2024 is the yr once I can lastly say that the iPhone 16 is the proper alternative within the newest iPhone line-up. In fact, it misses out on many Professional options like a ProMotion show, a telephoto digicam, and higher digicam sensors, that are restricted to costly Professional fashions. However nonetheless, the iPhone 16s (iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus) are far greater upgrades when it comes to options set and general functionality this yr.
Beginning with the A18 chip below the hood, which is a two-generation bounce this time round. And, to not overlook, there may be 8GB of RAM, the identical because the Professional fashions. The twin cameras have additionally been realigned, and I’ll discuss intimately about why Apple returned to the iPhone 11 setup in a bit. In fact, there are some misses, too.
This yr, Apple despatched us the iPhone 16 Plus, so I’ll add references that ought to make it simpler so that you can perceive which one fits you higher: the vanilla iPhone 16 or the 16 Plus, which primarily presents a much bigger show and battery. Let’s dive into the evaluate.
Oh, my iPhone 16 Professional Max evaluate is already stay, so you possibly can learn it right here to know why it’s Apple’s crown jewel.
iPhone 16 Plus value in India
The iPhone 16 Plus begins at Rs. 89,900 for the 128GB storage possibility, whereas the 256GB comes at Rs. 99,900. The 512GB mannequin, then again, is priced at Rs. 119,900. I bought the 512GB mannequin for this evaluate. To check, the iPhone 16 begins at Rs. 79,900 for the 128GB mannequin. The 256GB and 512GB come at Rs. 89,900 and 109,900, respectively.
iPhone 16 Plus Design: Sticking to fundamentals however protecting it elegant
- Dimensions – 160.9 (H) x 77.8mm (W) x 7.8mm (D)
- Weight – 199 grams
- Colors – Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, Black and White
The iPhone 16 Plus is the third-generation Plus gadget from Apple. The iPhone 14 Plus was launched in 2022, adopted by the iPhone 15 Plus final yr and now 16 Plus. The smartphone does not deliver a ground-breaking overhaul to design aside from one vital facet – digicam housing. From a glass again (14 Plus) to a matte end rear, the 16 Plus will get aluminium frames that provide a strong really feel and a ceramic defend entrance for defense.
In comparison with the Professional fashions, the iPhone 16s (16 + 16 Plus) receives two new bodily buttons this yr – Motion and Digicam Management. As I discussed in my 16 Professional Max evaluate, Apple has gone the other route by providing extra bodily buttons when some firms try to push for gesture-based interactions. Motion button debuted final yr on the 15 Professional fashions and is lastly reaching the 16 and 16 Plus. The Motion button is an appropriate substitute for ring/ silent change, and it may be customised to allow some other perform. Digicam Management, then again, adjustments how you utilize the cameras on the most recent era iPhones. It is all the time higher to have a devoted button for launching one thing than unlocking or waking the display after which launching. Apple has decreased one step to launch the digicam app, and the button is the way in which to launch the digicam. Nonetheless, one factor that repeatedly occurred to me whereas reviewing was unintentionally launching the digicam app with a single click on on the Digicam Management. I needed to set it then as a double click on to cease launching the digicam app.
The iPhone 16 Plus is available in wonderful color selections, together with Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, Black, and White, in comparison with the marginally muted colors we noticed on the 15 and 15 Plus. Curiously, the 16 Plus (199 grams) weighs marginally much less, with the identical dimensions because the 15 Plus (201 grams). The distinction in weight may not be too large, however 16 Plus is a greater gadget for one-hand operations. In fact, the 6.7-inch display dimension is not for everybody; therefore, a smaller 6.1-inch mannequin can be accessible.
The 16s get an IP68 ranking for water and mud resistance, which is similar because the 15 collection, so there isn’t a change in water ingress safety.
The digicam placement is vertical, reminding of the iPhone 11, and it’s way more delicate than the housing we noticed on the 15 and 14 collection. Apple says that the vertical digicam housing permits the cellphone to shoot spatial photographs and movies, providing a way of depth or, in layperson’s phrases, multimedia with a 3D impact.
The entrance panel homes the 6.7-inch Tremendous Retina XDR show with bezels that aren’t as skinny because the iPhone 16 Professional fashions. There’s the Dynamic Island, the pill-shaped notch which has been there for the reason that iPhone 14 Professional.
