iPhone 16 Pro 8 to 16 Pro: Honest review and heartbreaking reality

[jtgil]

I'm surprised about your comment on the battery. I have found the battery on the 16 pro unbelievably good.

Granted, I'm coming from a 12 mini, but for my usage when the 12 mini would be dead, the 16 pro is still at 70%.

Sorry to inform you but OP is a troll. Battery on that 8 must have been pretty bad compared to the 16pro he just got.

I would know too, I came from a 7 to a 14PM and needed a battery change a year prior to getting the 14, (after 7 years it was normal that I needed it lol) even then the 7 barely survived as it was through the day.

Also, notice how he said battery life on the 16 was nowhere close to what Apple “specifies”, I would like to hear him say the same on that 8 even when new lol.

He apparently held a “15” before tempting the idea but didn’t specify if it was the normal or the pro, (big difference in dimensions and weight).

Then proceeds to explain how the 8 was the “GOAT” (I admit, great phone but not really otherworldly, but it’s his opinion so meh) and instead of getting the current SE which is pretty good and is the current iteration of his beloved 8, and exactly what he wished, proceeds and gets the 16pro🤣

Also if you haven’t noticed he is complaining pretty much about everything, and how he has small hands, as if the obvious size difference between the 8 and the 16P wouldn’t have been a problem to this.

Make it make sense, but hey I’ll continue to enjoy how OP keeps going around in circles with his logic.

 

[splifingate]

It's fun using them to spin my iPhone on tables.

And therein lies the solution to why my spins always went-awry!

 

[hirsthirst]

Just curious, was there a reason you went with the Pro over the base model 16? Maybe the slightly smaller size of the base model would have worked better? Part of the reason I went with the base was for the smaller form factor. It's not quite as easy to hold for me as the SE was, but it's not a huge difference either.

that was my first thought. my Dad has my old work-issued 8, I have a work 11 & personal 15 Pro, daughter has a regular 14.

I'm always surprised by how much lighter the standard later phones are than the Pros - I'd have started there as OP.

 

[ubinko]

I went from a 12 mini to a 16 Pro. The 16 pro is amazing, in almost every way, but damn this thing feels like a brick. How long does it take to get used to the size/weight? I'm wondering if having a case will make it feel better in the hand (more grippy).

I can confirm that the 16 pro feels much nicer in the hand with a case (for me anyway).

 

[jpf293]

I can still remember my first day with the 6 plus, I upgraded from a 4s and can remember thinking how unbelievably big and cumbersome the 6 plus was. I didn't think too much about the mechanics of using it and after a week or so had fully adapted and have used plus/max iPhones ever since. To me the larger screen is worth the compromise.

 

[stevoc921]

Funny, I think the 8 Plus was my LEAST favorite of the recent iPhones and the one I had the most issues with (I think I went through three of them?), but I held out until the first Max since I'd just had my 8 replaced shortly before the X came out. Haven't looked back since jumping to the Max. I have large hands though and do so much work on it the extra real estate comes much in handy.

 

[ab2c4]

I think the OP should return the 16P and get the SE3. Probably be more happy with it and it allows them to vote with their wallet that they don't want such big phones. Save a lot of money too.

 

[Populus]

I’m so happy with my iPhone SE 3 that I bought a second one with more storage. Hopefully it will last… After using a modern iPhone (15, 16), handling the SE 3 feels SO comfortable… and much lighter.

 

[ab2c4]

I’m so happy with my iPhone SE 3 that I bought a second one with more storage. Hopefully it will last… After using a modern iPhone (15, 16), handling the SE 3 feels SO comfortable… and much lighter.

I am guessing the rounded edges on the SE make a big difference.

 

[Faith 2]

I am guessing the rounded edges on the SE make a big difference.

It is true. The rounded edges are just so comfortable to hold.
And I might be an anomaly but the 8 plus was my favorite phone.

