iPhone 16 Pro Review

Best Tech Insight presents a comprehensive iPhone 16 Pro review. Discover all the new features, design changes, and performance upgrades in Apple's latest flagship. Find out if it's worth the upgrade and how the iPhone 16 pro compares to previous models.

TECH REVIEWS

10/14/20248 min read

a close up of a cell phone on a table

iPhone 16 Pro Review

The iPhone 16 Pro is Apple's newest flagship smartphone, packed with advanced features, a refined design, and powerful performance. From its stunning ProMotion OLED display to the upgraded A18 Bionic chip and the cutting-edge 48MP triple-lens camera, this device pushes the boundaries of mobile technology. But is it worth the upgrade, especially if you already own a recent model like the iPhone 15? In this in-depth review, we’ll explore the key features, pros and cons, and whether the iPhone 16 Pro is the right choice for you.

Is Apple's Latest Flagship Worth the Upgrade?

A person holding an iPhone 16 pro in their hand
A person holding an iPhone 16 pro in their hand

Design and Build Quality

The iPhone 16 Pro introduces a refined design, featuring slimmer bezels and a lightweight titanium frame. This combination makes the phone feel both premium and more comfortable to handle. The frosted glass back not only enhances the overall aesthetics but also minimizes fingerprints. Available in a range of new colors like space black and arctic white, the iPhone 16 Pro continues Apple's tradition of sleek and durable design.

Iphone 16 pro back view
Iphone 16 pro back view

Display: Stunning Visuals

The iPhone 16 Pro's 6.3-inch ProMotion OLED display sets a high standard for mobile screens. With a resolution of 2778 x 1284 pixels, it delivers sharp and vibrant visuals, and its 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations feel smooth and responsive. The brightness, peaking at 2500 nits, ensures excellent outdoor visibility even in direct sunlight, making the iPhone 16 Pro ideal for media consumption and everyday use.

Performance: Blazing Fast A18 Bionic Chip

The A18 Bionic chip powers the iPhone 16 Pro, delivering lightning-fast performance across a variety of tasks, from everyday use to gaming and demanding applications. The chip’s architecture is optimized for both speed and energy efficiency, ensuring smooth multitasking and longer battery life. It makes the iPhone 16 Pro a powerhouse for any type of user, whether you're into productivity apps or high-end mobile games.

Camera System: Next-Level Photography

Apple continues to excel in mobile photography with the iPhone 16 Pro’s 48MP triple-lens camera system. The addition of a periscope zoom lens allows for up to 6x optical zoom, giving users the ability to capture distant subjects with impressive clarity. The main camera also excels in low-light conditions, making it one of the best options for both amateur and professional photographers. Video recording is equally impressive, with 4K support and an upgraded Cinematic Mode for dynamic videography.

Iphone 16 pro
Iphone 16 pro
iPhone 16 pro camera close up
iPhone 16 pro camera close up

Battery Life and Charging

The iPhone 16 Pro is equipped with a 4,500mAh battery, providing all-day battery life for most users under normal usage. With the efficiency improvements of the A18 Bionic chip, Apple has managed to extend the battery life slightly, allowing for around 24 hours of mixed-use (calls, browsing, video playback, etc.) on a single charge. For power users, this means longer hours of gaming, media consumption, and multitasking without needing to recharge.

In comparison, the iPhone 15 Pro had a 4,400mAh battery, offering a very similar battery life experience. The difference is marginal—likely only an hour or so more battery life for the iPhone 16 Pro, thanks to the increased energy efficiency of the A18 chip over the A17 in the iPhone 15 Pro. For most users, this difference will be hard to notice in day-to-day usage.

iPhone 16 pro charging with wireless charger
iPhone 16 pro charging with wireless charger

Siri Upgrades: What’s New in the iPhone 16 Pro?

With the release of the iPhone 16 Pro, Apple has enhanced Siri with several key upgrades aimed at improving user experience. The assistant is now faster and more accurate when handling voice commands, especially for routine tasks such as setting reminders, sending messages, and controlling smart devices. Apple has also worked on improving speech recognition, making Siri more responsive in noisy environments.

Despite these upgrades, Siri still faces limitations when it comes to handling complex queries or multi-step requests. While it performs well for basic tasks, it struggles to match the depth and flexibility offered by other AI-powered assistants. Users looking for more advanced, context-aware responses may still find Siri falling short in more demanding scenarios.

Siri on iPhone 16
Siri on iPhone 16

Overall, the upgrades make Siri more reliable for everyday use, but there’s still room for Apple to enhance its AI capabilities, particularly in areas where users expect more contextual understanding and advanced task handling.