Total, the iPhone 16 has a vibrant look, and aerospace-grade aluminium presents a premium in-hand really feel. The color-infused again glass feels wealthy with a matte end and gives an unparalleled smudge-free expertise in comparison with the Android panorama. Like different iPhones, the iPhone 16 Plus is constructed to final and presents strong sturdiness. The addition of an Motion button permits customers to carry out varied features with only a press – from recording a voice memo to figuring out a music or translating a sentence. There are sufficient customisation choices. The much-talked-about Digicam Management is roofed with sapphire crystal and has a easy texture. A color-matched chrome steel trim surrounds it.
iPhone 16 Plus Show: High-notch show high quality however restricted to 60Hz
- Show – 6.7-inch Tremendous Retina XDR show
- Refresh charge – 60Hz
- Brightness – 2,000nits (peak) and 1nit (minimal)
The iPhone 16s (16 + 16 Plus) will get the acquainted Tremendous Retina XDR OLED show. The refresh charge continues to be locked at 60Hz, which is a bummer, but once more. The iPhone 16 Plus is the most expensive cellphone with a 60Hz refresh charge in 2024, and I hope that Apple tries to vary this subsequent yr with its next-generation fashions. The 16 Plus presents 1290×2796 pixels display decision with 460PPI pixel density. The height brightness is 2000nits whereas the minimal brightness can drop to 1nit, which wasn’t the case with the 15 collection. The show is vivid and presents wealthy colors. The textual content seems crisp, and 16 Plus presents a shocking show minus the next refresh charge.
In my time with the iPhone 16 Plus, I loved watching multimedia on the cellphone alongside gaming. In case your multimedia consumption goes to be excessive, then the 16 Plus may very well be a better option than the 16 – foundation on each display actual property and battery.
iPhone 16 Plus Efficiency: Huge leap
- Processor – A18 chip
- RAM – 8GB RAM
- Biometric – Face ID
For the vanilla iPhone 16s, the most important leap is below the hood. The iPhone 16 Plus (and 16) are powered by Apple’s newest A18 chip, leaping two generations forward from the A16 Bionic in iPhone 15. It incorporates a 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine, which Apple says is optimised for operating massive generative fashions. In the course of the launch final month, the corporate claimed that the A18 is 30 % sooner than the A16 Bionic seen on the 15 collection in CPU efficiency. It’s constructed on second-generation 3-nanometer tech. Lengthy factor brief, Apple has made these adjustments to make sure that Apple Intelligence runs buttery easy on the 16s.
Whereas you do not get Apple Intelligence out-of-the-box, I attempted a beta replace that gave me a sneak peek into these options. Beginning with the Writing instruments, Apple has built-in these inside iOS, making them accessible wherever you sort. Be it for rewriting notes, adjusting tone or proofreading written mail. Subsequent are the most recent emojis you possibly can create by merely typing an outline or creating pictures with Picture Playground. All of that is built-in into apps like Messages. Within the Pictures app, now you can discover no matter picture you are searching for by typing key phrases, thus making it straightforward to search out photographs out of your total assortment. There are extra AI options, however most of them are being polished for the ultimate rollout. Most significantly, Apple Intelligence marks the beginning of a brand new period for Siri. Apple is predicted to launch the most recent iOS replace with a full suite of Apple Intelligence options by the tip of October, so keep tuned.
The iPhone 16 Plus packs extra RAM than the 15 collection and presents higher thermal efficiency. Apple up to date the principle logic board this yr, protecting the chip placement on the centre and optimising the encircling structure. The corporate added a sub-structure to dissipate warmth created from one hundred pc recycled aluminium to enhance thermal efficiency. I skilled this whereas making an attempt out AAA titles like Murderer’s Creed: Mirage, Resident Evil 4, and GTA: San Andreas on the 16 Plus. Leaping to artificial benchmarks, the A18 chip brings a leap in comparison with the 15 collection, and you may discover that beneath within the comparability desk.
Benchmarks | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 15 Plus |
AnTuTu | 157,8189 | 138,7632 |
GFX Bench Automotive Chase | 3550/ 60fps | 3129/ 60fps |
GFX Bench Manhattan 3.1 | 3724/ 60fps | 3227/ 60fps |
GFX Bench T-Rex | 3364/ 60fps | 3087/ 60fps |
3D Mark Wild Life Excessive | 3922 | 2989 |
3D Mark Wild Life | Maxed Out | 8704 |
Geekbench 6 | 3203 (single) & 7846 (multi) | 3203 (single) & 7846 (multi) |
The iPhone 16 Plus packs a unbelievable show, and stereo audio system complement it. The audio system sound properly and provide balanced output. The readability does not get hit when elevating the quantity. Subsequent, the iPhone 16 Plus packs unbelievable haptic suggestions that is exact to the core and presents an honest expertise whereas typing lengthy emails or gaming.
Connectivity-wise, the iPhone 16 Plus is spectacular and might latch onto networks, providing a constant 5G connection. In fact, you possibly can expertise this at present solely on Jio and Airtel networks.
iOS 18 brings new customisation choices like rearranging apps and widgets alongside personalising the house display format. With the most recent iOS replace, you possibly can go for darkish and tint themes alongside selecting to extend the app icon dimension. Customers can lock or disguise an app, which is a good addition. The Management Centre will get a whole makeover alongside the choice to rearrange and resize controls – a much-demanded characteristic lastly makes it to iOS 18. Now you can additionally swap controls on the lock display for fast entry. The Pictures app will get a full-blown redesign; nonetheless, getting used to the brand new refresh will take a while. There are a bunch of extra additions within the iOS 18. The theme of the most recent iOS replace is customisations, because it presents loads of methods to mess around with present issues.
iPhone 16 Plus Digicam: Succesful with some new tips
- Cameras – 48MP large and 12MP ultra-wide
- Zoom choices – 0.5x, 1x, 2x (optical)
- Selfie – 12MP
The iPhone 16 Plus ships with the identical main sensor because the 15 Plus – the 48-megapixel digicam is retained from final yr. The improve is with the ultrawide digicam, which stays a 12-megapixel sensor, although it now packs f/2.2 aperture and helps autofocus. The selfie digicam is but once more 12-megapixel, the identical because the 15 collection.
