iPhone 16 Pro Review: It’s One of the Best Phones of 2024, but It’s Also the One I’m Least Excited About

My colleague María González attended the iPhone 16 launch event. After her hands-on experience with the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max models, she highlighted how the new generation was just much of the same. I agree with her. Apple understands its customers and excels at convincing them of the value of upgrading to the latest model, even if it comes with little change.

Reviewing a new iPhone is always challenging. It not only competes for the title of the best phone of the current and part of the upcoming year but also sets the stage for what will become trendy in the high-end smartphone market.

After thoroughly testing the iPhone 16 Pro, some questions arise: Does this upgrade measure up to increasingly ambitious competitors in terms of hardware? Will the new features, like Camera Control, mark a significant shift? Ultimately, is this the evolution that a device like the iPhone 15 Pro deserves? In this review, I’ll try to answer all your questions.

iPhone 16 Pro Specs

Design: Pushing Refinement to the Limit

The design of the iPhone 16 Pro is once again very similar to its predecessors. And I say “predecessors” rather than “predecessor” because Apple has been using the same formula for several generations. However, there’s a significant change in the 2024 models.

Apple has broken with the two-size approach it's used since the launch of the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max. The phones are now larger, although the new sizes aren’t significantly different. The iPhone 16 Pro is now 5.89 inches tall, just a slight increase from 5.77 inches. Why are they bigger? Apple wanted devices with a larger battery and better repairability, and it has achieved both.

If you’re upgrading from an iPhone 12 or later, the new model will be very familiar to you. In just a few minutes, you’ll feel like you’re using a phone that is very similar to the one you already had. In fact, I’ve mistakenly reached for my iPhone 15 Pro instead of the new 16 Pro several times in the past few days because they have very similar cases.

The changes in weight are more noticeable. The iPhone 16 Pro (almost) weighs the same as the iPhone 14 Pro, reaching around 7 ounces. This is significantly less than the 8 ounces of the 16 Pro Max, a weight phones of nearly 7 inches usually have.

The 16 Pro’s ergonomics remain notable. Its more compact form helps it better adapt to your hand. There are no changes to the flat edges, which have been trendy in recent years. Additionally, the textured finish of the rear glass still provides one of the best tactile experiences and has oleophobic coatings. The phone doesn’t attract fingerprints on the back like some of its main competitors, which is something to consider if you use your phone without a case.

Yet, it’s harder to prevent fingerprints on the sides, where the finish is slightly shinier than on the back. In any case, after a year of using the iPhone 15 Pro and the Apple Watch Ultra 2, I recommend using a case with the 16 Pro if you want to avoid micro-scratching the titanium. It’s a very durable material but is susceptible to scratches.

The buttons are still in the same position, with a customizable Action button above the volume button and the on/off button on the opposite side. Apple has added the Camera Control button, which I’ll discuss in more detail below.

It’s worth noting that the button is comfortable to press, although it’s different from the other buttons. The Camera Control button is haptic and pressure-sensitive, and it’s made with stainless steel die-cutting and sapphire crystal.

On the opposite side, everything looks familiar. The volume buttons are very accessible on the small Pro model, while the Action button hasn’t moved or evolved in functions. In my experience, it fulfills the same function as the defunct mute switch: turning Silent mode on or off.

If you want to get more out of it, the options are the same as in the 2023 model:

• Switching between Silent and Ring mode for calls and alerts.
• Changing between Focus modes.
• Opening the Camera app.
• Turning the flashlight on or off.
• Recording a voice memo.
• Selecting a Shortcut you’ve created.
• Accessing an accessibility feature such as the Magnifier.
• Doing nothing.

Titanium and glass remain the preferred materials for the iPhone 16 Pro, with some minor improvements in quality. The device still features a grade 5 titanium layer along its sides, which has been lightly polished using a technique called micro-grinding. This refinement enhances the metal surface compared to the previous generation.

Apple also claims that the device is now easier to repair, which is good news for quickly replacing parts at the Apple Store.

When you turn the iPhone around, the most noticeable change is the reduced size of the bezels. According to GSMArena, this allows both the 16 Pro and the 16 Pro Max to occupy more than 90% of the surface with the screen, creating a more immersive all-screen experience. The only distraction is at the top of the front, with a Dynamic Island that is the same size as the previous generation.

