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Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Apple iPhone 16 Plus


8.5/10
Informr score
The Apple iPhone 16 Plus currently has an Informr score of 8.5 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 32 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The "1-Minute" Review

Verdict

A large-screen phone with a solid battery life and useful features for daily users, without a massive cost.

What's good

  • Stunning large display
  • Great battery life
  • Strong camera performance
  • Faster MagSafe charging
  • Sleek, colorful design

What's bad

  • 60Hz display limit
  • Bulky for some users
  • No optical zoom
  • No charger included
  • Limited storage options

Design

The iPhone 16 Plus impresses with its updated design. It uses aerospace-grade aluminum, making it both lightweight and durable. This finish reduces fingerprint marks, keeping it clean.

Its vertical camera module is a departure from previous models, allowing for spatial video capture. Users appreciate the feeling of "a sleek aluminum unibody case," according to Notebookcheck.

The ergonomic shape and rounded corners ensure comfort, despite its large size. With an IP68 rating, it withstands dust and water exposure.

Display(s)

The iPhone's 6.7-inch screen ensures you see crisp details and true colors. Its Super Retina XDR display shows everything in fine detail.

Reviewers find its brightness improved, peaking at 2,000 nits, which helps in sunny conditions, though "outdoor visibility remains a challenge" according to Notebookcheck.

The 60Hz refresh rate can make scrolling feel less smooth, a letdown when watching videos or gaming, with Tom's Guide noting other phones offer higher refresh rates at this price point.

Its big screen is a strong point for those who enjoy watching content or editing photos on the go.

Performance

The iPhone 16 Plus excels with Apple's A18 chip, showcasing notable speed improvements. It powers through demanding apps and games, making it feel responsive in every use.

Reviewers highlight its impressive ability to handle any general task without noticeable lag, making it suitable for a wide array of users.

"A remarkable upgrade in both CPU and GPU performance," experts note, emphasizing that its hardware can manage upcoming Apple Intelligence features seamlessly.

Software & Storage

iOS 18 brings a new level of customization to the iPhone 16 Plus, letting you place app icons and widgets anywhere on your home screen with ease.

You can modify the Control Center, add colored app icons, and engage with the new Widgets placed throughout the interface. PCMag notes this flexibility as a welcome improvement.

Though Apple Intelligence features will roll out in October, experts anticipate significant enhancements like improved Siri responsiveness and AI-powered photo editing tools.

Cameras

The iPhone packs a 48MP main and 12MP ultrawide camera, delivering detailed and vibrant photos in varying conditions. The Camera Control button simplifies quick access and adjustments for capturing moments effortlessly, though it requires a firm touch to master all functions as noted by TechRadar. Night photography impresses, providing visibility in almost total darkness, turning "night vision" into reality, as shown in our tests.

While lacking a telephoto lens, reviewers agree the detailed photos and intuitive camera interface make the experience enjoyable for most users.

Battery

The iPhone 16 Plus offers one of the longest-lasting batteries in a smartphone. With a 4,674mAh battery, you can expect more than 21 hours of continuous video streaming. It's ideal for users who dread a midday shutdown.

Experts highlight how "Apple doesn't disappoint with its long-lasting battery life," offering peace of mind for busy individuals.

Traditional charging might feel sluggish at 20W, but the 25W MagSafe wireless charging option delivers a significant speed boost, letting you quickly juice up without wires.

Audio

Apple's iPhone 16 Plus continues to impress with its enhanced audio capabilities. The dual stereo speakers deliver warm and balanced sound, and you'll notice distinct instrument separation during music playback. This makes it ideal for watching films or playing music, enhancing your entertainment experience.

When it comes to calls, reviewers from Notebookcheck affirm, "Call quality via the earphones and microphones is very good," ensuring whoever you're speaking to hears you clearly in any setting. This is especially valuable during lengthy, important conversations.

Additionally, the new Audio Mixing feature, inherited from the Pro models, allows for post-capture audio adjustments in video recordings. You can tweak sound levels to your liking, adding a personalized touch to your videos without extra equipment.

The Bottom Line

This phone offers a larger screen experience that feels lighter and more comfortable for extended use.

You'll enjoy the addition of the Action and Camera Control buttons, enhancing user interactivity and camera flexibility. Reviewers have noted "a pleasing mix of performance, battery life and size" (PCMag), which makes this device a practical choice for daily tasks.

