Apple iPhone 16 Pro review
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro is the compact flagship model that shares many similarities with the iPhone 16 Pro Max, but in a smaller package. One of the major upgrades over last year's models is the telephoto camera, which has been upgraded to match the Pro Max's capabilities. The camera setup on the iPhone 16 Pro now features a 48MP main camera, a 12MP 5x telephoto zoom lens, and a new Ultra-wide camera with a 48MP sensor. The iPhone 16 Pro boasts a larger 6.3-inch LTPO OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, protected by third-generation ceramic shield glass. The screen's brightness is impressive, with a maximum output of around 900 nits, and it supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision video. The phone also features a new Dynamic Island functionality that turns the area around the screen cutout into a place for relevant info. The iPhone 16 Pro has a more powerful chipset than its predecessor, which results in better performance and battery life. The camera shutter key is another notable feature, allowing users to control the camera with ease. In terms of camera quality, the main cam produces excellent photos during the day, with plenty of detail and natural color saturation. Low-light shots are also impressive, with well-balanced exposures and good detail rendition. The telephoto camera performs well in daylight conditions, capturing excellent 5x zoom shots with great detail. However, at 10x zoom, the clarity is not as much as some competitors. Nighttime photos from the telephoto cam are very good, but with a fair bit of noise. Overall, the iPhone 16 Pro offers a compact package with all the features and capabilities of its larger counterpart, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a smaller iPhone with high-end specs.
Build Quality and Design
The iPhone 16 Pro's build quality and design are virtually identical to its predecessor, with the same flat back, glass, and titanium frame. The new model is slightly taller and heavier, but the difference is hardly noticeable. The IP68 ingress protection rating remains the same, allowing for water submersion to a depth of 6 meters. One notable change is the increased screen size, now measuring 6.3 inches on the LTP OLED display. This larger screen features a 120Hz refresh rate and a sharp pixel density of 460 PPI, consistent across the iPhone's lineup. The true tone feature provides accurate color representation in different lighting conditions, with support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision video. The ceramic shield glass protects the screen from scratches and damage, while the Dynamic Island functionality turns the area around the screen cutout into a useful display for relevant information and shortcuts. The front camera is positioned within this dynamic island, allowing for seamless interaction between the two features. Overall, the iPhone 16 Pro's design and build quality exude premium feel, with attention to detail and a focus on durability. While not revolutionary, the updated design maintains Apple's reputation for craftsmanship and refinement. For those who value a compact yet feature-rich smartphone experience, the iPhone 16 Pro offers an excellent choice. In terms of aesthetics, the iPhone 16 Pro is unmistakably an Apple device, with clean lines, minimal bezels, and a seamless user interface. The various color options available allow users to personalize their device to suit their style. While some may find the design too conservative or unadventurous, others will appreciate the subtle yet sophisticated approach that has become synonymous with the iPhone brand.
Battery Life
The battery life of the Apple iPhone 16 Pro has seen an improvement over its predecessor. With a larger capacity of 3,582mAh, this compact flagship device can now deliver a competitive runtime in active use scenarios. Our tests revealed that the iPhone 16 Pro managed to score 14 hours and 17 minutes with consistent usage, making it suitable for daily commutes or extended periods without needing to recharge. Web browsing and voice call times also showed significant improvements, demonstrating the efficiency of Apple's latest chipset and optimized software. In terms of charging, the iPhone 16 Pro supports up to 30W fast wired charging, allowing users to quickly top up their device when needed. A full charge can be achieved in around an hour and 38 minutes, which is comparable to last year's model. The addition of wireless and reverse wireless charging capabilities further expands the device's convenience factor. While not groundbreaking, the improved battery life of the iPhone 16 Pro makes it a more reliable option for users who value portability without sacrificing performance. However, those with heavy usage habits may still find themselves needing to recharge their device before reaching the end of the day. Overall, the enhanced battery life of the iPhone 16 Pro is a welcome addition, offering users more freedom and flexibility in their daily routines.
Display
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro boasts an impressive display that takes the crown as one of the best compact flagship screens available in the market today. The 6.3-inch LTPO OLED screen is a significant upgrade over its predecessor, offering improved brightness and color accuracy. With a pixel density of 460 PPI, the screen's sharpness and clarity are unmatched, making it perfect for watching videos, browsing through photos, or gaming on the go. The true tone feature ensures that colors remain consistent across different lighting conditions, making it ideal for content creators and enthusiasts alike. HDR10 and Dolby Vision video support further enhance the viewing experience, providing a cinematic feel to movies and TV shows. In our tests, we measured an impressive 900 nits of screen brightness, which can be boosted to over 1,750 nits in auto mode when exposed to bright light. One notable feature of this display is its ability to adapt to different lighting conditions, making it perfect for use in various environments. Whether you're using the iPhone 16 Pro outdoors or indoors, the screen's adaptive nature ensures that the visuals remain vibrant and engaging. In terms of color accuracy, the iPhone 16 Pro delivers a more natural look, with relatively low-key saturation levels that are ideal for those who prefer a more subtle tone in their visuals. However, when it comes to shooting people, the camera produces reasonably lively skin tones, making it perfect for capturing portraits and selfies. Overall, the display on the Apple iPhone 16 Pro is a significant upgrade over its predecessor, offering improved brightness, color accuracy, and HDR support. Whether you're looking for a compact flagship phone or simply want an excellent screen experience, the iPhone 16 Pro's display is sure to impress.
