Design: Bigger, Lighter, and Sleek
The iPhone 16 Pro feels like a refined version of the iPhone 15 Pro. It’s got a Grade 5 titanium frame with a micro-blasted texture that’s grippy and premium, and at 199 grams, it’s a tad heavier than the 15 Pro’s 187 grams but still feels light for its size. The new Desert Titanium color—a peachy, metallic hue—is a vibe, and I love how it shifts in the light. You can also pick Black Titanium, White Titanium, or Natural Titanium, all classier than the iPhone 16’s vibrant Ultramarine or Pink options. The rounded edges and Ceramic Shield glass (50% tougher than the first generation) make it comfy to hold and tough against drops—I’ve knocked it off my desk once, and it’s still pristine. It’s IP68-rated, surviving water up to 6 meters for 30 minutes, which saved me during a coffee spill.
| Additional details |
| Operating System | iOS 17 |
| Processor Type | A18 Bionic Chip, 6 Core Processor Processor |
| Display Size | 16 cm (6.3 inch) |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 128 GB , 256 GB , 512 GB |
| Colour | Black Titanium , Desert Titanium , Natural Titanium , White Titanium , |
| Camera | 48MP + 12MP + 12MP | 12MP Front Camera |
| Form Fator | Smartphone |
| Biomatric Security Feature | Face Recognition |
| Sim Card Size | Nano + eSIM |
| Water Resistance Level | Water Resistant |
The 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display (up from 6.1 inches on the 15 Pro) is stunning, with a 1206 × 2622 resolution (460 PPI). Apple shaved the bezels to make it the thinnest borders on any iPhone, giving me more screen real estate without feeling bulky. It hits 1000 nits typical brightness, 1600 nits for HDR, and 2000 nits outdoors, so it’s crystal clear in sunlight, just like the 15 Pro. The 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate makes scrolling on X or gaming super smooth, unlike the iPhone 16’s 60Hz display, which feels noticeably less fluid. The always-on display shows my lock screen widgets without draining much battery, and I can toggle it off in iOS 18.3.
The Action Button, carried over from the 15 Pro, is customizable—I set mine to launch the Camera app, but you can pick Shortcuts, Focus modes, or more. The new Camera Control button is a game-changer. This sapphire-crystal-covered, touch-sensitive shutter lets me open the Camera app with one press, snap a photo with a hard press, or slide to adjust zoom and Photographic Styles. A double light press pulls up camera controls, and a long press activates Visual Intelligence to identify objects (more on that later). It took some getting used to, but now I love the DSLR-like feel, though I sometimes fumble it in landscape mode. The USB-C port (USB 3.0, 10 Gbps) is faster than the iPhone 16’s USB 2.0, making video transfers quick, but it’s the same as the 15 Pro’s.
Performance: A Powerhouse for AI and Gaming
The iPhone 16 Pro runs on the A18 Pro chip, built on second-gen 3nm tech, a big step up from the A17 Pro in the iPhone 15 Pro. With a 6-core CPU, 6-core GPU (20% faster than the A17 Pro), and a 16-core Neural Engine (35 trillion operations per second), it’s a beast. The 8GB of RAM (same as the iPhone 16) handles everything—gaming (Death Stranding runs like a console), editing 4K videos, and running Apple Intelligence features—without a hiccup. It’s noticeably snappier than the 15 Pro for heavy tasks like video rendering, and the improved thermal design (with a graphite-clad aluminum substructure) keeps it cool during long gaming sessions, unlike the 15 Pro, which got toasty.
Storage options are 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB (the Pro Max starts at 256GB). I went with 256GB for my photos and videos, and it’s been plenty. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 7 (faster than the 15 Pro’s Wi-Fi 6E), 5G with a Qualcomm X71 modem, and Bluetooth 5.3. It’s eSIM-only in the U.S., which was easy to set up. Safety features like Emergency SOS via satellite and Crash Detection are here, just like the 15 Pro, and give me peace of mind when I’m off the grid.
Apple Intelligence, rolled out with iOS 18.1 and enhanced in 18.4, is a standout. Writing Tools polish my emails, Genmoji lets me create custom emojis (like my dog with sunglasses), and the Clean Up tool removes photo distractions like Google’s Magic Eraser. Visual Intelligence, accessed via Camera Control, identifies objects or translates text—pointing it at a restaurant menu pulls up hours or ratings. It’s smoother than on the iPhone 16 due to the A18 Pro’s extra power, and the 15 Pro got these features too, but the 16 Pro feels more optimized.
Cameras: Pro-Level Versatility
The iPhone 16 Pro’s camera system is a major upgrade from the iPhone 15 Pro. It has a 48MP Fusion main camera (f/1.78, second-gen sensor-shift OIS), a 48MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 120° field of view), and a 12MP 5x telephoto (f/2.8), now standard on both Pro models (the 15 Pro only had 3x). The 48MP main camera takes sharp 24MP or 48MP ProRAW photos, and I’ve captured landscapes where I can zoom in to see individual leaves. The ultra-wide, upgraded from 12MP on the 15 Pro, is great for macro shots and low-light scenes, gathering more light for clearer photos. The 5x telephoto (120mm) is perfect for portraits or distant subjects, matching the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s capabilities.
Compared to the iPhone 16’s dual-lens setup (no telephoto), the 16 Pro’s triple-lens system is way more versatile. New Photographic Styles let me tweak colors and skin tones in real-time, and adjustments are reversible, unlike filters. The 12MP front camera (f/1.9) is the same as the 15 Pro’s, with autofocus for crisp selfies. Video recording now supports 4K at 120 fps in Dolby Vision—a smartphone first—perfect for slow-motion clips. The Audio Mix feature lets me adjust voices or background noise post-capture, and wind noise reduction is a lifesaver for outdoor vlogs. The iPhone 16 can’t match the 5x zoom or 4K 120 fps, making the Pro a clear winner for creators.
Software and Battery
Running iOS 18 (now 18.4), the iPhone 16 Pro is smooth, with customizable lock screens and Contact Posters. The 3582 mAh battery lasts up to 27 hours of video playback, a big jump from the 15 Pro’s 20 hours, and I get a full day of heavy use. Users on X have raved about the battery life, and I agree—it’s a noticeable improvement. MagSafe charging at 25W (with a 30W adapter) hits 50% in about 30 minutes, but there’s no charger in the box, which is still annoying.
Price and Final Thoughts
I got my iPhone 16 Pro for $999 (128GB), but as of May 2025, it’s around ₹99,999 in India or $899-$949 in the U.S. on Amazon. Compared to the iPhone 15 Pro ($999), the 16 Pro’s bigger 6.3-inch display, 5x telephoto, 48MP ultra-wide, and A18 Pro chip make it a worthy upgrade. It outshines the iPhone 16 with its 120Hz display, telephoto lens, and faster USB-C, but the 128GB base storage feels stingy for a Pro model. The Camera Control button is awesome but takes practice, and the 60Hz display on the iPhone 16 feels outdated by comparison.
Overall, the iPhone 16 Pro is a fantastic phone. It’s powerful, takes pro-level photos and videos, and feels premium. If you’re coming from an iPhone 15 Pro or earlier, or want more than the iPhone 16’s base features, the 16 Pro is a compelling choice in 2025.