Overall, the iPhone 16 Pro feels familiar, yet it brings some notable changes. The refined titanium treatment, narrower bezels, and new size indicate that we’re dealing with a new generation. Users of previous models will feel right at home, while those upgrading from older iPhones will feel like they’ve stepped into the future.

Farewell to the FineWoven Cases

Before I finish discussing the design department, it’s worth taking a look at what’s happening with Apple’s cases in this new generation. Last year, Apple introduced FineWoven cases made of microtwill, aiming to reduce environmental impact by using 68% recycled materials. On paper, this seemed like a solid idea.

The problem was that these cases degraded quickly, becoming severely damaged within a few weeks. Apple has since ceased production of these cases.

In addition to that, the company hasn’t introduced a new version of the case using a more modern material. Currently, the only official iPhone case options are leather or silicone ones.

If you’re wondering how the Camera Control button feels when you’re using a case, there’s nothing to worry about. Apple designed the Silicone Case so that the button doesn’t stick out, which actually makes it easier and more comfortable to press. However, this means that you’ll lose the tactile feedback of the button’s indentation when the phone is in the case.

Other case manufacturers will likely need to consider similar solutions, given that the ergonomics of the button will be a key factor for consumers when choosing a case.

Display: Going Big

In this generation, Apple has upgraded its display from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches. Despite the minimal increase in device size, the thinner bezels allow for a slightly larger screen, which I personally appreciate. However, the “new” display specs are essentially the same as the iPhone 14 Pro, which is a drawback.

The display itself is still impressive, with features such as Super Retina XDR, 2,000 nits peak brightness (1,600 nits in HDR), 460 ppi, and ProMotion up to 120 Hz (now with the ability to go down to 1 Hz). The display also boasts one of the best calibrations on the market.

While it’s outstanding, Apple lags behind in peak brightness compared to some competitors. For example, Google’s Pixel 9 Pro XL offers a peak brightness of 3,000 nits on 5% of the panel and 2,000 nits brightness on HDR content.

However, in practical tests, the iPhone is still one of the few phones to maintain maximum peak brightness for only a few minutes. This solely depends on the device’s temperature. Once it starts to warm up, the brightness drops.

If you’ve used an iPhone 14 Pro or 15 Pro, you may have noticed significant drops in brightness, especially during the summer. During my testing in the relatively warm climate of southern Andalusia, Spain, I didn’t experience this issue outdoors. However, I did notice the brightness dropping by almost half after playing games for about half an hour.

Do we need more nits? Undoubtedly, as long as they’re well managed when the phone uses automatic brightness and with a battery capable of supporting them. Two years ago, Apple impressed me with its 2,000 real nits, and I say “real” because many manufacturers make unrealistic promises about nit values that don’t hold up in real-world usage.

Recently, I’ve witnessed an increasingly significant improvement in high-end displays. While Apple continues to offer one of the best panels on the market, I still expect to see some evolution.

The screen settings remain the same. True Tone still adjusts the display colors based on ambient light, while Dark Mode and Night Shift help you customize the panel’s warmth or coolness based on programmed settings.

Audio: One of the Big Surprises

During the launch event, Apple emphasized that the iPhone 16 Pro would bring a significant improvement in sound quality. This improvement isn’t limited to just the Audio Mix functions, which I’ll discuss later: The company has also enhanced the overall quality of the speakers and microphones.

In this new model, Apple has upgraded the four mics of the Pro version, promising better performance when recording in noisy and quieter environments. For instance, the Neural Engine learns about background sounds (such as wind) and cancels them in real time while recording video and audio.

The iPhone 15 Pro already had impressive sound quality, but the 16 Pro takes it even further. The audio output has noticeable improvements: It’s much cleaner and clearer, with less distortion and better-tuned bass. Apple seems to have completely redefined its approach to speakers with this model.

Coupled with the excellent sound quality, which might be the best I’ve tested so far, the Audio Mix functions make the iPhone 16 Pro a great choice for audiophiles.

