Comparison Report: iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 16 Pro vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max

Design and Build Differences

The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus feature a sturdy aerospace-grade aluminum frame with color-infused glass backs, available in five vibrant colors: Black, White, Pink, Teal, and Ultramarine apple.com en.wikipedia.org. In contrast, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max boast a premium Grade 5 titanium chassis with a refined micro-blasted texture, offering one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios for durability while keeping weight low apple.com. The Pros come in four matte metallic finishes: Natural, Black, White, and a new desert-inspired Desert Titanium apple.com en.wikipedia.org. This titanium build makes the Pro models feel both strong and light, whereas the aluminum iPhone 16 has a slightly more conventional heft.

In terms of dimensions, the Pro Max is the largest iPhone ever, with a 6.9‑inch display, while the standard iPhone 16 sticks to 6.1 inches (and 6.7″ for the 16 Plus) apple.com apple.com. Thanks to ultra-thin display bezels, the Pro models manage these larger screens without an unwieldy increase in body size en.wikipedia.org. The iPhone 16 Pro measures 149.6×71.5×8.25 mm and 199 g, and the Pro Max 163.0×77.6×8.25 mm and 227 g en.wikipedia.org. For comparison, the aluminum iPhone 16 is lighter at 170 g (and the 16 Plus 199 g) en.wikipedia.org, which some users appreciate for its hand-feel. All models maintain rounded edges and a durable Ceramic Shield front (Apple’s toughened glass). Notably, iPhone 16 (base) reverts to a vertical rear camera layout (reminiscent of iPhone 11/12) instead of the diagonal lens arrangement of recent generations en.wikipedia.org. The Pros, meanwhile, continue with the triple-lens module and LiDAR scanner in a prominent camera bump.

Build quality is top-notch across the board. Water and dust resistance is rated IP68 on all, meaning they can survive submersion up to 6 m for 30 minutes en.wikipedia.org. The titanium Pros use a new internal recycled aluminum sub-structure bonded to the frame for improved heat dissipation apple.com en.wikipedia.org. Apple claims the redesigned chassis allows up to 20% better sustained performance under heavy loads on the Pro models (and up to 30% better on the base models) due to better thermal management apple.com en.wikipedia.org. Another new physical feature this year is the Action Button, now included on all iPhone 16 models (not just Pros) apple.com. This programmable side button (replacing the old mute switch) lets users toggle silent mode by default, or launch custom actions (camera, flashlight, voice recorder, shortcuts, etc.) with a press.

Perhaps the most novel hardware addition is the Camera Control button. All iPhone 16 variants (except the budget 16e) include a new dedicated camera button on the right side en.wikipedia.org. This tactile two-stage shutter key is a result of tight hardware-software integration. A light press can pre-focus and bring up camera controls, a full press snaps a photo, and holding it starts video recording – emulating a real camera shutter apple.com en.wikipedia.org. The button even supports touch gestures: you can double-tap or slide your finger on it to adjust zoom, exposure, or other settings on the fly apple.com apple.com. Reviewers found it “fun to flip the phone on its side and shoot with the button like a normal camera,” though some noted the stiff click requires firm pressure forums.macrumors.com forums.macrumors.com. Overall, the iPhone 16 family marries Apple’s signature sleek design with new tactile controls and rugged materials – the base models looking more playful in their colored glass, and the Pros exuding a premium technical aesthetic with titanium and ultra-thin bezels en.wikipedia.org apple.com.

Display Specifications

All three devices deliver Apple’s Super Retina XDR OLED displays, but there are clear differences in size and tech. The iPhone 16 retains a 6.1-inch screen (2556×1179 resolution) and the 16 Plus a 6.7-inch (2796×1290) – both at ~460 ppi density en.wikipedia.org. The 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max step up to slightly larger 6.3-inch (2622×1206) and 6.9-inch (2868×1320) panels, respectively en.wikipedia.org. Despite the size jump, the Pros actually have the thinnest borders on any Apple product, making these expansive displays feel almost edge-to-edge apple.com en.wikipedia.org. In aspect ratio they’re around 19.5:9 (Apple quotes it as 13:6) to accommodate the taller form.

A major differentiator is the refresh rate. The standard iPhone 16/Plus stick to a 60 Hz refresh (no ProMotion), which Apple has used on non-pro iPhones historically en.wikipedia.org. The Pro models, however, feature ProMotion adaptive 120 Hz refresh for buttery-smooth animations and scrolling en.wikipedia.org, plus an Always-On Display mode (able to dim and show info at a glance). Brightness capabilities are excellent across the lineup. Typical brightness reaches 1000 nits on the Pros (and around 800–1000 nits on the base models) with peak HDR brightness up to 1600 nits, and outdoor sunlight boost up to 2000 nits on all iPhone 16 displays en.wikipedia.org. This matches the class-leading brightness Apple introduced last year, meaning even the iPhone 16 (base) can be vividly visible in harsh daylight. All screens support the P3 wide color gamut, high contrast, and Dolby Vision HDR.

