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Apple iOS 18 Released Sep 2024

Apple iPhone 16

8.5 / 10
Compass Score
Based on 49 critic reviews

Where to buy

Checked Oct 23
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iOS 18 Operating system
6.1" Screen size
48MP f/1.6 Main camera
A18 Hexa-core Processor
128/256/ 512 GB Storage
3,561 mAh Battery

Verdict

A well-rounded phone offering balanced performance and great cameras for regular use.

+
What's good
+ Excellent performance
+ Strong camera setup
+ Durable design
+ 5 years of updates
+ Rich stereo speakers
−
What's not
− Slow charging
− Limited 60Hz display
− USB 2.0 speeds
− Basic design unchanged
− Apple Intelligence delay
Critic synthesis

What we found

Synthesized from critic reviews, weighted by source credibility

Camera

Most reviewers describe the main camera as reliably excellent rather than class-leading — detail, color, and everyday consistency are strong, and the upgraded ultrawide meaningfully improves macro and low-light usability over the iPhone 15. The clearest limitation is zoom: without a telephoto, critics broadly agree this is the main hardware reason to spend more on a Pro. Opinion on Camera Control is explicitly divided — roughly half of reviewers found it clever and useful, the other half found it stiff, mis-triggerable, or unnecessary once the novelty wore off.

Battery & charging

Critics broadly agree the iPhone 16 is a comfortable all-day phone, with several reviewers noting a genuine year-over-year endurance improvement — though the consensus is solid-to-very-good rather than best-in-class. Charging is where consensus is strongest and most critical: wired speeds remain slow versus Android flagships, full charges take around 90 minutes in published testing, and Apple still ships only a cable in the box. The move to 25W MagSafe wireless is welcomed, but it does not offset the wired charging criticism.

Performance

Reviewer consensus on the A18 is near-universal — benchmark results keep Apple at or near the front of the field in CPU performance, and the practical effect is that the base iPhone no longer feels second-tier against Pro models. Most reviewers frame the extra headroom as future-proofing and Apple Intelligence readiness rather than a transformative day-one gain. A minority note that graphical dominance is less clear-cut than the CPU lead, and that some sustained workloads can reveal a practical ceiling even if the chip itself is unquestionably high-end.

Display

Most reviewers praise the display fundamentals — sharp, color-rich, and bright enough for normal outdoor use. But 60Hz is the clearest consensus criticism in the entire review set: almost every outlet argues it makes the iPhone 16 feel dated beside 120Hz Android rivals and Apple's own Pro models, and no reviewer defends Apple's choice at this price point. This is one of the most consistent and strongly held criticisms across the full review corpus.

Software & longevity

At launch, critics were strikingly aligned that Apple marketed the iPhone 16 around Apple Intelligence before it was meaningfully ready — early buyers got iOS 18's ordinary upgrades rather than the full AI pitch. That situation has materially improved: most Apple Intelligence features are now available on iOS 18.4 or later, though some personal Siri features remain in development. On longevity, reviewers consistently cite Apple's 5–7 year software support track record as a genuine long-term value argument that competitors rarely match.

Who it suits

Most reviewers recommend the iPhone 16 to buyers upgrading from iPhone 11, 12, or 13-era hardware who want most of the Pro experience without Pro pricing — strong everyday performance, dependable cameras, compact size, and a long software runway. iPhone 15 owners are steered away almost universally. Buyers who prioritise zoom, 120Hz scrolling, fastest charging, or outright camera leadership are consistently pointed toward the iPhone 16 Pro or Android rivals like the Galaxy S25 and Pixel 9.

By category

Key specs

What critics say

Critic consensus

MKBHD · Best Compact Phone · 2024
PC Magazine · Editors' Choice · 2024
Compass Score
49 reviews
weighted by credibility
Notebookcheck
Notebookcheck
8.8

“With the iPhone 16, Apple might not be reinventing the wheel. Still, it has crammed the newest edition of its smartphone with a comparably large number of updates compared to the previous generation. What remains are plus points such as very premium build quality, powerful cameras, a bright OLED panel, and a long update period.”

GSMArena
GSMArena
8

“Just like every year, we find ourselves in the tough position to choose whether to recommend the iPhone 16 or not. Just like every year, Apple's entry-level current phone is solid through and through, with a delicate mix of lots of familiarity and a sprinkle of innovation. As usual, the Android realm offers better hardware and overall value, though that almost seems irrelevant and beside the point. Ultimately, if you are on an older iPhone, the iPhone 16 is a perfectly viable and satisfactory update path for you.”

Ars Technica
Ars Technica

“It's very easy to recommend the base iPhone 16 this year. It’s the full package, pretty much, and the Pro features are really just there for niche use cases or to justify a steeper price for folks who want “the best” purely for the sake of having the best.”

PC Magazine
PC Magazine
9

“With a fast processor, long battery life, good cameras, and support for Apple Intelligence, the iPhone 16 is the best value in the company's lineup.”

