Wake up babe, the new iPhone just dropped.
Say hello to the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone Pro and iPhone Pro Max.
2024 has been a big year for Apple announcements and new developments – we're looking at you Apple Vision Pro and Apple Intelligence. As such, the new suite of iPhones have some impressive new features. Is the new iPhone 16 worth it? Here's what's new and what's changed.
There's more battery life
Battery life is better across all four models.
You'll get 27 hours of video playback on iPhone 16 Plus and 22 hours of video playback on iPhone 16. This is seven hours and two hours more battery compared to the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus respectively. The difference will be even more marked if you're upgrading from an older model. For example, you'll get 5 hours and 10 hours more battery when compared to iPhone 12.
As for the Pro models, there's four more hours of battery life compared to their iPhone 15 predecessors.. This mean 33 hours of video playback on iPhone 16 Pro Max and 27 hours of video playback on iPhone 16 Pro.
It's faster
Apple's new AI software, Apple Intelligence means that new Apple products need the hardware to support it. As such, the iPhone 16 suite is a lot more powerful for faster performance all round. For context, the new processor in all of the phones (the A18) has up to 50% faster CPU than iPhone 14, and up to 30% faster CPU than iPhone 15.
As was announced at WWDC, Apple Intelligence will only be able to work with models from the 15 Pro and above due to its hardware requirements. So, if you're wanting access to some of the nifty new features that come with Apple Intelligence – like voice memo summaries and easy removal of background subjects from photos – you'll need one of the newer iPhones.
Just note that your new 16 won't arrive with Apple Intelligence as this new feature doesn't land until December.
Camera and microphone improvements
The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus have a new ultra-wide camera. It's a 48-megapixel 'Fusion Camera' – and Apple claims the two physical lenses can simulate the function of four lenses. What does this mean practically? It means, despite only having two lenses you'll get better macro photos with the ultra-wide camera and better 2x telephoto “optical-quality”. Also, the vertical camera orientation on the camera has been designed so that any photos and videos you take can then be viewed immersively on the Apple Vision Pro.
There's also a physical button built in just below the power button called the 'Camera Control'. It's a touch sensitive slider that can do things like launch the camera, zoom and focus.
As for the Pro models, which have three lenses, there's a 48-megapixel camera on the triple-camera array for better performance. The zoom hasn't changed – still 5x telephoto optical zoom which is equivalent to a 120mm camera zoom lens. There's also all round better camera performance with a higher frame-rate on 4K video and better sound quality with a improved microphone.
From a software perspective, there are whole host of new photo editing features via 'Photographic Styles'.
The heat dissipation has been improved
For anyone who noticed that some previous iPhones had a hard time standing up to tasks like taking photos in hot weather, know that Apple have made improvements in this area.
The heat dissipation has been drastically improved with a new aluminium sub-structure and optimisation to the rear glass in the Pro models.
It charges faster
Faster recharging with a 30W power adapter means you can get up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes for iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.
Larger displays
While the physical phone footprints have barely changed – thankfully for those of us with small hands and RSI – the screens are larger as they go right to the edge of the frame. This is except for the base iPhone 16, which has the same footprint and display size as the 15.
The iPhone 16 has a 6.1-inch display, iPhone Pro has a 6.3, iPhone 16 Plus has a 6.7 and iPhone Pro Max has a 6.9.
It's tougher
Serial phone droppers will be happy to know the new design is tougher with new Ceramic Shield glass.
No more silent switch
For those still using the physical silent switch on iPhone, you'll have to say goodbye to it entirely if you plan on upgrading to iPhone 16. In its place is the 'Action Button', which can still switch your phone to silent in addition to having other functions.
There are new colours
Say hello to Ultramarine, which is halfway between a blue and purple. There's also Teal and an even pinker Pink.
The Pro models will also have the new colour Desert Titanium, which is a warm brassy gold.
Preorder for the new phones commence at 10pm on Friday 13 September but the phones will actually be available from 20 September.
Prices are as follows:
- iPhone 16: from $1399,
- iPhone 16 Plus: from $1599
- iPhone 16 Pro: from $1799
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: from $2149 6.9