In my case, I tested the wireless audio with Apple’s AirPods Pro 2. With iOS 18, the quality of these headphones has improved even more. As is always the case with Apple, everything works seamlessly together.

Audio Mix

The iPhone 16 Pro introduces a new feature called Audio Mix. Although it’s related to video, I believe it’s important to discuss this feature in the context of sound because it mainly focuses on audio performance.

You can only activate Audio Mix from the Photos app after recording a video–you can’t select an Audio Mix profile before recording.

There are four options available:

• Standard: This captures audio in Spatial Audio, without adjustments.
• In-Frame: This profile emphasizes the voices of people on the scene, even if there are other voices in the background. It’s suitable for vlogging.
• Studio: This profile enhances voice quality to a professional studio level, or at least according to Apple. It simulates a microphone close to the speaker even when the phone is far away. It’s ideal for indoor recordings, vlogging, or podcasts where the voice is the main focus.
• Cinematic: This profile captures all surrounding voices, making them prominent, similar to a movie. It’s designed for street recordings with environmental noises.

How well does Audio Mix work? Quite spectacularly. The iPhone is the leading device for content creation, and enabling these audio features makes more sense than ever if you want to avoid spending too much time editing audio or setting up a microphone for vlogging. However, not everything is perfect. Achieving extreme noise cancellation results in a more tinny and lower quality voice compared to the raw audio.

I believe the Studio and In-Frame options will be the most commonly used. The quality of the iPhone microphones is already excellent, but sometimes you might miss that extra boost. The Studio function is a perfect substitute for those $30-60 wireless microphones that offer a bit more quality but don’t reach studio levels.

Performance: It’s Still a Beast

The Apple A18 Pro is a slight evolution over the last generation’s A17 Pro. It promises about 15% more performance. Even though it’s a three-nanometer SoC, it hasn’t been manufactured on the same process. The A18 Pro has been manufactured on TSMC’s second-generation lithography (N3P) node, while the A17 Pro comes from the first-generation three-nanometer (N3) node.

In addition to being faster, the A18 Pro chip is up to 20% more energy efficient than its predecessor. In other words, it offers higher performance while consuming less battery power. Apple has also improved the Neural Engine, which is now faster, more efficient, and has 17% more bandwidth.

The GPU promises to be twice as fast when running ray-traced games. Are these differences noticeable in practice? No, but it’s not bad news. The iPhone 15 Pro was already one of the performance leaders. According to the benchmarks above, the 16 Pro follows suit. It’ll remain to be seen what happens when the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 comes out, but at the time of writing, the A18 Pro is the most powerful chip on the market.

Cooling With No Vapor Chamber

For several generations now, iPhones have held a prominent position that not all manufacturers are eager to challenge: It was a leader in high temperatures. Apple devices have a very powerful processor in a relatively small chassis without any specific cooling elements. As a result, the iPhone 15 Pro tended to get quite hot.

In 2024, Apple aimed to improve the thermal performance of its devices. To address the thermal issues, the company redesigned the chassis of the phone. The chassis is still made of aluminum, but it’s now bonded to the titanium frame using a process called solid-state diffusion. This bonding allows heat to transfer from the base plate to the titanium frame.

The new graphite-coated chassis substructure plays a key role in this improvement. This material is designed to conduct heat more efficiently. Apple claims that this redesign results in up to a 20% improvement in sustained performance.

However, this improved performance wasn’t necessarily reflected in my testing results. In the graphics performance test 3DMark Wild Life Stress Test (Unlimited), the results were worse than those of the iPhone 15 Pro.

What do I mean by that?

The peak performance in the best loop (the moment of maximum processor performance) was noticeably higher than that of an iPhone 15 Pro, which is expected if the processor is more powerful.

The problem arises in the worst loop (the moment in which the processor has fallen the most), where the 16 Pro’s score is lower than that of an iPhone 15 Pro, which is a year older and has been used extensively. Despite having higher peak performance, the processor subsequently falls to levels comparable to those of an A17 Pro, resulting in higher throttling.

Benchmarks aside, the iPhone 16 Pro stays cooler than the iPhone 15 Pro in demanding scenarios such as playing Resident Evil 4 with raytracing, running a 3DMark stress test, and recording videos at 4K @ 120 FPS. The phone reaches temperatures close to 107 degrees Fahrenheit, compared to 111 degrees Fahrenheit for the previous model.