 

[Churchman]

I had a 6 and I detested it. Especially hated the curved edges as it was hard to pick up and easy to drop. Sure… get a case. That made it bigger. And most offensive, the 6 bent in my back pocket. Horrible phone!

I got rid of the 6 and got a tiny SE. It was so tiny, disappeared in my pocket without issue, had square edges so it was easy to pick up and not drop… and had no camera lens bump…. (I think if Apple sold a no-camera phone, or had a camera-delete option, or even better, had a phone with camera lenses fully within the body so that the back is smooth, they might see a few % points of increased sales from many who don’t care about having a camera in their phone. I would buy it.) I and my small man-hands used the SE until January 2023 when battery #2 in it started to expand and bulge out of the case.

I bought the 13Mini to replace it. I hate the camera bump, hate how fast the battery has now gone down to 86%, and I am not a fan of some OS features but I like everything else.

Anyway, I put the tiny little SE away but a few times a month I will use the SE as a tiny little iPad connected via hotspot back to the 13Mini. It’s kind of cool to still be able to use it. But I am always careful to note what is going on with the battery. The SE’s battery holds about 20 minutes of life, and basically needs to be plugged in if I use it. It’s a toy at this point.

I like my 13Mini - mostly. But I will be taking a very serious look at the SE4 when it comes out Spring 2025. I don’t care about a notch. If the battery is better, and the camera bump is not obnoxious, and if it is not egregiously larger than the 13Mini, I will buy it ASAP.

 

[nathasnajperowa]

i'm woman with extremly tiny hands, so for my experience i always used smartphones in 2 hands when browsing, media consumption, yt, social media, gaming vertical or horizontal, taking pics or capture videos - always 2 handed no matter what size the screen was. Otherwise i can hold my max size phone perfectly during phone calls however in most case is not necessary cause i use headphones or speaker at home or car play on the go. For the messaging i always hold it two handed typing with my thumbs.
Always been fan of the bigger screens possible - i don't lug around an ipad but always want to have ipad experience. My phone is my computer in the pocket, productivity, entertainment, media consumption, banking, emails, tons of stuffs - bigger the screen the better.
For me every Iphone downsize 13p/pm is ancient, obsolete piece of past tech u can pass to extremly non demanding person like your non tech grandma eg.
I don't want be rude but it seems you don't know or care of any incredible progress these devices come thru from series 8 to 16.
Just my input and my two cents

 

[justmadeupname]

I’m so happy with my iPhone SE 3 that I bought a second one with more storage. Hopefully it will last… After using a modern iPhone (15, 16), handling the SE 3 feels SO comfortable… and much lighter.

What is the SE 3's battery like compared to the 15 or 16?

 

[subjonas]

i'm woman with extremly tiny hands, so for my experience i always used smartphones in 2 hands when browsing, media consumption, yt, social media, gaming vertical or horizontal, taking pics or capture videos - always 2 handed no matter what size the screen was. Otherwise i can hold my max size phone perfectly during phone calls however in most case is not necessary cause i use headphones or speaker at home or car play on the go. For the messaging i always hold it two handed typing with my thumbs.
Always been fan of the bigger screens possible - i don't lug around an ipad but always want to have ipad experience. My phone is my computer in the pocket, productivity, entertainment, media consumption, banking, emails, tons of stuffs - bigger the screen the better.
For me every Iphone downsize 13p/pm is ancient, obsolete piece of past tech u can pass to extremly non demanding person like your non tech grandma eg.
I don't want be rude but it seems you don't know or care of any incredible progress these devices come thru from series 8 to 16.
Just my input and my two cents

I don’t fully understand all the reasons why OP prefers the 8, especially even over the SE3 which is the same or better in every way—but on the topic of size, not sure if you’re proposing that size increase = progress. If so, I strongly disagree—size whether bigger or smaller is just subjective preference (in this context). Apple could have made the original iPhone big if they wanted—they chose to make it small because that was the prevailing preference back then. They make iPhones big now because the prevailing preference changed, not because of any technological progress.