Jaycie's iPhone 16 Pro Review

As someone who upgraded from the iPhone 13 Pro, I can confidently say that the iPhone 16 Pro is a big leap forward in several key areas. The first thing I noticed is the battery life—it’s significantly better. With my 13 Pro, I often found myself reaching for the charger by mid-afternoon on busy days, but with the iPhone 16 Pro, I can easily make it through the day with plenty of battery left, even with heavy usage.

The camera is a huge upgrade as well. The photos are sharper, especially in low light, and the new 6x periscope zoom makes a real difference when capturing distant subjects.

(Upgraded from iPhone 13 Pro)

One of my favorite new features is the action button, which I’ve linked to ChatGPT voice. Having ChatGPT voice ready at a press has been amazing for quick queries and tasks, making it feel like I have a personal assistant on call.

The display is another area where I immediately saw an improvement. The screen is noticeably brighter and crisper, making everything from reading text to watching videos more enjoyable. It’s easier to see outdoors, and the colors just pop. Plus, the speakers sound better too—they’re louder and clearer, which is great for watching videos or listening to music without headphones.

One thing I’ve noticed is that although Siri has definitely gotten better, there’s still a lot of room for improvement. It’s more responsive now, but I still find myself turning to ChatGPT voice for more complex or detailed tasks.

The one thing I miss, though, is the physical switch for vibrate mode vs. sound mode. I was so used to quickly flipping that switch on my 13 Pro, and now that it's gone, I sometimes fumble with the action button settings to achieve the same result. It’s a minor inconvenience but something I do notice daily.

Overall, I’m really happy with the upgrade. The battery life, camera, Dynamic Island, screen, action button, and ChatGPT voice feature have all made my daily use of the phone smoother and more enjoyable. While I miss the old vibrate switch and think Siri could still improve, everything else about the iPhone 16 Pro has been a major step up.One of my favorite new features is the action button, which I’ve linked to ChatGPT voice. Having ChatGPT voice ready at a press has been amazing for quick queries and tasks, making it feel like I have a personal assistant on call.

I’ve also really come to enjoy the Dynamic Island feature. It’s not just a cosmetic change—it’s a useful way to keep track of background activities like music, navigation, and more. It adds a layer of functionality that’s both convenient and visually appealing.

Dynamic Island on iPhone 16
Dynamic Island on iPhone 16

Is the iPhone 16 Pro Worth the Upgrade?

Whether the iPhone 16 Pro is worth upgrading to depends on which iPhone model you currently have and what features are most important to you. If you're coming from an iPhone 14 or earlier, the iPhone 16 Pro offers significant improvements across the board, including a more powerful A18 Bionic chip, longer battery life, a more advanced camera system with a 6x periscope zoom, and a brighter, smoother 120Hz OLED display. These upgrades will be immediately noticeable, especially in performance and photography. For users with older models, upgrading to the iPhone 16 Pro provides a more future-proof device with Apple’s latest technology, making it a worthy investment.

However, if you already own the iPhone 15 Pro, the decision to upgrade is less clear-cut. The improvements in the iPhone 16 Pro—while significant—are more incremental. The performance boost from the A18 chip over the A17 chip is there, but most users won’t notice a dramatic difference in day-to-day tasks. The camera, while better with its periscope zoom and low-light capabilities, may not feel like a substantial leap unless you're an avid photographer. Battery life has been marginally improved, but again, the difference is only about an extra hour or so of usage.

For those with the iPhone 15 Pro, the decision boils down to how much you value the new features, such as the 6x periscope zoom, slightly longer battery life, and the lighter titanium frame. If you’re someone who loves having the latest and greatest technology or frequently upgrades to take advantage of new camera features, it might be worth the jump. However, for more casual users, waiting for the next generation may offer a more meaningful upgrade.

In conclusion, the iPhone 16 Pro is absolutely worth upgrading to if you have an older model like the iPhone 14 or earlier. For iPhone 15 Pro users, the improvements are solid but not groundbreaking, so upgrading may not feel essential unless you're a tech enthusiast or heavily invested in photography.

Explored our best laptops for remote work and looking for more inspiration? Don't miss out on our other specially curated gift guides and tech product reviews! Whether you're seeking a gift that is classic, unique, or downright quirky, or looking for an in-depth tech product review we've got you covered. Dive into our diverse collection of information at Best Tech Insight and discover the perfect product for anyone in your life!

Additional Gift Guides and Reviews

Family decorating Christmas TreeFamily decorating Christmas Tree
pink flower on gray wooden plankpink flower on gray wooden plank
woman sitting on sofa with MacBook Airwoman sitting on sofa with MacBook Air

Best Tech Insight is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Best Tech Insight also participates in affiliate programs with other sites. PipSqueak Productions is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Please note that we are not responsible for any product malfunctions. Please read the terms and conditions of the product before purchasing.

Multicolored circular ring
Multicolored circular ring

Contact us

Whether you have a request, a query, or want to work with us, use the form below to get in touch with our team.