Overall, there’s some improvement in thermal management, resulting in a slight temperature decrease. However, the phone still tends to heat up, especially during heavy usage.

Biometrics

I’ll briefly touch on the phone’s biometrics, given that there are no changes compared to the previous generation. Apple is heavily relying on Face ID, which is the most advanced 3D facial recognition system available today.

It works well in all light conditions, including absolute darkness, and can recognize you in any situation. The Face ID API allows you to use it as an additional security measure for mobile payments, app downloads, password verification, and more.

One criticism this year is about the Camera Control button. Apple has indirectly shown that adding another capacitive button in a perfect position for your thumb is possible. This raises the question of why Apple didn’t implement both Touch ID and Face ID instead of a camera button. I’ve been long dreaming of the day Apple finally does.

Software: Here Comes iOS 18… With a Big New Feature

The iPhone 16 Pro’s software is a key feature, with the introduction of Apple Intelligence being the main highlight of this generation.

The AI features used are a hybrid of local and cloud-based processing. They include the integration of ChatGPT (GPT-4o) for free, notification summaries, a Clean Up option to remove people from photos, and improved Siri.

iOS 18 comes with all the new features that were available in the betas. It’s a more refined and customizable operating system, offering more freedom similar to rival OS. Users can now place icons and widgets wherever they want without any restrictions. Additionally, they can now use these elements in Dark Mode and customize them with different colors.

Apple has redesigned some of the key apps on the device. Passwords is no longer a setting and has become a system app. Photos has completely changed its interface. The Notes app can now make mathematical calculations, and the Journal app has been added.

I’ve been using iOS 18 on the iPhone 15 Pro since the beta was released. Now that I’ve tested the stable version on the iPhone 16 Pro, I can confirm that it’s one of the most polished iOS ever. Everything works extremely smoothly, including the animations and the menus. By now, you should already know that Apple doesn’t make abrupt changes in software. I personally appreciate that.

The Big Promise of Apple Intelligence

To determine if it’s worth buying an iPhone with Apple Intelligence, it’s worth summarizing the new features that come with it:

• Revamped Siri: Siri has been completely rebuilt with advanced AI features. It now understands natural language, so even if you make a mistake and correct the sentence, Siri will understand it without any issues.
• On-screen awareness: Siri is aware of what’s happening on your device in real time. For example, if you’re in the Messages app and someone sends you an address, when you ask Siri to save it, it understands which address you mean without further explanation. It can also perform more complex tasks, such as sending specific photos based on the context of a conversation.
• Typing to use Siri: In addition to voice interaction, you can now type to Siri, allowing you to request things discreetly and without speaking.
• Writing Tools feature: Apple’s AI can generate texts in apps such as Mail, Pages, or Notes. You can also select a text and ask it to correct, rewrite, or summarize it. Proofreading will include grammar, word choice, and editing suggestions.
• Image creation: The Image Playground feature allows you to create images directly on your device. No prompts are required: Just choose themes, costumes, places, and accessories, and the image will be generated privately on your device.
• Removing people in photos: The Photos app adds an option to delete unwanted people or objects from images.
• Memory Movie in Photos: The Memories feature has been improved. Apple’s AI will create memories with a narrative thread, better understanding the context of the photos and the moment they were taken.
• Genmoji (personalized emojis): With the new Genmoji concept, you can create custom emojis using artificial intelligence. If you can’t find the right emoji, just describe what you need, and Apple’s AI will create it for you.
• Call transcription: iOS 18 allows you to record calls, always notifying the other person. Apple Intelligence also transcribes the conversation, summarizes it, and even saves it in the Notes app.
• Notifications and priority messages: Apple’s AI can summarize emails and notifications. If a message contains keywords that indicate urgency, the AI will highlight it in your notifications so you see it first.
• Support for third-party AI models: Apple Intelligence allows the use of third-party AI models when Siri can’t solve a task. Initially, it’ll integrate ChatGPT, but more AI models will be added over time. You can link your paid ChatGPT account if you wish.

