iPhone 16/Plus Any love for the standard iPhone 16?

[Sami13496]

I think 60 hz is great. Battery lasts longer and cost doesn’t go up. I hope iPhone 17 has 60 hz display as well.

Some YouTubers say that 60 hz is unacceptable because they are YouTubers and tech enthusiasts and think what applies to them should apply to everyone else (pretty arrogant if you ask me) but normal regular iPhone user is totally fine with 60 hz. In fact if you ask regular user they couldn’t even tell what is hz let alone care.

Too bad people are repeating what YouTubers say like parrots.

 

[now i see it]

Based on reports from people who are sensitive to the flickering of OLED screens, the basic iPhone 16 tends to be the best of the bunch in that respect. Less eye strain for some.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

I am completely happy with my 15 Plus, so I would definitely get the 16 Plus if I needed to hand this one down.

 

[klasma]

I went from a 12 mini to a 16 pro, but I just couldn't get on with the weight. Feels way too heavy and cumbersome in my hands. I returned it.

I'm now considering the standard 16.

12 mini: 135 g
16 std.: 170 g (+26%)
16 Pro: 199 g (+47%)

The 16 will be better, but still significantly heavier and bulkier than the 12 mini.

 

[ubinko]

Based on reports from people who are sensitive to the flickering of OLED screens, the basic iPhone 16 tends to be the best of the bunch in that respect. Less eye strain for some.

I used the 16 Pro for a week. The weight was the main reason I returned it, but I must admit, the ProMotion left me feeling nauseated at times.

 

[ubinko]

12 mini: 135 g
16 std.: 170 g (+26%)
16 Pro: 199 g (+47%)

The 16 will be better, but still significantly heavier and bulkier than the 12 mini.

The weight of the Pro was my main gripe. I'm not against a larger phone (within limits), but comfort of use is my main priority. I am going to our local Apple store over the weekend - I'll give the 16 a good test run.

 

[ubinko]

I have the 14 Pro because I love photography, and I'll be going with the 16 Pro as well because of that, but honestly the regular 16 model has received a HUGE update IMO and would be good for the majority of people.

I use a Sony A7IV with vintage lenses and it still beats the iPhone for portraits using a narrow depth of field - apple's computational photography does not replicate depth of field perfectly yet. When using larger depth of fields (i.e. less blurry backgrounds or everything in focus), I think the iPhone wins though, since it's always in my pocket, the image quality is exceptional and the ability to edit photographic styles at any point is amazing.

I think that was the long way of saying I'm fine using the non-pro iPhone 16 for everyday shooting and getting out the camera when I want to shoot specific stuff where the camera works better.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Pro Max and Pro models have been the best selling iPhone models for few years now. If anything non pro models are vocal minority. Apple gets most of the revenue from Pro Max followed by Pro.

Best selling just means they are >50%, it doesn't mean the regular models don't sell extremely well. I don't personally care where Apple gets their revenue.

The Pro users are the vocal ones. Regular iPhone users are just regular iPhone users.

 

[Sami13496]

Based on reports from people who are sensitive to the flickering of OLED screens, the basic iPhone 16 tends to be the best of the bunch in that respect. Less eye strain for some.

Could you provide source on that? I would like to read in more detail. I’ve never used OLED iPhone and next time I upgrade I won’t have any choice apparently so I would be very interested in picking a model that potentially causes less problem.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Pro Max and Pro models have been the best selling iPhone models for few years now. If anything non pro models are vocal minority. Apple gets most of the revenue from Pro Max followed by Pro.

You just see far more of the standard iPhones and older models out and about. Less iPhones are generally sold than 10 years ago but that’s the same for mobile phones in general. It could also be that the American market makes the popularity of models a bit skewed in terms of perception. The Pro models certainly don’t feel like the more popular iPhones in Western Europe.

 

[PsykX]

I use a Sony A7IV with vintage lenses and it still beats the iPhone for portraits using a narrow depth of field - apple's computational photography does not replicate depth of field perfectly yet. When using larger depth of fields (i.e. less blurry backgrounds or everything in focus), I think the iPhone wins though, since it's always in my pocket, the image quality is exceptional and the ability to edit photographic styles at any point is amazing.

I think that was the long way of saying I'm fine using the non-pro iPhone 16 for everyday shooting and getting out the camera when I want to shoot specific stuff where the camera works better.

Sony A7IV = $3,000 CAD just for the body ☠️
You could tell me it's better than the iPhone in every single possible way, I would believe you. DSLRs are a whole other level of photography. The sensors are huge compared to iPhones. I love to see such small devices trying to beat that expert level of photography though - this is sane competition. I've been truly staggered by the progress they made since the original iPhone in the camera department.

