2024 is the 12 months once I can lastly say that the iPhone 16 is the right selection within the newest iPhone line-up. After all, it misses out on many Professional options like a ProMotion show, a telephoto digicam, and higher digicam sensors, that are restricted to costly Professional fashions. However nonetheless, the iPhone 16s (iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus) are far larger upgrades by way of options set and general functionality this 12 months.
Beginning with the A18 chip below the hood, which is a two-generation leap this time round. And, to not neglect, there’s 8GB of RAM, the identical because the Professional fashions. The twin cameras have additionally been realigned, and I’ll speak intimately about why Apple returned to the iPhone 11 setup in a bit. After all, there are some misses, too.
This 12 months, Apple despatched us the iPhone 16 Plus, so I’ll add references that ought to make it simpler so that you can perceive which one fits you higher: the vanilla iPhone 16 or the 16 Plus, which primarily gives an even bigger show and battery. Let’s dive into the evaluation.
Oh, my iPhone 16 Professional Max evaluation is already stay, so you may learn it right here to know why it’s Apple’s crown jewel.
iPhone 16 Plus value in India
The iPhone 16 Plus begins at Rs. 89,900 for the 128GB storage possibility, whereas the 256GB comes at Rs. 99,900. The 512GB mannequin, however, is priced at Rs. 119,900. I received the 512GB mannequin for this evaluation. To check, the iPhone 16 begins at Rs. 79,900 for the 128GB mannequin. The 256GB and 512GB come at Rs. 89,900 and 109,900, respectively.
iPhone 16 Plus packs a twin digicam setup aligned vertically
iPhone 16 Plus Design: Sticking to fundamentals however preserving it elegant
- Dimensions – 160.9 (H) x 77.8mm (W) x 7.8mm (D)
- Weight – 199 grams
- Colors – Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, Black and White
The iPhone 16 Plus is the third-generation Plus machine from Apple. The iPhone 14 Plus was launched in 2022, adopted by the iPhone 15 Plus final 12 months and now 16 Plus. The smartphone does not convey a ground-breaking overhaul to design aside from one necessary side – digicam housing. From a glass again (14 Plus) to a matte end rear, the 16 Plus will get aluminium frames that provide a stable really feel and a ceramic protect entrance for cover.
![]()
The telephone options aluminium with colour-infused glass again
In comparison with the Professional fashions, the iPhone 16s (16 + 16 Plus) receives two new bodily buttons this 12 months – Motion and Digital camera Management. As I discussed in my 16 Professional Max evaluation, Apple has gone the other route by providing extra bodily buttons when some firms are attempting to push for gesture-based interactions. Motion button debuted final 12 months on the 15 Professional fashions and is lastly reaching the 16 and 16 Plus. The Motion button is an acceptable substitute for ring/ silent change, and it may be customised to allow some other perform. Digital camera Management, however, modifications how you utilize the cameras on the most recent technology iPhones. It is at all times higher to have a devoted button for launching one thing than unlocking or waking the display screen after which launching. Apple has diminished one step to launch the digicam app, and the button is the way in which to launch the digicam. Nevertheless, one factor that repeatedly occurred to me whereas reviewing was by accident launching the digicam app with a single click on on the Digital camera Management. I needed to set it then as a double click on to cease launching the digicam app.
![]()
The iPhone 16 Plus options the Digital camera Management on the suitable aspect
The iPhone 16 Plus is available in wonderful color selections, together with Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, Black, and White, in comparison with the marginally muted colors we noticed on the 15 and 15 Plus. Apparently, the 16 Plus (199 grams) weighs marginally much less, with the identical dimensions because the 15 Plus (201 grams). The distinction in weight may not be too big, however 16 Plus is a greater machine for one-hand operations. After all, the 6.7-inch display screen dimension is not for everybody; therefore, a smaller 6.1-inch mannequin can also be accessible.
The 16s get an IP68 ranking for water and mud resistance, which is similar because the 15 sequence, so there is no such thing as a change in water ingress safety.
![]()
The telephone additionally options an Motion button that was launched on the Professional fashions final 12 months
The digicam placement is vertical, reminding of the iPhone 11, and it’s way more delicate than the housing we noticed on the 15 and 14 sequence. Apple says that the vertical digicam housing permits the telephone to shoot spatial photographs and movies, providing a way of depth or, in layperson’s phrases, multimedia with a 3D impact.
