Design: Vibrant and Sturdy
The iPhone 16 feels like a refined version of the iPhone 15. It’s got a sleek aerospace-grade aluminum frame and a color-infused glass back that’s super eye-catching. I picked the Ultramarine color—a deep, shimmery blue that changes in the light—and it’s a head-turner compared to the more subdued Natural Titanium of my iPhone 15 Pro. Other color options are Black, White, Pink, and Teal, all vibrant and fun. At 170 grams, it’s lighter than the 15 Pro’s 187 grams, and the rounded edges make it comfy to hold for long stretches, unlike the 15 Pro’s slightly sharper feel.
| Additional details |
| Operating System | iOS 18 |
| Processor Type | A18 Bionic Chip, 6 Core Processor Processor |
| Display Size | 15.49cm (6.1 inch) |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 128 GB , 256 GB , 512 GB |
| Colour | Black , White , Pink , Teal , Ultramarine |
| 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 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display is crisp, with a 2556 × 1179 resolution (460 PPI). It hits 1000 nits typical brightness, 1600 nits for HDR, and 2000 nits outdoors, so I can see it clearly in sunlight, just like the 15 Pro. However, it’s stuck at a 60Hz refresh rate, which feels a bit sluggish compared to the 15 Pro’s buttery-smooth 120Hz ProMotion. I notice the difference when scrolling through X or playing fast-paced games. The new Ceramic Shield glass is supposedly twice as tough as the last generation, and I’ve been lucky so far—no scratches despite a few clumsy moments. It’s IP68-rated, surviving water up to 6 meters for 30 minutes, which saved me when I accidentally dropped it near a sink.
The Action Button, previously exclusive to the 15 Pro, is a game-changer. I set mine to toggle Silent Mode, but you can customize it to launch the camera, start a voice memo, or run Shortcuts. The new Camera Control button is a dedicated touch-sensitive shutter on the right side. A single press opens the Camera app, a double press snaps a photo, and sliding adjusts zoom or Photographic Styles. It’s got a sapphire crystal cover and feels like a DSLR shutter with haptic feedback—super cool for quick shots, though I sometimes fumble it in landscape mode. The switch to USB-C (like the 15 Pro) is great for using one cable across my devices, but it’s limited to USB 2.0 speeds (480 Mbps), slower than the 15 Pro’s USB 3.0, which is a bummer for transferring big video files.
Performance: A Big Leap
The iPhone 16 rocks the A18 chip, built on second-gen 3nm tech, a step up from the A17 Pro in the iPhone 15 Pro. It’s got a 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine that’s twice as fast as the A16 Bionic in the iPhone 15. With 8GB of RAM (up from 6GB on the 15 Pro), it handles everything I throw at it—gaming (Asphalt 9 runs flawlessly), editing 4K videos, or juggling apps. It feels just as snappy as the 15 Pro, and benchmarks suggest it’s about 30% faster than the iPhone 15’s A16, making it a beast for demanding tasks like Apple Intelligence.
Storage options are 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. I went with 256GB since I shoot a lot of videos, and it’s been plenty. The phone supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3, with a Snapdragon X70 modem (same as the 15 Pro). 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 I love the peace of mind they offer for hiking or driving. The improved thermal design keeps the phone cool during long gaming sessions, unlike my 15 Pro, which got warm sometimes.
Apple Intelligence, available since iOS 18.2, is a big deal. Features like Writing Tools for polishing emails, Genmoji for custom emojis, and the Clean Up tool for removing photo distractions are fun and useful. Visual Intelligence lets me point the Camera Control at objects to identify them or search Google, which is handy for spotting plants or products. The 15 Pro also got some of these with iOS 18.4, but the iPhone 16’s A18 is optimized for AI, making it feel a bit smoother.
Cameras: Versatile and Fun
The iPhone 16’s camera system is a big upgrade from the iPhone 15. It has a 48MP Fusion main camera (f/1.6 aperture) with sensor-shift stabilization and a 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 120° field of view) with autofocus for macro shots. The cameras are now vertically aligned (unlike the 15’s diagonal setup), enabling spatial video for Apple Vision Pro. The 48MP sensor takes sharp 24MP or 48MP photos, and I’ve snapped some stunning landscapes where I can zoom in to see tiny details. The ultra-wide gathers 2.6x more light than the iPhone 15’s, making low-light shots clearer.
Compared to the 15 Pro’s triple-lens system with a 3x telephoto, the iPhone 16’s 2x digital zoom is solid but not quite as versatile. Still, the new Photographic Styles let me tweak colors and tones in real-time, which is great for artsy shots. The 12MP TrueDepth front camera is the same as the 15 Pro’s, with autofocus for crisp selfies. Cinematic mode (4K HDR) and Action mode keep videos smooth and cinematic, and the new Audio Mix feature lets me adjust voices or background noise post-capture, perfect for vlogs. The wind noise reduction is a lifesaver when filming outdoors.
Software and Battery
Running iOS 18 (now on 18.3), the iPhone 16 is smooth and customizable, with lock screen widgets and Contact Posters. The 3561 mAh battery lasts up to 22 hours of video playback—2 hours longer than the iPhone 15 and close to the 15 Pro’s 20 hours. I get a full day of heavy use, and MagSafe charging at 25W (with a 30W adapter) hits 50% in about 30 minutes. No charger in the box, though, which is still a pain.
Price and Final Thoughts
I got my iPhone 16 for $799 (128GB), but in May 2025, it’s around ₹79,900 in India or $699-$749 in the U.S. on sites like Amazon. Compared to the iPhone 15 Pro ($999), the iPhone 16 offers the Action Button, Camera Control, and Apple Intelligence at a lower price, but it lacks the 120Hz display and telephoto lens. The 60Hz screen is my biggest gripe—it feels less smooth than the 15 Pro. Still, the vibrant design, powerful A18 chip, and versatile cameras make it a fantastic value. If you’re upgrading from an iPhone 15 or older, or want Pro-like features without the Pro price, the iPhone 16 is a great pick in 2025.