But yes, the iPhone is always in your pocket.
Its computational power is beyond what any DSLR has to offer.
Its interface is very intuitive.
Its screen is larger.
You can edit photos and videos with honestly really powerful tools.
There's really neat options for amateurs like me that can't handle DSLRs : Long Exposure shots via Live Photos, Burst Shots so I can never miss an awesome picture of my daughter, the accelerometer level, etc.

The iPhone 16 is almost a Pro device... honestly I would almost buy it. I would miss the 120 Hz screen though, and the zoom.

 

[TechnoMonk]

You just see far more of the standard iPhones and older models out and about. Less iPhones are generally sold than 10 years ago but that’s the same for mobile phones in general. It could also be that the American market makes the popularity of models a bit skewed in terms of perception. The Pro models certainly don’t feel like the more popular iPhones in Western Europe.

More iPhones are sold every year than 10 years ago. If iPhone sales were declining from 10 years ago, Apple would be in serious trouble. Apple iPhone revenue is magnitudes higher than what it was 10 years ago. There is always regional bias, depending on the pricing and other factors. But over all iPhone pro max and Pro are biggest revenue generators.

Best selling just means they are >50%, it doesn't mean the regular models don't sell extremely well. I don't personally care where Apple gets their revenue.

The Pro users are the vocal ones. Regular iPhone users are just regular iPhone users.

Never said regular phones don’t sell. The post I quoted said majority of phones aren’t pro max/pro models. Apple has 7-8 iPhone models in top 10 every year in US. Non pro models are usually 3rd or 4th.

 

[JSDK]

I went from a 15 Pro to a base 16. I love it, super nice with the action button, and thought the new vertical camera is nicely designed. I don't care about the camera features, all iPhones today take great pictures no matter what.

But it is clear that if you have special needs to be able to adjust your camera, then the Pro version is the one to buy. I don't have that - so won't pay extra for it. In addition to the fact that the new Pros have become larger, which also made my choice of the base iPhone 16 easy.

 

[Severdya]

I totally get the struggle with the weight of the Pro—it really can feel like a brick! I actually switched from the Pro back to the standard 16, and I've found it so much more comfortable to hold. It fits nicely in my hand, and I love using it for everything from scrolling to taking pics without feeling weighed down.

 

[Aneres11]

Too bad people are repeating what YouTubers say like parrots.

Not to make this an argument or discussion about refresh rate, but this is just not true.
It IS unacceptable in 2024. Sure, if you have an iPhone 12 or 13 mini and you buy a 16, you won’t care. But if you have used a device WITH Promotion, there is a noticeable difference.

I can accept some people don’t care about it, but others need to accept that some people just do.

 

[kp98077]

I think it looks a lot better than the pro actually.. esp. in white/black!

 

[JustinKent]

Right there with you. I went from a 12 mini (which I loved) to an iPhone 14 Pro (which I liked, and also kindof hated). What I realized after some time was that I don't love the 14 Pro in the way I did the 12 mini. Over the course of 2 years, it became more like revulsion: I'd go to pick up the 14 Pro and would feel this low-key resentment... the thought of picking it up would make my hands and wrists hurt. I started using the 12 mini again around the house, and it felt so nice. I ended up carrying around 2 phones... one for comfort and one for "photos that matter."

When iPhone 16 came out, I preordered the Pro model, but then realized the non-Pro model really does everything I need and is 30 grams lighter. Also comes in cool colors. I canceled my preorder and went to the Apple Store on launch day... luckily they had the exact model I wanted.

It does feel sortof like a spiritual successor to the 12 mini. It's a bit heavier, but welcomingly lighter than the Pro models. Camera Control helps me get the shot almost instantly. I still wish it were more grip-able (smaller and lighter), but this is the best option for me at the moment.

The true judgement came from the face of my 9-year old after she tried the 16, then went back to the 14 Pro... summed up as revulsion / insult / throw this brick in the garbage. 😇

I'd absolutely buy an "iPhone Pro mini", but I get the engineering tradeoffs there are very difficult. Maybe the rumored "iPhone 17 slim" will fill this need. Or possibly the iPhone SE will take on the new design language and become more mini-like, but I'm afraid it'll be so stripped down it wouldn't meet my bar.

Enjoy your new non-Pro iPhone... I hope you love it, and please do report back!

 

[menist]

Got mines earlier, played with it a little. It’s light, fits in the pocket, pretty much functions like my 15PM, 60hz is not a problem for me, etc. BTW it suffers from the same dim brightness issue I had with the iPhone 16 Pro with auto-brightness off.

I might just to leave auto-brightness on, after years of having it off, or maybe it goes back like the 16 Pro 🤷‍♂️.

 

[Sami13496]

I can accept some people don’t care about it, but others need to accept that some people just do.