The entrance panel homes the 6.7-inch Tremendous Retina XDR show with bezels that aren’t as skinny because the iPhone 16 Professional fashions. There’s the Dynamic Island, the pill-shaped notch which has been there because the iPhone 14 Professional.
![]()
The telephone additionally options Dynamic Island, the pill-shaped notch that was first launched on the 14 Professional fashions
General, the iPhone 16 has a vibrant look, and aerospace-grade aluminium gives a premium in-hand really feel. The color-infused again glass feels wealthy with a matte end and gives an unparalleled smudge-free expertise in comparison with the Android panorama. Like different iPhones, the iPhone 16 Plus is constructed to final and gives stable sturdiness. The addition of an Motion button permits customers to carry out numerous features with only a press – from recording a voice memo to figuring out a track or translating a sentence. There are sufficient customisation choices. The much-talked-about Digital camera Management is roofed with sapphire crystal and has a clean texture. A color-matched chrome steel trim surrounds it.
iPhone 16 Plus Show: High-notch show high quality however restricted to 60Hz
- Show – 6.7-inch Tremendous Retina XDR show
- Refresh charge – 60Hz
- Brightness – 2,000nits (peak) and 1nit (minimal)
The iPhone 16s (16 + 16 Plus) will get the acquainted Tremendous Retina XDR OLED show. The refresh charge remains to be locked at 60Hz, which is a bummer, but once more. The iPhone 16 Plus is the most expensive telephone with a 60Hz refresh charge in 2024, and I hope that Apple tries to alter this subsequent 12 months with its next-generation fashions. The 16 Plus gives 1290×2796 pixels display screen decision with 460PPI pixel density. The height brightness is 2000nits whereas the minimal brightness can drop to 1nit, which wasn’t the case with the 15 sequence. The show is vivid and gives wealthy colors. The textual content seems crisp, and 16 Plus gives a surprising show minus the next refresh charge.
![]()
iPhone 16 Plus encompasses a 6.7-inch OLED show with 60Hz refresh charge
In my time with the iPhone 16 Plus, I loved watching multimedia on the telephone alongside gaming. In case your multimedia consumption goes to be excessive, then the 16 Plus may very well be a more sensible choice than the 16 – foundation on each display screen actual property and battery.
![]()
The iPhone 16 Plus can supply a peak brightness of 2000nits
iPhone 16 Plus Efficiency: Large leap
- Processor – A18 chip
- RAM – 8GB RAM
- Biometric – Face ID
For the vanilla iPhone 16s, the largest leap is below the hood. The iPhone 16 Plus (and 16) are powered by Apple’s newest A18 chip, leaping two generations forward from the A16 Bionic in iPhone 15. It encompasses a 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine, which Apple says is optimised for operating giant generative fashions. Throughout the launch final month, the corporate claimed that the A18 is 30 p.c sooner than the A16 Bionic seen on the 15 sequence in CPU efficiency. It’s constructed on second-generation 3-nanometer tech. Lengthy factor quick, Apple has made these modifications to make sure that Apple Intelligence runs buttery clean on the 16s.
![]()
Facet-by-side comparability: iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 16 Plus (left to proper)
Whereas you aren’t getting Apple Intelligence out-of-the-box, I attempted a beta replace that gave me a sneak peek into these options. Beginning with the Writing instruments, Apple has built-in these inside iOS, making them accessible wherever you kind. Be it for rewriting notes, adjusting tone or proofreading written mail. Subsequent are the most recent emojis you may create by merely typing an outline or creating photographs with Picture Playground. All of that is built-in into apps like Messages. Within the Images app, now you can discover no matter picture you are in search of by typing key phrases, thus making it straightforward to search out photographs out of your whole assortment. There are extra AI options, however most of them are being polished for the ultimate rollout. Most significantly, Apple Intelligence marks the beginning of a brand new period for Siri. Apple is predicted to launch the most recent iOS replace with a full suite of Apple Intelligence options by the top of October, so keep tuned.
