iPhone 16 and 16 Plus review roundup: Updates worthy of upgrading

• Reviews

Early reviews for Apple’s new iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus find the base handsets close the gap between them and the Pro models more-so than in recent years. And with the new Action and Camera Control buttons, the powerful new A18 chip, camera improvements and the promise of upcoming new Apple Intelligence functionality, our iPhone 16 review roundup found users with older models have plenty of reason to upgrade from older models (especially iPhone Series 14 and older).

Design and display

A review in The Verge notes that iPhone 16 and 16 Plus have colorful, saturated finishes, a welcome change from previous pastel palettes. They maintain the same screen sizes as their predecessors: 6.1 inches for the iPhone 16 and 6.7 inches for the 16 Plus.

Mashable praises the new color options, particularly highlighting the “bubble-gum pink” and ultramarine-blue variants. It also mention the phones are slightly lighter than their predecessors, with the iPhone 16 weighing 6 ounces (down from 6.03 ounces) and the 16 Plus at 7.02 ounces (down from 7.09 ounces). TechRadar emphasizes the vibrancy of the new colors, particularly praising the ultramarine option.

However, regarding the handsets’ screens, all reviewers point out a significant omission: the lack of a high refresh rate display. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus still use 60Hz screens, while competitors and Apple’s own Pro models offer 120Hz displays.

New features

• Camera Control button: All reviews highlight the new Camera Control function, controlled via a new button, as a significant addition. The Verge calls it a “slam dunk” feature, praising its versatility for adjusting various camera settings. Mashable notes it allows quick access to features like depth control and photographic styles. TechRadar describes it as a “game-changer” for taking photos.
• Action button: Inherited from the Pro models, the customizable Action button is well-received across reviews. Mashable suggests it adds a layer of personalization to the device.

Performance

All reviewers note the significant performance boost the new A18 chip provides. In recent years, the base models have inherited chip from the previous Pro models, but this year that changed, mainly in preparation for all models handling Apple Intelligence.

The Verge mentions that the iPhone 16’s Geekbench scores rival those of budget gaming laptops. Mashable reports multi-core scores of 7,878 for the iPhone 16 and 7,897 for the 16 Plus, far outpacing competitors like the Google Pixel 9.

TechRadar emphasizes that the A18 chip provides ample power for everyday tasks and gaming, with no noticeable slowdowns.

Camera

The camera system receives praise across the board, with reviewers noting improvements in low-light performance and the addition of macro capabilities to the ultra-wide lens. The Verge highlights the new Photographic Styles feature, allowing for more customization in image capture.

Mashable appreciates the “optical quality” 2X zoom, which provides clear images despite the lack of a dedicated telephoto lens. They also note improvements in the ultra-wide camera’s low-light performance.

TechRadar praises the versatility of the 48MP main camera and the improved ultra-wide lens, particularly for low-light and macro photography.

Battery life

Reviewers called battery life is a strong point for both models, praising iPhone 16 Plus in particular. Mashable reports impressive battery life test results: 16 hours and 20 minutes for the iPhone 16, and 18 hours and 53 minutes for the 16 Plus.

TechRadar notes that while the 16 Plus is no longer the battery champion (now surpassed by the 16 Pro Max), it still easily lasts through a full day of use.

The Verge confirms that both models offer all-day battery life, with the 16 Plus potentially stretching into a second day.

Apple Intelligence

All reviewers note, with some disappointment, that Apple Intelligence features were not available at launch and are expected to arrive with iOS 18.1 in October.

Mashable and TechRadar both mention testing beta versions of iOS 18.1, praising features like the Clean Up tool for photo editing and improved notification management.

Conclusion: It’s a big set of upgrades for base iPhones

Overall, reviewers see the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus as solid upgrades, particularly for those coming from older models. The Verge suggests it’s a good year to upgrade, especially for those holding onto older iPhones. TechRadar recommends the upgrade for anyone with an iPhone 14 Plus or older. Mashable particularly praises the iPhone 16 Plus, suggesting it might be a better buy than the iPhone 16 Pro for many users.

While the lack of a high refresh rate display is consistently noted as a downside, most if not all reviews see improved performance, camera capabilities and battery life as significant positives.

And if you order an iPhone 16 or 16 Plus, don’t forget to get a protective case for it from among our picks for the best ones so far.