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

[code-m]

I really had the itch to upgrade this year. 13 Pro .. now 3 years. Previously I’d upgrade every 1-2 years.
But Holy disappointment with the 16 series.
It’s still very expensive to upgrade so when I weigh up the incentives vs the cost , something just doesn’t add up.

I also have grave concerns that 8GB won’t last many years (just like 6Gb relegates the regular 15 to the bin for AI).

The regular 16 seemed appealing until you realise it’s 60hz , and going back to that from 120 is not nice. Appalling for an $800-900 phone.

So I either keep the 13 Pro (maybe) or try something else (Pixel 9 series ?)

Might upgrade the watch instead & wait for the 17 series.

With Apple maybe starting the Mac line up with 12-16GB RAM, I wouldn’t be surprised that 8GB stays the entry requirement for sometime. AI caught Apple off-guard but USB-C is their own doing by not adopting it sooner.

Probably related as well but mobile service providers are offering up 200GB unlimited data for half the cost it usually was previously and I suspect it is due to AI requirements. I was barely using 50GB this year per month and using cloud processing for AI maybe adding to this need.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

I agree 100% with this. Not excited about the new iPhone 16 pro. That said it cost me $200 to upgrade as I do every year, that’s just a non negotiable for me as it’s the most used tool for me every day year around for work and personal.

 

[CatalinApple]

I'm in the same boat with an Xs, but not sure I can wait another year.

If I was in your place I would upgrade. It has been 6 years since iPhone XS came out. the iPhone XS has 4 GB of RAM and with the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro you will get double the amount of RAM, major camera improvements, bigger battery, more efficient CPU/GPU/Neural Engine, USB-C, 5G....etc

I had an XS then upgraded to a 12P then 13 Mini, glad I did as the battery on the XS was terrible. Upgrade on your own needs and not what reviews are trying to convince you along with the forum members here at the end of the day it’s a device you use daily and frequently plus it being your enjoyment and money. You don’t need other validation as next year it’s a guarantee that there will be people happy or not with the iPhone 17 announcement.

Are you upgrading to the iPhone 16 Pro or 16 Pro Max? I still don't know what to do. Most likely I will keep my iPhone 13 Pro for one more year.

 

[Devyn89]

Apple should just start skipping years since they won’t make any changes on a yearly basis anymore.

I wonder if anyone at Apple is embarrassed by this thing?

I think they’re way too rich to care honestly.

 

[lowimpact]

Anyone else cancel their orders after seeing the 16 Pro reviews drop the last two days?

Was really hoping for a significant photography upgrade from the faster new main camera sensor, higher megapixel / current generation new ultra-wide sensor and new ISP. Maybe a stop better noise performance, better digital zoom quality in the 0.6x-0.9x & 1.1-4.9x ranges from the combo of new sensor & new ISP, or improved highlight retention / smart hdr processing. The reviews appear to show effectively identical image quality comparing 15 Pro to 16 Pro though.

The only noticeable advantages seems to be very slightly better detail on moving subjects when using the main camera since the faster sensor readout allows the 9 images that get stacked to be taken in a shorter time window. That's... not much.

How could Apple move to a completely new main camera sensor and ISP and manage to offer zero image quality improvement? Am I missing something?

 

[code-m]

If I was in your place I would upgrade. It has been 6 years since iPhone XS came out. the iPhone XS has 4 GB of RAM and with the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro you will get double the amount of RAM, major camera improvements, bigger battery, more efficient CPU/GPU/Neural Engine, USB-C, 5G....etc

Are you upgrading to the iPhone 16 Pro or 16 Pro Max? I still don't know what to do. Most likely I will keep my iPhone 13 Pro for one more year.

iPhone 16 Pro, no Max for me as my hand growing days were done long time ago. 😅

 

[citysnaps]

Anyone else cancel their orders after seeing the 16 Pro reviews drop the last two days?

Was really hoping for a significant photography upgrade from the faster new main camera sensor, higher megapixel / current generation new ultra-wide sensor and new ISP. Maybe a stop better noise performance, better digital zoom quality in the 0.6x-0.9x & 1.1-4.9x ranges from the combo of new sensor & new ISP, or improved highlight retention / smart hdr processing. The reviews appear to show effectively identical image quality comparing 15 Pro to 16 Pro though.

