What's New in iPhone 16? Uncover Specs & Performance

The iPhone 16 series is finally here, and it's making waves with groundbreaking innovations and stunning upgrades! Apple has truly outdone itself, redefining what a smartphone can achieve in 2024. As Apple’s latest lineup prepares to hit the shelves, tech enthusiasts and everyday users alike are in for a treat. From the game-changing A18 Pro chip to the cutting-edge camera system, this series is packed with must-see improvements. Get ready to dive into the iPhone 16 specs and discover the features that set these models apart.

Should You Buy an iPhone 16?

The iPhone 16 lineup presents several compelling reasons to upgrade. If you’re coming from an older model like the iPhone 13 or earlier, the jump in performance, battery life, and camera quality will be immediately noticeable. The introduction of the A18 chip with Apple Intelligence support, a customizable Action button, USB-C port, and a refined Dynamic Island feature makes the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus versatile choices for both casual users and professionals.

For those seeking even more advanced features, the high-end iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max provide significant upgrades. These models boast the powerful A18 Pro chip, larger displays with ProMotion technology, and a sophisticated triple-lens camera system. If you're willing to invest in the premium options, these models offer top-of-the-line performance and capabilities.

However, the latest releases may not suit everyone's needs or budget. Thankfully, refurbished iPhones offer compelling alternatives at a lower cost. For instance, you can find arefurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max for as low as $1,649 or even less, depending on the condition and specifications. This allows you to enjoy high-end features without the price tag of the newest models.

iPhone 16 Release Date and Availability

Apple unveiled the highly anticipated iPhone 16 at its annual launch event in California earlier this month. Pre-orders for the new lineup began on September 13, with the official release set for Friday, September 20. The collection features the standard iPhone 16 and the larger iPhone 16 Plus, being sold alongside the premium iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Rumors had buzzed about the possibility of an iPhone 16 Ultra, but for now, Apple has not mentioned anything about this high-end marvel. Perhaps we’ll see it in the next iteration—until then, we can look forward to the impressive features of the current models.

Pricing for the iPhone 16 starts at A$1,399 for the base 128GB version, while the iPhone 16 Plus is available from A$1,599. Higher storage options are also available at an additional cost, catering to those who need more space. As always, the iPhone 16 series will be available through Apple’s official stores, authorized resellers, and major carriers.

iPhone 16 Design

The iPhone 16 brings a sleek, refined design that builds upon the success of the iPhone 15 series. Available in two sizes—6.1 inches for the iPhone 16 and 6.7 inches for the iPhone 16 Plus—both models retain their familiar form factor but with minor tweaks that subtly enhance both functionality and style. The iPhone 16 measures 5.81 inches tall and 2.82 inches wide, while the iPhone 16 Plus stands at 6.33 inches tall and 3.06 inches wide, with both devices maintaining a consistent 0.31-inch thickness. Weight adjustments are minor, giving the devices a balanced feel in the hand without compromising on their slim, elegant profiles.

A standout feature of the iPhone 16 design is its all-glass front combined with a matte glass back, encased in a color-matched aluminum frame. This premium finish continues the tradition of sophistication seen in previous models, while this year’s color options add a new level of vibrancy. Alongside classic black and white, users can choose from bold new shades like teal, pink, and ultramarine. These unique hues build on the variety introduced with the iPhone 15 colors, offering fresh options for users seeking a more personalized look.

The iPhone 16 Pro models introduce a distinctive design with a textured matte finish and a new, sleek titanium frame. They also come in fresh colors, including Black Titanium, White Titanium, Desert Titanium, and Natural Titanium. This refined look enhances the device’s premium feel and sets the Pro models apart from the standard versions. The textured matte finish not only adds to the visual elegance but also improves grip and reduces fingerprints, ensuring the Pro models maintain their pristine appearance over time.

In terms of usability, the Action Button, first introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro, now makes its way to the standard iPhone 16 models. This customizable button allows users to assign quick actions like opening the camera, enabling the flashlight, or running shortcuts, offering an added layer of convenience and personalization. The button's flexibility in enabling users to tailor the device’s functionality enhances the overall user experience, making everyday tasks more accessible with just a touch.

USB-C Port

A major shift in the iPhone 16 series is the transition to the USB-C port, marking a departure from Apple’s long-standing Lightning port. This update brings faster charging capabilities, allowing the iPhone 16 models to charge at up to 45W, a significant improvement over previous generations, which were capped at 25–30W. Not only does this mean quicker charging times, but it also allows for more versatile charging options. You can now charge your AirPods or Apple Watch directly from the iPhone 16 using a USB-C cable, with the device providing up to 4.5W of power.

However, it’s worth noting that the iPhone 16 includes a USB-C port, the data transfer speeds remain at USB Type-C 2.0 which is better than the speeds achieved with the older Lightning cable. While some might expect faster transfer rates, Apple has kept these speeds consistent for non-Pro models. This change still marks a significant step forward in standardizing the charging experience across devices.

