iPhone 16 Plus Review: The One Worth Buying This Year

2024 is the 12 months once I can lastly say that the iPhone 16 is the proper alternative within the newest iPhone line-up. After all, it misses out on many Professional options like a ProMotion show, a telephoto digital camera, and higher digital camera sensors, that are restricted to costly Professional fashions. However nonetheless, the iPhone 16s (iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus) are far greater upgrades by way of options set and general functionality this 12 months.

Beginning with the A18 chip beneath the hood, which is a two-generation leap this time round. And, to not neglect, there may be 8GB of RAM, the identical because the Professional fashions. The twin cameras have additionally been realigned, and I’ll speak intimately about why Apple returned to the iPhone 11 setup in a bit. After all, there are some misses, too.

This 12 months, Apple despatched us the iPhone 16 Plus, so I’ll add references that ought to make it simpler so that you can perceive which one fits you higher: the vanilla iPhone 16 or the 16 Plus, which primarily affords an even bigger show and battery. Let’s dive into the evaluate.

Oh, my iPhone 16 Pro Max review is already live, so you can read it here to know why it’s Apple’s crown jewel.

iPhone 16 Plus value in India

The iPhone 16 Plus begins at Rs. 89,900 for the 128GB storage possibility, whereas the 256GB comes at Rs. 99,900. The 512GB mannequin, then again, is priced at Rs. 119,900. I acquired the 512GB mannequin for this evaluate. To check, the iPhone 16 begins at Rs. 79,900 for the 128GB mannequin. The 256GB and 512GB come at Rs. 89,900 and 109,900, respectively.

iPhone 16 Plus packs a twin digital camera setup aligned vertically

iPhone 16 Plus Design: Sticking to fundamentals however retaining it elegant

• Dimensions – 160.9 (H) x 77.8mm (W) x 7.8mm (D)
• Weight – 199 grams
• Colors – Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, Black and White

The iPhone 16 Plus is the third-generation Plus machine from Apple. The iPhone 14 Plus was launched in 2022, adopted by the iPhone 15 Plus final 12 months and now 16 Plus. The smartphone does not deliver a ground-breaking overhaul to design apart from one necessary facet – digital camera housing. From a glass again (14 Plus) to a matte end rear, the 16 Plus will get aluminium frames that provide a strong really feel and a ceramic protect entrance for defense.

The telephone options aluminium with colour-infused glass again

In comparison with the Professional fashions, the iPhone 16s (16 + 16 Plus) receives two new bodily buttons this 12 months – Motion and Digital camera Management. As I discussed in my 16 Professional Max evaluate, Apple has gone the alternative route by providing extra bodily buttons when some corporations are attempting to push for gesture-based interactions. Motion button debuted final 12 months on the 15 Professional fashions and is lastly reaching the 16 and 16 Plus. The Motion button is an acceptable alternative for ring/ silent change, and it may be customised to allow another perform. Digital camera Management, then again, modifications how you employ the cameras on the newest era iPhones. It is at all times higher to have a devoted button for launching one thing than unlocking or waking the display screen after which launching. Apple has lowered one step to launch the digital camera app, and the button is the best way to launch the digital camera. Nonetheless, one factor that repeatedly occurred to me whereas reviewing was by chance launching the digital camera app with a single click on on the Digital camera Management. I needed to set it then as a double click on to cease launching the digital camera app.

The iPhone 16 Plus options the Digital camera Management on the suitable aspect

The iPhone 16 Plus is available in superb color decisions, together with Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, Black, and White, in comparison with the marginally muted colors we noticed on the 15 and 15 Plus. Apparently, the 16 Plus (199 grams) weighs marginally much less, with the identical dimensions because the 15 Plus (201 grams). The distinction in weight may not be too big, however 16 Plus is a greater machine for one-hand operations. After all, the 6.7-inch display screen dimension is not for everybody; therefore, a smaller 6.1-inch mannequin can be obtainable.

The 16s get an IP68 score for water and dirt resistance, which is identical because the 15 collection, so there is no such thing as a change in water ingress safety.