One subtle upgrade on the Pro screens is an anti-reflective technology rumored for this generation. In fact, iPhone 17 leaks suggest Apple might add a matte, nano-texture glass option, but for iPhone 16 the displays are the familiar glossy OLED with excellent viewing angles macrumors.com. Both base and Pro models feature the Dynamic Island cutout for the front camera and Face ID sensors, so even the cheaper iPhone 16 now has that pill-shaped, animated notch introduced on the 14 Pro. The Dynamic Island is used system-wide for live alerts and multitasking – a feature no longer limited to Pro devices apple.com.

In summary, the Pro and Pro Max have the superior displays with smoother 120Hz refresh and always-on capability, whereas the iPhone 16/Plus have great but standard 60Hz panels. Sizes range from one-hand-friendly 6.1″ up to a mini-tablet-like 6.9″. All are extremely sharp and bright OLEDs that are HDR-ready. The base iPhone 16’s lack of high refresh is one of the few hardware compromises remaining – some users do notice the 60Hz in side-by-side comparisons, especially since many competing phones at its price have moved to 90Hz or 120Hz en.wikipedia.org. Still, the consensus is that Apple’s color accuracy and responsiveness remain top tier even on the 60Hz screens. If you prioritize the absolute best display (for buttery motion and max size), the Pro Max clearly stands out; but the standard iPhone 16’s display is “exceptional” in quality for its class – with a catch that it’s limited to 60Hz refresh en.wikipedia.org.

Camera Systems and Photography Features

One of the biggest generational leaps comes in the camera department. iPhone 16 and 16 Plus now sport a 48 MP main “Fusion” camera – the same resolution as last year’s Pros – paired with a 12 MP ultra-wide camera with autofocus apple.com apple.com. This is a powerful dual-camera setup that effectively gives the base iPhone two optical-quality focal lengths in one device. By default, the 48 MP sensor bins down to 24 MP images for a balance of detail and low-light performance en.wikipedia.org. It also enables a 2× telephoto mode using the center 12 MP of the sensor, providing an optical-quality 2× zoom without a third lens apple.com. Apple markets this as “two cameras in one,” since you get both a wide (1×) and a 2× zoom framing from the single 48 MP lens apple.com. The ultra-wide on iPhone 16 was upgraded with a wider aperture and autofocus capability, meaning it can now do macro photography up close apple.com apple.com. In fact, the iPhone 16’s 12 MP ultrawide gathers 2.6× more light than before, which greatly improves low-light shots and clarity in wide field photos apple.com. Users can capture sharp macro shots of flowers, insects, etc., a feature previously limited to Pro models. Both rear cameras benefit from improved image processing (Smart HDR, Deep Fusion, etc.), and the larger main sensor allows impressive zero shutter lag captures – Apple says the sensor can read out twice as fast, eliminating shutter lag for 48 MP photos apple.com apple.com. The base models can also now take “Spatial Photos” and videos, a new 3D photo format that, along with spatial video, will play back with depth on the Apple Vision Pro headset apple.com. This required aligning the two lenses vertically (hence the new camera layout) to capture stereoscopic data en.wikipedia.org.

The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max take camera capabilities even further. They feature Apple’s most versatile system yet: a triple-lens array with a 48 MP main (wide), a new 48 MP ultra-wide, and a 12 MP 5× telephoto (120 mm equivalent) – plus the LiDAR scanner for depth and AR en.wikipedia.org. Notably, the ultra-wide camera on the Pros jumped to 48 MP this year (up from 12 MP), which is a significant upgrade for detail in wide shots forums.macrumors.com. It also has autofocus, enabling super-detailed macro shots with more resolution than before forums.macrumors.com. The 5× optical telephoto lens (roughly 120 mm focal length) that was previously exclusive to the largest Pro Max now comes to both Pro sizes apple.com. So even if you choose the smaller 6.3″ iPhone 16 Pro, you still get a true 5× zoom lens for distant subjects. Early reviewers noted that the 5× telephoto on the 16 Pro produces sharp long-range shots and is great for “catching the action from farther away” without resorting to digital zoom apple.com. All three rear lenses on the Pro support Night mode and Deep Fusion processing, and with LiDAR, focusing in low light is swift.

Thanks to the new A18 Pro chip’s imaging pipeline, the video capabilities on iPhone 16 Pro are unprecedented. The Pros can record 4K video at up to 120 fps in Dolby Vision HDR, which is the highest resolution/frame-rate combo ever on an iPhone apple.com. This allows for extremely smooth slow-motion in full 4K quality. In practice, you can film at 4K120 and later choose to play back at 1/2 speed (60 fps), 1/4 speed (30 fps), or even 1/5 speed for a cinematic 24 fps slow-mo apple.com. Apple’s Camera app on iOS 18 lets you adjust the speed ramping seamlessly – reviewers loved how you can slow down a portion of a 120 fps clip right on the phone and see it render in real time forums.macrumors.com. The A18 Pro’s new Image Signal Processor also enables ProRes LOG video recording at 4K120, giving pro filmmakers greater dynamic range for color grading apple.com. Using the USB-C port, you can even record 4K ProRes or RAW video directly to an external SSD – turning the iPhone into a serious professional video tool apple.com.

