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iPhone 16 Pro Max: Review and Unboxing

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Happy iPhone 16 launch day! iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models are now in the hands of customers around the world. We took a look at the iPhone 16 already, and now we're back with an unboxing and quick review of the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, Apple's higher-end flagship devices.


Unboxing a new iPhone got a little more boring this year, because for the first time, Apple's removed the stickers from the box. No more stickers and no more charger - there's just an iPhone and a cable in there.

Early leaks of the new "Desert" titanium shade made it look rather unappealing, but in person, the color is a soft, subtle gold with a darker shade on the casing and a lighter shade at the back. It's not ugly at all, and there's even a bit of pink in there so in some light, it's close to a rose gold. We've also got a white titanium iPhone 16 Pro, and it's fine. It's like the white titanium from last year, and there's not much more to say about it. The Pro colors are undeniably boring, especially compared to the lovely teal, pink, and ultramarine shades Apple used for the iPhone 16 models.

Both the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are larger in size and the bezels have been slimmed down. The thinner bezels are noticeable in person, even compared to the iPhone 15 Pro models. If you've got an even earlier iPhone, it's a big difference. The 16 Pro Max definitely feels a little larger in the hand, and the 16 Pro is closer to a Goldilocks size.

The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max have the same feature set this year with the exception of display size and battery life. You'll get the most battery out of the 16 Pro Max because a bigger casing allows for a bigger battery, but there are improvements to both models.

There's a new Camera Control button on the right side of all the iPhones, and it's used for opening the Camera app to take photos and videos. A quick double press takes a photo, and a press and then a press and hold captures video, which is convenient. It's easier to use in landscape mode than portrait mode, and all those gestures for adjusting settings do take some time to get used to.

We've got some demo images in our video, and also, we've shot this entire review using the 16 Pro and Pro Max so you can check out the video quality. These models support 4K 120fps recording, and you can adjust frame rate in post. Apple added an Audio Mix feature for customizing sound in video too, and we've used that here as well. You can block out sound around the person you're recording or direct all noise forward like in a movie, and Audio Mix is also customizable with a slider control.

For your photos, there are new Photographic Styles that you can customize to get the perfect look for all of your images. You can use a new dial pad to go dramatic or subtle, and your personalized style can be applied in real time, in editing, to all photos, or just to one.

Apple added a new 48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera so you'll get better lighting in those wide shots or when taking macro photos, and the 5X zoom is now on both models. We're going to be doing a deep dive into the camera next week, so stay tuned for that.

If you're coming from a newer iPhone, you're probably not going to notice much in terms of speed improvements with the new A18 Pro chip, because most of what you do on an iPhone isn't stressing the processor. It'll make a difference for Apple Intelligence, but of course unless you install the iOS 18.1 beta, no Apple Intelligence features are available to use yet.

Did you get a new iPhone 16 or 16 Pro? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Article Link: iPhone 16 Pro Max: Review and Unboxing
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/09/20/iphone-16-pro-review-unboxing/
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AndyUnderscoreR

AndyUnderscoreR

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Jul 11, 2008
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My initial impressions of the 16 Pro, which is replacing my ageing iPhone XR:

Firstly, the ordering process was really clumsy - a pointless pre-pre-order phase, Apple charged my credit card for the accessories individually before charging for the phone, which looked like fraud to my bank, who cancelled my card. Then Apple tarnished it's eco-friendly reputation by sending 2 deliveries instead of one - why would I need the case and charger 3 days before the phone?

Well it turns out the answer to that is that the 3 days were useful to send back the 'denim' colour case they sent instead of the black one I ordered.

3 days after that I and I now have a phone and a charger but no case as Apple won't send the right case until they have received and "processed" my return, which isn't the sort of customer service I'd expect at this price point. The packaging is beautifully over-engineered. No plastic, but still surprisingly heavy. The set-up was an odd mix of smoothness and clumsiness. It took four or five goes at 'putting the phone next to your old one' before the process wasn't interrupted by my old phone locking itself, later on I was texted a 6 digit code that had to be used within 30 minutes, but wasn't given any opportunity to enter it until after a 40 minute file copying operation, so it timed out. The file copying seemed to be done over bluetooth, which was daft given that the devices both had wifi and were plugged directly into the same Mac Studio. The progress bar stayed on '1 hour remaining' for ages, then counted down to about 35 minutes in real-time, then finished in about a minute - the same odd behaviour I seem to get with every iOS or OS update.

On to the hardware - overall, a bit disappointing, it really doesn't feel like I've gone from a cheap 2018 phone to the top of the range 2024 phone. The thinner bezel is nicer, as is the camera, but the 'island' feels more intrusive than the old notch, the much more rounded corners of the screen cut a lot more off, the screen has a greenish tinge and worst of all, the camera sticks out so much and is so offset that trying to use the phone on a flat surface means it wobbles. I've had to pad the back with blu-tack so I can use the phone. Why don't Apple get that this is a) really bad design and b) incredibly easy to fix? Also, why the hell can't I turn off the constant 'game mode on' pop-ups when switching apps?

Overall, it's ok, but feels hugely overpriced given the minimal improvements over a 6 year-old device.
 
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CausticSoda

CausticSoda

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Seoras said:
Sticker removal probably done to pre-empt any finger pointing from the environmentalists. I've only ever stuck up one sticker in my decades of Apple purchases. It's still there on my office window showing no signs of decay from sun light. Where did you stick yours? 😁
Click to expand...
I was going to leave a very similar comment. I have never used one of these stickers, nor have I seen them used anywhere. And you're right about their concern over the environmentalists' finger pointing, I'm sure.
 
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creediddy

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Sep 11, 2014
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Apple is missing out in foldable revenue. Not that they need nor do they care about the segment, but I would love to see more risks from Apple. Investors may start to lower their grade based on lack of innovation. Next year Apple should have a foldable, Apple Ring, etc…
 
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CausticSoda

CausticSoda

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Ben11 said:
I’ve got a iPhone 12 think I need a upgrade?
Click to expand...
Not "need" at all, no. I went from the 12 Pro to the 15 Pro Max. So clearly I noticed the size increase, and was very happy for the switch to USB C. I was also impressed by how light it felt for its size (and still feels a year later, strangely). Apart from that, there have been no discernible improvements as far as I am concerned. Even the 5X lens, which I thought might be a benefit has made little difference to my photos.
 
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A

Anonymous123

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Jul 22, 2009
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The Camera Control was practically made for landscape orientation and all the photos shown were in portrait orientation. C’mon, Dan!

And to reiterate what others have said, the audio quality from the mic was not good. Seems to be the same with other video reviews that have showcased it as well.
 
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Spotlighter9

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Apr 28, 2021
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Coming from a 12PM, I am in love with the new camera button, it is a game changer...no more missed photo opportunities fumbling for the camera app!! For those of you on 12, 13, 14 P/PM thinking this is now a worthy upgrade...the 15/16 P/PM ergonomic curved edge form factor feels less bulky and heavy... ...gone are the sharp edges.
 
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AlexESP

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Sep 7, 2014
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creediddy said:
Apple is missing out in foldable revenue. Not that they need nor do they care about the segment, but I would love to see more risks from Apple. Investors may start to lower their grade based on lack of innovation. Next year Apple should have a foldable, Apple Ring, etc…
Click to expand...
Entering every possible category (foldable, ring, etc.) with any generic product like every other company doesn’t sound like a risk or innovation to me. Launching a couple of products a year does sound like a risk.
 
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