Hands-on iPhone 16 Pro evaluate: Two-minute preview
Running from the Apple Keynote to the expansive demo room proper behind it, I used to be confronted by lengthy tables of latest merchandise, together with iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max telephones on pedestals (as they need to be), and hoards of excited media and analysts who crowded so tightly across the merchandise that I may scarcely get shut sufficient to smell them.
Lucky for me, many Apple representatives had been milling about who would nearly surreptitiously take away the gleaming handsets from their pockets after which simply as casually stroll you thru options.
That was how I lastly acquired near the iPhone 16 Pro, a now 6.3-inch iOS 18 machine that’s barely bigger than the iPhone 15 Pro whereas providing noticeably extra display actual property. Apple managed this trick by shrinking the bezel so it is only a skinny darkish line surrounding the Super Retina XDR show. Apparently, Apple found out methods to reroute a number of the display traces from the sides to beneath the show, which made the razor-thin bezel potential.
As they handed me the cellphone, I observed its Black Titanium physique felt simply as strong and clean as earlier than. It felt acquainted as a result of the design was largely unchanged from the final iPhone. The one noticeable and important distinction is the brand new Camera Control. This tactile/haptic combo button, which adorns the complete iPhone 16 lineup, is type of the star of the brand new iPhone present.
Stuffed stuffed with expertise, the button lives beneath the facility button and is used initially to open the digital camera app. A lighter press prompts the haptic response entry controls, and a double press accesses a deeper set of digital camera controls.
After that, you’ll be able to swipe up and down on the underside to pick completely different pictures options. After a fast coaching, I may use it to entry the completely different lenses, set publicity, and alter the depth of discipline. There’s a visible cue on the display that will help you preserve monitor of all of the contact, faucet, and gesture-based digital camera adjustments.
Eventually, nearly any app that makes use of the digital camera may entry the Camera Control button. Snapchat is already doing so.
This button would possibly simply change how you utilize your iPhone, and I feel individuals will prefer it.
There is one other large and important change within the iPhone 16 Pro. Again, it has parity on the zoom entrance with its large brother, the now 6.9-inch iPhone 16 Pro Max.
While the iPhone 15 Po provided only a 3x optical zoom, the iPhone 16 Pro has the identical 5x tetra prism zoom because the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Other digital camera adjustments embrace a 48MP ultra-wide and a sooner shutter velocity on the 48MP major digital camera. I noticed a few of these photographic expertise in motion once I took a number of pattern images, however I did not collect sufficient proof to attract any helpful conclusions.
Demos I noticed elsewhere of the 4K 120fps present some spectacular video expertise. I’ve but to see or check out the Cinematic Slo-Mo, however it appears to be like like a fantastic software for professional videographers.
The new A18 Pro CPU powers the iPhone 16 Pro, a cellular processor with extra energy than most customers want, however I believe professional customers will recognize it. It’ll additionally assist all these promised Apple Intelligence options. The information right here, although, is that the iPhone 16 Pro is not going to ship with Apple Intelligence. Apple has promised to ship an iOS 18 replace subsequent month that may assist it.
The excellent news is that I did see some Apple Intelligence options in motion. Photo Cleanup works easily to determine photographic detritus and expertly take away it with a faucet or erase gesture.
Writing instruments are hidden however seem to have numerous depth and are able to not simply clear up your writing however nearly do your writing for you…if that is your factor.
Siri acquired a literal glow-up and now activates your entire iPhone 16 Pro display when activated. It was laborious to make use of her within the crowded room however I do love the look of it.
While I did not spend numerous time with the cellphone, the preliminary operation appeared snappy. A18 Pro has all the facility you want for nearly any job and extra. Console-level gaming is now a factor on the iPhone. Even at 6.3 inches, the display may be a bit small for some AAA video games, however it may well definitely deal with the motion. Part of that’s as a result of new warmth administration system that makes the iPhone extra environment friendly for longer at peak operation.
I feel it’s going to be a problem to over-tax this smartphone.
Even with all that energy and new AI options, Apple mentioned throughout the keynote that we must always anticipate longer battery life, and by longer, I imply you would possibly be capable of measure it in hours. That’s an thrilling prospect.
It’s a disgrace that this iPhone 16 Pro will begin with half the storage of the iPhone 16 Pro Max: 128GB vs. 256GG. 128GB is nothing to sneeze at, however for those who’re capturing numerous 4K video, you would possibly want for that further 128GB.
A greater and greater display, improved cameras, together with 5x zoom, that new Camera Control button, and a lot energy may make this probably the greatest iPhones Apple has ever made. Will it’s the very best smartphone? That’s a query I am unable to reply till I take a look at it.
Hands-on iPhone 16 Pro evaluate: Price and availability
- Starts at $999 / £999 / AU$1,849
- Pre-orders open on September 13, and the cellphone ships from September 20
The iPhone 16 Pro was introduced at Apple’s ‘It’s Glowtime’ occasion on Monday, September 9. iPhone 16 preorders will start on Friday, September 9, and the brand new cellphone will hit retailer cabinets on Friday, September 20.
The iPhone 16 Pro begins at $999 / £999 / AU$1,799 for the mannequin with 128GB of storage, with storage choices rising to 1TB. For reference, that is the identical beginning value because the iPhone 15 Pro.
Full iPhone 16 Pro pricing is as follows:
| Storage | US value | UK value | AU value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 128GB | $999 | £999 | AU$1,799 |
| 256GB | $1,099 | £1,099 | AU$1,999 |
| 512GB | $1,299 | £1,299 | AU$2,349 |
| 1TB | $1,499 | £1,499 | AU$2,699 |
Hands-on iPhone 16 Pro evaluate: Specs
Below, you will discover a roundup of the iPhone 16 Pro’s key specs.
| iPhone 16 Pro | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions: | 149.6 x 71.5 x 8.25mm |
| Weight: | 199g |
| Display: | 6.3-inch OLED |
| Resolution: | 2622 x 1206 pixels |
| Refresh fee: | Adaptive 1-120Hz |
| Chipset: | A18 Pro |
| Rear cameras: | 48MP major (24mm, ƒ/1.78), 48MP ultra-wide (13mm, ƒ/2.2), 12MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom (120mm, ƒ/2.8) |
| Front digital camera: | 12MP (ƒ/1.9) |
| Storage: | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
