Continuing with its big “It’s Glowtime” event, Apple has this morning announced the iPhone 16. It’s the latest update for its popular smartphone line, and it includes a number of new features and improvements. Among them are two new buttons: the customizable Action button first introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro, and a new touch-sensitive button for camera controls. We also have some big updates to the rear camera and improved battery life. Keep reading for a full breakdown!
Apple’s statement on the new iPhone 16:
“iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus mark the beginning of a new era for iPhone with Apple Intelligence delivering powerful, personal, and private experiences to our users,” said Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing. “With new ways to discover the world around you and capture memories using Camera Control; a 48MP Fusion camera that gives you two optical-quality cameras in one; a big boost in battery life; and powerful, efficient performance thanks to the A18 chip, this is the perfect time for customers to upgrade or make the switch to iPhone.”
Design
The iPhone 16 hits a sweet spot of sophistication and durability, and it’s sporting a design that feels both familiar and fresh.
- Aerospace-grade aluminum construction
- New Ceramic Shield formulation—50% tougher than previous versions
- Color-infused backglass in ultramarine, teal, pink, white, and black
- Available in 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch (Plus) sizes
- 2000 nits brightness for sunny environments, down to 1 nit in the dark
Performance
Under the hood, the iPhone 16 is powered by the all-new A18 chip, delivering a substantial boost in speed and efficiency. With its advanced GPU and neural engine, this device handles everything from daily tasks to intense gaming sessions with ease.
- A18 chip with 6-core CPU (2 performance and 4 efficiency cores)
- 17% more system memory bandwidth, optimized for generative models
- 16-core neural engine, up to 2x faster for machine learning tasks
- Desktop-class GPU architecture, with up to 40% faster performance than iPhone 15
- Uses 30% less power than the A16 Bionic, delivering similar performance with greater efficiency
New Features
From the customizable Action button to new camera controls, Apple has packed the iPhone 16 with tools that make interacting with your phone more intuitive and enjoyable.
- Customizable action button – Record voice memos, identify songs, translate phrases, or access any customized shortcut
- New camera control – Slide to adjust features, always within reach below the on/off switch
- 48MP fusion camera – Combines 48MP and 12MP photos into a detailed 24MP image
- New 12MP ultra-wide camera with autofocus
- Spatial Video and Photos, capturing stereoscopic information for immersive content
Battery Life
With a bigger battery and advanced power management thanks to the A18 chip, the iPhone 16 promises to keep you going longer per charge.
- iPhone 16 – Apple says you can expect up to 22 hours of video playback (18 hours streaming), and up to 80 hours of audio playback
- iPhone 16 Plus – Apple says you can expect up to 27 hours of video playback (24 hours streaming), and up to 100 hours of audio playback
Apple Intelligence and iOS 18 Features
Apple Intelligence, combined with iOS 18, brings a new level of smart and privacy-focused features to the iPhone 16.
- Apple Intelligence integrates personal context for smarter interactions
- Siri improvements – On-screen awareness and better understanding of complex tasks
- Messages via Satellite – Available in more regions when cellular and Wi-Fi are unavailable
- Live video sharing with 911 dispatch in supported regions
- New Photos app features – Customizable collections and AI-powered photo cleanup
Pricing and Availability
Starting at $799 for the iPhone 16 and $899 for the iPhone 16 Plus, this new series offers significant value, especially when considering trade-in deals and carrier offers.
- iPhone 16 starts at $799 for 128GB
- iPhone 16 Plus starts at $899 for 128GB
- Trade-in offers available, up to $800 off in the US for iPhone 12 or newer
- Available for pre-order Friday, September 13
- Available in stores on September 20