With the launch of the new iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models on September 9, 2024, Apple continues its series of high-end smartphones. These devices promise numerous improvements in the areas of camera, performance and usability, but whether these innovations justify the high price is the question. In this article, we take a detailed look at the most important new features and help you find out if the purchase is worth it for you.
Technical Features at a Glance
display and design
The iPhone 16 Pro models come with larger displays: The iPhone 16 Pro now has a 6.3-inch display, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max offers the largest display in an iPhone to date at 6.9 inches. The extremely thin bezels make the design even more elegant, and like its predecessor, the case is made of robust titanium. Four colors are available: black, white, natural titanium and the new desert titanium. Both models use OLED displays with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and ProMotion technology, which enables smooth display.
cameras
Apple continues to focus on the camera with the Pro models. The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max both have a 48 MP main camera that delivers faster and more detailed images thanks to the new quad-pixel sensor. There is also a 48 MP ultra-wide-angle camera that ensures impressive macro shots. The 5x optical zoom, which was only available on the Max model last year, is now also available on the regular Pro model.
Particularly interesting for creatives: The devices support 4K videos at 120 fps in Dolby Vision, which enables a previously unattainable level of detail and sharpness. Spatial photos and videos that can be displayed on the Apple Vision Pro are now also possible.
Performance
Both models are equipped with the new A18 Pro chip, which focuses on artificial intelligence. This not only ensures improved CPU and GPU performance, but also significantly faster processing of AI tasks. With the new Neural Engine, you can expect noticeable performance improvements, especially in image and speech processing. Apple has also revised the thermal architecture so that the devices stay cooler for longer during intensive use.
battery and charging
The Tech YouTuber Mrwhosetheboss has in his video the battery life the iPhone 16 series and compared it with the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. With intensive use, the battery of the iPhone 16 Pro lasted 8 hours and 19 minutes, just as long as the regular iPhone 16. The iPhone 16 Pro Max, on the other hand, had a significantly longer battery life, a full 11 hours and 22 minutes, which is about 2 hours longer than its predecessor, the iPhone 15 Pro Max. However, the battery of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra lasted the longest at 12 hours and 31 minutes.
Is the iPhone 16 Pro (Max) battery bad?
Although the battery performed well in Mrwhosetheboss's test, more and more users are reporting battery problems. Complaints on Reddit, the Apple Support Communities and the Mac-Roumors forums show that the problems have increased since the iOS 18 update. Some users complain that the battery drops to 60% in a short time - without intensive use. Other users also notice a significant loss of battery even in standby mode.And the problem persists even after deactivating functions such as Always-On Display or ProMotion. It is suspected that a bug in the iOS 18 update is responsible for the rapid battery loss. The update to iOS 18.1 helped some, but that does not apply to everyone.
New keys
One of the most striking innovations is the Camera Control Button, a pressure-sensitive button on the side of the device. It makes it even easier to control functions such as zoom and exposure. In addition, the individually customizable Action Button, which was already introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro, remains and offers quick access to important functions such as the camera or flashlight.
Apple Intelligence
One of the most exciting features is the expanded integration of Apple Intelligence. This AI functionality helps you enhance images, analyze text, or edit content faster. However, this functionality is not yet available globally and could be a deciding factor for users in Germany who have to wait for full availability.
Review - What the Tech YouTubers say
The Tech Channels AppleInsider and The Tech Chap have examined and evaluated the new iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max in their videos. We have summarized the advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages
- A18 Pro Chip: The new chip is powerful, but the improvements compared to the A17 Pro are minimal.
- Larger display: The iPhone 16 Pro now has a 6.3-inch display, which is the best size for most users. The Pro Max offers an even larger 6.9-inch display, ideal for those who watch a lot of movies or edit photos.
- Camera control: The new camera button allows quick access to the camera and detailed control, although the zoom control is a bit fiddly.
- 48-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera: Higher resolution, but the sensor size remains the same, resulting in slight image noise in low light conditions.
- Better battery life: The iPhone 16 Pro Max has 2 hours longer battery life compared to the 15 Pro Max. The 16 Pro also shows a significant improvement.
- Faster loading: Wireless charging with up to 25 watts and faster wired charging, even during use, are possible.
- Improved thermals: Thanks to a new graphene layer, the iPhone 16 Pro stays cooler than its predecessor.
- Dimmable screen: The screen can now be made even darker, which is particularly pleasant in dark environments.
- 4K at 120 FPS: This new video feature is particularly interesting for creatives as it enables high-quality slow motion recordings.
- Apple Intelligence: Future AI features are to be seen as a "bonus", even if they are not yet fully implemented.
Disadvantages
- Barely noticeable upgrades: Despite the new A18 Pro chip, the differences to the A17 Pro are minimal. For users of an iPhone 15 Pro, the upgrade is hardly worth it, as the changes are rather incremental.
- Camera control: The zoom controls are complicated and could be improved with an update. This new feature is perceived as unnecessary as there are already many other ways to open the camera or adjust settings.
- 48-megapixel camera in low light: Despite the higher resolution, the camera still struggles with noise in low light.
- Apple Intelligence not yet available: The announced AI functions are still in beta phase and many will not be activated until 2025 – even later in Germany.
- No split-screen multitasking: Despite the Pro Max's large screen, there is still no way to use two apps side by side.
- Hardly any significant camera improvements: The camera shows only minor improvements compared to the 15 Pro Max. Photos can appear a bit oversharpened and lens flare has only been minimally reduced.
- Heavier Pro Max: The iPhone 16 Pro Max is heavier and larger than its predecessor, which can make it difficult to use.
For whom is it worth buying an iPhone 16 Pro (Max)?
The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are particularly suitable for power users and creatives who want to get the most out of the camera and performance. Thanks to the A18 Pro chip and the improved camera systems, the devices offer a significant increase in performance, which is particularly noticeable in graphics-intensive applications, gaming and photography. The iPhone 16 Pro is also an excellent choice for users who place a lot of value on video production or professional photography, thanks to features such as 4K120fps video recording and the new Camera Control Button.
Users who already own an iPhone 15 Pro will notice improvements, but perhaps not enough to justify an immediate upgrade. The differences are noticeable, but not revolutionary - especially if you use your iPhone for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, or standard photography.
Conclusion
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max offer some of the most impressive technology Apple has developed to date. The larger displays, improved camera capabilities, and powerful A18 Pro chip make these devices the best choices for professional users and tech enthusiasts. However, the high price is not justified for everyone. If you don't need the maximum in terms of performance and new features, an older model might still be sufficient. However, for those who want the best, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are the clear frontrunners.
