Alright, it is that point of the yr! Apple lastly took the plunge and went all out on AI with its new iPhone 16 sequence. Calling the most recent iPhones as constructed for Apple Intelligence. In fact, the corporate coined its model of AI, brief for synthetic intelligence, which the remainder of the world makes use of for its merchandise, however that is Apple, so it. Nonetheless, one massive miss is these telephones don’t include any Apple Intelligence options out-of-the-box.
We have the brand new iPhone 16 sequence and the Watch 10 mannequin. I am beginning the proceedings with the all-new iPhone 16 Professional Max, the most important iPhone by way of show and measurement ever constructed by Apple. I’ll soar to the iPhone 16 Plus and Watch Sequence 10 fashions subsequent, however these are for another day, so keep tuned to Devices 360 for these.
The iPhone 16 sequence is the primary set of iPhones constructed or designed for Apple Intelligence. Nonetheless, that is most likely taking place for the primary time that Apple saved an AI-related theme for its launch occasion in September – Glowtime – to spotlight how the brand new options change how everybody will use iPhones going ahead however missed providing these out of the field.
As a heads-up for readers, this evaluation talks about how massive of an improve the iPhone 16 Professional Max is over its predecessor in each approach attainable. In fact, I’ll do an in-depth piece when the most recent iOS 18 replace (learn, steady) hits the brand new units with Apple Intelligence options. However for now, let’s dive into the brand new Max, lets?
iPhone 16 Professional Max Design: Conversant in Titan Contact
- Colors: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Pure Titanium, and Desert Titanium
- Weighs: 227 grams
- Dimensions: 163×77.6×8.25mm
Virtually, the iPhone 16 Professional Max is 15 Professional Max on steroids. Why? Let me clarify. If the 16 Professional Max is positioned on a desk with the show dealing with downward alongside the 15 Professional Max, not many individuals can determine that that is the new-gen mannequin – albeit in the event that they discover carefully. Design-wise, the iPhone 16 Professional Max packs a bunch of latest issues. In fact, the Digicam Management is the most important addition. Subsequent, the bezels on the 16 Professional Max are slimmer than the 15 Professional Max. Final however not least, the 16 Professional Max packs the most important show ever seen on an iPhone but. I’ll deep dive one after the other now.
Apple launched the Motion Button final yr with the iPhone 15 Professional sequence
After introducing the Motion button on the iPhone 15 Professional Max, Apple has added Digicam Management to its total vary of iPhone 16 fashions this yr.
Simply once we thought smartphone producers have been transferring in direction of gesture-based controls for interactions, Apple took a special route by including one other bodily button. The iPhone 16 Professional Max packs the ability and quantity rockers alongside the Digicam Management and Motion buttons – 4 bodily buttons general. Whereas organising the 16 Professional Max, I deliberately eliminated the digital camera app icon from the house display in order that I might use the all-new Digicam Management. Nonetheless, my muscle reminiscence led me to the house display for the primary few days till I realised the 16 Professional Max had a devoted digital camera button.
When you get used to the Digicam Management, there isn’t any going again. It is handy and simple to seek out, and the very best feeling is that it generally offers a nostalgic point-and-shoot digital camera reminiscence. The one drawback is that vertical images or movies are the brand new norm for social media, comparable to Instagram, Fb, X, and different platforms like YouTube with Shorts. For a tool just like the iPhone 16 Professional Max, holding the telephone with one hand and utilizing the Digicam Management to border your shot is difficult. You want the second hand for higher framing your pictures. Digicam Management on the smaller iPhone 16 Professional must be simply manageable. The Digicam Management addition is a neat contact, and it is like a shoutout to all images lovers to go all out with this one.
iPhone 16 Professional Max (proper facet) contains a 6.9-inch show, whereas the 15 Professional Max (left facet) packs a 6.7-inch show
In case you are blissful utilizing the app on the house display to launch the digital camera and wish to utilise the digital camera management for one thing else, Apple has you lined. You’ll be able to select between launching the Digicam app, code scanner, Instagram, Magnifier or none. With future updates, Apple is anticipated so as to add extra third-party apps to the checklist.