I still prefer a small phone because it fits my lifestyle. I don’t want to check social media or watch videos when I’m out and about. I only want a phone for quick specific tasks/info look up, communication, taking picture/video, and audio consumption—none of which requires a huge screen or huge battery. Even typing I prefer the smaller screen because I use QuickPath one-handed which I find easier on smaller screens. I like to do all my screen consumption when I get home, mainly on my iPad Mini which is much better for consumption than a phone. The only advantages I appreciate in the larger phones (for my lifestyle) are the camera advancements, and I’m actually considering getting a Pro for that reason—also well, because there will apparently no longer be an iPhone option smaller than 6” soon.

 

[Populus]

What is the SE 3's battery like compared to the 15 or 16?

Clearly worse. It’s just a question of knowing that, and deciding with that in mind. In my case, I don’t use many of those battery-consuming apps (such as Instagram) so I’m happy with it

 

[mectojic]

I had a 6 and I detested it. Especially hated the curved edges as it was hard to pick up and easy to drop. Sure… get a case. That made it bigger. And most offensive, the 6 bent in my back pocket. Horrible phone!

I got rid of the 6 and got a tiny SE. It was so tiny, disappeared in my pocket without issue, had square edges so it was easy to pick up and not drop… and had no camera lens bump…. (I think if Apple sold a no-camera phone, or had a camera-delete option, or even better, had a phone with camera lenses fully within the body so that the back is smooth, they might see a few % points of increased sales from many who don’t care about having a camera in their phone. I would buy it.) I and my small man-hands used the SE until January 2023 when battery #2 in it started to expand and bulge out of the case.

I bought the 13Mini to replace it. I hate the camera bump, hate how fast the battery has now gone down to 86%, and I am not a fan of some OS features but I like everything else.

Anyway, I put the tiny little SE away but a few times a month I will use the SE as a tiny little iPad connected via hotspot back to the 13Mini. It’s kind of cool to still be able to use it. But I am always careful to note what is going on with the battery. The SE’s battery holds about 20 minutes of life, and basically needs to be plugged in if I use it. It’s a toy at this point.

I like my 13Mini - mostly. But I will be taking a very serious look at the SE4 when it comes out Spring 2025. I don’t care about a notch. If the battery is better, and the camera bump is not obnoxious, and if it is not egregiously larger than the 13Mini, I will buy it ASAP.

Get a battery replacement for the tiny SE. It's so worth it, and very cheap to do.

 

[ubinko]

I have spent a week now with the iPhone 16 Pro. When I use my 12 mini now, it feels small, laggy and too small to type properly on the pop-up keyboard.

The 16 pro is not perfect - I wish it was a little lighter, but once I put a case on it, it does feel good in my hand.

 

[Populus]

I notice a lot how lightweight my SE3 is when I pick up a modern iPhone. Funny enough, the new iPhones are an iPhone SE3 seller for me.

I admit that when I used my old iPhone 8, a very loyal device for over 6 years with 2 battery replacements, I really wanted a bigger change, that’s why I tried to use the 13 mini several times, but I always ended up returning it because it bothered my eyesight. Then, I realized that the 13 mini screen, despite being taller, it was slightly narrower compared to my iPhone 8. You may think that extra millimeter doesn’t really make any difference, HOWEVER, I felt much more comfortable typing and reading on the iPhone 8’s slightly wider screen.

That’s when I decided that, if I had to make the sacrifice of sticking to a 10yo design, one average camera from the SE3 instead of two good cameras from the mini to have a modern A15 device with an LCD display, no PWM, and a comfortable form factor, so be it!