Display Upgrades

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus retain their Super Retina XDR OLED displays, offering vibrant colors and sharp details. The iPhone 16 features a resolution of 2556 x 1179 pixels, while the iPhone 16 Plus boasts a larger 2796 x 1290 pixels, both delivering an impressive 460 pixels per inch. These displays ensure that whether you're viewing photos or streaming videos, you experience crisp and vivid visuals.

ProMotion Display

The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max take display technology a step further with ProMotion technology, a feature that dramatically enhances your visual experience. ProMotion provides an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz, which means smoother scrolling, more responsive touch inputs, and an overall fluid user interface. This technology is particularly beneficial for activities that demand quick reactions, such as gaming or scrolling through social media feeds. With ProMotion, your interactions with the iPhone 16 Pro models feel exceptionally smooth and natural. The high refresh rate reduces motion blur and increases the accuracy of touch inputs, making every swipe and tap more precise.

Dynamic Island

The Dynamic Island feature, now a hallmark of the iPhone design, remains a key component across the iPhone 16 lineup, offering an innovative approach to user interaction. This sophisticated interface combines the TrueDepth camera and front-facing camera into a sleek, pill-shaped cutout at the top of the display. The result is not just a design aesthetic but a functional enhancement that transforms how users engage with their devices.

Dynamic Island integrates fluidly with iOS 18, enhancing the user experience with real-time notifications and interactive elements. It dynamically morphs to display various system alerts, ongoing activities, and app information, all while maintaining an unobtrusive presence. For example, it can show incoming call details, track music playback, or provide updates on live activities without interrupting the app you're using. This feature not only optimizes the use of screen space but also adds a layer of functionality and engagement to the iPhone 16.

iPhone 16 Camera

Innovative Camera Control

One of the standout iPhone 16 features is the new Camera Control button, conveniently positioned on the right side of the device. This button isn’t just a simple shutter release—it’s a sophisticated tool designed to streamline your photography experience. With its force-sensitive and touch-sensitive capabilities, it offers a tactile, DSLR-like experience. The button, encased in smooth sapphire crystal and framed by stainless steel, provides haptic feedback that simulates a real camera shutter. Additionally, the upcoming integration with Visual Intelligence will enable users to point the iPhone 16 camera at objects to instantly retrieve detailed information, enhancing both convenience and functionality.

Dual-Rear Camera System

While the core camera system of the iPhone 16 is similar to the iPhone 15 series, Apple has introduced a notable upgrade with the 48-megapixel Wide-Angle lens, now referred to as the "Fusion" lens. This lens excels in both standard photography and 2x zoom photos, offering exceptional clarity and versatility. The 26 mm focal length with an ƒ/1.6 aperture ensures stunning images, even in low light, while sensor-shift optical image stabilization enhances photo and video stability.

A significant design change is the vertical arrangement of the cameras, aligning with earlier iPhone 16 leaks, which gives the device a fresh, modern look. Complementing the Fusion lens is the 12-megapixel Ultra Wide camera, featuring an ƒ/2.2 aperture and a 120º field of view. This addition enhances macro photography, enabling close-up shots with incredible detail. Together, these lenses provide four distinct shooting modes: wide angle, telephoto, macro, and ultra wide, catering to a variety of photography needs.

Photographic Styles and Video Capabilities

Apple has also refined its Photographic Styles feature in the iPhone 16, offering new styles that allow for more personalized photo adjustments. Users can preview styles in real-time, adjust tone and color intensity, and apply these changes selectively to enhance specific aspects of their images. This feature is especially useful for achieving consistent looks across different photos, and it now supports post-capture style adjustments, providing even more flexibility.

For video recording, the iPhone 16 camera supports 4K recording at multiple frame rates, including 24, 25, 30, and 60 fps. The addition of HDR recording, ProRes video, and Cinematic mode enhances video quality and offers advanced features like Action mode and slo-mo video. The QuickTake mode now supports 4K at 60 fps in Dolby Vision, providing high-quality video with vivid colors and detailed sound.

A18 Chip

At the heart of the iPhone 16 series lies the revolutionary A18 chip, a marvel of engineering designed to redefine smartphone performance. With its cutting-edge 3-nanometer process, the A18 Pro is a game-changer, bringing a quantum leap in speed and efficiency compared to its predecessor, the A16 Bionic.

The A18 chip is powered by a 6-core CPU with larger caches than its predecessor, featuring four high-performance cores and two efficiency cores. This configuration delivers a staggering 30% boost in CPU speed while slashing power consumption by the same amount. This means the iPhone 16 can handle demanding tasks and multitasking with ease, all while extending battery life.

Gaming enthusiasts will particularly appreciate the A18 5-core GPU, which offers an impressive 15% performance improvement and 20% lower power consumption compared to the A16’s GPU. This enhancement is complemented by hardware-based ray tracing, which elevates gaming visuals to new heights, making every game look more realistic and immersive. The iPhone 16 now handles console-quality games with stunning graphics, making it a true mobile gaming powerhouse.

