The Apple iPhone 16 Pro: A Powerful Step Into the Future of Apple Intelligence
Forget the Macs and the MacBooks; it’s the software and services that truly make up Apple’s core business. And in the heart of this ecosystem lies the iPhone, the device that sets the standard for smartphones and inspires the competition. While some might scoff at iPhone users getting excited over new features in iOS 18 that Android has had for years, it’s important to remember that Apple loyalists appreciate the company’s unique approach. And now, Apple is making its mark on the artificial intelligence landscape, with the iPhone 16 Pro becoming a prime example of its ambition.
Many people choose the iPhone because it makes "high-tech stuff" feel approachable. The iPhone 16 series, with its focus on AI integration, continues this tradition, even if the implementation isn’t as revolutionary as on other platforms. The new Pro phone is more than just a vessel for artificial intelligence; it’s packed with cutting-edge hardware to empower those willing to embrace this new frontier. From its seven-lens camera system to its impressive battery life, every aspect of the iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max screams “solid.” And the new, brighter color options add a touch of vibrancy. While we’ve only had a week with these devices, they’re sure to entice those looking for a compelling upgrade this year.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max
It’s the best iPhone tuned specifically for your future with Apple Intelligence.
Pros:
- Thinner, lighter, and the bigger screen makes sense for the Pro Max.
- Camera sensor is better at brightening up detail.
- Optical zoom is the same between the Pro/Pro Max.
Cons:
- Camera Control button is neat but currently unnecessary.
- Apple Intelligence exists whether you want it or not.
iPhone 16 Pro Design: Big or Small?
One of the best outcomes of this year’s phone releases is that both Apple and Google have opted to offer two Pro models without sacrificing the quality of the camera system on either. Last year’s iPhone 15 Pro Max was the only one to boast the full 5x optical zoom. This year, however, the only critical difference between the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max lies in their screen size and battery capacity.
The iPhone 16 Pro models are larger than their predecessors, measuring at 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches, respectively. The standard Pro model has stepped up from 6.1 inches, while the Pro Max jumps from 6.7 inches. Apple has slimmed down the chassis slightly, making the larger displays feel less bulky even with a case. In my opinion, the iPhone 16 Pro now finds the perfect balance between size and camera performance. The iPhone 16 Pro Max, on the other hand, caters to those who secretly desire an iPad in phone form.
Visually, the iPhone 16 Pro Max shines in its new desert titanium colorway, which Apple sent to us for review. The white titanium and natural titanium options are also attractive, and black titanium offers a modern, contemporary look. Some have lamented the absence of a pink variant this year, but if you look closely at the desert titanium, it can appear almost blush rose depending on the light.
Meet the Camera Control Button
The most notable physical addition to this year’s iPhone lineup is the Camera Control button, a haptic-enabled shortcut. It grants instant access to your preferred camera app and doubles as a shutter button. On the stock camera app, the Camera Control button retains your last zoom level or exposure setting. It’s as simple as a double soft-press to switch modes or settings like zoom, camera styles, and focus depth.
Some left-handed users have expressed dissatisfaction with the button’s right-side placement. I, a right-handed person, tried using it with my left hand, and it indeed felt awkward. After a week of exclusively using the iPhone 16 Pro for photography, I concluded that I prefer setting up shots from the full-screen viewfinder rather than relying on the Camera Control button. This is especially true when trying to hold the phone securely.
Despite these inconveniences, the button is still a useful tool for quick shots. It’s much faster than unlocking the phone and hitting the camera shortcut on the lock screen. Moreover, the Camera Control button can be remapped to launch any camera app you prefer over the default. For those who have been waiting for more developer-friendly features, tapping into the Camera Control opens up possibilities for exciting third-party app implementations.
A18 Pro Chip: Built for Everything
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max harnesses the power of the new A18 Pro chip. The six-core, 3nm processor promises enhanced performance and efficiency across the board. With a 16-core neural engine specifically designed for Apple Intelligence, the chip delivers impressive capabilities. And thanks to the GPU’s ray-tracing capabilities, mobile gamers have access to a portable powerhouse that pushes the limits of visual fidelity.
While I don’t play many graphically intensive games anymore, I’m eager to dive into titles that fully leverage the chip’s prowess. However, my recent forays into titles like Hello Kitty Island Adventure and Sonic Dream Team within Apple Arcade have been enjoyable, especially with the help of the Razer Kishi Ultra. A bit of Pokémon Go also provided some fun. I plan to test more demanding titles like Assassin’s Creed Mirage and the Resident Evil 2 Remake in the near future. I’m also curious to see how the system handles streaming sessions of my favorite Xbox Game Pass games.
Apple made a big deal in its keynote and presentations about how it optimized the iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max’s internal design to maximize thermal capacity. The result is a 20 percent increase in sustained performance compared to the last generation. We’re still in the process of benchmarking these claims to verify their accuracy. But already, the Geekbench 6 scores are more impressive than those achieved by the Google Pixel 9 Pro with its Tensor G4 CPU.
Despite these improvements, the iPhone chassis still tends to warm up. Using a kitchen thermometer, I measured a temperature of 98 degrees Fahrenheit on the iPhone 16 Pro with a case on. We’ll conduct more in-depth thermal testing this week to compare the iPhone 16 Pro to the Pixel 9 Pro, which appears to be prone to excessive heating.
The iPhone Pro series continues its reign as the top performer in Gizmodo’s battery benchmark test. This test involves continuously streaming a YouTube video at 200 nits and measuring the time until the phone shuts down. I anticipate the iPhone 16 Pro Max to surpass its predecessor, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which already delivered an impressive 25 hours of runtime. I’ll update this review with the official numbers later this week.