In short, Apple Intelligence is one of the main features of the new iPhone 16 series. Choosing compatible models (either the iPhone 16 lineup or the 15 Pro) means looking forward to a much richer iOS 18 in the medium term.

Battery Life: Good News for Lovers of the Compact Form Factor

Small phones have historically been associated with poor battery life, but that hasn’t been the case with the iPhone Pro models for the last few years. Naturally, their battery life is shorter than that of the larger Pro Max, but you can expect a full day of use unless you heavily use the camera and play demanding games.

The iPhone 16 Pro’s battery has improved, now offering four more hours of video playback. I can’t speak to the exact battery consumption in a typical usage cycle, but during my testing, which involved heavy gaming, photography, and video recording, I noticed a significant improvement over the previous generation. I was able to get over six hours of screen time, even with very intense use.

The battery performance is quite solid and won’t drain quickly in most situations, except for 4K @ 120 fps recording, which significantly impacts the battery. I’m confident that almost any user will make it through the day without needing to charge in between.

I’ve noticed some controversy surrounding fast charging for the iPhone 16 Pro. While Chinese certifications indicate 45 W compatibility, my tests reveal a different reality. In my measurements, the power usage hasn’t exceeded 29.9 W, which is the figure Apple provides for its USB-C charger, under any circumstances.

I’ve tested the official Apple 30 W charger, the official Apple 65 W Mac charger, a 65 W PPS-compatible GaN charger, and a Power Delivery cable that supports up to 100 W. However, none of these combinations have achieved a power greater than 30 W. The iPhone 16 Pro takes 22 minutes to charge to 50%, which, in my opinion, is quite impressive. A full charge takes one hour and 13 minutes as long as you disable charge optimizations to prevent slowing down after reaching 80%.

With iOS 18, users can limit charging to 80%, 85%, 90%, and 95% to preserve the battery’s lifespan. Considering the high cost of replacing the iPhone 16 Pro’s battery (at $119), taking maximum care of it may be a good idea.

Camera: Much Ado About Nothing

The photographic analysis of the iPhone 16 Pro will be “shorter” than I thought. Let’s start with a little spoiler, shall we? Everything is pretty much the same as last year, except for some software features that I’ll go into more detail about later.

First, I’d like to talk about the camera hardware:

• Main sensor: 48 MP, f/1.78, 24 mm, 1/1.28”, 1.22 µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS.
• Ultra-wide: 48 MP, f/2.2, 13 mm, 120º, Dual Pixel PDAF.
• Tetraprism telephoto: 12 MP, f/2.8, 120 mm, 1.12 µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, 3D sensor-shift OIS, 5x optical zoom.
• Selfie camera: 12 MP, f1.9, Autofocus.
• Video: 4K @ 24/25/30/60 fps, 120 fps, 1080p @ 25/30/60/120/240 fps, 4K HDR cinematic mode @ 30 fps, macro video, slo-mo, time-lapse, ProRes LOG video, action mode, spatial video.

Apple has introduced three hardware changes, starting with the main sensor. It still has 48 MP and hasn’t changed in size, but it can now process data twice as fast.

Why is this important? It allows users to preview filters in real time and shoot ProRAW in new formats that contain more information with zero shutter lag. In fact, the amount of information involved in each photograph is so heavy that without lightning-fast data input, none of this could happen in real time.

The second change is related to the ultra-wide lens, which now has 48 MP. However, there’s a disappointing aspect to this. The 48 MP made a significant impact on the iPhone 15 Pro by producing 24 MP images. This made the iPhone stand out for its high-quality images without excessive file size.

While this is still true for the main sensor, it’s not the case for the ultra-wide sensor. In other words, Apple has upgraded the sensor from 12 MP to 48 MP, but it still produces images at 12 MP. I’ll explore the implications of this change later on, but you can probably anticipate the outcome.

Additionally, the iPhone 16 Pro now features the tetraprism lens from the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro Max, allowing for shooting with a 5x optical zoom.

The overall photographic versatility remains impressive, especially with the added benefit of improved macro capabilities. In addition to shooting at 0.5x, 1x, and 5x, there are intermediate zoom values (28 mm, 35 mm, and 48 mm). This provides more flexibility without sacrificing too much quality, given that the smaller zoom levels are achieved through sensor cropping.

