iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max review roundup: A bit bigger, a bit better

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iPhone 16 Pro colors
From left, black, natural, white and the all-new desert titanium are your iPhone 16 Pro model color choices.
Photo: Apple

With iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max on order for pickup or delivery starting Friday, early reviews of the premium handsets are rolling in. Our iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max review roundup finds a lot to like in the biggest upgrades — mainly increased screen size and the cameras’ beefed up functionality.

But with Apple Intelligence still to come to test the awesome new A18 Pro chip, upgrades seem largely iterative, leaving much of the attention focused on the big jumps iPhone 16 and Plus took this year.

iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max review roundup: Bigger sizes, better performance

Soon after Apple rolled out iPhone 16 on September 13, it began to seem like the base models might outshine the usually flashier Pro models is year. And early sales figures may bear that out. The reason is bigger-than-average upgrades in the base model compared to the iPhone Pro models for this year. Early reviews of iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are, indeed, very positive. But of course the Pro models saw upgrades, too, and plenty of reviewers still call it the best iPhone because of its outstanding feature set.

Design and display

The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max feature slightly larger displays than their predecessors, with slimmer bezels allowing for 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch screens respectively, reviews in TechCrunch and elsewhere pointed out. While the size increase is subtle, Tom’s Guide noted that the Pro Max in particular feels noticeably larger, potentially making one-handed use more challenging for some folks.

Gizmodo praised the new desert titanium color option as particularly attractive, though Wired lamented the lack of more vibrant color choices for the Pro models compared to the standard iPhone 16. The phones retain their durable titanium frame and Ceramic Shield front, with Apple claiming 50% improved drop protection.

Performance and battery life

Powered by Apple’s new A18 Pro chip, the iPhone 16 Pro models deliver exceptional performance. Tom’s Guide cited benchmarks showing CPU performance up to 50% faster than top Android competitors. Wired noted that while gaming performance is strong, some high-end titles like Resident Evil Village experienced occasional crashes during testing.

Battery life sees improvements, too, particularly on the Pro Max. Tom’s Guide recorded over 18 hours of continuous web browsing, a 4-hour increase over the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The standard Pro model offers more modest gains but still provides all-day battery life for most users. Gizmodo highlighted that charging speeds remain unchanged, with Apple still not supporting faster 45W charging despite some rumors.

Cameras and photography

iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max cameras
iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max feature a 48MP Fusion camera, a 48MP Ultra Wide camera and the 5x Telephoto camera, now available on both models.
Photo: Apple

The camera system receives notable upgrades, with both Pro models now featuring identical setups including a 48MP main sensor, 48MP ultra-wide, and 5x telephoto zoom, reviewers noted.

Key improvements include:

  • A new  48MP “Fusion Camera” system promising “zero shutter lag” for faster capture after you press the button, plus improved low-light performance. As a review Engadget pointed out, the speed is surprising. The reviewer kept taking the shot prematurely, anticipating at least a bit of lag.
  • In AM, reviewer Austin Mann said he was most excited about the ultra-wide-angle capability, which he demonstrated quite well in Kenya, Africa (see his video below).

  • Enhanced Photographic Styles with more granular color adjustments and skin tone options.
  • 4K video recording at 120fps for smoother slow-motion footage.
  • Improved “Audio Mix” features for isolating voices in noisy environments.

While reviewers generally praise camera quality, opinions are mixed on whether it consistently outperforms top Android competitors like the Google Pixel 9 Pro. Wired noted that in some scenarios, such as panoramas and ultra-wide shots, it preferred the Pixel’s output.

New Camera Control button

A standout hardware addition is the new Camera Control functionality and its button. The customizable, touch-sensitive button provides quick access to the camera app and various shooting controls.

Reviewers had mixed feelings about its utility:

  • TechCrunch found it faster than using on-screen controls for functions like zooming.
  • Gizmodo noted it can be awkward to use, especially for left-handed users.
  • Wired ultimately preferred it as a simple shutter button rather than using its more advanced gesture controls.

Apple Intelligence features

iPhone 16 Pro bento box
The new iPhone 16 Pro models pack amazing new and upgraded features.
Photo: Apple

A significant focus of the iPhone 16 Pro is its Apple Intelligence AI capabilities. However, most of these features weren’t available during the review period and will arrive via software update in October. Based on beta testing, reviewers shared initial impressions:

  • Tom’s Guide: Improved Siri with a new visual design and ability to handle follow-up questions.
  • Gizmodo: “Clean Up” photo editing similar to Google’s Magic Eraser.
  • Wired: Writing tools for summarizing text, adjusting tone and proofreading, plus real-time transcription in apps like Voice Memos and during phone calls.

Wired noted that while some features like smart replies feel like catch-up to existing Android capabilities, Apple’s implementation focuses on privacy and on-device processing. Gizmodo argued this cautious approach may benefit users in the long run compared to more aggressive AI rollouts from competitors.

Great features in iOS 18

Reviewers also noted the new iPhones ship with iOS 18, bringing welcome new features like:

  • Further home screen customization options
  • Redesigned Photos app
  • RCS messaging support for improved texting with Android users
  • New password management app

Conclusion: Meaningful upgrades, but real test could come with Apple Intelligence

Reviewers generally agreed that the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are excellent devices that bring meaningful improvements to camera capabilities, performance and battery life. However, the lack of immediate availability for heavily marketed AI features leaves some uncertainty about their real-world impact.

Tom’s Guide concluded that while it’s an iterative update, the iPhone 16 Pro Max “retains its title as the best phone” due to its combination of performance, camera quality and battery life. Wired emphasized that the differences between Pro and non-Pro models feel less significant this year, potentially making the standard iPhone 16 a compelling option for many users.

Ultimately, those due for an upgrade will likely be happy with the iPhone 16 Pro’s refinements, but owners of recent models may want to wait to see how Apple Intelligence features materialize before making the jump.

Pricing and availability

The iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999, with the Pro Max beginning at $1,199. Pre-orders are available now, with devices shipping and in stores Friday. If you go for one, don’t forget to get a protective case for it from among our picks for the best ones so far.

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