Apple’s latest iPhone event showcased the company’s growing focus on artificial intelligence, with the new iPhone 16 and 16 Plus designed to meet the computational demands of “Apple Intelligence,” Cupertino’s branded AI technology.
These models feature a cutting-edge 3nm chipset and introduce new design elements shared with their Pro counterparts, including the Action button and Camera Control. These phones can finally run AAA games like the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max thanks to the new chipset.
Design and Display
The display specifications for the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus remain largely unchanged from their predecessors. The standard iPhone 16 retains its 6.1-inch screen, while the Plus model features a 6.7-inch display. These dimensions make them slightly more compact than the Pro models, which are 0.2 inches larger.
The refresh rate remains at 60Hz, as ProMotion technology continues to be a Pro-exclusive feature. Peak brightness capabilities are impressive, with screens reaching 2,000 nits in bright sunlight and dim to as low as 1 nit in dark environments.
Apple has also improved the durability of its devices. The latest iteration of Ceramic Shield protection is touted to be 50% more resilient than its original version and, according to Apple, twice as tough as the strengthened glass used by competitors.
The new Action Button replaces the outgoing Alert Slider and it can be programmed for a variety of tasks such as starting a voice recording, identifying a song, turning on the flashlight, and more. It can be used for in-app tasks as well as unlocking your car.
Internals and Hardware
Apple’s latest iPhone 16 and 16 Plus models are powered by the cutting-edge A18 chipset, marking a significant two-generation leap from the A16 found in the iPhone 15 series. This second-generation 3nm chip promises both enhanced performance and improved energy efficiency.
The Cupertino-based company has also made strides in thermal management for the iPhone 16 lineup. Through a redesigned motherboard and a thermal substrate crafted from 100% recycled aluminum, Apple claims a 30% improvement in sustained performance.
Gaming capabilities have received a substantial boost with the A18’s GPU. The chip is powerful enough to handle demanding titles like Resident Evil: Biohazard and Assassin’s Creed: Mirage. Looking ahead, Honor of Kings: World is set to launch next year with an ultra graphics mode optimized specifically for the iPhone 16.
The GPU also boasts hardware-accelerated ray tracing, enhancing visual fidelity in games like War Thunder Mobile. For those who prefer physical controls, the new iPhones maintain support for external game controllers.
The new NPU enables Apple’s generative AI features thanks to the new 16-core design which is said to be twice as fast as previous generations. This means Apple Intelligence can run on the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus but not on previous generations.
Apple Intelligence
Apple’s iOS 18 introduces a significant overhaul to the Photos app, leveraging AI to enhance organization and editing capabilities. The app automatically categorizes images based on subjects or events, such as grouping photos by people or specific trips. Users retain full control over this organization system, allowing customization to suit personal preferences.
A standout feature of Apple Intelligence is the new “Cleanup” tool, which can intelligently remove unwanted elements from photos, including accidental photobombers and their reflections and shadows.
The Visual Intelligence feature, accessible via a tap-and-hold gesture on the Camera Control, brings powerful object recognition capabilities to the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus. Users can point their camera at an object, building, or a pet, and tap the Control to access relevant information. The system demonstrates impressive contextual awareness; for example, when aimed at a poster for an upcoming event, it can automatically extract and add event details to the user’s calendar.
Cameras
The main 48MP camera retains its f/1.6 26mm lens and 1.0µm pixel sensor with sensor-shift optical image stabilization. However, the imaging pipeline has been revamped, introducing a new 24MP capture mode that balances the detail of 48MP shots and the efficiency of 12MP images.
Video capabilities have been enhanced, with the main camera now able to record 4K Dolby Vision content at 60fps. Apple has also implemented AI-powered wind noise reduction for improved audio quality in videos. While a dedicated telephoto lens remains absent, the main camera’s processing allows for 2x zoom at 12MP with optical-quality results or a high-resolution 48MP option.
The ultra-wide camera sees a significant upgrade, adopting the 12MP module with a 13mm lens previously exclusive to last year’s Pro models. This camera features autofocus, enabling macro photography, and its brighter f/2.2 aperture captures 2.6 times more light than its predecessor, promising improved low-light performance.
Battery and Pricing
As always, Apple hasn’t mentioned battery capacity, but says that the iPhone’s new design allows for a bigger battery, bringing a “big boost.” For comparison, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus have 3,349 mAh and 4,383 mAh batteries respectively, so we can expect slightly higher numbers on the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus.
The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus start at $800 and $900, respectively, and will go for sale in most parts of the world on September 20.
Specifications
| iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | |
| Chipset | Apple A18 | Apple A18 |
| CPU | Hexa-core | Hexa-core |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core graphics) | Apple GPU (5-core graphics) |
| OS | iOS 18 | iOS 18 |
| Supported Networks | 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, 5G | 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, 5G |
| Display | 6.1″ Super Retina XDR OLED, 1179 x 2556 pixels, 2000 nits peak | 6.7″ Super Retina XDR OLED, 1290 x 2796 pixels, 2000 nits peak |
| RAM | N/A | N/A |
| Storage | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Card Slot | No | No |
| Main Camera | 48 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.56″, 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF |
48 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.56″, 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Front Camera | 12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6″, PDAF SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) |
12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6″, PDAF SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) |
| Colors | Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine | Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine |
| Battery |
N/A | N/A |
| Price |
$800 | $900 |
Follow ProPakistani on Google News & scroll through your favourite content faster!
Support independent journalism
If you want to join us in our mission to share independent, global journalism to the world, we’d love to have you on our side. If you can, please support us on a monthly basis. It takes less than a minute to set up, and you can rest assured that you’re making a big impact every single month in support of open, independent journalism. Thank you.
