The most common feedback I’ve seen about the iPhone 16 so far is that it’s gorgeous. The new teal, ultramarine, and pink colors are more vibrant than previous versions, thanks to a new manufacturing process that infuses color throughout the glass back. In contrast, the iPhone 16 Pro colors feel pretty dull, and I agree with that assessment.
When it comes to changes, the iPhone 16 doesn’t offer anything groundbreaking compared to its predecessor. There’s a new Camera Control button and the Action Button, which was previously exclusive to the Pro model, has now made its way to the standard version. Beyond that, the upgrades are mostly incremental. I’ve been using Apple Intelligence for a few weeks now (at least, a beta version that’s missing a few features), and while it has some useful day-to-day functions, it’s not a compelling reason to upgrade—especially if your current iPhone is still running smoothly.
That said, the iPhone 16 does come with a larger battery, a more powerful processor, and easier repairability. Its cameras are solid, Face ID remains unmatched, and the Dynamic Island has grown on me over time. Plus, I’m still waiting for MagSafe-like charging to make its way to Android phones. Overall, the iPhone 16 doesn’t feel like it needs much more to be a great device.
Why Go Pro?
Apple puts a lot of emphasis on prosumer features in its iPhone Pro models, but the reality is, most people won’t make use of them. ProRes? Log video recording? Academy Color Encoding System? If none of those terms resonate with you, there aren’t many compelling reasons to upgrade to the iPhone 16 Pro this year.
The primary differentiators are the displays. The iPhone 16 Pro models now feature larger screens, surpassing the 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch OLED displays of the regular iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. This larger screen is a notable improvement on the iPhone 16 Pro, but it makes the iPhone 16 Pro Max feel a bit unwieldy. Personally, I’ve never felt the need for bigger screens on the non-Pro models. While the Pro models do have the always-on display, I don’t miss it on the regular iPhone.
Apple’s more noticeable oversight is the absence of ProMotion on the non-Pro iPhones. This means you’re stuck with a 60Hz screen while most smartphones at this price point now feature a 120Hz refresh rate. It may seem like a minor gripe, but after switching from the iPhone 16 Pro to the regular iPhone 16, my first reaction was, “Why is this so laggy?” It’s not that the phone performs poorly—it’s just that when you’re used to a 120Hz display, the 60Hz refresh rate makes animations feel noticeably slower. While this feature will likely make its way to the non-Pro models in 2025, it should have been included by now at this price.
As for durability, the entire iPhone 16 lineup comes with Apple’s new Ceramic Shield glass, which is said to be twice as strong as the previous generation. But let’s not forget: glass is still glass. I dropped the iPhone 16 Plus from about 4 feet onto pavement, and the display cracked—just like any other phone. So, get a case and screen protector! On the build side, the Pro models feature a titanium frame, while the standard iPhones have an aluminum one. While titanium makes the Pro models lighter, the regular iPhone 16 and 16 Plus still weigh less overall. Regardless, all models are essentially glass sandwiches in terms of durability.
The new Camera Control button is another feature worth noting. I’m getting used to it, and I like using it as a dedicated camera launch button, which leaves the Action Button (also new on non-Pro models) free to toggle something else, like Silent mode. You can also apply light pressure to the Camera Control button to cycle through camera modes or scroll through different Photographic Styles—the new color-grading filters that allow you to tweak your photos before capturing them. I use the sliding function occasionally, but I still prefer tapping the screen to select the mode I want to shoot in.