In recent years, Apple’s standard iPhone models have felt somewhat overlooked. The Pro versions received all the attention with new chipsets, camera upgrades, and the much-talked-about Action Button, while the regular iPhones seemed to lag behind, relying on hand-me-down features.
This year, however, things are looking up. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus have finally started to close the gap between them and the Pro models, making this a notable release for Apple’s non-Pro lineup. If you’ve held off upgrading your older iPhone, waiting for a model that brings substantial improvements, this might just be the year to make the switch. It’s a good time to consider the upgrade, especially for those who have stuck with the standard iPhones over the years.
That said, this iPhone generation is not without its shortcomings. A key component of Apple’s vision for this phone, Apple Intelligence, is absent at launch. Although some features are available in beta with iOS 18.1, the version I reviewed came with iOS 18.0, meaning none of these AI-based features were present. They’re not part of the review because they’re simply not ready yet, but the promise of their arrival still looms. In the meantime, the iPhone 16 is equipped with a new Camera Control button, which appears on both the Pro and regular models. While it’s not exclusive to the Pro line, I found it a bit cumbersome to use, despite my enthusiasm for physical buttons.
Despite a few bumps, the iPhone 16 series is built on solid foundations. The chipset belongs to the same family as the one used in the Pro models, meaning the software update schedule should be nearly identical. The camera system remains impressive, the hardware has a polished look, and Apple has brought back some vibrant color options, which is a refreshing change. And, the starting price remains $799, making any new additions feel like extra value. Even if the AI features never materialize, you’d still have a robust iPhone in your hands.
| The Good | The Bad |
| Reliable camera with versatile photographic styles Handy new Action Button More RAM and a current-gen chipset | Standard refresh rate screen Camera Control is a mixed bag |
| The Good | The Bad |
| Reliable camera with versatile photographic styles Handy new action button More RAM and a current-gen chipset Big screen for big screen fans | Standard refresh rate screen Camera control is a mixed bag |
However, a glaring omission on the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus is the absence of a high-refresh-rate display. While other modern smartphones, even in the midrange category, feature refresh rates up to 120Hz, the iPhone 16 series is stuck at 60Hz. It’s an omission that feels outdated for 2024. Whether or not this is a deal-breaker depends on the user. Personally, I notice the difference between 60Hz and 120Hz screens when I switch back and forth, but I quickly get used to the slower refresh rate. For some, this will be a non-issue, while others will find it unacceptable.
Another feature missing from the basic models is the always-on display, a convenience found on the Pro versions. While I miss glancing at notifications on an idle screen, I know plenty of people who don’t care for the feature, so it’s not a huge loss.
As a fan of physical buttons, I was excited to see two new ones on this phone — the programmable Action Button (first seen on the iPhone 15 Pro) and the Camera Control. I mapped the Action Button to open the app I use to sign my kid out of daycare, which saves me time and stress in those busy moments. It’s straightforward to program, and it’s a feature I appreciate for its simplicity.
Unfortunately, I can’t sing the same praises for the Camera Control. I wanted to like it, but in practice, it’s awkward. The button launches the camera app with a press, and another press takes a photo, but the mechanism feels too stiff. I often shake the phone while pressing it, leading to blurry shots. If I apply light pressure, I accidentally change exposure settings, which distracts from the moment. I’ve found myself going back to the on-screen shutter button, which feels more natural. The dual-function nature of the button is what causes the confusion. I think if it were dedicated to a single task, it would be more intuitive.
Photographic Styles also get a boost with the iPhone 16 series. If you’ve been dissatisfied with how iPhone photos look recently, you’ll likely appreciate the ability to adjust color tones and contrast settings to suit your preferences. However, it takes a bit of setup, and the changes only stick if you configure them through the system settings rather than the camera app. Plus, these new styles require shooting in HEIF format, which may lead to compatibility issues when sharing images outside of Apple’s ecosystem. While I usually avoid HEIF, I found the new photographic styles worth the occasional hassle of dealing with the file format.
The camera system as a whole is solid, with portrait mode and cinematic video both performing well. The 2x zoom is serviceable in good lighting, and the ultrawide lens offers handy macro capabilities. That said, the smaller image sensor on the iPhone 16 means it doesn’t quite match the low-light performance of its Pro counterparts. The digital zoom, especially compared to the Pro’s 5x optical zoom, falls short. Still, for everyday photography, the camera holds its own.
In terms of performance, the iPhone 16’s A18 chipset delivers consistently smooth results. The added RAM helps with multitasking, and the phone handles tasks like portrait photography without breaking a sweat. While the AI features are still on the horizon, the chipset ensures this phone will be capable of running efficiently for several years to come.
Battery life is another strength. Even with a day of heavy use, I finished with around 30% battery remaining. The larger iPhone 16 Plus should last well into a second day on a single charge. However, Apple’s recent history with battery longevity raises some concerns about how well this will hold up after a couple of years.
In summary, this is a good year for the standard iPhones, which hasn’t always been the case recently. While there’s no need to upgrade if you already own an iPhone 15, those with older models like the iPhone 11 or 12 should seriously consider upgrading. The iPhone 16 series brings meaningful improvements — especially the two new buttons, which could be useful depending on your preferences. And while Apple Intelligence has yet to make its debut, the phone is well-positioned to take advantage of it when it does. Even without groundbreaking features, it’s a solid step forward for the regular iPhone line, making it a worthwhile upgrade for many users.