For now, I can report that the iPhone 16 Pro with its smaller battery impressed me during a day out in the city. With the AirPods 4 with ANC engaged, I still had 20 percent battery remaining after six hours of being on the go. The day started with 83 percent battery on the iPhone 16 Pro and ended with 24 percent after seven hours of installing software, taking photos, making calls, listening to a podcast, and playing Apple Arcade.
iPhone 16 Pro Camera: 7 Cameras In One
Apple boasts that the iPhone 16 Pro series packs the power of seven Pro lenses into its compact frame. This includes a 48-MP Fusion camera with adjustable 24mm, 28mm, and 35mm lenses for different photographic perspectives. Four cameras down. Adding the 48-MP Ultra Wide camera with macro capabilities brings the count to six, and the seventh lens is the one responsible for the 5x Telephoto capabilities.
This approach is reminiscent of what Android phone makers are already doing. Samsung’s Galaxy Ultra, for instance, is lauded for its multi-camera system. Apple, in its attempt to solidify the iPhone 16 Pro as a professional-grade device, adopts this strategy to signal that it can compete on this playing field. The "three-lenses-in-one" functionality is a carryover from last year’s iPhone 15 Pro. You can still access it in the camera app by selecting the 1x option and navigating through the different lenses.
Apple advertises that the primary 48-MP Fusion camera offers twice the data readout speed compared to its predecessor. While I initially believed the brighter photos were due to a larger sensor, that’s not the case. The iPhone 16 Pro’s primary camera sensor is simply newer and more adept at processing multiple image brackets simultaneously, resulting in greater brightness.
Photographic Styles: Tailoring Your Shots
This year’s most significant addition to the camera’s feature set is Photography Styles. Before snapping a picture, you can adjust the photo’s tone using nine styles ranging from "cozy" to "stark B&W." You don’t have to apply these styles during shooting; you can always adjust the look in the Photos app later. Swiping up reveals the style’s mid-tone, and dragging your finger left to right adjusts the hue. There are also five different undertone styles designed to balance skin tones in photographs. These undertones are less noticeable on landscapes, but they bring a clear distinction to portraits and selfies, with presets like Amber, Rose Gold, and Cool Rose.
Apple isn’t just aiming for the iPhone 16 Pro to be your primary photographic tool; it’s also empowering users to create high-resolution video content directly from their phone to a hard drive via USB 3. The iPhone 16 Pro supports 4K capture at 120 frames-per-second (fps) in Dolby Vision. While I lack the expertise to fully test its capabilities at the moment, it offers the smoothest way to capture high-quality videos of fast-paced subjects like moving trains.
There’s an undeniable sense of "creator’s tool" embedded in the iPhone 16 Pro series in a way that previous iPhones haven’t possessed. Whether you’re creating a family documentary or simply capturing memories, the iPhone 16 Pro aims to be the only camera you need. Apple has done a remarkable job convincing its users that this is the future of mobile photography.
Apple Intelligence: A Gradual Rollout
Apple has made much ado about how the iPhone 16 series was built from the ground up for Apple Intelligence, even though many of these features haven’t yet been fully integrated into the user experience. Some criticize Apple for advertising features that aren’t fully ready. But I argue that Apple had no choice but to be proactive in light of the advancements Google and Samsung have made in AI.
Apple’s strategy is to present the gradual rollout of AI features as a necessity to deliver a high-quality product, and it seems to be working. After experiencing issues with legacy apps and services becoming incompatible with Google Gemini on the Pixel, a tempered approach seems like the smartest move to maintain user satisfaction. While some might mock Apple for lagging behind in the AI race, I’m still waiting to reap the full benefits of Gemini Advanced on Android. This discussion can resume in a few months when the industry has progressed further and Apple has introduced more Apple Intelligence features.
For now, the Apple Intelligence abilities are primarily focused on enhancing device performance and efficiency. This includes intelligent summaries in Mail, improved notifications, and AI-powered writing tools for copy-editing and tone adjustments. Apple Intelligence also lets you find specific photos faster in the Photo app and clean up images with unwanted elements in the background. Siri has also been enhanced, making it easier to chat with and command. It’s similar to Gemini Live’s revamping, but you can still use Siri for basic smart home commands without it being a complex operation.
Should You Buy the New iPhone 16 Pro?
The Apple iPhone 16 series is built for Apple Intelligence from the ground up, even if it’s not the defining characteristic of this release. These AI enhancements are more about responsiveness and performance than user interaction. And Apple’s gradual approach, while perhaps a delayed entry into the AI game, allows users to gradually embrace these features without feeling overwhelmed.
If you’re due for an upgrade, have been using a significantly older iPhone, and were contemplating going Pro, then the iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max is a fantastic option. Apple’s commitment to Apple Intelligence signals exciting advancements in the Apple ecosystem over the coming year. And the ability to choose a smaller device with the same high-quality camera as the larger model without unnecessary bulk is a welcome feature.
It’s worth noting that the iPhone 15 Pro is also compatible with Apple Intelligence, which might help convince users to hold off on upgrading their year-old phone. While the Camera Control button is a nice-to-have, it’s not essential. And the next time you upgrade your iPhone, you can expect even more app integration and functionality.
In conclusion, the iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max is a solid upgrade with impressive power, a robust camera system, and a glimpse into the future of Apple Intelligence. It might not be a revolutionary leap, but it’s a smart and capable evolution poised to deliver a smooth and enhanced user experience.