I agree. That’s why we have Pro’s for those who care. And non-Pro’s for regular users who don’t.

Also I bet there are more people who don’t care or even know what it is.

 

[ubinko]

Right there with you. I went from a 12 mini (which I loved) to an iPhone 14 Pro (which I liked, and also kindof hated). What I realized after some time was that I don't love the 14 Pro in the way I did the 12 mini. Over the course of 2 years, it became more like revulsion: I'd go to pick up the 14 Pro and would feel this low-key resentment... the thought of picking it up would make my hands and wrists hurt. I started using the 12 mini again around the house, and it felt so nice. I ended up carrying around 2 phones... one for comfort and one for "photos that matter."

When iPhone 16 came out, I preordered the Pro model, but then realized the non-Pro model really does everything I need and is 30 grams lighter. Also comes in cool colors. I canceled my preorder and went to the Apple Store on launch day... luckily they had the exact model I wanted.

It does feel sortof like a spiritual successor to the 12 mini. It's a bit heavier, but welcomingly lighter than the Pro models. Camera Control helps me get the shot almost instantly. I still wish it were more grip-able (smaller and lighter), but this is the best option for me at the moment.

The true judgement came from the face of my 9-year old after she tried the 16, then went back to the 14 Pro... summed up as revulsion / insult / throw this brick in the garbage. 😇

I'd absolutely buy an "iPhone Pro mini", but I get the engineering tradeoffs there are very difficult. Maybe the rumored "iPhone 17 slim" will fill this need. Or possibly the iPhone SE will take on the new design language and become more mini-like, but I'm afraid it'll be so stripped down it wouldn't meet my bar.

Enjoy your new non-Pro iPhone... I hope you love it, and please do report back!

View attachment 2433010

Is that Teal? Love that colour!

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

More iPhones are sold every year than 10 years ago. If iPhone sales were declining from 10 years ago, Apple would be in serious trouble. Apple iPhone revenue is magnitudes higher than what it was 10 years ago. There is always regional bias, depending on the pricing and other factors. But over all iPhone pro max and Pro are biggest revenue generators.


Never said regular phones don’t sell. The post I quoted said majority of phones aren’t pro max/pro models. Apple has 7-8 iPhone models in top 10 every year in US. Non pro models are usually 3rd or 4th.

Why are we told the entire mobile sector is down 20% then? iPhones are double the price in some cases compared to an iPhone 6. My 16 Pro Max was £1200, my iPhone 6 was £619. Apple are fine with their revenue, not that I care about that, due to selling slightly fewer devices at a much higher retail price. We are also told the average upgrade cycle compared to ten years ago is 3-4 years where it used to be 1-2 years.

Lots more phone options too from Apple and I highly doubt Pro models are selling in the numbers we saw during the 2014 boom. Not that this is important, I just know in my region the most popularly seen iPhones are standard models and not necessarily the newest. As I said it’s probably the American market that skews the perception more people want the Pro’s and that may be the case there but not necessarily globally.

 

[The Game 161]

60hz is what makes this not great

as soon as the non pros get 120hz i think it would be a great value phone.

 

[bembol]

I have the 15PM, I agree compared to the new 16 colours it's paled in comparison. 😝

Green & Yellow are my two favourites, reason why bought the yellow Samsung Z Flip6, so I'm considering the 16 Plus Teal. Close enough. 🤣

 

[Aneres11]

I agree. That’s why we have Pro’s for those who care. And non-Pro’s for regular users who don’t.

Also I bet there are more people who don’t care or even know what it is.

Yup agreed. Three of my work colleagues all have Pros, not 16, ones a 14 and two have 15's. They didn't even know what promotion was and had never heard of 60hz or 120hz.

I know full well all 3 of them could use a non Pro iPhone and likely would not know the difference.
And this is why apple keep doing it. People still buy them.
Heck, I actively dislike 60hz but I still bought and own a 16! So I really can't talk. 😁

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Yup agreed. Three of my work colleagues all have Pros, not 16, ones a 14 and two have 15's. They didn't even know what promotion was and had never heard of 60hz or 120hz.

I know full well all 3 of them could use a non Pro iPhone and likely would not know the difference.
And this is why apple keep doing it. People still buy them.
Heck, I actively dislike 60hz but I still bought and own a 16! So I really can't talk. 😁

I have the newest iPhone at my work by about 3 years, most are using 12’s and 13’s non-Pro’s and it’s not because they can’t afford them, they drive nice cars and on good salaries, they just aren’t the sort of people who are into phones.

I think you get tech enthusiasts like on here who know about specs, people who have the latest and greatest because it’s the most expensive and know little else and the average user who keeps a phone for longer because it still works. The vast majority of my friends, colleagues and associates are in the last group lol.