Apple iPhone 16 Plus review
The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is this year's large vanilla iPhone alternative, offering a bigger size similar to the Pro Max without the high-end features. This phone has a few upgrades, including a new chipset, ultra-wide camera with autofocus, action key, and camera shutter key. Design-wise, it's familiar territory with a flat Corning Glass back and aluminum frame, although the camera bump is now more elegant and vertical like other iPhones. The device has IP68 water resistance to a depth of 6 meters. The display remains the same as last year, a 6.7-inch OLED screen with a 60Hz refresh rate, which may not be as smooth as higher-end iPhones. However, it still offers support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision video. Performance-wise, the Apple A18 chipset provides significant improvements in both raw performance and power efficiency, with around 20% higher CPU scores and 30% or more improved graphics scores. The battery life is also excellent, with an active use score of 18 hours and 49 minutes, beating even the Pro Max. Cameras are decent, with a 48-megapixel main camera and a new 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera with autofocus. Daylight photos from the main cam are excellent, while night shots have some limitations. The ultra-wide camera produces decent shots with plenty of detail, but limited sharpness and dynamic range. Overall, the iPhone 16 Plus is worth considering if you need a larger size without all the high-end features. However, it might not be worth upgrading if you already own last year's model.
Build Quality and Design
The iPhone 16 Plus is a phone that checks all the right boxes in terms of build quality and design. The device feels solidly constructed, with a flat Corning Glass back and a flat aluminum frame that exudes a sense of premium-ness. While the overall design has remained largely unchanged from last year's model, there are some welcome tweaks that improve upon the previous iteration. One notable change is the camera bump, which now features a more elegant vertical arrangement reminiscent of other iPhones. The new design also boasts IP68 rating for protection against dust and water submersion to a depth of 6 meters, providing peace of mind for users who frequently use their phone in damp environments. The iPhone 16 Plus retains its predecessor's familiar shape, with the only notable differences being the absence of a fingerprint reader and the presence of an action key. The latter feature allows users to assign shortcuts to it and launch them on the fly, while the former is replaced by Apple's Face ID system, which relies on a selfie camera and 3D ToF sensor. While the iPhone 16 Plus looks and feels great in hand, its design doesn't exactly break new ground. It's a phone that gets the basics right but fails to impress with anything particularly innovative or daring. If you're looking for a phone with a unique aesthetic or cutting-edge design, this may not be the device for you. Still, if you value durability and reliability above all else, the iPhone 16 Plus is a solid choice that won't let you down in terms of build quality and design.
Battery Life
The iPhone 16 Plus has been a long-awaited upgrade for those seeking a larger device without the hefty price tag of the Pro Max model. One area where this phone truly excels is its battery life. In our testing, we were pleasantly surprised to find that the iPhone 16 Plus can last an impressive 18 hours and 49 minutes on active use. This is not only a significant improvement over previous models but also surpasses even the battery life of the Pro Max. The phone's large 4,700mAh battery capacity is clearly paying off, allowing users to enjoy their device without worrying about running out of juice. We were able to charge the iPhone 16 Plus from 0 to 55% in just 30 minutes using a proper adapter, and a full charge took an hour and 39 minutes - similar to last year's model. This level of battery life is ideal for heavy users who want to enjoy their device throughout the day without needing to top up. While the iPhone 16 Plus may not have every feature available on more premium models, its exceptional battery life makes it a compelling choice for those seeking a reliable and long-lasting smartphone experience.
Display
The iPhone 16 Plus boasts a familiar design, with a flat Corning Glass back and a flat aluminum frame. However, there's one notable change - the camera bump now has a more elegant vertical arrangement, similar to other iPhones. The phone also features IP68-rated protection against dust and water submersion up to a depth of 6 meters. The display on the iPhone 16 Plus is identical to last year's model, with a 6.7-inch OLED screen featuring a 60Hz refresh rate. This means that it lags behind the higher-end iPhones and many other modern smartphones in terms of smoothness when swiping and scrolling. HDR10 and Dolby Vision video support are present, but the lower refresh rate may be a drawback for some users. The display's pill-shaped cutout houses the selfie camera and a 3D ToF sensor, enabling Apple's secure Face ID biometrics. There's no fingerprint reader on this model. In terms of brightness, the iPhone 16 Plus has improved slightly over last year's model, reaching nearly 900 nits with manual adjustment and boosting to over 1,800 nits in auto mode. The stereo speakers produce excellent sound quality, with good loudness and rich output across the board. However, it's worth noting that the display is not the most significant upgrade on this device. Overall, while the iPhone 16 Plus has some impressive features, its display may not be enough to justify an upgrade for those who already own last year's model or other comparable devices. While the display on the iPhone 16 Plus is good, it's not particularly innovative or noteworthy. If you're in the market for a larger iPhone without breaking the bank, this device may be worth considering, but if you're looking for significant improvements over last year's model, you might want to explore other options.