Third-party data

Testing & benchmarks

AnTuTu v11 · Performance
1,982,709
DxOMark v5 · Camera
147
Photo 149 · Video 154
#38 globally
GSMArena v2.0 · Endurance
15:42h
Mixed-use battery rating
iFixit · Repairability
7/10
Performance in context · AnTuTu v11
Video reviews

Watch before you decide

Reviews
Long-term
iPhone 16 in 2026 – worth it? (Review)
91Tech
iPhone 16 Review: Pro In Disguise
MrMobile [Michael Fisher]
Long-term
iPhone 16 Honest Review: A Long-term User Perspective
Andrew Clare
Long-term
iPhone 16 Six Months Later – Long Term Review!!
JSL Review
Long-term
iPhone 16 In 2026! (Still Worth Buying?) (Review)
Simple Alpaca
Long-term
iPhone 16 in 2026: Long Term Review
TECH TITANS
Comparisons
Apple iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: Which one to get?
GSMArena Official
iPhone 16 vs 16 Pro After 90 Days – This is a FIRST!
Brandon Butch
Long-term
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16 After 1 Month – Worth The Upgrade?
Nick Ackerman
iPhone 16 vs. 16 Plus vs. 16 Pro vs. 16 Pro Max Battery Test!
PhoneBuff
Samsung Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 16 – Choose Wisely!
Matthew Moniz
iPhone 17 VS iPhone 16! Huge Real-World Comparison! Camera, Battery, & More!
AppleInsider
Camera tests
Apple iPhone 16 – Camera Review: Big Improvements!
Sebastian Dylag
iPhone 16 Real World Camera Test: Not Pro, but not bad!
Joshua Vergara
Battery tests
iPhone 16 Ultimate Battery Test!
Mrwhosetheboss
iPhone 16 Battery Life | 100-0% Battery Drain Test| Shocking Results
Tech Reloaded

In Depth

Design

The iPhone 16 brings notable design changes with its vibrant color choices and a vertical dual-camera setup that adds a modern flair. This vertical arrangement not only looks sleek but also enables Spatial Video capture. Reviewers at Pocket-lint noted, “The new colors look great.”

The phone is light at 170 grams, crafted with an aluminum frame and glass back, which aids single-handed use. The rear features a matte finish to resist smudges, as experts point out, helping you maintain its neat appearance.

Display(s)

The display delivers vivid colors and excellent clarity, making your daily interactions enjoyable. Reviewers noted you’ll appreciate how saturated and vibrant everything looks, especially under bright sunlight.

Even though it lacks the smoother 120Hz refresh rate found in higher-end models, the screen offers a solid viewing experience for your media needs.

Text appears sharp, and images come to life, enhancing productivity and entertainment tasks on the go.

Performance

The A18 chip in the phone sets a new standard for performance, easily outpacing previous models. You can expect faster loading times and fluid multitasking for all your needs. The 8GB RAM supports smooth operation, providing a swift experience whether you’re gaming, streaming, or browsing.

“The iPhone 16 shines in performance, as it handles apps and games with ease, surpassing benchmarks,” according to experts. This makes it an ideal choice if you’re seeking speed and efficiency in a compact form.

Software & Storage

Apple’s iPhone 16 comes with a refreshed interface focusing on user personalization and ease of use. iOS 18 offers customizations like adjusting app icon colors, arranging icons freely, and a new, more interactive Control Center.

This flexibility allows you to streamline your phone interface to match your preferences efficiently. Reviewers highlight how the iPhone 16’s UI improvements align with Apple’s effort to make technology intuitive and personal, though Apple Intelligence features, such as enhanced Siri capabilities and AI-driven tools for photo editing and voice commands, are expected to roll out soon.

The software design focuses on making daily tasks seamless, ensuring a smooth experience when switching between apps, gaming, or browsing.

Cameras

The phone’s camera captures sharp, vibrant photos with a 48MP main sensor, excelling in both bright and dim settings. Experts point out that “the ultrawide camera’s macro mode allows for detailed close-ups, enhancing photography versatility.”

While users appreciate the new pressure-sensitive Camera Control for its intuitive design, some find its button placement challenging. In general, you’ll find the camera offers notable capabilities for everyday snapping and creative pursuits.

Battery

Your experience with the battery on the iPhone 16 is mostly positive. From streaming video for hours to extended usage, the battery keeps up with your day-to-day activities without needing a midday charge. “Reviewers have noted that the phone’s battery life marks one of the longest amongst iPhones yet,” sharing excitement over its capability.

Charging remains efficient, although experts mention that “compared to rivals, the charging speed feels a bit slow,” even with its 45W capacity reached only in specific circumstances. Still, whether you plug it in for a quick boost or make use of the wireless charging options, the device ensures you’re not left with a low battery at critical moments.

Audio

Experts agree that the iPhone 16’s speakers deliver a rich and balanced audio profile with reliable volume levels, making it great for watching movies or gaming.

For calls, the microphones capture clear voice tones, ensuring people hear you well, even in noisy environments. A new audio mixing feature lets you fine-tune audio in video recordings, adding a professional touch straight from your phone.

The Bottom Line

This device houses the latest chip, delivering solid performance across everyday tasks. You’ll enjoy its powerful camera setup, offering sharp images and improved low-light photography, with a new ultrawide lens perfect for macro shots. It includes a sleek camera control button, though some find it tricky at first. Its thoughtful design and vibrant colors add charm, but keep in mind the display sticks to 60Hz, which feels dated compared to competitors. “The iPhone 16 proves to be a meaningful upgrade for most users,” according to experts.

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What people actually want to know

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Community

Questions & answers

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Alternatives

How it compares

Samsung Galaxy S26
VS
7.9
Better camera Faster charging Android alternative Newer model
Google Pixel 10
VS
8.2
Better value Better camera Longer battery Android alternative
Apple iPhone 15 Pro
VS
8.7
Step up Premium pick iOS alternative Previous gen
Apple
Made by
Apple
130
Phones reviewed
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