Apple has made some interesting choices this year when it comes to the iPhone 16 Pro models. Unlike last year’s iPhone 15 Pro series, Apple has opted to have the same cameras on both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. This makes screen size the main differentiator between the two. The iPhone 16 Pro Max models boast a larger 6.9-inch screen, while the 16 Pro models have a 6.3-inch display. I spent a few hours with the latter and was intrigued by the new feature that lets you dim the display to a low brightness of 1 nit. Meanwhile, the display specs seem to be mostly unchanged from the previous generation, with the peak brightness remaining at 2,000 nits. Prices for the iPhone 16 Pro start at Rs 119,900 for the 128GB model, Rs 129,900 for the 256GB model, Rs 149,900 for the 512GB model, and Rs 169,900 for the 1TB storage model.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro first impressions: Improved battery, charging
The standout feature for me is the huge improvement in battery life. The new iPhone 16 Pro models appear to offer roughly four hours more video playback time compared to their predecessors, which is very impressive. In particular, when it comes to charging, wired USB-C speeds seem to be on par with last year’s iPhone 15 Pro models. The most notable advancement in this area is wireless charging, with the MagSafe system appearing to offer speeds pretty close to what you can get with a wired connection.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro first impressions: Improved cameras
As mentioned above, the new Pro models come with significant camera upgrades across the board. The standout feature is the new main camera, which maintains the 48MP resolution and f/1.78 aperture of its predecessor but now has double the readout speed. This new enhancement allows you to record 4K video at an astounding 120 frames per second.
It’s also worth noting that the ultra-wide camera has been significantly upgraded to a 48-megapixel sensor with autofocus, an improvement that allows for more detailed macro shots while retaining the f/2.2 aperture of its predecessor.
Both the Pro and Pro Max models now feature the 5x telephoto f/2.8 lens that was previously exclusive to the larger iPhone 15 Pro Max. While the addition is welcome, some users may miss the versatility of the 3x camera that was available on previous Pro models.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro first impressions: Camera control buttons
The notable addition and much-talked-about hardware change is the new camera control button. This tactile control provides haptic feedback and a satisfying click when pressed all the way through. The button does more than just launch the camera app; pressing it twice reveals a set of manual controls, allowing you to slide your finger across the button to toggle and adjust various settings. The practicality and speed of this feature remains to be seen in real-world usage.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro first impressions: Creative filters
The new iPhone 16 Pro also introduces a range of new Creative Filters, including a new subtle “Undertone” designed to alter colors while preserving natural skin tones, and more dramatic options like Vivid, Black and White, Ethereal and Glowing effects. All filters are fully customizable, including opacity adjustments, and can be modified or reverted even after initially applying them.
Other upgrades in the iPhone 16 Pro include an updated processor, improved cameras, and a slight increase in battery capacity. One welcome change is the introduction of larger displays across the lineup. Apple also announced plans for AI-powered features dubbed Apple Intelligence, which will be released in the near future. The new A18 Pro chipset features an enhanced 16-core NPU designed to process up to 35 trillion operations per second (TOPS). This improvement should enhance Apple’s ability to support AI-driven features. Apple plans a wider global rollout next year.