The telephone additionally options an Motion button that was launched on the Professional fashions final 12 months

The digital camera placement is vertical, reminding of the iPhone 11, and it’s rather more delicate than the housing we noticed on the 15 and 14 collection. Apple says that the vertical digital camera housing permits the telephone to shoot spatial pictures and movies, providing a way of depth or, in layperson’s phrases, multimedia with a 3D impact.

The entrance panel homes the 6.7-inch Tremendous Retina XDR show with bezels that aren’t as skinny because the iPhone 16 Pro fashions. There’s the Dynamic Island, the pill-shaped notch which has been there for the reason that iPhone 14 Professional.

The telephone additionally options Dynamic Island, the pill-shaped notch that was first launched on the 14 Professional fashions

General, the iPhone 16 has a vibrant look, and aerospace-grade aluminium affords a premium in-hand really feel. The color-infused again glass feels wealthy with a matte end and supplies an unparalleled smudge-free expertise in comparison with the Android panorama. Like different iPhones, the iPhone 16 Plus is constructed to final and affords strong sturdiness. The addition of an Motion button permits customers to carry out numerous capabilities with only a press – from recording a voice memo to figuring out a music or translating a sentence. There are sufficient customisation choices. The much-talked-about Digital camera Management is roofed with sapphire crystal and has a easy texture. A color-matched chrome steel trim surrounds it.

iPhone 16 Plus Show: Prime-notch show high quality however restricted to 60Hz

• Show – 6.7-inch Tremendous Retina XDR show
• Refresh charge – 60Hz
• Brightness – 2,000nits (peak) and 1nit (minimal)

The iPhone 16s (16 + 16 Plus) will get the acquainted Tremendous Retina XDR OLED show. The refresh charge continues to be locked at 60Hz, which is a bummer, but once more. The iPhone 16 Plus is the most expensive telephone with a 60Hz refresh charge in 2024, and I hope that Apple tries to vary this subsequent 12 months with its next-generation fashions. The 16 Plus affords 1290×2796 pixels display screen decision with 460PPI pixel density. The height brightness is 2000nits whereas the minimal brightness can drop to 1nit, which wasn’t the case with the 15 collection. The show is vivid and affords wealthy colors. The textual content seems crisp, and 16 Plus affords a surprising show minus the next refresh charge.

iPhone 16 Plus contains a 6.7-inch OLED show with 60Hz refresh charge

In my time with the iPhone 16 Plus, I loved watching multimedia on the telephone alongside gaming. In case your multimedia consumption goes to be excessive, then the 16 Plus may very well be a more sensible choice than the 16 – foundation on each display screen actual property and battery.

The iPhone 16 Plus can supply a peak brightness of 2000nits

iPhone 16 Plus Efficiency: Huge leap

• Processor – A18 chip
• RAM – 8GB RAM
• Biometric – Face ID

For the vanilla iPhone 16s, the most important leap is beneath the hood. The iPhone 16 Plus (and 16) are powered by Apple’s newest A18 chip, leaping two generations forward from the A16 Bionic in iPhone 15. It contains a 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine, which Apple says is optimised for operating massive generative fashions. Throughout the launch final month, the corporate claimed that the A18 is 30 p.c quicker than the A16 Bionic seen on the 15 collection in CPU efficiency. It’s constructed on second-generation 3-nanometer tech. Lengthy factor brief, Apple has made these modifications to make sure that Apple Intelligence runs buttery easy on the 16s.

Aspect-by-side comparability: iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 16 Plus (left to proper)

Whereas you aren’t getting Apple Intelligence out-of-the-box, I attempted a beta replace that gave me a sneak peek into these options. Beginning with the Writing instruments, Apple has built-in these inside iOS, making them accessible wherever you sort. Be it for rewriting notes, adjusting tone or proofreading written mail. Subsequent are the newest emojis you possibly can create by merely typing an outline or creating pictures with Picture Playground. All of that is built-in into apps like Messages. Within the Pictures app, now you can discover no matter picture you are on the lookout for by typing key phrases, thus making it simple to seek out pictures out of your total assortment. There are extra AI options, however most of them are being polished for the ultimate rollout. Most significantly, Apple Intelligence marks the beginning of a brand new period for Siri. Apple is predicted to launch the newest iOS replace with a full suite of Apple Intelligence options by the tip of October, so keep tuned.