The only noticeable advantages seems to be very slightly better detail on moving subjects when using the main camera since the faster sensor readout allows the 9 images that get stacked to be taken in a shorter time window. That's... not much.

How could Apple move to a completely new main camera sensor and ISP and manage to offer zero image quality improvement? Am I missing something?

"How could Apple move to a completely new main camera sensor and ISP and manage to offer zero image quality improvement? Am I missing something?"

Perhaps it's really more about the skill of the reviewers and the manner they're doing the reviews and comparisons?

 

[dba415]

Apple is done innovating and are pretty much just living based off of exclusionary walled garden things like FaceTime, iMessage, etc. Lots of people want to leave iPhone but feel stuck due to the ecosystem lock in. Apple is holding on to people because they are scared/inconvenienced by leaving, not because they like being on iPhone. How many sales of iPhone are from people that are trapped?

 

[lowimpact]

"How could Apple move to a completely new main camera sensor and ISP and manage to offer zero image quality improvement? Am I missing something?"

Perhaps it's really more about the skill of the reviewers and the manner they're doing the reviews and comparisons?

It doesn't seem like it. It's possible that the "new" main camera sensor is a minor bump that's only notable for its faster readout speed. It's also possible that the "new" ISP is only "new" in the sense that it's... identical to last year's and that last year's ISP also could've supported 4k 120hz if not for the limitations of the older main camera sensor that the iPhone 15 Pro used.

 

[Pandyone]

Only mrwhostheboss has had the guts to say the screen controls are quicker than this stupid button, everyone else has ignored it and too scared to say it.

You will not notice the difference in photo quality at all, you know it, I know it and Apple knows it.

action button, the most pointless unused gimmick on an iPhone.

and if you aren't even getting AI then buying the 16 pro is like setting fire to money, insanity.

I haven’t even received my device yet, and why would I listen to someone calling themself mrwhostheboss?

I will make my own opinion, when I have tested it.
It might be a bad choice, but then I will return it, or just continue with same price plan as before with a new device.

 

[citysnaps]

I haven’t even received my device yet, and why would I listen to someone calling themself mrwhostheboss?

I will make my own opinion, when I have tested it.
It might be a bad choice, but then I will return it, or just continue with same price plan as before with a new device.

Same here. Will be getting my 16PM tomorrow at the Apple Store. As a photographer I'm looking toward to making a lot of photos using the camera control button. And using Apple's AI.

 

[goonie4life9]

Apple put themselves in this corner. Nobody is forcing them to have a big product announcement every September. The days of big enhancements every year are behind us. Consumers are adjusting, but Apple is still putting on the same annual show.

Thank you for demonstrating my point.

 

[OrcaAreCute]

but Apple is still putting on the same annual show.

actually, it's not the same. the new shows are inferior.

 

[Pandyone]

So after using 16 Pro, mostly using camera and the camera control during the day, I’m really happy with the device.
It takes some getting used to the control button but it’s really smooth to use. I wish manual focus could be controlled with it.

The ultra wide camera is a huge upgrade from 13 Pro and photos are way better overall.
I’m keep it!

 

[Steve Lessard]

Really tough sell for the pro this year.

I am coming from the iPhone 13 regular. I will order the 16 Pro Max with 512gb! i hope it's going to last me 3-4 years! I will pick White Titanium as for color. I have been with black iPhone for the last 7 years with iPhone X and iPhone 13 regular.

 

[adrianlondon]

Really tough sell for the pro this year.

It really depends what people want.

Some like new phones every year. Some will replace when their current phone seems too old/slow and will simply buy whatever's new at the time.

Me ... I have an iPhone 11 and out of all the features I don't have, I want AOD (so the Standby feature can stay on permanently and allow my phone to be used as a bedside alarm clock when travelling) and would prefer to upgrade before I need to spend money replacing the battery.

I don't want to spend "pro" money and was hoping AOD (and hence VRR) came to the base model this year. It didn't.

My choices now are 15 Pro at a reduced price, or wait for the 17. The base 17 will probably have the same issue, but at some point having kept my 11 for so long, spending "pro" money will be ok. Or I'll get the 16 Pro on sale.

So exciting! What will I do. I'm sure you all care so much.