Apple has officially launched the much-anticipated iPhone 16 series, and while it may seem that hardware advancements have reached a peak, Apple continues to surprise us with incremental improvements and smart innovations. The new iPhone 16 series, including the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max, brings updates in design, performance, pricing, and more.
iPhone 16 Series Pricing Breakdown
One of the most notable changes is in the pricing. The iPhone 16 starts at ₹80,000, while the iPhone 16 Plus is priced at ₹90,000. Moving up to the Pro models, the iPhone 16 Pro comes in at ₹1,20,000, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max is priced at ₹1,45,000. Interestingly, Apple has lowered the price of its Pro models compared to last year’s iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. This price drop could be due to Apple now manufacturing its Pro models in India, but we can’t be sure of the exact reason.
However, while the pricing may seem favorable, Apple has kept the base storage of the iPhone 16 series at 128GB, even though many competitors are pushing for 256GB as the standard. This leaves some users feeling that Apple could improve, especially when purchasing a “Pro” phone, which comes loaded with powerful camera features and advanced performance capabilities.
iPhone 16 Series Design: Small Changes, Big Impact
In terms of design, Apple has kept things relatively similar to last year’s models. The most significant design change is the orientation of the cameras on the non-Pro models, which have shifted from diagonal to vertical. Apple has also introduced a new Action Button, replacing the old mute switch, allowing users to customize the button’s functionality, such as quick access to the camera or turning on silent mode.
Additionally, Apple has added a new Capture Button in all iPhone 16 models, enhancing the camera experience. A single press opens the camera app, a second press takes a photo, and holding it starts recording a video. This button also offers haptic feedback and other intuitive features like zooming and lens switching with a simple swipe, making it one of the most significant usability upgrades.
Performance Upgrades: Powered by the A18 Chip
When it comes to performance of iPhone 16 Series, Apple has introduced its latest A18 chip in both the Pro and non-Pro models, offering faster speeds and better energy efficiency. The non-Pro models feature the A18 chip, which is built on a 3nm process. It includes a 6-core CPU that is 30% faster and uses 30% less power than the A16 chip. The 5-core GPU is 40% faster, making it perfect for AAA games like Resident Evil and Assassin’s Creed.
The Pro models, powered by the A18 Pro chip, offer even more impressive performance, with a 15% faster CPU and 20% faster GPU compared to the A17 Pro. Apple’s Neural Engine has also been upgraded, with 16 cores for handling Apple Intelligence features, such as on-device AI tasks.
Camera Features: Capture Button and Ultra-Wide Lens Upgrades
The iPhone 16 series camera features largely carry over from the iPhone 15, but with a few key enhancements. The Capture Button provides a streamlined camera experience, as discussed earlier. Another notable change is in the ultra-wide lens, which now has a larger aperture of f/2.2, allowing it to capture 2.6 times more light, improving macro photography in low-light conditions.
Apple continues to emphasize its 48MP Fusion Camera on the non-Pro models, which combines four pixels to create high-quality 24MP images. This feature delivers excellent results, especially with the 2x telephoto lens that draws from this 48MP sensor. The iPhone 16 Pro Max also retains its 5x telephoto lens, offering the best zoom capabilities on an iPhone yet.
Thermal Improvements and Battery Life
Apple is addressing one of its most frequent complaints—iPhone heating problems. The iPhone 16 series features a thermal improvement with a new thermal substrate that allows the device to sustain 30% higher performance without overheating. The iPhone 16 Pro models take it a step further with a graphene-based thermal system, improving sustained performance by 20%.
In terms of battery life, Apple hasn’t released specific numbers, but they claim that both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Max will offer better battery life, with the Pro Max delivering the best battery life ever seen on an iPhone. This could potentially surpass the legendary performance of the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Display and Charging: Some Misses
The iPhone 16 display sizes remain largely unchanged for the non-Pro models, but the Pro models now come in at 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches. While the Pro models boast thinner bezels and improved Ceramic Shield protection that’s 50% tougher, Apple still limits the non-Pro models to 60Hz displays, despite the industry standard moving toward 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rates.
On the charging front, Apple has not made any significant changes to the charging speed but introduced a faster MagSafe wireless charger for quicker wireless charging.
Conclusion
Overall, the iPhone 16 series delivers incremental but meaningful updates in design, performance, and pricing. The addition of the Capture Button, thermal improvements, and the powerful A18 chip positions the iPhone 16 series as a solid upgrade, especially for those using older models. However, Apple’s decision to stick with 128GB base storage and 60Hz refresh rates on non-Pro models leaves some room for improvement. With competitive pricing and some exciting new features, the iPhone 16 series is bound to be a popular choice among Apple enthusiasts.