Camera
The Apple iPhone 16 Plus boasts an impressive camera system, but does it live up to expectations? In this review, we'll delve into the details of its camera capabilities. The main camera is a 48-megapixel unit that produces excellent daylight photos. Images are clean and sharp, with plenty of detail, particularly when capturing foliage. The dynamic range is great, and Apple's signature color science ensures natural-looking colors with good contrast. While the results might not be as vibrant as some other phones, the overall quality is still impressive. The two-time digital zoom from the main camera is decent but lacks the same level of detail as regular shots. However, this isn't a major concern, and images are still usable. Nighttime photos from the main camera are equally impressive, with clean, sharp, and detailed results. While the color saturation might be on the low end, even for an iPhone, contrast is nice, and pictures don't look overprocessed. The new 12-megapixel Ultra Wide camera has autofocus, which allows for macro shots that are nice and detailed in low light. These photos have good exposure, wide dynamic range, and plenty of detail. The colors might be a bit bleak, and there's some graininess, but overall, the results are satisfactory. The front-facing camera is 12 megapixels with autofocus and performs fairly well, producing nice selfies when there's enough light. Exposure is good, and the dynamic range is wide, with plenty of detail in the images. Video recording capabilities are excellent across all cameras. The main camera produces sharp, detailed footage with accurate colors and good rendition. Contrast and dynamic range are great, too. Ultra Wide clips are sharp and detailed, with a wider dynamic range and more lively colors than the main cam. Video stabilization is solid, with no issues in low light footage taken with the main camera. Overall, the iPhone 16 Plus's camera system delivers impressive results, particularly in daylight conditions. While there might be some limitations in night-time photography or specific situations, it's still a capable and reliable camera that produces high-quality images and video.
Price and Value
The iPhone 16 Plus is an interesting device that sits between the standard iPhone 16 and the Pro Max model in terms of size and features. With a large 6.7-inch screen, it's perfect for those who want a bigger display without breaking the bank. But does it offer enough value to justify the investment? Priced similarly to last year's iPhone 15 Plus, the iPhone 16 Plus is an attractive option for those who need a larger phone but don't want to splurge on the Pro Max model. However, when compared to its predecessor, this new device feels like more of an iterative update rather than a significant leap forward. The addition of an action button and camera control key are welcome upgrades, but they're not enough to justify the cost for those who already own last year's iPhone 15 Plus. The improved chipset does bring some performance benefits, but it's not drastically different from what we've seen before. In terms of battery life, the iPhone 16 Plus is a powerhouse, with a capacity of nearly 4700 mAh and excellent active use scores. However, the lack of a charger in the box and relatively slow charging speeds might be a letdown for some users. Overall, the iPhone 16 Plus feels like a solid mid-range option that offers a good balance between size and features. While it's not revolutionary, it's still a great choice for those who want a larger phone without the hefty price tag of the Pro Max model. However, if you're already satisfied with your current iPhone, there might not be enough here to justify an upgrade. Ultimately, the value proposition of the iPhone 16 Plus depends on individual needs and priorities. If you're looking for a larger screen and don't mind the incremental updates, this device is worth considering. But for those who want more significant changes or are happy with their current phone, it might be better to wait for future upgrades or explore other options.
Performance
The iPhone 16 Plus boasts an impressive performance, thanks to its new Apple A18 chipset. This two-generation upgrade over last year's model brings significant improvements in both raw power and efficiency. In benchmarks, the iPhone 16 Plus delivered 20% higher CPU scores and 30% or more improved graphics scores compared to last year's model. This translates to effortless handling of heavy tasks and gaming, even with demanding applications running simultaneously. The thermal management has also seen an improvement, allowing the phone to sustain high performance levels throughout prolonged stress tests. In our testing, the iPhone 16 Plus demonstrated excellent active use battery life, earning a score of 18 hours and 49 minutes. This is impressive, especially considering that it surpasses even the Pro Max's battery life. The addition of wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities further enhances the phone's usability. The Apple A18 chipset also enables efficient power consumption, which contributes to the iPhone 16 Plus's commendable battery life. With this performance powerhouse under its hood, the iPhone 16 Plus is well-equipped to handle any task you throw at it. In conclusion, the iPhone 16 Plus's performance is a significant upgrade over last year's model, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a reliable and efficient smartphone experience. While some may consider the phone's design and display unchanged from its predecessor, the improved performance and battery life make up for any perceived shortcomings.
Pros
1. The iPhone 16 Plus has a large size, similar to the Pro Max models
2. The addition of an action button and camera control key is a welcome feature
3. The phone's performance is significantly improved, thanks to the new Apple A18 chipset
4. The battery life of the iPhone 16 Plus is class-leading
5. The phone's camera system produces excellent daylight photos
6. The ultra-wide camera has autofocus, allowing for close-up macro shots
7. The iPhone 16 Plus can record videos in 4K with all its cameras
8. The phone's stereo speakers have very good loudness and sound quality
Cons
1. The iPhone 16 Plus has a 60Hz refresh rate display
2. The lack of a charger in the box is a minor inconvenience
3. The camera results at night are slightly compromised
4. The ultra-wide camera's sharpness and dynamic range are more limited than the main camera
5. The iPhone 16 Plus may not be worth upgrading to if you already have an iPhone 15 Plus