• Macro
• 13 mm (ultra-wide)
• 24 mm (1x)
• 28 mm (1.2x)
• 35 mm (1.5x)
• 48 mm (2x)
• 120 mm (5x)

Camera App

The Camera app is very similar to last year’s version, with the modes displayed at the bottom and new settings for Photographic Styles at the top. It now supports spatial video recording, which is optimized for use on the Apple Vision Pro.

In the camera settings, you’ll see the term “Fusion Camera” throughout. Apple states that it wanted to give a name to the combination of lenses and photographic capabilities of its setup. However, there are no significant changes in the processing, and this “Fusion” thing doesn’t introduce new processes.

The New JPEG-XL Format

When considering the formats for the iPhone Pro devices, it’s important to note that they’re designed for professionals to enjoy both ProRAW and LOG recording. In 2024, Apple has introduced a new development in the form of a compression method called JPEG-XL.

In 2023, there were two formats for ProRAW: ProRAW 12 MP and ProRAW Max (48 MP). This year, the format options are a bit more confusing, but I’ll try to make everything clearer.

With the iPhone 16 Pro, you can shoot in the following formats:

ProRAW in a JPEG file? Yes, the name is a bit confusing. ProRAW remains Apple’s tool for shooting in RAW, in .dng format, so nothing changes here. However, “JPEG-XL” doesn’t refer to the final format of the photograph (.jpeg), but to the compression method used for the DNG.

JPEG-XL can compress DNGs, which are still DNGs, so that they occupy less than a third of their original size. For instance, Apple indicates that a DNG shot at 48 MP can take up to 75 MB, but when shot in lossless JPEG-XL, it becomes 46 MB.

In summary, you now have the option to compress DNGs if you want to continue shooting in RAW, but using a .dng file that occupies much less space than before.

Photographic Styles

Next, I’d like to discuss the first little box in the upper right corner of the Camera app, which is the Photographic Styles activator.

If you click on this button, the style selector will open:

• Standard
• Cool Rose
• Neutral
• Gold
• Amber
• Rose Gold
• Vibrant
• Natural
• Luminous
• Dramatic
• Quiet
• Cozy
• Ethereal
• Muted B&W
• Stark B&W

As you can see, there are 15 default settings, but you can configure each one using a control box to regulate color intensity and hue.

The amount of styles can be overwhelming, but what if I want to create my own style and have it applied by default? Well, Apple makes it easy. From the Camera settings, you can go to Photographic Styles and choose between six options:

• Standard
• Cool Rose
• Neutral
• Gold
• Amber
• Rose Gold

For now, these are the only options you can choose from. The reason is that these styles, unlike filters like B&W, are small variations in white balance and tone that you can adjust in detail. First, the system will ask you to select four pictures to check how the style would look. After you’ve configured it, you can start using it in all the pictures you take using that style.

The most interesting thing about these styles is that they work in the preview. They’re not just meant for taking photos with filters but for creating a completely customized look using the default tones in your photos.

Another important point is that whether you’ve taken the photo with a different style than standard or not, all images taken with the iPhone 16 Pro can be edited in the image gallery. This means you can change any picture, whether it was taken with a filter or not, back to Standard mode or apply a different Photographic Style.

Camera Control

With the 2024 models, Apple has introduced the Camera Control button, which is available not only for the Pro models but for the entire iPhone 16 lineup. The new button features a pressure sensor to provide haptic feedback.

The Camera Control button allows users to perform various functions such as launching the Camera app, capturing photos and videos, controlling digital zoom, and accessing other camera features. Its API is open to third-party apps, enabling integration with apps like Snapchat.

• A single click launches the camera.
• A second click when the camera is on takes a picture (if you’re using Photo mode) or records a video (if you’re using Video mode).
• Clicking and holding records a video.
• A light press opens the zoom by default or the last control you’ve configured.
• A double light press opens the camera controls.

Those who prefer not to use it can disable the button from the accessibility settings. Additionally, users can set it to function solely as a camera trigger and shutter release, which is useful for users who frequently mount their phones on tripods and want to avoid accidental activation.

