Should You Upgrade to the iPhone 16? A Buyer’s Guide, iPhone 16 features

iPhone 16 features: A Game-Changer

The iPhone 16 offers a refined experience with a lighter frame, enhanced ultrawide camera, and the Camera Control button. Its OLED display is vibrant, but its 60Hz refresh rate may feel outdated.

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Techhub24 verdict

With helpful additions like the Action button and better cameras, the iPhone 16 finds a happy medium between innovation and familiarity. Even though it might not be a revolutionary improvement over the iPhone 15, its improved features and impending iOS 18 upgrades make it a good option for anybody looking for a dependable, future-proof smartphone.

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PROS	CONS
Powerful A18 chip performance	No Expandable Storage:
CPU is 16 percent faster	High Price
Improved ultrawide camera	Still just a 60Hz display
Screens are brighter
OLED panels are more efficient

When it comes to choosing an iPhone, many people find themselves stuck between models. However, this year’s iPhone 16 lineup feels more unified than ever, with many features now shared across the range. Take, for instance, the new Action button, which was exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro series last year but is now available on the standard iPhone 16. It also adopts the Camera Control button from the Pro models, bringing professional-level camera controls to more users. Plus, both models benefit from Apple’s intelligence features, which will be available with the iOS 18 update after launch.

Apple iPhone 16 review: Specifications

Announced	2024, September 09
Released	2024, September 20
Colors	Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine
Storage	128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Network Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
SIM	Nano-SIM and e-SIM - International
Main Camera	Dual (48 MP, wide, 12 MP,  ultrawide)
Selfie camera	Single 12 MP
Battery Type	Li-Ion, non-removable
OS	iOS 18
Refresh rate	60Hz

Apple iPhone 16 review: Design

Using a smaller phone has its advantages. While the size of the iPhone 16 hasn't changed from the iPhone 15, this year's standard model is slightly lighter at just 6 ounces, making it much easier to handle with one hand. This is especially true compared to the larger iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max. Apple has used aerospace-grade aluminum in the iPhone 16’s design, making it not only lighter but also more durable.

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That being said, the iPhone 16 is definitely more stylish than the Pro models. I wish the bolder colors available for the standard iPhone 16 were also offered for the Pro versions. My ultramarine color review unit really stands out when the light hits it just right, and small details like the camera outlines add a nice touch of contrast.

Speaking of cameras, the iPhone 16 has a new design change. Instead of the diagonal camera layout used in the last few models, it has returned to a vertical arrangement, which supports spatial video and photo capture. Other new design features include the action button on the left side and a camera control button on the right. The iPhone 16’s sleek design and new features help it close the gap between the standard model and the Pro versions, making it a highly functional and stylish option.

Apple iPhone 16 review; Display

Unlike the iPhone 16 Pro, the regular iPhone 16 keeps the same 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with a resolution of 2,556 x 1,179 pixels. The Dynamic Island cutout at the top of the screen also remains the same size.

The display looks great overall. It’s a nice OLED panel that performs well for most tasks. When I watched a YouTube video on an iPhone 16, I noticed that the screen has just the right amount of saturation and contrast to make certain scenes stand out.

While most people might not notice, I did see a difference compared to the smoother 120Hz refresh rate on more affordable phones like the Pixel 8a, which makes motion and action scenes look more fluid. Since the iPhone 16 has a 60Hz display, it doesn’t have that same smooth animation as some other phones.

Apple iPhone 16 review; Camera Control

The iPhone 16’s Camera Control button, located on the right side, can detect how much pressure you apply, mimicking the physical shutter button found on top mirrorless cameras. While it’s a great feature, it takes some time to get used to because of the added functions it offers.

A full button press captures a photo while holding it down and recording a video. I also appreciate how the button recognizes swipes to adjust settings like zoom, exposure, and more. By gently pressing the Camera Control and swiping left or right, you can change these settings easily. Although it takes a little practice, this feature moves the iPhone closer to offering a real camera-like experience.

That said, I still wish Apple had included more advanced controls, like the ability to adjust shutter speed and ISO, making the camera more appealing to photography enthusiasts like me. On the audio front, both the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus now come with the Audio Mixing feature, which allows you to adjust the sound levels of a video after recording. Previously, this feature was exclusive to the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, but it’s great to see it available on the standard models as well.Camera Performance

Apple iPhone 16 review; Software and Apple Intelligence

The iPhone 16 is powered by the new A18 chip, which is ideal for handling the new features in iOS 18. iOS 18 brings several improvements, such as allowing app icons to be moved freely, adding color to apps, and setting apps to always stay in dark mode. The Passwords app stores saved logins, iCloud keychain passwords, and Wi-Fi credentials, making it easier to text non-iPhone users. RCS messaging support makes it easier to text non-iPhone users and allows users to schedule iMessages for later.

Apple Intelligence is another significant feature, with the iPhone 16 built specifically for this tech. Early features like Writing Tools, Clean Up in Photos, and Summarization have been tested in the developer beta of iOS 18.1. The redesigned Siri is a standout feature, with a colorful, glowing border that stays active while listening and responding. It is better at understanding conversations and can be double-tapped to type to Siri.

The favorite feature so far is the notification summaries feature, which groups and summarizes messages for users in busy group chats. This feature works for all notifications, not just messages. However, users must select all text when drafting a message and look for the Apple Intelligence icon at the top of the keyboard.

Apple Intelligence features on the iPhone 16 work smoothly, with Clean Up in Photos removing people from the background faster on the iPhone 16 than the iPhone 15 Pro Max. We expect the iPhone 16 to handle future Apple Intelligence updates well.

Apple iPhone 16 review; camera

The 48MP primary camera and the upgraded 12MP ultrawide lens are still part of the dual rear camera configuration found on the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus. This time, the ultrawide camera has macro photography functionality, which was previously exclusive to the Pro versions.

Apple emphasizes how adaptable this camera system is, demonstrating its ability to produce excellent zoom images even in the absence of a specialized zoom lens. It does this by employing pixel-binning methods, which are comparable to those used by the iPhone 15, to enable 2x magnification images while preserving optical quality.

It's worthwhile to compare the cameras of the iPhone 16 with the iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max because they are very similar. The iPhone 16 takes a close-up picture of trees, parked cars, and street signs in downtown Half Moon Bay. The primary distinction with the iPhone 16 Pro is its capacity to increase the shadow exposure in order to produce a brighter image.

Apple iPhone 16 review; Final verdict.

The A18 chip ensures excellent performance, and Apple Intelligence features improve with iOS 18. Despite its lack of expandable storage and high price, the iPhone 16 is a strong contender for stylish, powerful phones with solid camera performance and innovative software.

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