The iPhone 16 series has been officially launched, featuring the standard model, plus, pro, and pro max editions. These devices serve as the successors to the iPhone 15 lineup introduced last year. In addition to these new smartphones, Apple has also announced the AirPods 4 and Watch Series 10. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus come with several incremental upgrades over their predecessors. A major focus of this year's models is Apple Intelligence. Discover more details below.
iPhone 16 and 16 Plus Launch
A key update in the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus is the design. Apple has revisited the iPhone X-style by eliminating the square camera island and diagonal sensor layout seen in recent iPhones. The latest models feature a protruding, pill-shaped camera module with vertically aligned sensors. Additionally, the tech giant from Cupertino has replaced the traditional mute switch with the Action Button from last year’s Pro models. The iPhone 16 pair retains the frosted glass back panel. Interestingly, both models come with a dedicated camera button, which we'll discuss further.
These devices maintain the OLED screens of their predecessors, measuring 6.1 and 6.7 inches. The display includes a dynamic island and provides a peak brightness of 2,000 nits.
Camera and Performance
Regarding cameras, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus include the same setup as their predecessors, with a 48MP main lens, 2x telephoto, and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle sensor. The ultra-wide angle also allows for macro photography. These phones can capture spatial photos and videos, a feature previously exclusive to pro models. The camera button operates similarly to a DSLR shutter button, allowing light presses to focus and full presses to capture images. The button is touch-sensitive, enabling adjustments like zoom through sliding motions.
The iPhone 16 series is powered by the A18 processor, with both models offering 8GB RAM and up to 512GB of storage. The devices will support Apple Intelligence features set to release next month, showcased during the WWDC event. They include hardware-accelerated ray tracing and can handle AAA games. A thermal sheet is included to enhance sustained gaming performance. Although Apple claims a significant battery boost for the iPhone 16 models, exact capacities are not disclosed.
Additional Features and Pricing
Additional features include a USB-C port, emergency SOS via satellite, WiFi-7, MagSafe charging, and more.
Pricing for the iPhone 16 begins at $799, whereas the iPhone 16 Plus starts at $899 for the 128GB base variants. Pre-orders start today, with official sales beginning on September 20.