Camera
The camera setup on the iPhone 16 Pro is nearly identical to that of the Pro Max model, with the exception being the upgraded telephoto camera. The main camera features a 48-megapixel sensor, while the ultra-wide cam boasts a new 48-megapixel sensor as well. The camera control key is also a notable feature, allowing users to start and control the camera using a dedicated hardware button. In daylight photos, the main camera produces excellent results with plenty of sharpness and detail. While the color saturation may be slightly lower than some other high-end camera-centric phones, the natural look is still very appealing. When shooting people, the iPhone 16 Pro produces reasonably lively skin tones, making it an ideal choice for portrait photography. Two times zoom from the main camera provides plenty of detail, with impressive results for a digital zoom. In low light conditions, the main camera takes excellent exposures, with well-balanced lighting and highlight retention. The shadows also look good, adding to the overall natural look of the photos. The telephoto camera is a proven performer in daylight, capturing excellent five-time zoom shots with great detail. However, at 10 times zoom, the level of detail captured by the 16 Pro may not be as clear as some competitors. Despite this, nighttime photos taken using the telephoto camera are still very good, with plenty of detail and dynamic range. The ultra-wide camera's daylight photos are similar in rendition and colors to the main camera, although with a bit more grittiness due to its autofocus feature. At night, ultra-wide photos may not be as impressive, with softer details and possible underexposure in difficult scenes. However, highlights are still well-preserved. Selfies taken using the front camera are, as expected from an iPhone, very good, with excellent detail and nicely tailored exposures. The ability to focus close also allows for some interesting angles and perspectives.
Price and Value
The iPhone 16 Pro is Apple's latest compact flagship, offering a premium experience in a smaller package. Priced at $999 for the base model, it's an investment that promises top-notch performance, exceptional camera capabilities, and sleek design. One of the standout features of the iPhone 16 Pro is its upgraded telephoto camera, which now matches the quality of the iPhone 16 Pro Max. This means users get nearly identical camera performance in a more compact device. The addition of a dedicated camera control button also enhances the overall photography experience. In terms of value, the iPhone 16 Pro delivers on multiple fronts. Its powerful A18 Pro chipset ensures seamless performance, making it ideal for heavy gaming and demanding tasks. The phone's larger battery capacity (3,582mAh) translates to improved battery life, with our tests showing decent usage throughout the day. While some might find the price point steep, considering the iPhone 16 Pro offers many of the same features as its larger sibling, the value proposition is undeniable. The compact design and improved camera capabilities make it an attractive option for those seeking a high-end experience without the bulk. However, it's essential to consider the alternatives available in this price range. Competitors like the Google Pixel 9 Pro offer similar performance and camera quality at a slightly lower cost point. For those willing to stretch their budget, the iPhone 16 Pro provides an exceptional premium smartphone experience that justifies its price tag. Ultimately, whether the iPhone 16 Pro is worth the investment depends on individual preferences and needs. If you value compact design, top-notch performance, and industry-leading camera capabilities, this device might be the perfect fit for your wallet and requirements.
Performance
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro boasts a significant upgrade in performance, courtesy of its latest A18 Pro chipset. This new powerhouse scores about 15% more than last year's iPhone 15 Pro in CPU benchmarks, with a notable jump in graphics performance of up to 20%. These incremental improvements translate to seamless heavy gaming and intensive tasks. Our stress tests revealed that the iPhone 16 Pro maintains a high level of performance throughout prolonged usage, with minimal thermal throttling. This ensures consistent performance even during demanding activities. The sustained battery life is also commendable, clocking in at 14 hours and 17 minutes in active use. Web browsing and voice call improvements were observed in our tests. The A18 Pro's efficiency upgrade translates to better battery life, making the iPhone 16 Pro a competitive compact flagship. While charging times remain similar to last year's model, the new chipset ensures that your device stays powered up for longer periods. Camera performance aside, the iPhone 16 Pro delivers impressive performance credentials. The new chipset and optimized software ensure seamless navigation, responsive interactions, and efficient multitasking. Whether you're a casual user or a power user, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro promises to deliver a smooth and enjoyable experience. In summary, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro's performance is its most notable upgrade over last year's model. The A18 Pro chipset delivers significant improvements in CPU and graphics performance, making it an excellent choice for those who value seamless heavy gaming and demanding tasks.
Pros
1. The iPhone 16 Pro boasts a larger screen, measuring 6.3 inches with a 120Hz refresh rate, making it perfect for multimedia consumption.
2. The device features a more powerful A18 Pro chipset, delivering a 15% CPU performance boost and 15-20% graphics improvement over the previous model.
3. The camera setup has been upgraded to match that of the iPhone 16 Pro Max, with a 48MP main camera, 12MP telephoto zoom lens, and a new ultra-wide cam with a 48MP sensor.
4. The device offers excellent video recording capabilities, including 4K resolution and slow-motion clips at 120 FPS.
Cons
1. The color saturation of the main camera can be relatively low-key, resulting in a more natural look rather than an eye-catching one.
2. The telephoto camera's digital zoom can produce slightly lower detail clarity compared to some competitors at higher zoom levels.
3. Internal reflections from light sources can be noticeable in low-light conditions when recording video with the main camera.