We Tried The New iPhone 16 For A Month. Here's Our Honest Opinion
Is the new camera button a deal breaker? Let's find out.
By Syazwan Bahri — 23 Oct 2024, 12:30 PM
Apple's latest iteration of the iPhone is an interesting one
The iPhone 16 stands out with the addition of the Action Button and the highly anticipated Camera Control button. But do these new features really enhance the user experience?
We had a month to put the iPhone 16 through its paces and see if it lives up to the hype.
Despite the addition of the two buttons, the familiar form factor remains
iPhone users will be happy to know that the familiar iPhone form factor has been retained, making the upgrade to the 16 a simple affair. The main visual difference on the back is the camera module, which ditches the unusual diagonal lens configuration in favour of the classic side-by-side layout.
It is also kitted with a Type-C port, so iPhone users upgrading from the 14 and earlier models might need to get a new cable. Fortunately, Apple has included a robust USB-C to USB-C cable in the box.
The iPhone 16 is a powerhouse, even as a base model in the lineup
It's refreshing to see Apple equip the iPhone 16 with its latest A18 Bionic chip, a brand-new processor that delivers a significant performance boost. This decision to equip the standard model with the latest chip is a welcome change from recent trends and excellent news for users. The A18 powers both the 6.1-inch iPhone 16 and the 6.7-inch iPhone 16 Plus, enabling faster processing speeds and enhanced capabilities.
The A18 chip features a 6-core CPU with a combination of efficiency and performance cores, a 5-core GPU for graphics-intensive tasks, and a 16-core Neural Engine dedicated to powering AI processes. This powerful engine is instrumental in enabling the impressive AI features of Apple Intelligence, such as the on-device processing for Clean Up in Photos and Writing Tools. With 8GB of RAM, the iPhone 16 can smoothly handle everyday tasks, creative workflows, demanding games, and AI-powered functions.
This translates to a noticeably faster and more responsive user experience. Whether you're performing basic tasks like browsing the web or checking email, editing 4K videos, playing graphics-intensive games like Genshin Impact, or utilising AI features, the iPhone 16 handles it all with impressive speed and efficiency.
As usual, Apple hasn't disclosed the exact battery capacity of the iPhone 16. However, Apple claims that the iPhone 16 offers up to 22 hours of local video playback, 18 hours of streamed video playback, and an impressive 80 hours of audio playback. This represents a two-hour improvement in video playback compared to the iPhone 15.
The iPhone 16 also embraces new wireless charging technologies, supporting both the updated MagSafe charger and the Qi2 standard. MagSafe charging provides up to 25W of power, while Qi2 offers up to 15W. For optimal charging speeds, a 30W adapter is recommended. It's worth noting that during testing, the iPhone 16 did get slightly warmer when using wireless charging compared to wired charging.
iOS 18 introduces exciting new features, including a glimpse of Apple Intelligence. However, it's worth noting that some of the most anticipated AI-powered features are not yet available, and their release timeline remains uncertain. The initial set of AI features we tested on the iPhone 16 performed well, offering a taste of what's to come.
The Action Button opens up multiple customisation options
With the iPhone 16, the mechanical slider button used to engage silent mode has been replaced with a simple button. While the button doesn't provide that satisfying tactile feel of the previous mechanical switch, it offers multiple customisation options to suit your needs.
- Silent Mode
- Focus
- Camera
- Flashlight
- Voice Memo
- Recognise Music
- Translate
- Magnifier
- Controls
- Shortcut
- Accessibility
- or No Action
Another hidden benefit of the new button is that it reduces the points of failure available on the phone. In other words, this button is more reliable, and we expect it won't break as easily as the previous generation of iPhones.
We believe that the 'refreshed' camera module deserves a mention too
The most striking change in the iPhone 16's design is undoubtedly its revamped camera system. This is the most noticeable visual difference that sets it apart from its predecessors.
The camera module now features a vertical arrangement — not unlike the camera module from the iPhone X — with the primary 48MP Fusion camera positioned above the 12MP ultrawide lens. Both lenses are housed within a slightly raised, pill-shaped glass enclosure. The true-tone flash is located beside this enclosure. Due to the larger lenses, the camera bump is quite prominent, reminiscent of the earlier fullscreen iPhone camera bump but on a grander scale.
This new camera layout isn't just about aesthetics; it serves a crucial functional purpose. The vertical orientation enables the iPhone 16 to capture Spatial Photos and Spatial Videos, a groundbreaking feature designed for immersive playback on Apple Vision Pro. This stacked lens configuration allows the iPhone to accurately capture stereo depth information, creating a truly three-dimensional visual experience. Unfortunately, we didn't have a Vision Pro lying around to test out this feature.
Another noteworthy feature is the novel Camera Control button
The Camera Control button opens up a world of creative possibilities for photography enthusiasts. With a quick double press, you can access an array of advanced settings, including exposure, depth of field, zoom, camera selection, filter styles, and tone. Simply swipe through the presets to fine-tune your shot. When the Camera Control interface is active, the screen becomes less cluttered, leaving only the digital shutter button for a distraction-free experience.
Photographers and videographers will quickly appreciate the intuitive control that Camera Control offers. While it may take a few days to master the various sub-menus and pressure-sensitive gestures, the ability to quickly adjust settings and capture the perfect shot makes it a powerful tool for content creation.And while it might look like a simple button, the new Camera Control is a technological marvel. Packed with advanced haptics, it responds to various gestures that supercharges content creation at the tip of your fingers, literally.
This interface is available across the entire iPhone 16 lineup, including the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Do all these new features mean you should upgrade to the iPhone 16? Here are our thoughts:
Moving from the iPhone 13 Pro to an iPhone 16 is simple and seamless. Aside from the absence of the smooth ProMotion display, there aren't many differences apart from the Action Button and the multifunctional Camera Button.
The iPhone 16 is a compelling upgrade, especially for those seeking the latest technology and a refined smartphone experience. The redesigned camera system, more powerful A18 Bionic chip, enhanced battery life, and fresh design make it a tempting choice. Plus, the exclusive iOS features and Apple's commitment to long-term software updates ensure that the iPhone 16 will remain a capable device for years to come.
For previous generation iPhone owners, the decision to upgrade hinges on individual needs and priorities. If you crave cutting-edge technology, a superior camera system, and extended battery life, the iPhone 16 will undoubtedly impress. However, if your smartphone usage primarily revolves around everyday tasks, and you're content with your current device, the added cost of upgrading might not be justified.
Ultimately, the decision rests on your personal preferences and how you use your smartphone. The iPhone 16 delivers a compelling blend of performance, design, and future-proof features, making it a worthy contender for anyone seeking a top-tier smartphone experience.Should you go for the Pro instead? Here's what we think:
Unless you're a full-time content creator, or someone who truly needs the extra processing power, the telephoto lens, and the ProMotion display, there's not much reason to snag a 16 Pro.
The iPhone 16 truly blurs the lines between the standard and Pro models, offering a compelling blend of affordability and cutting-edge features.
Its vibrant colour options make a bold statement, while the powerful A18 Bionic chip ensures exceptional performance.
Combined with an impressive dual-camera system and the innovative Camera Control button, the iPhone 16 presents a compelling option for users seeking a premium smartphone experience without the Pro price tag.
It's concrete proof of how Apple continues to elevate its standard iPhone lineup, delivering flagship-level features and performance to a wider audience.
