16, I’ve seen a lot of annoying graphical glitches resembling black bars throughout the display screen, lacking keyboards and tiny thumbnails of photographs I’ve simply taken. I’ve additionally seen the telephone randomly reboot a lot of instances and a fast internet search reveals I’m not the one one. 

Then there’s the entire Apple Intelligence difficulty. The iPhone 16 vary is constructed for Apple’s AI system but it surely’s not out there at launch. On the time of writing it has rolled out within the US, however within the UK the place I’m, we’ve to attend till December and different markets should wait even longer. 

It’s not the primary case of AI options on telephones being promised sooner or later but it surely’s extra shocking from an organization like Apple, which has full management over all its {hardware} and software program. 

One new characteristic in iOS 18 that I like is the power to customize the management centre. It’s refreshing to reorder it and make it extra environment friendly for the stuff you want essentially the most. 

Worth & Availability

This 12 months Apple has saved the worth of the iPhone 16 the identical as its predecessor. Meaning you should purchase one from £799/$799, with that beginning value getting you 128GB of storage. 

If you wish to leap to 256- or 512GB then it can value you £899/$899 or £1,099/$1,099 respectively. See our the place to purchase the iPhone 16 information for all of the choices within the UK and US, or under for the most effective contract offers.

With Google introducing a value leap for 2024, it means the iPhone 16 prices the identical because the Pixel 9. The Samsung Galaxy S24 can be the identical beginning value however Apple is the one one of many three to supply 512GB storage on its entry-level flagship. 

You will get the iPhone 16 on contract, in fact, and you’ll see the highest choices under. 

Try our high 10 suggestions for the most effective telephones proper now.

Do you have to purchase the iPhone 16?

As traditional, the reply will rely in your state of affairs.

If you happen to’re going to improve, I feel it makes essentially the most sense for iPhone 14 or earlier generations, as you’ll see a a lot larger distinction than anybody utilizing an iPhone 15.

Even for these with a 15, it may be tempting to leap in an effort to achieve new options just like the Motion Button, Digital camera Management and Apple Intelligence. On the time of writing, I can solely touch upon the primary two, and they’re a combined bag total.

There’s little doubt the iPhone 16 does all of the fundamentals proper, however is that sufficient in 2024? I’d say until your coronary heart is ready on utilizing Apple Intelligence, you’re higher off ready for the subsequent era or getting a now extra inexpensive iPhone 15.

If you happen to’re open to Android then there are, in fact, loads of nice choices with extra spectacular {hardware} options like excessive refresh charge screens and far sooner charging.

Specs

• Working System: iOS 18
• Show: 6.1-inch Tremendous Retina XDR show
• Chipset: A18 chipset
• RAM: 8GB RAM
• Storage: 128/256/512GB
• Rear Cameras: 48Mp f/1.8 primary digital camera, 12Mp f/2.2 ultrawide digital camera
• Entrance digital camera: 12Mp f/1.9
• Battery: 3561 mAh (reported)
• Charging: USB-C quick PD 2.0 charging, 25W wi-fi MagSafe charging, 15W wi-fi Qi 2 charging, 4.5W reverse wired
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, 5G, NFC
• Water Resistance: IP68 water and mud resistance
• Dimensions: 147 x 71.6 x 7.8mm
• Weight: 170g
• Sturdiness: IP68
• Colors: Ultramarine, Pink, Teal, Black, White