Apple’s newest A18 chip powers the telephone

The iPhone 16 Plus packs extra RAM than the 15 collection and affords higher thermal efficiency. Apple up to date the principle logic board this 12 months, retaining the chip placement on the centre and optimising the encircling structure. The corporate added a sub-structure to dissipate warmth produced from one hundred pc recycled aluminium to enhance thermal efficiency. I skilled this whereas attempting out AAA titles like Murderer’s Creed: Mirage, Resident Evil 4, and GTA: San Andreas on the 16 Plus. Leaping to artificial benchmarks, the A18 chip brings a leap in comparison with the 15 collection, and you may discover that under within the comparability desk.

The iPhone 16 Plus packs a incredible show, and stereo audio system complement it. The audio system sound properly and supply balanced output. The readability does not get hit when elevating the quantity. Subsequent, the iPhone 16 Plus packs unbelievable haptic suggestions that is exact to the core and affords a good expertise whereas typing lengthy emails or gaming.

Connectivity-wise, the iPhone 16 Plus is spectacular and might latch onto networks, providing a constant 5G connection. After all, you possibly can expertise this presently solely on Jio and Airtel networks.

iPhone 16 Plus runs iOS 18 out-of-the-box

iOS 18 brings new customisation choices like rearranging apps and widgets alongside personalising the house display screen structure. With the newest iOS replace, you possibly can go for darkish and tint themes alongside selecting to extend the app icon dimension. Customers can lock or disguise an app, which is a good addition. The Management Centre will get a whole makeover alongside the choice to rearrange and resize controls – a much-demanded function lastly makes it to iOS 18. Now you can additionally swap controls on the lock display screen for fast entry. The Pictures app will get a full-blown redesign; nonetheless, getting used to the brand new refresh will take a while. There are a bunch of extra additions within the iOS 18. The theme of the newest iOS replace is customisations, because it affords loads of methods to mess around with present issues.

iPhone 16 Plus sports activities a 48-megapixel major digital camera and a 12-megapixel ultrawide digital camera

iPhone 16 Plus Digital camera: Succesful with some new methods

• Cameras – 48MP extensive and 12MP ultra-wide
• Zoom choices – 0.5x, 1x, 2x (optical)
• Selfie – 12MP

The iPhone 16 Plus ships with the identical major sensor because the 15 Plus – the 48-megapixel digital camera is retained from final 12 months. The improve is with the ultrawide digital camera, which stays a 12-megapixel sensor, although it now packs f/2.2 aperture and helps autofocus. The selfie digital camera is but once more 12-megapixel, the identical because the 15 collection.

The Digital camera Management affords a neater technique to seize pictures

Earlier than diving into the efficiency of the 16 Plus cameras, I need to briefly speak in regards to the Digital camera Management. It has been a wonderful addition and the simplest technique to entry the cameras on the brand new 16 collection. Sure, it has a studying curve as a result of the muscle reminiscence will preserve taking you to the house display screen to launch the digital camera through its app.

iPhone 16 Plus Main Sensor Daylight Photographs

In comparison with the 16 Professional Max, the 16 Plus is simpler to deal with with Digital camera Management because of the 6.7-inch display screen dimension, which is handy – when you have massive fingers. For individuals who desire a smaller type issue, there’s the iPhone 16 with a 6.1-inch display screen.

Portrait mode in motion

Leaping again to the cameras, the iPhone 16 Plus can seize some incredible daylight photographs with positive particulars within the scene. Pictures are sharp and supply glorious dynamic vary. The colors are nice and stay as pure as attainable. Portraits come out properly with correct depth estimation. Apple has additionally launched new Photographic Kinds, which supply extra customized choices to allow you to personalise the way you or your topic seems in pictures. The brand new management pad supplies extra flexibility when clicking pictures. The optical zoom additionally works flawlessly and affords a strong possibility for shutterbugs. The zooming functionality is restricted due to the dearth of a telephoto digital camera.