While it lacks a high refresh rate, the display remains bright and vibrant, making it a viable option for entertainment and productivity on a budget.


iOS
Operating system
Operating system
iOS
4.04 GHz
Processor
Processor
4.04 GHz
6.7"
Screen Size
Screen Size
6.7"
48+ MP, f/1.6
Camera
Camera
48+ MP, f/1.6
4674 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Gadget Guy
Gadget Guy

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus' larger 6.7-inch display sounds impressive, but it doesn't always offer the boost you'd hope for.

- Adam Turner, Gadget Guy
Digital Camera World
Digital Camera World

If you own an older iPhone model then the 16 Plus is worth considering as its new Camera Control button could change the way you shoot. You can swipe and press to adjust a wide range of camera settings (such as Depth, Tone and Exposure) in a more tactile way than by tapping and swiping icons on a sc...

- George Cairns, Digital Camera World
Stuff
Stuff

The iPhone 16 you’d pick last for your team, but you’d still be happy it’s on your side. I just wish it had a little more Pro and a little less upsell.

- Craig Grannell, Stuff
The Guardian
The Guardian

The iPhone 16 Plus occupies an odd spot in Apple’s 2024 smartphone lineup. It is identical in capability and hardware to the cheaper, smaller iPhone 16, which means it lacks the zoom camera, more advanced screen and other capabilities of the company’s Pro iPhones. Though the 6.7in display is sizeabl...

- Samuel Gibbs, The Guardian
Gadgets 360
Gadgets 360

The iPhone 16 raises the bar for what vanilla iPhone models could do. The iPhone 16 (and 16 Plus) gets an A18 chip, which promises superior performance compared to Android flagships in the market. The cameras are solid, and you get two new buttons - Action and Camera Control. The battery backup is i...

- Ketan Pratap, Gadgets 360


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


Apple iPhone 16 Plus prices will vary depending on retailer, age, special offers and whether or not it's purchased with a service plan. If purchased with a 2 year service contract for example, you would likely pay much less for the phone itself up front. Apple's suggested retail price is $899.00. You can compare iPhone 16 Plus prices from around the web here on The Informr.


Apple backs up the iPhone 16 Plus with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your iPhone 16 Plus has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Apple support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Apple's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.



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Quick view

Screen Size
6.7"

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus's screen size is 6.7 inches with 1290 x 2796 pixels resolution.

Processor
4.04 GHz

There is a Apple A18 Hexa-core 4.04 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the iOS 18 operating system (OS).

Camera
48+ MP

You can take photos or capture video with the phone's onboard 48+ MP, f/1.6 camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera useful for video chat and self portraits.

Storage
128/256/512 GB

Internal memory is 128/256/ 512 GB. No external card slot is available for expansion.

Battery
4674mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol), 4674 mAh battery. Apple's performance ratings are 2000 minutes, 1143 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

iPhone 16 Plus Specs

Overview
Release Date September 20, 2024
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System iOS 18

Compare iOS Smartphones

Processor Apple A18 Hexa-core 4.04 GHz
Internal Storage 128/256/512 GB
RAM 8 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible Yes
TTY/TDD Yes
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 1.13 W/kg
Body: 1.16 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included Manual, Data Cable
Cellular
Networks
EDGE, HSPA+, LTE, 5G
Mobile / Cellular Data
5G, 4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Yes
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Yes
SIM
Nano-SIM, eSIM
Dual SIM Yes
Connectivity
USB USB Type-C
USB OTG Support No
Infrared No
Bluetooth 5.3
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HID, HFP, HSP, PAN
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC, AAC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/7
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot No
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
48+ Megapixels, f/1.6, Wide
12+ Megapixels, f/2.2, Ultrawide
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Face detection, Geotagging, Image stabilization, Multi-shot, Night mode, Panorama, Self-timer
Video Recording Formats
MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels), 60 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
12+ Megapixels, f/1.9
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology OLED
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1290 x 2796 pixels
Pixel Density 460 pixels
Size 6.7 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating Yes
Additional Display Features Capacitive touchscreen, HDR10, Dolby Vision, Ceramic Shield Glass (2024)
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol)
Battery Capacity 4674 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging Up to 25 W
Fast Charging Up to 45 W
Video Playback Time Up to 1620 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 1143 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Up to 2000 minutes
Standby Time Unknown
Mixed Usage Unknown
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Aluminium
Colors Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine
Dimensions [H x W x D] 16.09 x 7.78 x 0.78 cm (6.3 x 3.1 x 0.3 in)
Weight 199 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Water Resistant
Rugged design No
IP Rating IP 68
Headset Jack No
External Speakers Stereo
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key No
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
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