The load improve is minimal regardless of the display measurement bump from 6.7 inches on the 15 Professional Max to six.9 inches on the iPhone 16 Professional Max. It is 227 grams on the 16 Professional Max versus 221 grams on the 15 Professional Max. The perfect half is the burden distribution. It is even and aesthetically designed and might be managed by one hand. Nonetheless, individuals with small palms will discover working the 16 Professional Max with one hand barely inconvenient. I took a while to get used to the 16 Professional Max regardless of utilizing the 15 Professional Max for nearly a yr. It is humorous that just about a decade again, we used to get tablets with 7-inch display sizes that had a correct heft and thick bezels.
The iPhone 16 Professional Max weighs 227 grams, whereas the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely weighs 232 grams
The key modifications it’s good to adapt to throughout each day use are in width and peak. In comparison with the 15 Professional Max (peak 159.9mm and width 76.7mm), the 16 Professional Max measures 163mm in peak and 77.6mm in width. As you’ll be able to see, the 16 Professional Max is taller and wider than its predecessor.
Leaping to colors, the Professional fashions once more are available titanium shades this yr. Desert Titanium, which we received for the evaluation, is the very best among the many 4 decisions this yr – Pure Titanium, White Titanium, and Black Titanium, among the many others. All the colors look putting. Then again, the iPhone 16 fashions get some actually good colors this yr.
iPhone 16 Professional Max (left) vs iPhone 15 Professional Max (proper) side-by-side comparability
The iPhone 16 Professional Max has Apple’s largest show ever and packs the thinnest borders on any of its merchandise. One thing that was immediately noticeable once I began utilizing the 16 Professional Max for this evaluation. Skinny bezels imply extra display actual property and a extra immersed expertise. Extra on that in our show part.
The iPhone 16 Professional Max, constructed with Grade 5 titanium, feels strong in palms and provides reassurance in on a regular basis use. On the entrance, Apple has used the latest-gen Ceramic Protect, and the textured matt glass again jogs my memory of 15 Professional Max.
iPhone 16 Professional Max Show: Stellar
- Display screen: Largest show on an iPhone, but
- Show: 6.9-inch OLED, 1320×2868 pixels and 460ppi
- Peak brightness: 2000nits
Coming to the show, Apple has match its largest show within the 16 Professional Max, measuring 6.9 inches. To place some context, 16 Professional Max packs a much bigger show than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely (6.8-inch), launched earlier this yr.
The telephone helps a peak brightness of 2000nits
The Tremendous Retina XDR show comes with Dynamic Island and options ProMotion expertise with a refresh fee of as much as 120Hz. The utmost brightness is 1000 nits (typical), and peak brightness is 2000nits (open air) – which we additionally noticed on the iPhone 15 Professional Max. This yr’s solely change is that the minimal brightness can now go all the way down to 1 nit, which wasn’t the case earlier. This implies you’ll be able to hold scrolling or shopping in your telephone with out bothering others in the identical room whereas in mattress.
The iPhone 16 Professional Max show has rounded corners that observe a curved design, which seems to be good. Speaking in regards to the show high quality, the 16 Professional Max packs top-of-the-line shows you’ll find in 2024’s iPhone fashions. In on a regular basis utilization, the 16 Professional Max show feels apt for all wants, be it multimedia, gaming or scrolling on social media. The larger display measurement with thinner bezels means you get a extra immersed viewing expertise, and that is about it. The daylight legibility is great, and 2000nits peak brightness is nice sufficient for utilizing the telephone beneath harsh daylight.
The telephone gives 1320×2868 pixels display decision at 460ppi pixel density
iPhone 16 Professional Max Efficiency: Excessive-Octane Machine
- Chipset: A18 Professional chip
- Breakdown: Six-core CPU with six-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine, 8GB of RAM
- Storage: 256GB, 512GB and 1TB
iPhone 16 Professional Max now packs the all-new A18 Professional chip, a successor to the A17 Professional chip that powers the 15 Professional fashions. Throughout my evaluation, I attempted every part from AAA gaming to streaming, video modifying, picture modifying, and AI apps to see how highly effective the brand new chip is. To not my shock, the 16 Professional Max would not even stutter mildly wherever – an analogous case was with the 15 Professional Max (14 Professional Max and older Professional fashions). Nonetheless, one of many massive areas of improve is warmth optimisation. In comparison with the 15 Professional Max, the 16 Professional Max cools down shortly, because of Apple’s improved warmth dissipation setup.
