Apple just released the iPhone 16 series in India, with a starting price of Rs 79,900. I had the opportunity to review the iPhone 16 model, and this is my full evaluation. The first thing you’ll notice about the Apple iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, apart from the new Ultramarine, Teal, and Deeper Pink hues, is the camera positioning. This tweak sets the gadget apart from previous generations and might be related to Apple’s emphasis on spatial video capture, possibly for the Vision Pro. The colors are now fused with the glass, resulting in a more seamless appearance.
There has also been a great deal of work under the hood. One important change is that the difference between the basic iPhones (the 16 and 16 Plus) and the Pro versions has drastically shrunk. For example, the latest iPhones include an Action Button, identical to the Pro models. Although some may regret the traditional mute switch, the configurable Action Button, originally seen on the Apple Watch Ultra, is now available on the standard iPhone 16. You may assign it a variety of functions, making it quite versatile.
The camera controls include the much-discussed capacitive touch button. There is a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, it seems intuitive—similar to the trackpad on a MacBook or the Magic Keyboard for iPad.
This year’s iPhone 16 is powered by the A18 processor, a significant upgrade that provides additional performance. However, the 60Hz screen has remained unchanged, which has caused considerable displeasure. This feels a little out of date in 2024, especially since most mid-range Android smartphones now support 120Hz. Of course, if you want a 120Hz display, you will have to pay for the Pro model.
On the camera front, the iPhone 16 has significant advancements. The 12MP ultra-wide sensor can now take macro images, which is fantastic news for photography fans. Another fascinating feature is the ability to capture 1080p at 240fps, which produces cinema-quality slow-motion footage.
Apple Intelligence, a key feature of the latest version, has also made its way into the iPhone 16 series. This includes improved contextual features such as email proofreading and note summarization. Previously only available on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Intelligence is now accessible throughout the whole iPhone 16 lineup, supported by more RAM to handle these enhanced features. It’s the cheapest inexpensive iPhone with Apple Intelligence, though features will be available until early 2025.
Verdict
If you have an older model, such as the iPhone 11, 12, or 13, and wish to future-proof it, this is the one to buy. However, if you’re currently using the iPhone 14 or aren’t really interested in Apple Intelligence right now,