Apple charmed us again with the presentation of the new iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro line, which bring larger screens, improved cameras and advanced AI functions. But are these smartphones really worth the upgrade? We've taken a look at all the new features - from ultra-wide screens to features you might only use once.
Get ready, dear reader, because we're going on a tour of the latest iPhones 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max. These phones, which are supposed to represent the pinnacle of mobile technology, do not leave us indifferent at first glance. But as with any trip, there is the good, the bad and, well, the ugly. Let's see what Apple has prepared for us.
iPhone 16 and 16 Plus: They're family friends with a few new tricks up their sleeve
Let's start with the base iPhone 16 and its bigger brother, the iPhone 16 Plus. If you opted for the iPhone 15 last year, these devices may already be familiar to you. The design remains almost unchanged, except for one very interesting innovation - the new one ultramarine colors, which adds some spice to the mix.
But before we get too excited, let's see what's really new. Screen remains the same: the iPhone 16 has a 6.1-inch screen, while the Plus boasts a larger 6.7-inch screen. What's new? Apple added ceramic shield, which is said to be 50 % more powerful than the previous version. It sounds promising, but we'll have to see how it actually performs in day-to-day use. And how the phone will perform over time.
But what will definitely attract attention is the new camera setup. Now they are in line, similar to older models. Here, Apple takes a step back in design - which could just be a tactic to make each new model look "different" and refreshing. But it all makes sense: the cameras now work together to record spatial video, which is especially useful for infrequent Apple Vision Pro users. Although this feature could remain reserved for pro models only.
Hero feature? Maybe in a year.
It's nothing new for Apple to introduce the most exciting features to the Pro models first, and then transfer them to the base models a year or two later. This year we got the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus autofocus on an ultra-wide camera, which means you can now take sharp close-up pictures. Interesting, but nothing revolutionary – at least not if you've ever used an iPhone Pro before.
Action button, or just another frustration?
Now to the famous action button, which debuted on Pro models last year and is now available on entry-level iPhones. What should have been a useful feature for quick access to apps or tools has become more of a finger stretching test for many users, myself included. Useful? For sure. Practical? Only if you have long fingers and don't use the phone with one hand.
iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max: King on the throne or just a similar prince?
Let's move on to the Pro models. When it comes to design, you might be drawn to the new dessert titanium color. It sounds exotic, but in fact it is another variation on the theme of gold. The main visual change? Bigger screens. The Pro now has a 6.3-inch display (previously 6.1), while the Pro Max grows to an impressive 6.9 inches.
Although the screens are larger, Apple has managed to reduce the bezels around the screen to almost invisible millimeters, giving the phone a truly futuristic look. However, are we really in a time where a bigger screen means a better phone? Not necessarily, but I admit it anyway - looking at an almost borderless screen is a real pleasure.
You can't escape the cameras!
The cameras on the Pro models are getting some serious upgrades this year. The main camera remains at 48 MP, but now allows video recording in 4K resolution at 120 frames per second. This means you can record ultra-high-definition slow motion. Wow effect? Definitely, but be prepared for the 128GB of space on the base Pro model to fill up quickly.
And let's not forget about five times optical zoom, which is now also available on the smaller Pro model. Apple has achieved this through clever use tetra prisms, which directs the light inside the camera. This means you'll be able to shoot from a distance without losing quality – all in a more compact body.
Battery, chip and AI: Is this the future?
Praise also goes to the battery, which is slightly larger this time, which means longer autonomy. However, what exactly "longer" autonomy means remains to be seen in practice. New ones too A18 chip promises faster processing power and better energy efficiency – all essential to fuel Apple's new obsession: Apple Intelligence.
This advanced artificial intelligence is said to improve everything from writing emails to organizing photos. Siri will finally get some sense and hopefully we'll hear "Here are the results from the internet" less often. But one big caveat: All of these AI features won't be available until later this year, which means we'll have to wait a little longer for them to be truly useful.
Conclusion:
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro are upgrades, but neither is revolutionary. Yes, bigger screens are stunning, cameras are more powerful, and Apple Intelligence promises an increasingly AI-driven future. However, most of these innovations will not change your daily life - at least not for now. If you don't own a model from previous years, this could be a good time to upgrade, but if you're on the iPhone 15, you can wait another year without feeling guilty.
With larger screens, improved cameras and the promise of advanced artificial intelligence, the iPhone 16 is sure to catch the eye of many, but the question remains – is it really different enough?
