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Apple iPhone 16 on test: get the Which? verdict on all the new phones
As expected, the new iPhone 16 range was announced to include four new models - the 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and Pro Max, all powered by Apple's own AI (Apple Intelligence, in this case). They've been through our test labs, and we're now settled on our full verdict.
Despite a clear focus on AI, Apple has introduced a spattering of interesting new features on the new models, but a predictably high price tag will mean you need to weigh up your options carefully before taking the plunge.
Check our guide to the best iPhone 16 deals for the latest prices, and our guide to the best iPhone deals to see how much you could save on an older model.
iPhone 16 and 16 Plus: camera improvements and camera control button
What's new: The standard iPhones now get Macro Mode, a new button to control the camera, an upgraded ultrawide lens, and software to record clearer audio.
Apple has upgraded the lenses on these iPhones to bring you Macro Mode – this means your up-close shots should capture incredible colours, sharpness and an impressive amount of detail. Software will reduce the sound of wind in videos to make speech stand-out, and the ultrawide lens can let in more light.
Perhaps the biggest change though, is the new control button.
The all new iPhone 16 camera button
All iPhones in the range get the brand new Camera Control button, which was a highly anticipated feature. This is a subtle button that sits on the side of the phone that will open the camera immediately, and then you can use it to control shooting modes.
The Camera Control button sits in a position that should feel natural to take a photo or change the settings when you're holding your phone in a landscape orientation. With different level of force when pressing the button or swiping across it, you can control different settings, zoom in and out, and swap quickly between taking a photo and a video. Apple promised that more controls will come to the button with time, such as setting focus and exposure.
Check our full reviews to see how the new phones fared in our test labs:
iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max: betting that bigger is better
What's new: The Pro iPhones get bigger screens and upgraded cameras
The Pro iPhones hold Apple's most advanced cameras. But Apple has also increased the screen size on both phones; from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches on the Pro, and from 6.7 inches to 6.9 inches on the Pro Max. The iPhone 16 Pro Max will have the largest iPhone display ever.
The ultrawide camera - which expands the field of view in the scene - has been upgraded from 12Mp to 48Mp. The shutter speed has quickened to help improve focus and avoid motion-blur.
Last time the Pro Max got an exclusive 5x zoom telephoto camera, which was left out of the Pro. This time around, both models have it.
Find out if Apple's most premium phones are worth the hype in our full reviews:
Apple Intelligence: game changer or gimmick?
Apple confirmed a partnership with OpenAI and announced Apple Intelligence in June 2024. So we knew Apple would likely focus on the AI upgrades in action on Apple devices. Here are the most significant features coming to the latest iPhones:
- Like we've seen in similar AI announcements for Samsung and Google flagship phones this year, AI can change the tone of a piece of text you've written, such as from informal to formal. It will be able to convert your rough notes into an email and you'll even be able to create new emojis.
- Gone are the days you'll find yourself endlessly scrolling through your camera roll trying to find the specific shot you want to share. Simply type a description of the picture or video within the camera roll's search bar, and Apple Intelligence will do the hard work and bring up suggested results.
- The camera software can identify objects and texts within images so you can Google search them, or even create calendar entries based on text. Since it can identify objects, it can also erase them. So if someone walks in the background of your holiday snaps, with a few clicks you should be able to remove them.
- Apple Intelligence can summarise and prioritise your notifications. At a glance, you can see what each notification is about, and the important ones won't end up buried at the end of the list.
- Importantly, Apple has stated that the data that Apple Intelligence processes for your requests is never stored or shared with Apple.
- Apple says processors in the iPhone 16 series are optimised to run Apple Intelligence most efficiently and quickly, so everything should run smoothly.
However, the bad news is that Apple Intelligence won't be available on iPhones until December in the UK, which could be a good reason to delay your pricey upgrade. Importantly, Apple Intelligence is coming to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max as well, so you can still benefit from these features and likely secure a decent discount on an older model.
Apple's AI offers similar tricks to Samsung and Google's recent flagships – see what we thought of Samsung's S24 AI when we put it to the test.
When will the new iPhones be released?
All the new iPhone models were available for pre-order from Friday September 13, and on sale from September 20.
However, if you're most excited to try the new Apple Intelligence features, you'll have to wait until December in the UK.
How much will the new iPhones cost?
Prices for the new iPhones will vary based on the storage capacity. All prices below refer to the 128GB model unless specified.
- iPhone 16 – from £799
- iPhone 16 Plus – from £899
- iPhone 16 Pro –from £999
- iPhone 16 Pro Max (256GB) – from £1,199
Is it worth upgrading to an iPhone 16?
If one thing is clear, it's that Apple's iPhone 16 are not fundamentally different from last year's iPhone 15s. For example, Apple's biggest upgrade was the announcement of Apple Intelligence, but this will be rolled out on both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max through software updates.
All in all, if you have an iPhone 15 or 14, you probably won't notice major differences on the iPhone 16 and you'd be better off using your current phone for longer. But if you have an older iPhone and are looking to upgrade, it could be a great investment and you get some market-leading technology in your pocket. Equally, buying an older iPhone can get you a great device for less and like with every release, we expect more of the latest models to now appear on the growing second-hand market. Sound tempting? Find out more about buying a refurbished phone.
