iPhone 16 Pro Reviews: 'Iterative' Upgrades… For Now

[9081094]

TBH; I'm shocked that a massive company such as Apple with so much talent in there cant ship Apple Intelligence at launch. I feel like there is something in terms of politics/approvals going behind the scenes thats impacting it and not purely just need more time to test it.

I think they just started implementing it. If they were already deeply involved in their AI they would instruct or give tools to developers at WWDC24.

Nothing there… just the announcement about what might possibly come.

By the time it’s ready in 2025 I’m sure competition have their second implementation ready with all the bells and whistles Apple promises and more.

 

[coachgq]

Even the regular size went from 4” to 6.3”
The regular phone soon will be the former max size 6.7”

But with that 4 inch, compared to the 16 pro, you’ve only added 3 cm in height and less than half a cm in width. Seems like a great trade off.

 

[9081094]

Still going to pick up my 16 pro max preorder on Friday. Though this is by far my least enthusiastic upgrade. I have wished for a camera button for ages (I’ve even considered the Sony phones), but besides that button they didn’t announce a lot of new stuff along with it. And since the 15 pro and 16 pro have the same ram I doubt there will be anything next year at WWDC to take advantage of just the 16 hardware.

iOS 19 will probably need 12 gb to run and iOS 20, 16 gb to run.

The fact that only the iPhone 15Pro can run Apple Intelligence is a) planned obsolescence or b) they weren’t even busy with Apple Intelligence or c) both.

 

[GrayFlannel]

TBH; I'm shocked that a massive company such as Apple with so much talent in there cant ship Apple Intelligence at launch. I feel like there is something in terms of politics/approvals going behind the scenes thats impacting it and not purely just need more time to test it.

Have you considered poor senior leadership decisions?

 

[nordique]

Wish they still sold the 13 Pro Max. I would by another one.

They sort of do! (On the refurbished store)

 

[Karma*Police]

TBH; I'm shocked that a massive company such as Apple with so much talent in there cant ship Apple Intelligence at launch. I feel like there is something in terms of politics/approvals going behind the scenes thats impacting it and not purely just need more time to test it.

When you spend north of $30B every year and you have little to show for it year after year, that speaks volumes to the lack of managerial vision and a company that’s resting on its laurels.

It will take a material slowdown in sales and investor unrest before Tim finally starts holding people accountable and moving with a sense of urgency.

So if you’re unhappy with Apple’s stagnancy and lack of innovation, vote with your dollars and hold onto your current products as long as possible. Besides, it’s better for the environment.

 

[Rogue AI]

I think it’s incredibly weird anyone would review the iPhone 16 models right now considering many of the promised software features aren’t even available yet. Guess the “influencers” need to keep the gravy train running with their clicks.

 

[Rogue AI]

But what does iJustine think???

Probably a sarcastic question, but we can already guess what she thinks. Not even worth it to click on any of her review videos.

 

[Macalway]

So none of these overheated greatly, or something like that?

 

[GrayFlannel]

I think it’s incredibly weird anyone would review the iPhone 16 models right now considering many of the promised software features aren’t even available yet. Guess the “influencers” need to keep the gravy train running with their clicks.

Any more gravy train weird than Apple touting all sorts of things to sell a phone but not actually having them available at release?

 

[Macalway]

They need to make a living like everyone else. Anyways, Apple usually delivers on promises. More so than many outfits.

It's not like AI is going to be discontinued LOL.

 

[unobtainium]

Camera this. Camera that. Camera the other.

It's a phone, not a camera. And why buy it now, when all the actual software features and upgrades we hear about are months or years away?

News to me. I’m pretty sure my iPhone gets used as a camera far more often than it gets used as a phone.

As for the 16 Pro, really pathetic update. I can’t believe they didn’t include the option of 24mp photos from the Ultrawide and macro shots. Is Apple just getting lazy?

 

[QquegChristian]

The new microphone settings in video sound surprisingly bad in every review. There was still a ton of noise in “studio” mode and the voice still sounded hollow and tinny.

CapCut and Descript have amazing 1 click fixes for voice as I’m often given a lot of iPhone footage to edit that shouldn’t be salvageable but somehow is. Was hoping this could help the less tech savvy people who sometimes film that footage provide me with a better starting point.

 

[Andy-V]

I think it’s incredibly weird anyone would review the iPhone 16 models right now considering many of the promised software features aren’t even available yet. Guess the “influencers” need to keep the gravy train running with their clicks.

If Apple are selling it to people, it should be reviewed.

 

[2761216]

As expected the camera control button seems like a gimmick similar to the Touch Bar.

Why is it a gimmick? It does exactly what they said it does. It may not be as touch sensitive but there could be a reason behind it.

 

[darthbane2k]

Will Apple not replace the battery?

Given battery replacement prices are increasing to $120 and given most resellers are refusing or heavily reducing their offers for phones sub 85% battery health, it isn’t worth holding onto a phone for longer than two years.

 

[darthbane2k]

Apple should have launched the phone / ios18 with an ‘opt in’ beta preview experience of Apple Intelligence allowing users to experience some of it now and showcasing an interactive demo of what else to expect in future. That would have been better than nothing.

 

[Drk89wng]

This is the most embarrassing iPhone release. Pushed me into a Z Fold 6, which is weird and an adjustment but preferred, for now.

 

[macbookj0e]

“A delayed game is eventually good, but a rushed game is forever bad." - A quote about video games but works for software in general.

Also a quote that is always attributed to Shigeru Miyamoto of Nintendo but apparently he didn't actually ever say it.

Whoever said it was right!

I get the sentiment but that’s an old quote and doesn’t really hold up today thanks to game patches/updates. Look at no mans sky!

 

[GrayFlannel]

"Congratulations, you bought the same phone (twice) thrice."

/reviews

Groundhog Day at Apple.

 

[bigjnyc]

I’m usually all over these videos the second the embargo is lifted. But I am so utterly uninterested and bored by the iPhone 16, that I don’t even want to watch a single one. First time that’s ever happened to me with an iPhone launch

 

[Brien]

Felt like that with the 15 Pro too. It had an action button, and a better zoom lens. Feels a bit more of an upgrade even from that this year to be honest. Which isn’t too bad.

I remember just 3G and 3Gs having small upgrades, as well. People freaked over 2 small upgrades. There’s loads of them here (yeah there could be more) but I’m happy with upgrading.

Yep. 14PM here and these are just iterations.

Apple can't really make the phones too much thicker/heavier/larger before it becomes 'too much' for the masses so unless they figure out folding phones or holgraphic displays I'm not sure where they go... Maybe an iPhone Ultra, 7.3+" as a 'who cares how big/heavy give it to me' that sits above the Pro Max in price?

 

[byron_hinson]

If I wasn’t on the upgrade program I’d miss it this time. Nothing at all enticing about it

 

[BelgianChoklit]

More screen, next year 7.2” please
We already dont wear our phones in our pockets but in our hands and briefcases/backpack

speaking for 1,7% of the population...

 

[byron_hinson]

I think it’s incredibly weird anyone would review the iPhone 16 models right now considering many of the promised software features aren’t even available yet. Guess the “influencers” need to keep the gravy train running with their clicks.

Have to review what’s there on day one. Wouldn’t even mention “the promise” of AI months down the line. Review it as it is and make sure people know it really isn’t worth an upgrade this year.