A18 vs A18 Pro Chip

The Pro models, however, take performance to an even higher level with the A18 Pro chip. The A18 Pro retains the 6-core CPU but includes a 6-core GPU, offering superior graphics performance compared to the A18. This additional GPU core enhances graphics rendering and gaming experiences even further. The A18 Pro's improved thermal design and advanced features, such as enhanced ray tracing and next-generation machine learning capabilities, offer a 20% boost in sustained gaming performance and 15% faster Apple Intelligence features compared to previous models. This makes the Pro versions the ultimate choice for users who demand the highest level of performance and efficiency.

Battery Life

The efficiency gains from the A18 chip translate into longer battery life for both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. Users will enjoy more screen time and media playback compared to previous models:

• iPhone 16: Boasts up to 22 hours of video playback, 18 hours of streaming video, and 80 hours of audio playback.
• iPhone 16 Plus: Offers up to 27 hours of video playback, 24 hours of streaming video, and 100 hours of audio playback.

For context, the previous-generation iPhone 15 provided up to 20 hours of video playback, 16 hours of streaming video, and 80 hours of audio, while the iPhone 15 Plus supported up to 26 hours of video playback, 20 hours of streaming video, and 100 hours of audio. These improvements represent at least an hour more of usage time across most categories, highlighting the impact of the A18 chip's efficiency enhancements.

MagSafe and Qi2 Charging

The iPhone 16 models also make significant strides in charging capabilities. For the first time, MagSafe charging supports faster 25W wireless charging when used with one of Apple’s new MagSafe chargers and a 30W power adapter or higher. This means that iPhone 16 users can expect to achieve a 50 percent charge in just 30 minutes, a substantial leap in convenience and speed for wireless charging.

Additionally, the iPhone 16 series continues to support Qi2 charging, though this remains capped at 15W—consistent with the previous generation's MagSafe charging speeds.

5G Connectivity

The iPhone 16 series sets a new standard for mobile connectivity with its advanced 5G capabilities, powered by the latest Qualcomm modems. In the U.S., the iPhone 16 supports both mmWave and sub-6GHz networks. mmWave provides lightning-fast speeds ideal for high-traffic areas like stadiums and city centers but is limited to shorter ranges. For broader coverage, including in urban and rural areas, the iPhone 16 utilizes sub-6GHz 5G. This network type, enhanced by mid-band spectrum, offers speeds that surpass LTE, ensuring reliable and fast performance for daily activities.

Notably, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max deliver up to 26.4% faster 5G download speeds compared to previous models, thanks to an upgraded Qualcomm Snapdragon X75 modem. This improvement translates to quicker data transfers and a smoother online experience.

Moreover, the entire iPhone 16 lineup benefits from Wi-Fi 7 support. While Wi-Fi 7 doesn’t directly boost your broadband speed, it optimizes your home network’s performance, provided you have a compatible Wi-Fi 7 router. This enhancement ensures more reliable and efficient internet connections, making the iPhone 16 series a top choice for tech enthusiasts who value cutting-edge connectivity.

Privacy and Security Features

iOS 18 brings several notable enhancements to boost your privacy and security. The new built-in Passwords app simplifies password management with end-to-end encryption, offering a user-friendly interface for storing and managing credentials, including 2FA codes and Wi-Fi passwords. This app replaces iCloud Keychain and includes features like alerts for weak or breached passwords. iOS 18 also introduces app locking and hiding options, allowing users to secure sensitive apps with Face ID or Touch ID and keep them hidden from view.

Additionally, iOS 18 enhances Bluetooth privacy, providing improved protection when pairing accessories. Users now have finer control over data sharing with apps, deciding which contacts are accessible.

Apple Vision Pro Integration

The iPhone 16 series enhances its capabilities with seamless compatibility with the Apple Vision Pro. This augmented reality (AR) headset revolutionizes content experiences, offering immersive gaming, entertainment, and productivity enhancements. The Vision Pro's spatial computing features allow users to interact with 3D environments and applications that blend the digital and physical worlds. This integration elevates the iPhone 16 experience, making it a powerful combination for those seeking cutting-edge technology and immersive interactions in 2024.

Final Thoughts

The latest iPhone 2024 lineup exemplifies Apple's ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence. From the refined design of the iPhone 16 Pro models to the innovative camera features of the iPhone 16, Apple continues to push the envelope, offering devices that blend style, functionality, and cutting-edge technology.

For those considering a budget-friendly option, there are still opportunities to find a cheap iPhone that meets your needs without compromising on quality. Refurbished models, such as the iPhone 15 or even the iPhone 14, can provide substantial savings while offering many of the features and performance capabilities found in the latest devices.

Explore our collection of refurbished iPhones to find the perfect device for your needs.