The telephone comes with an IP68 ranking for splash, water and mud resistance
Taking part in titles like Name of Obligation: Cellular, Asphalt 9: Legends, Alto’s Odyssey and Fieldrunners 2 felt butter-smooth. I additionally tried out Ubisoft’s well-known title, Murderer’s Creed Mirage, and the gaming expertise was implausible.
Within the efficiency division, the A18 Professional on the iPhone 16 Professional Max would not simply appear incremental, and it makes the telephone a greater gadget for heavy graphics gaming and video modifying on the go. Speaking about artificial benchmarks, under is a desk to higher replicate the efficiency bump.
| Benchmarks | iPhone 16 Professional Max | iPhone 15 Professional Max |
| AnTuTu | 1587059 | 1345846 |
| GFX Bench Automotive Chase | 59fps | 59fps |
| GFX Bench Manhattan 3.1 | 59.7fps | 60fps |
| GFX Bench T-Rex | 59.4fps | 59.99fps |
| 3D Mark Wild Life Excessive | 2788 | 2749 |
| 3D Mark Wild Life | 8942 | 8803 |
| Geekbench 6 | 3203 (single) & 7846 (multi) | 2704 (single) & 6478 (multi) |
Speaking about connectivity, the iPhone 16 Professional Max can latch onto networks swiftly, be it a basement with low mobile networks. Very like the 15 sequence, the 16 Professional Max additionally has a USB-C charger and helps the USB 3.2 normal.
In my earlier iPhone critiques, I’ve mentioned that haptic motors fitted within the iPhones are a few of the greatest ones seen on modern-day smartphones. The identical applies to the iPhone 16 Professional Max. Even the loudspeakers are amazingly loud (however in a great way). If you happen to’re in a medium-sized room, you’ll be able to attempt the highly effective speaker setup on the 16 Professional Max, and you will not be disenchanted.
It’s powered by Apple’s A18 Professional chip constructed with second-generation 3nm structure
iOS 18 will stay an replace from Apple that can proceed to make headlines till Apple Intelligence arrives on all new units. One of many the reason why the 16 sequence is within the information is as a result of they launch with a tagline that claims “Constructed for Apple Intelligence” however don’t provide it out of the field. As I discussed initially of this evaluation, I’ll write one other piece to speak about all new AI options in-depth when it hits 16 Professional Max. The most recent iOS 18 replace brings a bunch of upgrades – some that have been a lot wanted and a few that I am nonetheless attempting to get used to. The Pictures app was considered one of my go-to apps for photos throughout units, however ever for the reason that iOS 18 replace, the brand new refresh has been complicated. What I really like about iOS 18 is the brand new personalisation choices. Apple retains including to the checklist, and that is good. Extra choices to customize means extra new dwelling display designs to play with.
The iPhone 16 sequence has been designed preserving Apple Intelligence on the core
I briefly tried the iOS 18 beta, which ships with a bunch of AI options and gives what Samsung has been providing for months. Some AI instruments I attempted on the beta launch briefly have been a writing software for bettering writing and the Notes app, which will get a summarise function for recorded conferences. Apple is bringing what it calls Genmoji because of the corporate’s Picture Playground app that lets your creativity go all out. Then, the favorite camera-related AI function on Android is named Erase, however Apple has rebadged it to Clear Up, which might take away distractions or objects out of your picture. In fact, Siri is getting an entire greater paint job and is nearly refreshed. I’ll attempt them out within the last launch earlier than giving the decision on who’s achieved it higher.
iPhone 16 Professional Max Digicam: Spectacular
- Cameras: 48MP major, 48MP ultra-wide and 12MP telephoto
- Movies – Audio Combine is a brand new function whereas recording movies
- Assist – 4K 120 fps Dolby Imaginative and prescient
- Selfie – 12MP digital camera
Moreover a much bigger show and battery, the 16 Professional Max lastly upgrades the ultrawide digital camera. From a 12-megapixel sensor, Apple has jumped to a 48-megapixel sensor. The telephoto, nonetheless, stays 12-megapixel solely in the meanwhile. Subsequent yr, we could get a triple 48-megapixel digital camera setup on the Professional fashions. Fingers crossed.
