The iPhone 16, released on September 20, 2024, comes with exciting updates like a new Action button, the Camera Control feature, and spatial capture.
In this iPhone 16 review, we’ll also look at how this year’s model features the powerful A18 chip, offering fast and smooth performance which supports Apple Intelligence features. It also has an improved 3561 mAh battery, providing up to 18 hours of streaming video playback for longer usage without worry.
Let’s take a closer look at the details of this phone.
iPhone 16 Specifications
The iPhone 16 runs on iOS 18 and is powered by the Apple A18 chip, which is built for Apple Intelligence and jumps two generations ahead of the A16 Bionic chip in the iPhone 15.
It comes with a 6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display, offering sharp and vibrant visuals.
The main camera is 48MP and includes next-level features like Photographic Styles and Camera Control, while the ultra-wide-angle camera is 12MP. For selfies, the phone has a 12MP front camera, making it easy to capture clear and detailed photos.
The phone is available in five colors.
- Black
- White
- Pink
- Teal
- Ultramarine
Here are more specifications of this phone in the table below:
| Category | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Operating system | iOS 18 |
| Chipset | Apple A18 (3 nm ) |
| GPU | Apple GPU ( 5-core graphics) |
| Body & Build | |
| Dimensions | 147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8mm 5.81 × 2.82 × 0.31 inches Height × Width × Thickness |
| Weight | 170 g |
| Front Glass | Ceramic Shield (Latest generation) |
| Back side | Colour-infused glass |
| Side Frame | Aerospace-grade aluminum |
| SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM |
| Water resistance | IP68 ( 6 metres for 30 mins ) |
| Display | |
| Size | 6.1 inches |
| Type | OLED (Super Retina XDR) |
| Resolution | 2556 × 1179 pixels |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz |
| Main Camera | |
| Main Camera | 48MP, 26mm equivalent, f/1.6 aperture, Dual Pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS |
| Ultra-wide-angle camera | 12 MP, 13mm equivalent, f/2.2 aperture, 120° field of view, Dual Pixel PDAF |
| Video recording | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), stereo sound rec. |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) |
| Selfie Camera | |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, capable of 4K video recording |
| Video recording | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Features | HDR, Dolby Vision HDR, 3D (spatial) audio, stereo sound rec. |
| Memory | |
| RAM | 8GB RAM, |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB/512GB |
| Cart Slot | No |
| Others | |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 7, 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave ), Satellite |
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Battery | 3561 mAh |
| Charging | Wired, PD2 0, 50% in 30 min , 25W wireless (MagSafe), 15W wireless (China only), 15W wireless (Qi2), 4.5W reverse wired |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, DisplayPort |
| Camera control button | Yes |
| Color | Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine |
Display of Apple 16
The iPhone 16 features a 6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display with a 60Hz refresh rate, offering clear and vibrant visuals for everyday use.
The front glass is made of the latest-generation Ceramic Shield for extra durability.
Design & Built of iPhone 16
The side frame is crafted from aerospace-grade aluminum, making the phone lightweight yet strong. The back of the Apple 16 is made from color-infused glass, giving it a sleek and stylish look.
Security features
The iPhone 16 has Face ID for unlocking the phone securely using facial recognition.
However, it does not have a fingerprint (Touch ID) sensor, so unlocking via fingerprint is not available on this model.
iPhone 16 Camera
The iPhone 16 comes with a powerful 48MP main camera that can record 4K video upto 60fps, allowing you to capture sharp and detailed photos and videos.
The front camera is 12MP and also supports 4K video recording upto 60fps, making it great for selfies and video calls. With these cameras, you can easily take high-quality pictures and videos in everyday use.
iPhone 16 Price
The iPhone 16 is available in three storage options with different prices. According to Apple’s official site, the 128GB model costs $799, the 256GB model is $899, and the 512GB model is $1099.
The price can also vary depending on your country and location, so it’s a good idea to check the official Apple store in your region before buying.