And one day, I was on an Apple Store waiting to buy my third or fourth 13 mini in two years, to see if this time it fitted me, because it was being already discontinued and was my last chance to get a 13 mini… and literally something inside me snapped, left the queue, and went to a second hand iPhone store that was really nearby. I grabbed an SE3 that was, luckily, new, no battery cycles (tested later with Coconut) in pristine conditions. Instead of spending 799€ on a 13 mini, for just 300€ I got the SE3.

And I couldn’t be happier! So much that, as I previously said, recently I acquired a 256GB one because the 64GB that I bought back then fills up eventually. I’m really resolute to make this SE3 last until its last breath, hopefully until its last update circa 2027 or maybe even 2030 with the security patches.

 

[mectojic]

I have spent a week now with the iPhone 16 Pro. When I use my 12 mini now, it feels small, laggy and too small to type properly on the pop-up keyboard.

The 16 pro is not perfect - I wish it was a little lighter, but once I put a case on it, it does feel good in my hand.

It's either laggy because it needs a new battery, or because the iOS has been updated. The 12 mini should run smoothly, like all iPhones for the past 10 years

 

[SteveJawbs]

Sorry to inform you but OP is a troll. Battery on that 8 must have been pretty bad compared to the 16pro he just got.

I would know too, I came from a 7 to a 14PM and needed a battery change a year prior to getting the 14, (after 7 years it was normal that I needed it lol) even then the 7 barely survived as it was through the day.

Also, notice how he said battery life on the 16 was nowhere close to what Apple “specifies”, I would like to hear him say the same on that 8 even when new lol.

He apparently held a “15” before tempting the idea but didn’t specify if it was the normal or the pro, (big difference in dimensions and weight).

Then proceeds to explain how the 8 was the “GOAT” (I admit, great phone but not really otherworldly, but it’s his opinion so meh) and instead of getting the current SE which is pretty good and is the current iteration of his beloved 8, and exactly what he wished, proceeds and gets the 16pro🤣

Also if you haven’t noticed he is complaining pretty much about everything, and how he has small hands, as if the obvious size difference between the 8 and the 16P wouldn’t have been a problem to this.

Make it make sense, but hey I’ll continue to enjoy how OP keeps going around in circles with his logic.

You’re an angry little dude.

Keeping the 16 Pro but will never believe it represents 7 years of incredible new innovation at all. Perhaps its iOS that is the outlier.

I feel ok rewarding Apple with a $1200 order. They deserved it.

But at the end of the day, it’s the same experience with lame nuances and such a sad lack of basic customization opportunities.

This was not a troll post whatsoever. Your anger is fun though. I need moar, please good sir, attack me moar. It feels so pleasurable in a quixotic sexi weigh.

Loving the action menu some kid made discovered via MR post. Silly that Apple can’t give us what some kid in Singapore did.

But then again, the guy that made the Win95 ribbon bar transformed Microsoft’s UI.

It is quite a shock picking up the 8 for MFA due to laziness of migrating 10 more accounts. I’ll get to it.

Carry on.

 

[SteveJawbs]

I notice a lot how lightweight my SE3 is when I pick up a modern iPhone. Funny enough, the new iPhones are an iPhone SE3 seller for me.

I admit that when I used my old iPhone 8, a very loyal device for over 6 years with 2 battery replacements, I really wanted a bigger change, that’s why I tried to use the 13 mini several times, but I always ended up returning it because it bothered my eyesight. Then, I realized that the 13 mini screen, despite being taller, it was slightly narrower compared to my iPhone 8. You may think that extra millimeter doesn’t really make any difference, HOWEVER, I felt much more comfortable typing and reading on the iPhone 8’s slightly wider screen.

That’s when I decided that, if I had to make the sacrifice of sticking to a 10yo design, one average camera from the SE3 instead of two good cameras from the mini to have a modern A15 device with an LCD display, no PWM, and a comfortable form factor, so be it!