![]()
Apple’s newest A18 chip powers the telephone
The iPhone 16 Plus packs extra RAM than the 15 sequence and gives higher thermal efficiency. Apple up to date the principle logic board this 12 months, preserving the chip placement on the centre and optimising the encompassing structure. The corporate added a sub-structure to dissipate warmth constituted of 100% recycled aluminium to enhance thermal efficiency. I skilled this whereas attempting out AAA titles like Murderer’s Creed: Mirage, Resident Evil 4, and GTA: San Andreas on the 16 Plus. Leaping to artificial benchmarks, the A18 chip brings a leap in comparison with the 15 sequence, and you may discover that under within the comparability desk.
| Benchmarks | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 15 Plus |
| AnTuTu | 157,8189 | 138,7632 |
| GFX Bench Automobile Chase | 3550/ 60fps | 3129/ 60fps |
| GFX Bench Manhattan 3.1 | 3724/ 60fps | 3227/ 60fps |
| GFX Bench T-Rex | 3364/ 60fps | 3087/ 60fps |
| 3D Mark Wild Life Excessive | 3922 | 2989 |
| 3D Mark Wild Life | Maxed Out | 8704 |
| Geekbench 6 | 3203 (single) & 7846 (multi) | 2989 (single) & 7219 (multi) |
The iPhone 16 Plus packs a improbable show, and stereo audio system complement it. The audio system sound properly and supply balanced output. The readability does not get hit when elevating the amount. Subsequent, the iPhone 16 Plus packs unimaginable haptic suggestions that is exact to the core and gives an honest expertise whereas typing lengthy emails or gaming.
Connectivity-wise, the iPhone 16 Plus is spectacular and might latch onto networks, providing a constant 5G connection. After all, you may expertise this at present solely on Jio and Airtel networks.
![]()
iPhone 16 Plus runs iOS 18 out-of-the-box
iOS 18 brings new customisation choices like rearranging apps and widgets alongside personalising the house display screen format. With the most recent iOS replace, you may go for darkish and tint themes alongside selecting to extend the app icon dimension. Customers can lock or cover an app, which is a superb addition. The Management Centre will get an entire makeover alongside the choice to rearrange and resize controls – a much-demanded function lastly makes it to iOS 18. Now you can additionally swap controls on the lock display screen for fast entry. The Images app will get a full-blown redesign; nonetheless, getting used to the brand new refresh will take a while. There are a bunch of extra additions within the iOS 18. The theme of the most recent iOS replace is customisations, because it gives loads of methods to mess around with current issues.
![]()
iPhone 16 Plus sports activities a 48-megapixel major digicam and a 12-megapixel ultrawide digicam
iPhone 16 Plus Digital camera: Succesful with some new tips
- Cameras – 48MP vast and 12MP ultra-wide
- Zoom choices – 0.5x, 1x, 2x (optical)
- Selfie – 12MP
The iPhone 16 Plus ships with the identical major sensor because the 15 Plus – the 48-megapixel digicam is retained from final 12 months. The improve is with the ultrawide digicam, which stays a 12-megapixel sensor, although it now packs f/2.2 aperture and helps autofocus. The selfie digicam is but once more 12-megapixel, the identical because the 15 sequence.
![]()
The Digital camera Management gives a neater technique to seize photographs
Earlier than diving into the efficiency of the 16 Plus cameras, I wish to briefly speak in regards to the Digital camera Management. It has been a superb addition and the best technique to entry the cameras on the brand new 16 sequence. Sure, it has a studying curve as a result of the muscle reminiscence will maintain taking you to the house display screen to launch the digicam through its app.
iPhone 16 Plus Major Sensor Daylight Pictures
In comparison with the 16 Professional Max, the 16 Plus is simpler to deal with with Digital camera Management because of the 6.7-inch display screen dimension, which is handy – when you’ve got large palms. For individuals who want a smaller type issue, there’s the iPhone 16 with a 6.1-inch display screen.
Portrait mode in motion
Leaping again to the cameras, the iPhone 16 Plus can seize some improbable daylight pictures with effective particulars within the scene. Photos are sharp and supply wonderful dynamic vary. The colors are nice and stay as pure as attainable. Portraits come out properly with correct depth estimation. Apple has additionally launched new Photographic Kinds, which provide extra customized choices to allow you to personalise the way you or your topic seems in photographs. The brand new management pad gives extra flexibility when clicking photographs. The optical zoom additionally works flawlessly and gives a stable possibility for shutterbugs. The zooming functionality is restricted due to the shortage of a telephoto digicam.
