iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max review

Trade in iPhone 16 Pro

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The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are significant, both figuratively and literally, thanks to their larger displays, measuring 6.3 inches and an impressive 6.9 inches, with the latter being the biggest screen ever seen on an iPhone. However, their importance goes beyond size, as Apple has packed these Pro models with several key upgrades.

Both models feature the new A18 Pro chip, which has been engineered specifically for Apple Intelligence functions. They also come with a dedicated Camera Control button, designed to streamline tasks like zooming and adjusting focus depth. Additionally, a 48MP ultrawide camera delivers stunning macro shots, and users can record cinematic slow-motion video at 4K resolution and 120 frames per second.

Apple has also committed to longer battery life, improved sustained performance, and more durable designs. After getting hands-on experience with both the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, I was impressed by the updated designs and features—both are strong contenders for our best phone list. However, the Camera Control feature felt a little tricky to use.

IPHONE 16 PRO AND PRO MAX SPECS

IPHONE 16 PRO AND PRO MAX PRICE AND RELEASE DATE

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The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are priced at $999 and $1,199, respectively, and will be available for purchase starting September 20. Pre-orders are currently open. For the best deals, head to our iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max pre-orders page.

The iPhone 16 Pro comes with 128GB of storage, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max offers 256GB as the base option. You can upgrade to 256GB on the standard Pro for an additional $100, with 512GB priced at $1,299 and 1TB available for $1,499.

For the iPhone 16 Pro Max, 512GB will cost $1,399, and the 1TB model is priced at $1,599.

IPHONE 16 PRO AND PRO MAX DESIGN AND DISPLAYS

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The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are larger than their predecessors, but not by much, thanks to Apple’s significant reduction in bezel size. In fact, these models feature the thinnest borders ever seen on an iPhone.

When I placed the 6.9-inch iPhone 16 Pro Max next to the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro Max, the difference in size was barely noticeable. However, some may prefer the 6.3-inch iPhone 16 Pro for its balance between device and display size. In terms of weight, the difference is minimal—last year’s Pro Max weighed 7.8 ounces, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max comes in at 8 ounces. Similarly, the iPhone 16 Pro weighs just over 7 ounces, making it only 0.4 ounces heavier than its predecessor.

I’ve included a quick video comparing the iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro Max side by side, highlighting the size difference and slimmer bezels.

Apple also promises a more durable design with the introduction of a new Ceramic Shield display, which the company claims is twice as tough as any other phone’s glass. Additionally, the internal architecture has been redesigned to improve heat dissipation and deliver 20% better sustained performance, addressing the overheating issues reported by iPhone 15 Pro users.

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The iPhone 16 Pro still features a titanium frame, but there’s a new Desert Titanium color, which has a peachier hue compared to gold. This joins the existing Black, White, and Natural titanium options.

The OLED displays on both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are impressive, with a brightness rating of 2,000 nits, though this falls short of the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL, which boast 3,000 nits. The 120Hz refresh rate remains a staple, continuing the trend from previous Pro models.

Overall, while the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max don’t appear drastically different, I appreciate the thinner bezels and the enhanced durability Apple promises.

IPHONE 16 PRO AND PRO MAX CAMERA CONTROL

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The standout design feature of the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max is the Camera Control, a dedicated button subtly recessed on the right side of the device. Don’t worry, the Action Button is still on the left for customizable shortcuts.

The haptic Camera Control allows you to launch the camera with a firm press, and with another press, you can immediately start snapping photos. A long press starts video recording.

The real innovation comes when you swipe your finger along the button’s edge. Swiping left or right zooms in and out of photos, and a double soft press toggles between settings like Depth, Exposure, and Styles. While it works, I found the button somewhat finicky, needing more swipes than I would have liked to switch between options.

Despite this, I can see myself using the Camera Control regularly for quick camera launches, ensuring I never miss a shot.

IPHONE 16 PRO AND PRO MAX: CAMERAS

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When it comes to camera upgrades, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max offer several enhancements, starting with the 48MP Fusion main camera. This is designed to reduce shutter lag, and from the sample photos, it seems capable of capturing sharp images of subjects in motion—like a flowing dress—with impressive clarity. However, we’ll need to test that further.

The more significant upgrade is the 48MP ultra-wide camera, which not only improves wide-angle shots but also takes macro photography to the next level. I was particularly impressed by a close-up of a flower, which showcased an astonishing level of detail.

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Videographers will love the ability to shoot 4K slow-motion videos at 120fps. I watched a clip of a motorcyclist, and when the action slowed down, you could clearly see his jacket rippling in the wind.

Audio capture during video recording also gets a boost, thanks to enhanced studio-quality microphones. You have the flexibility to make the audio sound like it was recorded in a studio or bring the vocal tracks to the forefront while keeping background environmental sounds. Additionally, wind noise reduction has been improved for cleaner audio capture.

IPHONE 16 PRO AND PRO MAX: A18 PRO AND APPLE INTELLIGENCE

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The A18 Pro chip in the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max series promises a significant performance boost, which aligns with Apple’s goal of optimizing these devices for Apple Intelligence. The CPU is 15% faster while using 20% less power, and there’s a faster neural engine for handling machine learning tasks.

What does this extra power allow? I quickly summarized a lengthy note in the Notes app in just a few seconds, and you can do things like generate images in Image Playground or condense long email threads effortlessly. Additionally, a new version of Siri is coming in October, starting with English, designed to manage a variety of tasks and offer more natural conversations.

For gamers, the A18 Pro’s enhanced 6-core GPU delivers improved visuals. While playing *Honor: Kings World*, I enjoyed console-like graphics, including a stunning sunset and fluid animations.

IPHONE 16 PRO AND PRO MAX: BATTERY AND CHARGING

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The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are both set to deliver longer battery life compared to their predecessors, with 22 and 29 hours of streaming video, respectively, up from 20 and 25 hours on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.

Apple attributes this improvement to several factors, including the efficiency of the A18 Pro chip and larger batteries. While the Galaxy S24 Ultra and Google Pixel 9 Pro XL have both performed well in our battery tests, it remains to be seen if these new iPhones will secure a spot on our best phone battery life list.

On the downside, Apple is sticking with the same 25W charging speeds, which is disappointing, especially since leading Android phones offer faster charging options.

IPHONE 16 PRO AND PRO MAX: OUTLOOK

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The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max both appear to be strong upgrades, but the iPhone 16 Pro might offer better value. It features the same 5x telephoto zoom as the larger Pro Max, but in a more compact design, so you might not miss the Max’s larger screen.

Personally, I prefer a larger screen and the extended battery life, so I’d likely choose the iPhone 16 Pro Max. However, if you’re on a tighter budget, the regular Pro could be a more economical choice. Stay tuned for our comprehensive review.

Source: Tom’s Guide