Earlier than diving into the efficiency of the 16 Plus cameras, I need to briefly discuss concerning the Digicam Management. It has been a superb addition and the best solution to entry the cameras on the brand new 16 collection. Sure, it has a studying curve as a result of the muscle reminiscence will preserve taking you to the house display to launch the digicam through its app.
In comparison with the 16 Professional Max, the 16 Plus is simpler to deal with with Digicam Management due to the 6.7-inch display dimension, which is handy – if in case you have huge arms. For individuals who choose a smaller kind issue, there’s the iPhone 16 with a 6.1-inch display.
Leaping again to the cameras, the iPhone 16 Plus can seize some unbelievable daylight pictures with high quality particulars within the scene. Photographs are sharp and provide glorious dynamic vary. The colors are nice and stay as pure as potential. Portraits come out properly with correct depth estimation. Apple has additionally launched new Photographic Types, which supply extra customized choices to allow you to personalise the way you or your topic seems in photographs. The brand new management pad gives extra flexibility when clicking photographs. The optical zoom additionally works flawlessly and presents a strong possibility for shutterbugs. The zooming functionality is proscribed due to the shortage of a telephoto digicam.
The ultrawide sensor is favored due to its versatility in capturing extra of the scene, and this time, Apple has made it extra succesful. It’s claimed to seize as much as 2.6 instances extra mild. The excellent news is that the ultrawide digicam permits macro pictures this time round.
Ultrawide pictures come out very well with extra particulars and strong colors. Autofocus is a giant addition that makes your life simpler by robotically autofocusing. Macro pictures made potential with the brand new ultrawide setup additionally come out properly.
Even low-light photographs come out properly with the iPhone 16 Plus. The first sensor is strong for night time pictures, and the small print are intact. Ultrawide pictures at night time are respectable, although not as nice as daytime pictures. Selfies come out properly, and there’s no grievance on this regard, together with the pores and skin tones, that are as pure as they are often.
Video upgrades are unbelievable and one of many causes that makes the iPhones the go-to units for video wants. Total, the iPhone 16 Plus packs succesful cameras that may shoot great pictures in day and night time.
iPhone 16 Plus Battery: Will blow you away
- Video Playback – As much as 27 hours (Claimed)
- Charging – As much as 50% in 35 minutes
- Helps USB 2
iPhone 16 Plus is a darkish horse with regards to battery efficiency. In my checks, the iPhone 16 Plus beat the 16 Professional Max a number of instances when it comes to display time.
In comparison with the 16 Professional Max’s finest battery efficiency (8 hours and half-hour), the 16 Plus supplied me 9 hours and 37 minutes of display time with heavy utilization that included a few hours of gaming in addition to streaming a two-hour film on Netflix aside from apps like Outlook, Gmail, WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, clicking photographs and movies utilizing the Digicam app and in addition together with common calls of about 50 minutes in a full day. Technically, the iPhone 16 Plus lasted 1.5 days simply with heavy utilization which is far more than what Android flagships assure. In our HD video loop check, the iPhone 16 Plus managed 27 hours and 20 minutes of playback time.
SCREENSHOT
Charging stays the most important Achilles heel of the brand new iPhone 16 Plus. It could possibly cost as much as 50 % in 35 minutes, however a full cost takes round 120 minutes, which is not superb in comparison with the competitors. The 16 Plus packs USB 2, which is barely disappointing.
iPhone 16 Plus Verdict
The iPhone 16 raises the bar for what vanilla iPhone fashions might do. The iPhone 16 (and 16 Plus) will get an A18 chip, which guarantees superior efficiency in comparison with Android flagships out there. The cameras are strong, and also you get two new buttons – Motion and Digicam Management. The battery backup is spectacular, and the construct high quality is top-notch. It additionally will get an IP68 ranking for peace of thoughts and is a unbelievable gadget for high-graphics gaming in its newest avatar. The show high quality is great. In fact, a number of issues may very well be improved, like gradual charging and 60Hz refresh charge at this value level, making this look barely misplaced in comparison with Android flagships.
So, who can buy it? In the event you bought an iPhone 15 (Evaluate) or 15 Plus final yr, you can provide this a miss. Nonetheless, for folks nonetheless utilizing the iPhone 14 or older fashions, the iPhone 16 guarantees a lot greater upgrades. Due to festive gross sales, the iPhone 15 is promoting at cheaper price factors, making it a viable competitor to the iPhone 16.
If you need the very best efficiency and don’t need to compromise on any facet, then the iPhone 16 Professional Max sits on the high, and you may learn our evaluate right here.