And one day, I was on an Apple Store waiting to buy my third or fourth 13 mini in two years, to see if this time it fitted me, because it was being already discontinued and was my last chance to get a 13 mini… and literally something inside me snapped, left the queue, and went to a second hand iPhone store that was really nearby. I grabbed an SE3 that was, luckily, new, no battery cycles (tested later with Coconut) in pristine conditions. Instead of spending 799€ on a 13 mini, for just 300€ I got the SE3.

And I couldn’t be happier! So much that, as I previously said, recently I acquired a 256GB one because the 64GB that I bought back then fills up eventually. I’m really resolute to make this SE3 last until its last breath, hopefully until its last update circa 2027 or maybe even 2030 with the security patches.

Love all of this, I almost went down that road. Glad you are happy.

I guess I wanted a killer camera but at the end of the day, side by side comparison of a picture from SE3 and 16 isn’t jaw dropping life changing. Having the built in filters I used PhotoToaster for is the only game changer for me.

My 8 took fantastic pictures. Since I’m not Annie Leibovitz it was fine.

I was hoping for a massive life altering difference like going from a Backberry Pearl camera to…..well anything really.

Flames incoming. 😂

 

[monstermash]

Here is my review for going from an iPhone 14 Pro Max to an iPhone 16 Pro Max:

The 14PM has no USB-C port. The 16PM does. I am happy with the new phone and plan to sell the old one.

That's it!

If you consider ANYTHING about a phone's size or features "heartbreaking", you must have an easy and incredible life. Props for reaching the apex of the human experience!

 

[SteveJawbs]

Here is my review for going from an iPhone 14 Pro Max to an iPhone 16 Pro Max:

The 14PM has no USB-C port. The 16PM does. I am happy with the new phone and plan to sell the old one.

That's it!

If you consider ANYTHING about a phone's size or features "heartbreaking", you must have an easy and incredible life. Props for reaching the apex of the human experience!

 

[nathasnajperowa]

I don’t fully understand all the reasons why OP prefers the 8, especially even over the SE3 which is the same or better in every way—but on the topic of size, not sure if you’re proposing that size increase = progress. If so, I strongly disagree—size whether bigger or smaller is just subjective preference (in this context). Apple could have made the original iPhone big if they wanted—they chose to make it small because that was the prevailing preference back then. They make iPhones big now because the prevailing preference changed, not because of any technological progress.

I still prefer a small phone because it fits my lifestyle. I don’t want to check social media or watch videos when I’m out and about. I only want a phone for quick specific tasks/info look up, communication, taking picture/video, and audio consumption—none of which requires a huge screen or huge battery. Even typing I prefer the smaller screen because I use QuickPath one-handed which I find easier on smaller screens. I like to do all my screen consumption when I get home, mainly on my iPad Mini which is much better for consumption than a phone. The only advantages I appreciate in the larger phones (for my lifestyle) are the camera advancements, and I’m actually considering getting a Pro for that reason—also well, because there will apparently no longer be an iPhone option smaller than 6” soon.

i'm not focusing only at bigger max screens - that's my personal preference. But indicated comparison between 8 and 16p and not noticing huge gap with upgraded tech seems to me like ignorance.
this is a huge jump in every aspect - don't even bother to reckon all new features between them.
i don't get how's OP isn't impressed with that kind of upgrade. Like a trolling or teasing how the crowd reacts. It seems unreal to me in real life experience. Like u had old LCD fat TV, upgraded to fast refreshed 65 inch OLED and claim the older was better. Insane

 

[ubinko]

It's either laggy because it needs a new battery, or because the iOS has been updated. The 12 mini should run smoothly, like all iPhones for the past 10 years

Don't get me wrong, it runs perfectly well, but it is showing it's age. Compared to the 16 pro, it doesn't feel smooth. It feels like a combination of lack of promotion and the processors struggling a little sometimes with the latest ios.

I was perfectly happy to continue using the 12 mini, if it weren't for the degraded battery, which wouldn't get me through the day. I'd rather spend the money on a new phone than swapping out the battery on the 12. My son now uses the 12 mini as a camera.