My initial impression of the button is somewhat mixed. While I appreciate the convenience of having a quick camera access option, there’s a notable drawback. The Camera Control button first activates the screen before opening the camera, meaning that to take a picture as quickly as possible, you need to double click–first to activate the screen and then to launch the camera.

In addition to that, I had difficulty finding situations where I really needed to use the button. Zoom control, in my opinion, is much faster and more intuitive from the screen, as with all other modes. Having to constantly slide your finger around to adjust zoom, aperture, or switch cameras isn’t the most comfortable.

I also found it particularly annoying that the button was activated quite a few times involuntarily. It’s quite easy for the lower part of your thumb to rub the button when holding the phone vertically, causing constant activation. Plus, it’s worth noting that the button can’t be deactivated. You can block it from opening the camera by clicking it, but once the camera is open, the button works, whether you want it to or not.

To be honest, in 2023, I left the Action button as it came out of the box: to control the Silent mode. I feel something similar is going to happen with this button. I know it’s there, but I’m not going to use it for anything new. In fact, as a person who mainly uses the iPhone for the camera, I can tell you in advance that I’m not going to use it. I’ve been trying to get used to it during my first days of use, and ending up doing the same thing with one or two taps on the screen has been much more comfortable for me.

Main Camera Photography

The photos taken with the iPhone 16 Pro are almost identical to those taken with the iPhone 15 Pro. In fact, when comparing the two phones, I found it almost impossible to spot any differences. This year, there are no changes in the Smart HDR technology, which was a standout feature of the iPhone 15 Pro compared to the iPhone 14 generation.

The iPhone 16 Pro has improved capacity to process more information. However, these changes haven’t translated into better photographs.

The iPhone 16 Pro’s image quality remains similar to that of the previous year. On the positive side, it has one of the best dynamic ranges among cameras currently available. Additionally, its white balance is consistently accurate, and under moderate lighting conditions, it still captures a high level of detail. With this, it can rival the top cameras on the market.

While the camera still tends to apply excessive sharpening, it’s able to achieve greater sharpness than many of its competitors thanks to its 24 MP native shooting capability.

Despite HDR’s good work, the shadow areas still need improvement. Adding a bit more brightness to these areas would better reflect what your eyes see instead of something darker. The photo below was taken before sunset, and the scene was actually brighter than it appears.

However, I would’ve appreciated a more natural look. The iPhone’s sensor is powerful enough that it doesn’t need to exaggerate the contours as much. The level of detail is still impressive unless you zoom in excessively, but I believe it’s possible to achieve a slightly less intense processing.

The iPhone still appears to be unmatched in two areas: handling scenes with complex lighting and rendering skin tones. Many high-end devices tend to fail in accurately reproducing skin tones, but the iPhone excels in this area.

The picture above is a prime example of this. In such situations, HDR algorithms often struggle to expose the person properly, but this wasn’t the case with the iPhone.

In low-light conditions, the results fall short of what a premium device should deliver. Sharpening becomes more noticeable, colors lose their natural look, and overall, the results aren’t the best.

Nevertheless, it’s a fairly capable camera. The Night mode only activates in extremely low-light scenes. In all other situations, the shooting process remains as fast as usual.

ProRAW (JPEG-XL)

Apple has accurately named its formats. When a DNG file is compressed as much as possible, it loses quality, even though it remains a DNG file. To make the most of ProRAW without any loss of quality, it’s best to shoot with lossless JPEG or JPEG-XL compression.

In my experience, ProRAW without JPEG-XL is still the best option for editing. All three formats support the Adobe-compatible ProRAW format, but uncompressed images have a higher dynamic range.

These options are great for shooting RAW files directly, but with the introduction of Halide’s Process Zero (a true, unprocessed RAW file at 12 MP), ProRAW could be improved by offering an option to shoot without image stacking.

Zoom, Macro, and Ultra-Wide Photography

Despite the ultra-wide lens shooting at 12 MP, the macro capabilities using this sensor have improved quite a bit. In 2023, it was virtually impossible to shoot very sharp macros, but now the macro capability is pretty close to what a high-end camera should have. However, it’s still not the best available.

