Which model should you buy?

Original release date: September 20, 2024 | Storage capacity: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Screen size: 6.3 inches | Features: A18 Pro chip, ProMotion always-on display, USB-C port (USB 3), Titanium frame, camera control button, action button, 25W MagSafe charging | Cameras: 48MP wide, 48MP ultrawide, 12MP 5x telephoto, 12MP front | Color options: Natural Titanium, Desert, White, Black | Size: 5.89 x 2.81 x 0.32 inches | Weight: 7.03 ounces

Read our full iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max review

The iPhone 16 Pro is an iPhone that we would recommend to most people. Yes, its starting price of $999 may be steep, but the smartphone is a long-term investment. If the question is “which iPhone is most likely to keep you happy for the next three to five years,” we think that the advantages of the iPhone 16 Pro over the standard iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are still significant enough to be worth the extra $100-200. – even if the gap is not as wide as it was in previous years.

On the other hand, the titanium frame blown by the iPhone 16 Pro is felt higher quality than the aluminum-based iPhone 16. It’s a little heavier than the standard 16 and last year’s iPhone 15 Pro, but it’s far from anchor, and its slightly curved edges are pleasant to hold. It runs on the slightly faster A18 Pro chip, which doesn’t make much of a difference for everyday tasks but is future-proof all the same, especially if you’re interested in sports or content creation. And while every iPhone 16 has a USB-C charging port, the Pro models support faster data transfer speeds (as long as you have the right cable).

The most notable improvement is the display. While the OLED panels on the iPhone 16 Pro and the regular iPhone 16 are equally sharp and bright, the former is wider at 6.3 inches (instead of 6.1 inches), despite the phone itself being 0.08 inches tall and 0.02 inches thick. This is mainly due to the Pro’s bezels, which give you more space to stream videos and read web pages on a device that isn’t too hard to hold.

In addition, the Pro screen has a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz, which can make scrolling web pages, gaming and streaming video remarkably smooth. Some will tell you that the average person doesn’t need this, and it’s true that not everything plays at 120Hz. But using a smartphone is nothing if you can’t deal with a small screen, and once you see the fast refresh rate in action, it’s hard to stop.

It’s a frustrating situation: You can get a budget Android phone with a 120Hz display for around $300, yet Apple continues to use “ProMotion” as a marketing ploy for devices that already cost hundreds more. Still, it’s our job to tell you what’s best – and the Pro display is the most up-to-date. It’s always on too, unlike the screens on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, so you can view your notifications at a glance without having to physically touch the device.

Another step is the camera system. The iPhone 16 Pro has three rear cameras: a 48-megapixel main camera, a 48MP ultrawide shooter and a 12MP telephoto camera. The last one is a biggie, since the standard iPhone 16 doesn’t have a fully dedicated telephoto lens. Besides, the Pro’s main camera has a bigger sensor, so it’s a little better in low-light environments, and it supports night portrait mode. You can take sharp macro shots to get up close, and there are other exciting features such as the ability to shoot ProRAW or record 4K Dolby Vision and ProRes video at up to 120 frames per second. If none of this means anything to you, know that the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are still great point-and-shoot cameras. Those devices can now take great pictures too; they have the same advanced Photo Styler feature that can help blend photos that you might find over-processed; and they share a new Camera Control button for quick (if sometimes awkward) access to the camera app, adjusting settings and capturing images. All that said, the 16 Pro is better, especially if you take your photos with more intent.

The Pro it should get better battery life, although it’s not the longest-lasting smartphone we’ve tested. Apple estimates up to 27 hours of video playback, up from 22 hours with the standard iPhone 16, but both devices may need more charging before you go to sleep. The base model’s battery is easy to replace, too, which makes it difficult for Pro owners given the higher price.

Apple aggressively markets each iPhone 16 on how well it will work with its new models, but you shouldn’t base any buying decisions on those right now. As of this writing, tricks include a slightly stronger Siri, email and notification shortcuts, and a feature that can remove unwanted objects from photos (similar to Google), . Other features will come in the coming months. Some of these can be helpful in points; sometimes…. A little of them will really change the way you use a smartphone today, and whether someone needs help writing an email for a role or reading a short article will be discussed (to put it affectionately). For now, it might be best to view Apple Intelligence as an interesting first step toward a future that may or may not be visible.

While we think the iPhone 16 Pro is a great brand, our next pick should better suit those who don’t mind a large device and want a phone that can last all day.