The "1-Minute" Review
Verdict
A well-rounded phone offering balanced performance and great cameras for regular use.What's good
- Excellent performance
- Strong camera setup
- Durable design
- 5 years of updates
- Rich stereo speakers
What's bad
- Slow charging
- Limited 60Hz display
- USB 2.0 speeds
- Basic design unchanged
- Apple Intelligence delay
Design
The iPhone 16 brings notable design changes with its vibrant color choices and a vertical dual-camera setup that adds a modern flair. This vertical arrangement not only looks sleek but also enables Spatial Video capture. Reviewers at Pocket-lint noted, "+The new colors look great+."
The phone is light at 170 grams, crafted with an aluminum frame and glass back, which aids single-handed use. The rear features a matte finish to resist smudges, as experts point out, helping you maintain its neat appearance.
Display(s)
The display delivers vivid colors and excellent clarity, making your daily interactions enjoyable. Reviewers noted you'll appreciate how saturated and vibrant everything looks, especially under bright sunlight.
Even though it lacks the smoother 120Hz refresh rate found in higher-end models, the screen offers a solid viewing experience for your media needs.
Text appears sharp, and images come to life, enhancing productivity and entertainment tasks on the go.
Performance
The A18 chip in the phone sets a new standard for performance, easily outpacing previous models. You can expect faster loading times and fluid multitasking for all your needs. The 8GB RAM supports smooth operation, providing a swift experience whether you're gaming, streaming, or browsing.
"The iPhone 16 shines in performance, as it handles apps and games with ease, surpassing benchmarks," according to experts. This makes it an ideal choice if you're seeking speed and efficiency in a compact form.
Software & Storage
Apple's iPhone 16 comes with a refreshed interface focusing on user personalization and ease of use. iOS 18 offers customizations like adjusting app icon colors, arranging icons freely, and a new, more interactive Control Center.
This flexibility allows you to streamline your phone interface to match your preferences efficiently. Reviewers highlight how the iPhone 16's UI improvements align with Apple’s effort to make technology intuitive and personal, though Apple Intelligence features, such as enhanced Siri capabilities and AI-driven tools for photo editing and voice commands, are expected to roll out soon.
The software design focuses on making daily tasks seamless, ensuring a smooth experience when switching between apps, gaming, or browsing.
Cameras
The phone's camera captures sharp, vibrant photos with a 48MP main sensor, excelling in both bright and dim settings. Experts point out that "the ultrawide camera's macro mode allows for detailed close-ups, enhancing photography versatility."
While users appreciate the new pressure-sensitive Camera Control for its intuitive design, some find its button placement challenging. In general, you'll find the camera offers notable capabilities for everyday snapping and creative pursuits.
Battery
Your experience with the battery on the iPhone 16 is mostly positive. From streaming video for hours to extended usage, the battery keeps up with your day-to-day activities without needing a midday charge. "Reviewers have noted that the phone's battery life marks one of the longest amongst iPhones yet," sharing excitement over its capability.
Charging remains efficient, although experts mention that "compared to rivals, the charging speed feels a bit slow," even with its 45W capacity reached only in specific circumstances. Still, whether you plug it in for a quick boost or make use of the wireless charging options, the device ensures you're not left with a low battery at critical moments.
Audio
Experts agree that the iPhone 16's speakers deliver a rich and balanced audio profile with reliable volume levels, making it great for watching movies or gaming.
For calls, the microphones capture clear voice tones, ensuring people hear you well, even in noisy environments. A new audio mixing feature lets you fine-tune audio in video recordings, adding a professional touch straight from your phone.
The Bottom Line
This device houses the latest chip, delivering solid performance across everyday tasks. You'll enjoy its powerful camera setup, offering sharp images and improved low-light photography, with a new ultrawide lens perfect for macro shots. It includes a sleek camera control button, though some find it tricky at first. Its thoughtful design and vibrant colors add charm, but keep in mind the display sticks to 60Hz, which feels dated compared to competitors. "The iPhone 16 proves to be a meaningful upgrade for most users," according to experts.
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Dean Blake, Man of ManyAt the end of the day, the iPhone 16 is a fantastic phone. It’s thin, light, and well designed, and nails almost every aspect of what a modern smartphone should. For most iPhone users looking to upgrade to something new and shiny, this is the pick: it’s competitively priced (AUD$1,399) and it’s goin...
- DxOMarkIn the DXOMARK Camera tests, the Apple iPhone 16 delivered a very good performance for its class. With the exception of the improved autofocus and faster lens in the ultra-wide camera, the new device uses nearly identical camera hardware to the predecessor, but software modifications have resulted i...
- Archie Burkinshaw, uSwitchThe A18 processor makes the iPhone 16 feel snappier than ever, putting it closer to the Pro models in terms of power and functionality. Combined with its solid battery life, versatile charging options, and smooth performance, the iPhone 16 offers an excellent experience for its price point. The gap...
- Chris Martin, Tech AdvisorThe iPhone 16 is a solid enough phone but has bugged me more than usual or expected, even beyond the lack of Apple Intelligence. If you’re set on an affordable and compact flagship model then it does the job but, AI promises aside, it’s only worth it if you’re jumping at least two generations.
- Si Jia, Geek CultureA Pro-adjacent in all but name, the iPhone 16 presents a strong case to embrace its latest tech, as it seeks to marry performance with value amid some drawbacks.
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
Apple iPhone 16 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 $799.00. You can compare iPhone 16 prices from around the web here on The Informr.
Apple backs up the iPhone 16 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your iPhone 16 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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