Apple iPhone 16 Pro review

Competition

The iPhone 16 Pro marks a memorable year for smaller top-end phones that feature everything that their larger stablemates have to offer. The compact Pro is no longer denied the Max's zoom camera, and the choice only comes down to your size preference. That's almost exactly the case across the OS divide, where the Pixel 9 Pro makes even bigger strides for team 'compact Pro'.

You'll see in the picture above that the Pixel isn't all too compact, in fact - so maybe the iPhone does make better use of space. But ultimately, the two are more similar than they are different. Three cameras on the back, 5x zoom, solid selfies, comparable battery life, so-so charging, great displays, nice build, software from the source - it's just the OS that separates the two. In previous years there wouldn't have been such a dilemma, but in 2024 there are hard-hitting Pros size small from both archrivals.

We feel Samsung has disqualified itself from this particular race, its S24 and S24+ looking almost like another tier of devices next to Apple and Google's Pros. The S24 Ultra, meanwhile, is in a different league entirely, giving the Maxes and XLs of this world a hard time, and out of place against a 16 Pro.

So we're back to other iPhones then. You could entertain the thought of a 15 Pro instead of the 16 Pro, but Apple has conveniently stopped selling them itself, so you'll need to find one at third-party retailers or carriers. The thing is, we don't see much point is saving what appears to be less than 10%, and getting the old model - the 16 Pro may be only a little better, but it's a little better in a handful of areas, and it adds up to a more compelling package that is worth the small premium, we reckon.

Perhaps you were looking for a small Pro, and Apple's take on the 16 Pro is too Pro for you and not small enough. Maybe you could go for the vanilla 16, and save yourself 30g in your pocket day in and day out - that's the true pocket-friendly iPhone and the model's main virtue. You'll be sacrificing a bunch of things - most importantly, the smooth display, zoom reach, and Pro camera features. But the plain 16 still looks like the go-to choice for a small iPhone.

And yes, sure, there's always the 16 Pro Max, but that one is even bigger than big this year. And now that there's a true non-Max Pro, with improved battery life and 5x zoom, do you really want the Max?

Google Pixel 9 Pro • Apple iPhone 15 Pro • Apple iPhone 16 • Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Verdict

The iPhone 16 Pro brings all the good things you'd expect from it. The premium build makes a strong first impression and if Apple's talk on materials is at least half true, it should be a long-lasting impression too. Improvements to battery life across the lineup didn't skip the 16 Pro and it's got pretty much the best endurance in this somewhat hypothetical small Pro class. Also Pro is its camera system, now upgraded with better reach on the telephoto end and a new ultrawide (that has its small missteps). The Camera Control is another potential plus for the right kind of user.

Some of the Apple-specific downsides remain - the slow charging remains slow against direct rivals, not to mention comparing against the best in business. iOS is still fairly limiting, if you're coming from an Android, but that's not really an issue for long-time iPhone users, plus this year there are actual (and most welcome) improvements in customizeability.

We can also file our due complaints about the unfinished software, with Apple Intelligence not ready for prime time yet, and the theCamera Control only half-way there to offering half-press simulation.

In the end, the iPhone 16 Pro is shaping up to be the iPhone to get this year - the Max is too big, the others aren't Pro enough, the previous generation isn't cheaper enough.

Pros

• About as premium a build as you can get, durable too.
• Improved battery life - class-leading even, depending on where you draw your class lines.
• Thoroughly competent camera system, now with 5x zoom.

Cons

• Slow charging - Galaxies are faster, even Pixels are faster.
• No Apple Intelligence at launch, for EU may be never.
• Ultrawide camera not quite up to scratch in low light.