After months of anticipation, the iPhone 16 is finally here. While Apple has packed its iPhone 16 Pro models with more substantial upgrades, the standard iPhone 16 still has plenty to offer. With exciting features like upcoming Apple Intelligence integration, it’s sure to attract tech enthusiasts and casual buyers alike.
Design changes, including new side buttons and an updated camera layout, are among the standout features of the iPhone 16. Powered by a brand-new chipset — not recycled from last year’s Pro models — the phone also promises better battery life and an improved ultrawide camera. And all of this comes with no increase in price compared to last year’s models. In fact, all four iPhone 16 variants retain the same pricing as their iPhone 15 predecessors.
Key Details
– Pre-order date: September 13, 2024
– Release date: September 20, 2024
– Price: £799 for iPhone 16, £899 for iPhone 16 Plus
– Design: 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays for standard and Plus models, with Action and Camera Control buttons
– Cameras: Updated 12MP ultrawide lens with autofocus and macro mode; Spatial video support
– AI Features: Supports Apple Intelligence
– Specs: A18 chipset, 128GB base storage
– Battery: Larger, though unspecified, battery capacity
– Software: iOS 18
The iPhone 16 is priced at $799/£799/AU$1,399 for the base 128GB model, while the iPhone 16 Plus starts at $899/£899/AU$1,599. These are identical to the iPhone 15 pricing. Upgrading to 256GB adds £100 to the cost, while opting for 512GB adds £300.
Pre-orders for the iPhone 16 begin on September 13, 2024, and Apple is offering trade-in credits of up to £650, depending on your current phone. The phones will hit stores on September 20.
Design and Features
The iPhone 16 introduces subtle but important design changes compared to previous models. One of the most noticeable changes is the vertical stacking of the rear cameras, a design last seen on the iPhone 12.
This new camera arrangement is key to enabling spatial video, which requires two cameras to record simultaneously for a 3D depth effect.
Another significant change is the removal of the mute switch on the left side of the phone, replaced by an Action button. Like the iPhone 15 Pro, this button can be customised as a shortcut for various tasks, such as opening apps or turning on the flashlight.
On the opposite side, you’ll find the new Camera Control button, a dedicated feature that launches the Camera app with one press and takes a photo with the next. Holding the button records video, while a capacitive sensor allows users to scroll and adjust zoom or blur in portrait shots.
Performance
Even with a five-core GPU, the A18 chipset is powerful enough to run advanced games that were once exclusive to Pro models. The A18 offers improvements in both CPU and GPU performance compared to the A16 Bionic in the iPhone 15. Additionally, the upgraded neural engine enhances the phone’s ability to run Apple Intelligence features, which are set to launch later this year.
Camera Updates
While the iPhone 16 doesn’t introduce major camera overhauls, it does upgrade the ultrawide lens with a new sensor that adds autofocus and macro capabilities. This means the camera should deliver better performance in low-light conditions, capturing more detail and clarity.
Battery Life
Apple hasn’t provided specific battery size details, but it has promised larger batteries for the iPhone 16. Combined with the power-efficient A18 chip, this could lead to longer battery life than the iPhone 15. Apple claims that both the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus offer improved video playback and streaming times, though real-world tests will confirm if these claims hold up.
The iPhone 15 Plus already has one of the longest-lasting batteries among smartphones, so Apple’s promises for the iPhone 16 series are exciting.
Competition
The iPhone 16 will face strong competition from devices like the Galaxy S24 and Pixel 9, both of which are priced similarly at $799. Although Apple hasn’t made drastic camera improvements, its strong reputation for smartphone photography suggests it will continue to hold its own in head-to-head comparisons with competitors.
In terms of performance, the A18 chipset may give the iPhone 16 an edge over the Galaxy S24’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, particularly in terms of graphics performance.
However, the AI capabilities of the iPhone 16 are less certain. While Apple Intelligence is set to roll out soon, it remains to be seen how it will compare to the already advanced AI features of the Galaxy and Pixel devices.
Final Thoughts
We’ve just started testing the iPhone 16, but early impressions of the Camera Control feature and performance are positive. A lot of the phone’s success will likely depend on the rollout of Apple Intelligence, which is poised to play a central role in the iPhone 16’s appeal.
With its unchanged price point of £799, the iPhone 16 is well-positioned to attract buyers who are looking for a new iPhone without breaking the bank. While the iPhone 16 Pro models may draw more attention for their substantial upgrades, the iPhone 16 is packed with enough enhancements to make it a compelling option for budget-conscious shoppers.
Buy With Binary
If you’re interested in ordering iPhone 16 for yourself or business you can order with us. We’re taking pre-orders from the 13th of September and shipping as soon as possible. If this is of interest to you get in touch with sales below to find out more.
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