Ultrawide samples from the iPhone 16 Plus
The ultrawide sensor is preferred due to its versatility in capturing extra of the scene, and this time, Apple has made it extra succesful. It’s claimed to seize as much as 2.6 occasions extra gentle. The excellent news is that the ultrawide digicam permits macro pictures this time round.
Ultrawide pictures come out rather well with extra particulars and stable colors. Autofocus is a giant addition that makes your life simpler by robotically autofocusing. Macro pictures made attainable with the brand new ultrawide setup additionally come out properly.
Low-light samples from the iPhone 16 Plus
Even low-light photographs come out properly with the iPhone 16 Plus. The first sensor is stable for night time pictures, and the main points are intact. Ultrawide pictures at night time are respectable, although not as nice as daytime pictures. Selfies come out properly, and there’s no criticism on this regard, together with the pores and skin tones, that are as pure as they are often.
Video upgrades are improbable and one of many causes that makes the iPhones the go-to gadgets for video wants. General, the iPhone 16 Plus packs succesful cameras that may shoot fantastic pictures in day and night time.
![]()
iPhone 16 Plus will get the latest-generation Photographic Kinds
iPhone 16 Plus Battery: Will blow you away
- Video Playback – As much as 27 hours (Claimed)
- Charging – As much as 50% in 35 minutes
- Helps USB 2
iPhone 16 Plus is a darkish horse on the subject of battery efficiency. In my checks, the iPhone 16 Plus beat the 16 Professional Max a number of occasions by way of display screen time.
![]()
iPhone 16 Plus gives higher battery efficiency in comparison with 15 Plus and 14 Plus
In comparison with the 16 Professional Max’s greatest battery efficiency (8 hours and half-hour), the 16 Plus provided me 9 hours and 37 minutes of display screen time with heavy utilization that included a few hours of gaming in addition to streaming a two-hour film on Netflix other than apps like Outlook, Gmail, WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, clicking photographs and movies utilizing the Digital camera app and in addition together with common calls of about 50 minutes in a full day. Technically, the iPhone 16 Plus lasted 1.5 days simply with heavy utilization which is far more than what Android flagships assure. In our HD video loop take a look at, the iPhone 16 Plus managed 27 hours and 20 minutes of playback time.
![]()
iPhone 16 Plus can cost as much as 50% in 35 minutes
Charging stays the largest Achilles heel of the brand new iPhone 16 Plus. It may cost as much as 50 p.c in 35 minutes, however a full cost takes round 120 minutes, which is not splendid in comparison with the competitors. The 16 Plus packs USB 2, which is barely disappointing.
![]()
The iPhone 16 Plus weighs below 200 grams
iPhone 16 Plus Verdict
The iPhone 16 raises the bar for what vanilla iPhone fashions might do. The iPhone 16 (and 16 Plus) will get an A18 chip, which guarantees superior efficiency in comparison with Android flagships available in the market. The cameras are stable, and also you get two new buttons – Motion and Digital camera Management. The battery backup is spectacular, and the construct high quality is top-notch. It additionally will get an IP68 ranking for peace of thoughts and is a improbable machine for high-graphics gaming in its newest avatar. The show high quality is excellent. After all, a number of issues may very well be improved, like gradual charging and 60Hz refresh charge at this value level, making this look barely misplaced in comparison with Android flagships.
![]()
The iPhone 16 sequence is accessible in 5 engaging colors
So, who should purchase it? If you happen to bought an iPhone 15 (Evaluate) or 15 Plus final 12 months, you can provide this a miss. Nevertheless, for folks nonetheless utilizing the iPhone 14 or older fashions, the iPhone 16 guarantees a lot larger upgrades. Due to festive gross sales, the iPhone 15 is promoting at lower cost factors, making it a viable competitor to the iPhone 16.
If you need the very best efficiency and don’t wish to compromise on any side, then the iPhone 16 Professional Max sits on the prime, and you may learn our evaluation right here.
Catch the most recent from the Shopper Electronics Present on Devices 360, at our CES 2025 hub.