The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus have arrived, bringing some interesting new features with only minor changes compared to their predecessors. As rumored, Apple has kept the general design from previous models, making specific updates to the rear camera and adding new physical controls. Additionally, Apple Intelligence is now included.
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The iPhone 16 features a 6.1-inch display, while the iPhone 16 Plus retains the 6.7-inch size introduced earlier. Both models offer a maximum brightness of 2,000 nits and can dim down to 1 nit. The rear cameras on both devices now have a new arrangement for the main and ultra-wide-angle camera.
Unlike the previous three generations, where the base models—including the iPhone 13 mini—had their cameras arranged diagonally within a square “block,” the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus now feature a vertical camera arrangement within a pill-shaped module.
The iPhone 16 introduces two major changes: the Action Button and the new Camera Control key. The Action Button, located on the left side of the devices, replaces the old silent switch. The Camera Control key, situated on the right side, lets you capture photos and videos with a single touch when the phone is held horizontally.
In addition to these exterior changes, the base iPhone 16 and the Plus variant come in new, more saturated colors. Apple has moved away from the pastel options of the iPhone 15, offering the smartphones in green, pink, blue, black, and white. The new white color replaces the yellow option from 2023.
Both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are powered by the A18 chip, which supports the new Apple Intelligence features.
Apple Intelligence is also featured in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, thanks to the new A18 chip. This chip includes a 16-core Neural Engine and offers 17% more memory bandwidth. The CPU has 6 cores—2 for performance and 4 for efficiency—and promises 30% better performance compared to the A16 Bionic in the iPhone 15.
The A18 chip in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus features a 5-core GPU, offering 40% better performance compared to the previous generation. It also promises to deliver the same performance while consuming 35% less energy. Although Apple did not mention it during the presentation, rumors suggest that the RAM in both models may increase from 6 GB to 8 GB.
The A18 chip provides the power needed to support Apple Intelligence and its integration with iOS 18. It also enables the base iPhone 16 to run AAA games previously exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro, such as Resident Evil 7 Biohazard. This capability is not only due to the new chip but also improvements in internal heat management and dissipation.
Camera Improvements and the Introduction of the New Camera Control
The standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus feature a 48MP main camera and a new 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera with autofocus, which now supports macro photography for the first time. Additionally, the main sensor can crop an image to provide what Apple describes as the “equivalent” of a 2x telephoto lens.
The cameras also support capturing spatial photos and videos, which can be viewed on the Apple Vision Pro. To achieve this, the sensors are now arranged vertically rather than diagonally. This vertical arrangement allows the sensors to be placed side by side when used horizontally, providing the stereoscopic view needed to create spatial content.
The most innovative feature of the iPhone 16 is the new Camera Control button. Pressing it once opens the camera, pressing it again takes a photo, and holding it down starts video recording.
Covered in sapphire crystal, this button is not limited to single clicks. When using the camera or compatible third-party apps like Snapchat, users can partially press it to access specific features, such as adjusting focus, zooming, and other functions.
The iPhone 16’s Camera Control also features a gesture-sensing capacitive touchscreen. This allows you to slide your finger over the button to zoom in or navigate through different interface elements more intuitively before taking a photo.
Price and Availability
The base iPhone 16 will be available with a starting price of $799 for the 128GB version. The iPhone 16 Plus , meanwhile, will start at $899 , also for the 128GB variant. Reservations will begin on September 13 and the devices will begin to be delivered on September 20.