Ultrawide samples from the iPhone 16 Plus

The ultrawide sensor is favored due to its versatility in capturing extra of the scene, and this time, Apple has made it extra succesful. It’s claimed to seize as much as 2.6 occasions extra gentle. The excellent news is that the ultrawide digital camera permits macro images this time round.

Ultrawide photographs come out rather well with extra particulars and strong colors. Autofocus is an enormous addition that makes your life simpler by routinely autofocusing. Macro photographs made attainable with the brand new ultrawide setup additionally come out properly.

Low-light samples from the iPhone 16 Plus

Even low-light pictures come out properly with the iPhone 16 Plus. The first sensor is strong for evening photographs, and the main points are intact. Ultrawide photographs at evening are first rate, although not as nice as daytime photographs. Selfies come out properly, and there’s no criticism on this regard, together with the pores and skin tones, that are as pure as they are often.

Video upgrades are incredible and one of many causes that makes the iPhones the go-to units for video wants. General, the iPhone 16 Plus packs succesful cameras that may shoot fantastic photographs in day and evening.

iPhone 16 Plus will get the latest-generation Photographic Kinds

iPhone 16 Plus Battery: Will blow you away

• Video Playback – As much as 27 hours (Claimed)
• Charging – As much as 50% in 35 minutes
• Helps USB 2

iPhone 16 Plus is a darkish horse in terms of battery efficiency. In my assessments, the iPhone 16 Plus beat the 16 Professional Max a number of occasions by way of display screen time.

iPhone 16 Plus affords higher battery efficiency in comparison with 15 Plus and 14 Plus

In comparison with the 16 Professional Max’s finest battery efficiency (8 hours and half-hour), the 16 Plus provided me 9 hours and 37 minutes of display screen time with heavy utilization that included a few hours of gaming in addition to streaming a two-hour film on Netflix aside from apps like Outlook, Gmail, WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, clicking pictures and movies utilizing the Digital camera app and likewise together with common calls of about 50 minutes in a full day. Technically, the iPhone 16 Plus lasted 1.5 days simply with heavy utilization which is far more than what Android flagships assure. In our HD video loop take a look at, the iPhone 16 Plus managed 27 hours and 20 minutes of playback time.

iPhone 16 Plus can cost as much as 50% in 35 minutes

Charging stays the most important Achilles heel of the brand new iPhone 16 Plus. It will probably cost as much as 50 p.c in 35 minutes, however a full cost takes round 120 minutes, which is not supreme in comparison with the competitors. The 16 Plus packs USB 2, which is barely disappointing.

The iPhone 16 Plus weighs beneath 200 grams

iPhone 16 Plus Verdict

The iPhone 16 raises the bar for what vanilla iPhone fashions might do. The iPhone 16 (and 16 Plus) will get an A18 chip, which guarantees superior efficiency in comparison with Android flagships out there. The cameras are strong, and also you get two new buttons – Motion and Digital camera Management. The battery backup is spectacular, and the construct high quality is top-notch. It additionally will get an IP68 score for peace of thoughts and is a incredible machine for high-graphics gaming in its newest avatar. The show high quality is great. After all, a number of issues may very well be improved, like sluggish charging and 60Hz refresh charge at this value level, making this look barely misplaced in comparison with Android flagships.

The iPhone 16 collection is offered in 5 enticing colors

So, who can buy it? Should you bought an iPhone 15 (Review) or 15 Plus final 12 months, you may give this a miss. Nonetheless, for folks nonetheless utilizing the iPhone 14 or older fashions, the iPhone 16 guarantees a lot greater upgrades. Because of festive gross sales, the iPhone 15 is promoting at lower cost factors, making it a viable competitor to the iPhone 16.

If you’d like the very best efficiency and don’t need to compromise on any facet, then the iPhone 16 Professional Max sits on the prime, and you may learn our review here.