If you want a cheaper option, you can also check the iPhone 16e, which was newly released this year, for its price and details.
Plus, If you don’t have any particular preferences for smartphones, the Google Pixel 9a is a cheaper option than the iPhone 16e. It offers good features and was also released this year, in 2025.
iPhone 16 Features
Camera Control button
The Camera Control button on the iPhone 16 is a physical, clickable button located on the side of the phone, flush with the surface.
It is designed to launch the camera app, take photos, record videos, and access various camera settings.
The button is also touch-sensitive, allowing you to swipe to navigate camera controls and half-press to lock focus and exposure.
Its placement and functionality make one-handed camera operation easier, and you can even customize the button’s behavior in settings, assigning it to other actions like scanning QR codes.
With this feature, you can launch the camera without touching the screen, and later this fall, it will also lock focus and exposure for reframing shots without losing focus.
Action Button
You can use the Action button to open your favorite apps and frequently used features directly, without unlocking the phone.
You can set these features as follows :
- Silent/Ring Mode Toggle:
By default, you can use the button to switch the phone between silent and ring modes. - Camera Access:
You can use the button to quickly open the Camera app for taking photos and recording videos. - Flashlight:
You can press the button to quickly turn on the built-in flashlight. - Voice Memos:
You can use the Action button to start recording voice memos. - Shortcuts:
You can use the Action button to run any shortcut, allowing complex, multi-step actions with a single press. - Accessibility Features:
You can use the button to access accessibility features like magnifier, zoom, and more. - Focus Modes:
You can quickly switch between different focus modes, like Do Not Disturb. -
Control Center Actions:
You can program the button to access any Control Center action or shortcut. - Visual Intelligence:
On supported models, you can use the button with Apple’s visual intelligence features. - Dynamic Island Integration:
You can see the function of the Action button displayed in the Dynamic Island. - Action Mode:
In video recording, you can use the button to activate Action mode for improved stabilization.
What are some pros and cons of the iPhone 16 ?
Pros
- Latest chipset :
The latest Apple’s new A18 chip, giving you faster performance, smoother multitasking, and support for the latest AI features. - Camera Control Button :
The Camera Control button on iPhone 16 lets you quickly adjust zoom, switch modes, capture photos or videos with ease & even more function.
- Support for Apple Intelligence :
The iPhone 16 uses Apple’s new Artificial Intelligence (AI) system, giving you smart, personalized features while keeping your information private.
Cons
- 60Hz Display :
The iPhone 16 only has a 60Hz refresh rate, which feels less smooth compared to the 120Hz displays on even many Android phones . So, if you’re a content creator, video editor, tech enthusiast, or love mobile gaming, this might not be the best choice for you. - Battery Life :
The iPhone 16 comes with a 3561 mAh battery, which lasts up to 18 hours of video streaming — good for daily use but still somewhat limited compared to phones with bigger batteries.
Should I buy the iPhone 16?
Yes, You should buy iPhone 16 if you want the latest iOS 18 features and smooth performance with the A18 chip with a decent camera quality, including 4K video recording, and for anyone who wants a long-lasting battery that can handle up to 18 hours of Video streaming.
The new Action button, Camera Control, and spatial capture features make it even easier to use, and the 6.1-inch OLED display offers sharp and vibrant visuals.
You shouldn’t buy :
You should not buy the iPhone 16 if you are on a tight budget (starting at $799),
if you want a top-quality camera, plan to play high-graphics games (because it has only a 60Hz refresh rate), need a battery that lasts more than 18 hours, or prefer expandable storage, a headphone jack, or a bigger screen.
If you want a high-quality camera, plan to play high-graphics games, or need a long-lasting battery and don’t mind a higher price, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra or Galaxy Z Fold could be the best options for you.
If you want these features but prefer a mid-range phone, then the Samsung Galaxy S25 or Galaxy Z Flip could be the best choice.
Thank you for reading this iPhone 16 review.
We hope it helps you make the best choice and decide if the iPhone 16 is the right phone for you.