Besides the improvement in macro photography, the ultra-wide lens has barely improved. After comparing it to the previous sensor, there doesn’t seem to be much improvement in detail or dynamic range despite shooting at 12 MP. Shooting at 24 MP may have made things better, as is the case with the main sensor. Nevertheless, the ultra-wide is still far behind its direct competition.

As for the 5x, there’s good news for Pro users: This generation has more zoom. The camera is now more capable when shooting at long distances, with a 120 mm equivalent. I like this sensor a lot, and it’s clear to me that most of my photos will be taken with it.

The downside is that Portrait mode lacks versatility because you have to move far away from the subject to take a picture. However, the iPhone’s Portrait mode is still the best on the market, capable of segmenting fine elements such as hair with an impressive bokeh effect. This segmentation doesn’t blend the subject and background but respects the natural blur of a professional lens.

The sharpness level is very high, although improving from last year’s telephoto lens was an easy task. It won’t take me long to get used to the 5x with a lossless 2x. Gaining so much in focal length is great.

Selfie

The front-facing camera is still one of the best available. It processes images similarly to the rear cameras, producing a high level of detail. It also works well with angular shots, which makes it ideal for group photos or capturing scenes. However, it performs best in good lighting conditions.

Video

Once again, the iPhone has pretty much everything it needs to be the best phone when it comes to video recording. One of the major new features in 2024 is the ability to record at 4K @ 120 fps. This allows for recording at a very high frame rate and the option to adjust the video speed from the Photos settings.

This means that there’s no longer a need to record in slow motion specifically. If you record at 4K @ 120 fps, you can later change the frame rate to achieve the slo-mo effect:

• 100% / 120 fps
• 50% / 60 fps
• 25% / 30 fps
• 20% / 24 fps

This new feature isn’t limited to videos recorded at 120 fps, which is great news. You can slow down any video recorded at 60 fps to 30 fps while preserving the audio.

Everything else remains pretty much the same as last year’s generation. I really miss the ability to record in LOG in the H.265 codec. Currently, you’re forced to use ProRes to enable this option. Apps like BlackMagic Camera allow you to shoot in LOG without consuming a lot of internal storage.

iPhone 16 Pro: Xataka’s Opinion

The iPhone 16 Pro isn’t aimed at users upgrading from the iPhone 15 Pro or even the 14 Pro. The typical iPhone life cycle is quite long, so those upgrading from a model three or four years old will notice the most significant improvements.

It’s a well-rounded product with a high level of maturity, focusing on making small refinements. It boasts one of the best screens on the market, a camera that still has room for improvement in terms of processing, and battery life that makes the iPhone 16 Pro a compelling option. The iPhone 16 Pro is proof that smaller phones can last a full day without issues.

While it has its strengths, compared to what has been released in 2024 so far and what’s yet to come, it doesn’t represent a significant enough evolution.

The iPhone 16 Pro should have had a more technologically advanced display with higher peak brightness compared to two years ago. If the main sensor and the ultra-wide are both 48 MP, there’s no reason not to improve the telephoto lens as well.

As a Pro phone with exclusive features like ProRAW and LOG, it’s difficult to understand why Apple would open the door to H.265 recording for other apps and not its own. The same goes for ProRAW: While it’s versatile, you need third-party apps to get a RAW format without significant processing.

Although the cooling has improved, it still lags behind what its competitors achieve with vapor chambers. Just because the iPhone 15 Pro was difficult to improve doesn’t mean there’s no room for enhancement. To be the best, you don’t necessarily need to increase the hardware size, but there’s only so much you can improve in certain areas.

In conclusion, there’s a significant difference between an iPhone 11 and an iPhone 13 and also between an iPhone 13 and an iPhone 15. However, the improvements between an iPhone 14 Pro and an iPhone 16 Pro are only slight. This is one of the few instances where, compared to a couple of years back, the reflection in the mirror looks pretty much the same.

Image | Xataka

Related | Should You Wait for the iPhone 16 or Buy an Earlier Model? For Me, the Answer Is Clear

The device has been loaned for testing by Apple. You can check how we test new products at Xataka On and our Corporate Relations Policy.