You probably have been following Apple, then you definately already know that they’ve been steadily ramping up their digital camera recreation to match the wants of professional customers – content material creators, artists, photographers, administrators, and extra. The 16 Professional Max is one other chapter in that journey and brings some thrilling additions.
The telephone will get an all-new 48-megapixel ultra-wide digital camera
Digicam Management must be a kind of additions which have helped push the digital camera for use increasingly more, at the very least for me. It’s intuitive and simple to leap from zooming to modes and extra. Nonetheless, there is a brief studying curve connected, so be prepared.
Throughout Apple’s September launch, one of many executives talked about how the brand new 48-megapixel Fusion Digicam can learn knowledge two instances sooner, enabling zero shutter lag. And I might take a look at it throughout my evaluation interval; clicking images of vehicles on the highway whereas transferring comes approach higher than earlier than.
Your complete iPhone 16 vary will get the Digicam Management button
Daylight images on the 16 Professional Max come out gorgeous, which was the case with the 15 Professional Max. You have got sufficient particulars in every shot, gorgeous dynamic vary, wonderful saturation, and, most significantly, pure and lovely colors. Some samples under to indicate you the way good the cameras are on the 16 Professional Max. The first 48-megapixel sensor is strong for daylight pictures.
Daylight images from the first digital camera of the 16 Professional Max
This yr, you’ll be able to mess around along with your photos with all-new Photographic Kinds that regulate tones, colors, and extra in actual time. The brand new management pad within the Images Kinds places you on high of your photos and makes it handy. One other small replace is which you could now change the type after clicking a picture, which wasn’t attainable earlier.
Color accuracy and ample particulars are highlights of the first digital camera
Videography lovers are getting one other massive replace this yr with 4K at 120fps assist – what Apple calls its highest decision and body fee with slo-mo. The perfect half is that Apple this yr isn’t forcing you to make real-time selections on the body fee. You’ll be able to regulate the playback pace after seize within the Pictures app. The addition of those options makes on-the-go modifying wonders.
Macro shot
Portrait picture
Bokehs come out wonderful, too, with pure pores and skin tones and no color blowout. One thing that iPhones are vouched for. Macro pictures additionally come good. Nonetheless, you have to to do some work to ensure you nail the shot, or else you could find yourself with a couple of close-ups with the topic blurred.
Telephoto (5x) digital camera samples
The telephoto digital camera has additionally acquired a good replace, and I received some implausible zoom outcomes. At 10x and 15x, the 16 Professional Max manages wonderful outcomes with ample particulars. That is the primary time I’ve seen that the iPhone 16 Professional Max did higher than the S24 Extremely in some zoom pictures.
Photographs have been taken utilizing an Ultrawide digital camera
The ultrawide digital camera can also be succesful and does a superb job in daylight. There is a noticeable improve over the 15 Professional Max pictures by way of picture particulars captured.
Leaping to low-light images, there’s appreciable enchancment on this division. Particularly contemplating the 15 Professional Max these days was disappointing in difficult low-light situations. Beneath are some night time samples the place 16 Professional Max flexes its muscle in low-light situations.
Low-light images from the iPhone 16 Professional Max
Portrait at night time, shot on iPhone 16 Professional Max
Why not take a look at 16 Professional Max with the present flagship from the Android area – Samsung Galaxu S24 Extremely? Beneath are some images to your comparability. Although word, to merge each the pictures, the standard has taken a slight hit, however that is representational to indicate you the way properly Apple has improved its low-light cameras on the brand new Professional fashions.
