Apple iPhone 16 Pro review

Introduction

This year, Apple has made the iPhone Pro interesting again. For starters - the iPhone 16 Pro feature set is identical to that of the Pro Max (yes, we mean cameras). But there is more - the previously smaller Pro model is now officially not so small as it features a new larger 6.3-inch screen with stunningly thin bezels.

A slightly larger screen on the Pro model has been a dream for many and now it has come true. The iPhone 16 Pro comes with a 6.3-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED of high resolution, refresh rate and brightness, as well as HDR10 and Dolby Vision capabilities. There is a brand-new third-gen Ceramic Shield on top of it, touted as the toughest smartphone glass.

Then there is a new chip inside the 16 Pro - the Apple A18 Pro with improved processor, graphics and memory bandwidth for better AI.

The camera department has seen a significant update. First is the improved 48MP primary with next-gen sensor-shift stabilization and with Fusion capabilities for 2x in-sensor zoom. Next is the 48MP ultrawide camera with autofocus, which promises incredible panoramic and macro shots. And finally, the 12MP 5x telephoto from the 15 Pro Max has arrived on the iPhone 16 Pro, and it has been upgraded with new sensor-shift stabilization.

The new cameras and new chipset also allow for 4K@120fps video recording and Spatial audio during video capture.

There is also a new Camera Control key, with all sorts of sensors, aiming to make the iPhone feel even more like a camera.

Finally, the iPhone 16 Pro offers next-gen MagSafe wireless charging based on Qi2 - it can do up to 25W. The new Pro models are also rumored to feature up to 45W fast wired charging, but we will talk more about this in a bit.

Apple iPhone 16 Pro specs at a glance:

• Body: 149.6x71.5x8.3mm, 199g; Ceramic Shield glass front (Corning-made glass), glass back (Corning-made glass), titanium frame (grade 5); IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min), Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified).
• Display: 6.30" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM), 1206x2622px resolution, 19.57:9 aspect ratio, 460ppi; Always-On display.
• Chipset: Apple A18 Pro (3 nm): Hexa-core (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.X GHz); Apple GPU (6-core graphics).
• Memory: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 8GB RAM; NVMe.
• OS/Software: iOS 18.
• Rear camera: Wide (main): 48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm, 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS; Telephoto: 12 MP, f/2.8, 120mm, 1/3.06", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, 3D sensor‑shift OIS, 5x optical zoom; Ultra wide angle: 48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 0.7µm, PDAF; Depth: TOF 3D LiDAR scanner.
• Front camera: Wide (main): 12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm, 1/3.6", PDAF, OIS; Depth: SL 3D.
• Video capture: Rear camera: 4K@24/25/30/60/100/120fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, 3D (spatial) video/audio, stereo sound rec; Front camera: 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS.
• Battery: 3,582mAh; Wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min (advertised), 25W wireless (MagSafe), 15W wireless (China only), 15W wireless (Qi2), 4.5W reverse wired.
• Connectivity: 5G; eSIM; Dual SIM; Wi-Fi 7; BT 5.3; NFC.
• Misc: Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer; stereo speakers; Ultra Wideband (UWB) support (gen2 chip), Emergency SOS, Messages and Find My via satellite.

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro seems like it has it all figured out, and there is nothing missing at first glance. This alone is quite a rare occurrence.

Unboxing the iPhone 16 Pro

Quite expectedly, the retail box of the iPhone 16 Pro contains only the phone, a braided USB-C cable and a SIM ejection tool.

This is it. While scarce, it is still more than what, say, Sony offers, so it is something.