iPhone 16 and 16 Plus review roundup: Updates worthy of an upgrade

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iPhone 16 review roundup
Early reviews say iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are worthy upgrades from older models.
Photo: Apple

Early reviews for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus say the base handsets close the gap between them and the Pro models. With the new Action and Camera Control buttons, the powerful new A18 chip, camera improvements and the promise of upcoming Apple Intelligence functionality, users with older models have plenty of reason to upgrade from older models (especially iPhone Series 14 and older). Read our iPhone 16 review roundup to find out more.

iPhone 16 review roundup: 16 and 16 Plus handsets see updates worthy of upgrading

Ever since Apple split the iPhone lineup in two by introducing iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max in 2019, the “regular” models seem to struggle in the sales department. Chalk it up to the Pro models receiving the latest hardware innovations and the snappiest processors — and to consumers’ cravings for the best iPhones around.

But various signs since Apple rolled out iPhone 16 on September 13 suggest this might be the base models’ year, and early sales figures may bear that out. The reason is bigger-than-average upgrades in the base model compared to this year’s iPhone Pro models.

“Over the past few years, Apple’s standard iPhone looked a little neglected. The Pro models got new chipsets, camera features, and a customizable Action Button, while the standard models made do with the leftovers,” The Verge wrote in its review. “But this year, things are different: the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus played catch-up, and the gap between these phones and the Pro models isn’t as wide as it once was … It’s a good year for the basic iPhone, and it’s a good year to upgrade.”

iPhone 16 and 16 Plus: Design, colors and display

iPhone 16 review roundup
iPhone 16 and 16 Plus come in five colors, including the vibrant ultramarine at far right.
Photo: Apple

A review in The Verge notes that iPhone 16 and 16 Plus offer colorful, saturated finishes, a welcome change from previous pastel palettes. The phones maintain the same screen sizes as their predecessors: 6.1 inches for the iPhone 16 and 6.7 inches for the 16 Plus.

Mashable praises the new color options, particularly highlighting the “bubble-gum pink” and ultramarine-blue variants. It also mention the phones are slightly lighter than their predecessors, with the iPhone 16 weighing 6 ounces (down from 6.03 ounces) and the 16 Plus at 7.02 ounces (down from 7.09 ounces). TechRadar emphasizes the vibrancy of the new colors, particularly praising the ultramarine option.

However, regarding the handsets’ screens, all reviewers point out a significant omission: the lack of a high refresh rate display. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus still use 60Hz screens, while competitors and Apple’s own Pro models offer 120Hz displays.

New hardware features in iPhone 16 and 16 Plus

  • Camera Control: All reviews highlight the new Camera Control function, controlled via a new button, as a significant addition. The Verge calls it a “slam dunk” feature, praising its versatility for adjusting various camera settings. Mashable notes it allows quick access to features like depth control and photographic styles. TechRadar describes it as a “game-changer” for taking photos.
  • Action button: Inherited from the Pro models, the customizable Action button seems well-received across reviews. Mashable suggests it adds a layer of personalization to the device.

CNET‘s reviewer noted a “little bit of a learning curve” with the Camera Control. However, she quickly acclimated. “It’s really fun, and it makes the iPhone feel a little bit more like a point-and-shoot camera,” said Lisa Eadicicco in her iPhone 16 review video. “It’s fun to see Apple kind of playing around with the camera interface in a different way.”

Performance: Better due to A18 chip

All reviewers note the significant performance boost the new A18 chip provides. In recent years, the base models inherited chips from the previous Pro models. But this year that changed, mainly in preparation for all models handling Apple Intelligence, the suite of AI features coming this year to iPhone, Mac and iPad.

The Verge mentions that the iPhone 16’s Geekbench scores rival those of budget gaming laptops. Mashable reports multi-core scores of 7,878 for the iPhone 16 and 7,897 for the 16 Plus, far outpacing competitors like the Google Pixel 9.

TechRadar emphasizes that the A18 chip provides ample power for everyday tasks and gaming, with no noticeable slowdowns.

Camera: Better low-light performance and other upgrades

The iPhone 16’s camera system receives praise across the board, with reviewers noting improvements in low-light performance and the addition of macro capabilities to the Ultra Wide lens. The Verge highlights the new Photographic Styles feature, allowing for more customization in image capture.

Mashable appreciates the “optical quality” 2X zoom, which provides clear images despite the lack of a dedicated telephoto lens. The reviewer also notes improvements in the Ultra Wide camera’s low-light performance. TechRadar praises the versatility of the 48MP main camera and the improved Ultra Wide lens, particularly for low-light and macro photography.

Battery life: iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 16 Plus

iPhone 16 bento box
New features of the iPhone 16.
Image: Apple

Reviewers called battery life a strong point for both models, praising iPhone 16 Plus in particular. Mashable reports impressive battery life test results: 16 hours and 20 minutes for the iPhone 16, and 18 hours and 53 minutes for the 16 Plus.

TechRadar notes that while the iPhone 16 Plus is no longer the battery champion (now surpassed by the 16 Pro Max), it still easily lasts through a full day of use. The Verge confirms that both models offer all-day battery life, with the 16 Plus potentially stretching into a second day.

Apple Intelligence

All reviewers note, with some disappointment, that Apple Intelligence features were not available at launch and are expected to arrive with iOS 18.1 in October.

Mashable and TechRadar both mention testing beta versions of iOS 18.1, praising features like the Clean Up tool for photo editing and improved notification management.

Conclusion: iPhone 16 and 16 Plus bring a big set of upgrades for base iPhones

Overall, reviewers see the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus as solid upgrades, particularly for those coming from older models. The Verge suggests it’s a good year to upgrade, especially for those holding onto older iPhones. TechRadar recommends the upgrade for anyone with an iPhone 14 Plus or older. Mashable particularly praises the iPhone 16 Plus, suggesting it might be a better buy than the iPhone 16 Pro for many users.

While the lack of a high refresh rate display is consistently noted as a downside, most if not all reviews see improved performance, camera capabilities and battery life as significant positives.

And if you order an iPhone 16 or 16 Plus, don’t forget to get a protective case for it from among our picks for the best ones so far.

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