iPhone 16 Professional Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely: Low-light pictures in contrast
iPhone 16 Professional Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely in low-light situations
One other iPhone 16 Professional Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely night time pattern
On this picture, the 16 Professional Max retains colors and tone pure whereas the S24 Extremely blows it away with an excessive amount of unnatural mild
The selfie digital camera is identical because the 15 Professional Max, and we do not see any variation in that both. Selfies come out wonderful with pure pores and skin tones and hues throughout totally different mild situations. The low-light images, nonetheless, have a scope for enchancment. General, the iPhone 16 Professional Max packs a stellar digital camera trio, and you can not put it down in comparison with any telephone available in the market.
iPhone 16 Professional Max Battery: Powerhouse
- Battery: Claimed greater battery capability
- Video playback: As much as 33 hours (marketed)
- Charging: As much as 50% cost in 35 minutes
By now, you could already know that Apple is the one firm that does not promote spec sheets. So, when it got here to battery bump on the brand new iPhone 16 Professional Max, the one knowledge Apple shared is that it gives as much as 33 hours of video playback in comparison with the 15 Professional Max (and 14 Professional Max), which provided as much as 29 hours of video playback. We did our HD video loop take a look at, and 16 Professional Max impressed with a good 28 hours and 33 minutes of playback time.
The iPhone 16 Professional Max is a succesful smartphone relating to battery prowess
Speaking purely about battery efficiency, the iPhone 16 Professional Max is a stellar gadget that may provide over 8 hours of screen-on time. With heavy utilization that included a few hours of gaming and streaming and 30-40 minutes of digital camera use for images and movies, the telephone simply lasted over a day with nearly 25 p.c of battery nonetheless left.
In a number of assessments we did on the evaluation unit, the 16 Professional Max simply did over 8 hours of energetic display on time, and the max we received was 8 hours and half-hour with 13 p.c juice left. In fact, you’ll be able to derive extra battery backup for those who flip off the always-on show and cut back digital camera use. On days with reasonable use, the iPhone 16 Professional Max gave us almost two full days of battery life.
A MagSafe case by beats, a Silicone Case from Apple, and a case from Day by day Objects for the iPhone 16 Professional Max
Apple has actually pushed the envelope relating to battery efficiency, which is one thing that will likely be powerful for competitors to match.
Nonetheless, wired charging pace stays the Achilles heel of the iPhone 16 Professional Max. In an period the place telephones provide full charging inside half-hour, the 16 Professional Max reached 55% cost in 35 minutes. A full cost with a 20W adapter takes about 100 minutes and, at instances, can take as much as 120 minutes, relying on a number of components.
The iPhone 16 Professional Max is not a small telephone by any means
iPhone 16 Professional Max Verdict
Who can buy the iPhone 16 Professional Max? The reply is straightforward – for iPhone customers who are usually not already utilizing the iPhone 15 Professional Max. Get it, after all, in case your finances permits. For many who nonetheless choose an beneath Rs. 1 lakh telephone and are okay with compromising on some elements, there’s the bottom iPhone 16 with largely all of the goodies this yr minus a 120Hz refresh fee show and a 3rd telephoto digital camera. The perfect factor is that it is a sale season, and you may seize some nice offers for those who prioritise switching to an iPhone, as reductions can be found throughout fashions in each on-line and offline shops.
Digicam Management is likely one of the highlights of the brand new 16-series
In comparison with the 14 Professional and 13 Professional sequence, the iPhone 16 Professional Max packs a few of the largest upgrades, whereas the 15 Professional Max now seems to be underrated. It has the most important show on an iPhone but. In my testing, the 16 Professional Max delivered unprecedented battery efficiency, and naturally, it is a Professional gadget, so even heavy-duty customers can go for this. The show is unbelievable, and the one draw back is the sluggish wired charging, which appears to be taking ceaselessly to be upgraded.
One massive bummer is that there are not any Apple Intelligence (learn, steady) options on the 16 Professional Max, which actually makes it appear like not an amazing deal in the meanwhile. However keep in mind, these telephones are constructed from scratch to work with Apple Intelligence, so an iOS replace with all of the goodies could drop in a couple of weeks.
The 2 largest options to the iPhone 16 Professional Max are the iPhone 15 Professional Max (Evaluation), retailing at all-time low costs in the course of the festive gross sales in India. And, the second is the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely (Evaluation), the closest flagship that may tackle the 16 Professional Max.