Apple iPhone 16 review

The iPhone 16 is more than the sum of its parts. On the surface it follows in the footsteps of many excellent handsets, but underneath there’s a lot going on that sets it apart from its predecessors.

We’re here to take you on a deep dive of the iPhone 16, reviewing its defining features such as AI, the faster processor, and more.

The Apple iPhone 16 is available in a range of colours and storage spaces, starting at 128GB.

Specs

• Dimensions – 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8mm
• Weight – 170g
• OS – iOS 18
• Display – 6.1” Super Retina XDR OLED
• Resolution – 2556 x 1179
• Processor – A18
• RAM – 8GB
• Storage – 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
• Rear cameras – 48MP Fusion; 12MP ultra-wide
• Battery – up to 22 hours video playback
• Water and dust resistance – IP68
• Connectivity – 5G; 4G; Bluetooth 5.3

Design

At first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking the iPhone 16 carries no design changes. Whilst it is similar at its core, the iPhone 16 is actually quite different and benefits considerably because of it. The biggest examples are the physical buttons on either side of the device, and they stand out for two reasons.

Firstly, the iPhone series began to adopt a ‘as few physical buttons as possible’ approach back in the iPhone X days, so seeing them here in greater numbers makes the iPhone 16 feel much more tactile. Secondly, the functionality of these buttons changes up how you can use an iPhone, often simplifying tasks you wouldn’t immediately assume can be quite tedious. The Action button as an example is mappable, meaning it performs different functions depending on what you want it to do, and how you press the button. Want to open the Voice Memo tool? Assign it to a double tap and it will do just that.

There’s also the Camera Control button, which made its debut on the iPhone 16. This is a particularly nifty design choice, as it solves a problem we’ve all likely encountered: needing to swipe between camera settings while holding the phone. Camera Control steps in as a handy solution, enabling you to change things like exposure with a couple of presses. It functions brilliantly, and with the iPhone 16 measuring much smaller than its siblings, Camera Control is an easy button to access at all times.

It's incredible what a simple design shift can do. The addition of these buttons results in one of the most versatile and flexible iPhones ever made, ideal for a wide range of users.

Display

As the smallest of the iPhone 16 family, the base model is also equipped with the smallest screen at 6.1”. This form factor means the iPhone 16 best serves those who want a pocket-friendly option, rather than a significantly larger 16 Pro Max for example. A reduction in bezel size does help make this display look bigger, enabling Apple to stretch the screen out further to the phone’s edges and showcase more of that fantastic Super Retina OLED goodness.

Aside from the smaller bezel, this is very much the same display as that found on the iPhone 15, right down to the HDR support and 2000 nits peak brightness. This is hardly a bad thing though, because the iPhone 15’s screen was exceptional to look at, too. Games pop with detail, videos are clear and vibrant; this is all possible thanks to the OLED and HDR technologies working together in unison.

Performance & software

The iPhone 16 occupies a unique position. Owing to Apple’s history of giving its Pro and Pro Max models a more advanced processor compared to the base and Plus options, the iPhone 16 comes with two generations-worth of performance improvements, especially in the speed department. Its A18 CPU made light work of most jobs thrown at it, whether you’re streaming a video or jumping between lots of apps. This is achieved despite having the exact same number of CPU and GPU cores as the iPhone 15, therefore the answer lies in significantly more efficient silicone.

The A18 processor’s influence on the iPhone 16 extends not just to hardware improvements, but to software as well. The most impactful of these is Apple Intelligence: the iPhone’s first on-board AI model. Leveraging Apple’s cloud technology alongside the phone’s processor, Apple Intelligence is up there with the shift to USB-C as one of the biggest additions in the series’ history.

One of the iPhone 16’s most useful AI features is Writing Tools, which can be used to summarise any notes or chats you’ve lost track of. You can then ask the AI to review them in greater detail, and rewrite text in a professional or relaxed tone. If you’ve ever read about alternatives like Galaxy AI and wondered what an iPhone equivalent looks like, Apple Intelligence represents an exciting leap forward for the series.

The iPhone 16’s AI versatility doesn’t stop at productivity; for the creatives out there, Apple Intelligence also has you covered with a range of easy-to-use features. The standout for us is the Image Wand, which can take a rough sketch and create a polished image in seconds. Applications for this feature extend from a simple design you might want to show a friend, to supporting your work with an accompanying diagram. Image Wand marries together creativity and productivity, a combination that makes the iPhone 16 feel even more versatile than past handsets.

With all this said, we can’t forget the inclusion of iOS 18 and the impact it has on the iPhone 16 from top to bottom. iOS 18 brings enhancements to Siri, such as a smarter understanding of what you want to do, and iMessages in the form of animated text options. Want to emphasise a particular point in your message? You can animate it to make that word stand out and also schedule the message to be sent whenever you like.

Cameras

On the hardware side of things, the iPhone 16’s camera capabilities are very similar to its predecessor with a 48MP Fusion and 12MP ultra-wide array. However, there’s more going on here from a software standpoint that elevates the iPhone 16 into exciting territory.

First up is support for 4K 120fps video when filming in Dolby Vision. For those not in the know, Dolby Vision is similar display technology to HDR for boosting colour levels and creating realistic contrasts. When paired with 4K resolution, the results are absolutely stunning and provide even more filmmaking options beyond what iPhones already nail so well.

Another significant addition is spatial 3D, specifically in the photo department. This isn’t 3D in the traditional cinematic sense with glasses, rather it creates a sense of depth in the photo that makes subjects and details pop. Spatial 3D is another tool in the iPhone 16’s already-impressive arsenal.

Battery

So how long can you use the iPhone 16 before it needs a recharge? It offers a few improvements over the iPhone 15, including 22 hours of video playback compared to 20 hours previously, and up to 18 hours of streaming.

Charging the iPhone 16 is a similar story; with a 20W adapter, you can power it back up to 50% in approximately 30 minutes, or even faster than that with a 30W adapter. There’s also support for MagSafe charging while you’re on the move.

Summary

To wrap everything up, if you don’t need the larger screen and form factor of other 16 Series models such as the Pro Max, the base iPhone 16 is the best way to experience the range’s transformative Apple Intelligence features. This is achieved without compromising on accessibility; instead, it improves on it and builds on the iPhone 16’s excellent foundations.

We can help you move any data across from your old iPhone. Our step-by-step guide contains everything you need to quickly start using your new handset.