The iPhone 16 (non-Pro) models aren’t quite that extreme in video, but they still support up to 4K60 and improved stabilization. Both base and Pro iPhones gain Spatial Video recording (a combination of the two cameras to create 3D video for Vision Pro), though the Pros’ LiDAR might enhance this effect. All models also introduce Next-generation Photographic Styles, which are like intelligent filters that adjust tone and warmth locally. The new Styles have a deeper understanding of skin tones and allow real-time adjustments via an easy control pad and intensity slider apple.com apple.com. For example, you can apply a dramatic high-contrast black & white style that only affects certain colors and skin in the photo, and you can tweak it live or after the fact. These Styles effectively let users personalize the imaging pipeline to their taste, beyond one-size-fits-all filters apple.com.

Another innovative feature across the lineup is “Camera Control” software integration, linked to the physical camera button. When you half-press the shutter button, a camera quick menu/preview can pop up, allowing you to adjust settings (like switching lenses, dialing in depth of field, exposure compensation, etc.) by swiping on the on-screen controls or the button itself apple.com apple.com. It’s a very immersive way to control the camera without taking your eye off the shot apple.com. Later in 2024, Apple is rolling out Visual Intelligence features tied to the camera: you’ll be able to point the camera (or use Camera Control) at objects and hold the button to identify plants, animals, or landmarks, get restaurant info, add events from a poster to your calendar, and more apple.com. Essentially, the camera can act as a smart lens into the world, similar to Google Lens, all initiated via the Camera Control button. Apple is even allowing third-party apps to hook into this; for instance, you could use the button to quickly search an item on Google or send the view to a ChatGPT assistant for help solving a problem apple.com. This underscores how AI and camera hardware are working together in the iPhone 16 generation.

Finally, audio in videos gets a boost on the Pro models: the iPhone 16 Pro/Max have four new studio-quality microphones and can record video with Spatial Audio (for immersive 3D sound when played back on AirPods or surround systems) apple.com. Apple also introduced an Audio Mix feature with machine learning that separates foreground voices from background noise. You can choose modes like In-Frame (prioritize the subject’s voice), Studio (make it sound like it was recorded in a studio – one reviewer noted this made voices clearer, “like a podcast” in real time forums.macrumors.com), or Cinematic (surround environmental sounds) apple.com apple.com. The ML algorithm even reduces wind noise automatically, which videographers will appreciate apple.com. These advanced audio options are largely Pro-exclusive, further cementing the Pro models as powerful creative devices.

In summary, the iPhone 16 Pro series offers Apple’s most advanced camera system to date – triple lenses (now two 48 MP sensors), 5× optical zoom, and breakthrough 4K120 video capabilities apple.com apple.com. The standard iPhone 16/Plus inherited a huge main sensor upgrade and now cover most everyday shooting needs with excellent quality (and even match the Pros in the main lens). Casual photographers will find the base iPhone’s camera greatly improved – one reviewer noted the base 16’s photos are so good that “the base model no longer feels like a notable downgrade from its Pro counterparts” in most conditions digitaltrends.com. Professionals or camera enthusiasts, however, will gravitate to the Pro for its extra lens, finer control, and ProRes/Log video options. The addition of the physical camera button and the infusion of AI (Apple Intelligence) mean all iPhone 16 models are more photography-focused and “built for creativity” out of the box, with new ways to compose and edit shots on-device.

Performance: Chipset, RAM, and Thermals

Under the hood, the iPhone 16 family is powered by Apple’s newest silicon: the A18 chip. The standard iPhone 16 and 16 Plus use the base A18 SoC, while the 16 Pro/Max use a higher-tier A18 Pro chip phonearena.com. Both chips are fabricated on a 3-nanometer process (TSMC N3E) and represent the cutting edge of mobile processors en.wikipedia.org. The A18 Pro is essentially a beefed-up version designed for the Pro models, with some key differences in GPU and memory bandwidth.

CPU performance: The A18 (in iPhone 16) and A18 Pro (in 16 Pro) each have a 6‑core CPU (2 high-performance + 4 efficiency cores) with minor clock speed boosts over the previous generation. Benchmarks show only a small gap between the base and Pro chips in CPU tasks phonearena.com phonearena.com. In fact, Geekbench 6 results have the iPhone 16 Pro and even the iPhone 16 Plus within a few percentage points of each other in both single-core and multi-core scores phonearena.com phonearena.com. The A18 Pro’s CPU is about 8% faster in single-core and ~15% faster in multi-core compared to last year’s A17 Pro phonearena.com. This translates to a modest iterative bump – as one review put it, “not a crazy jump forward, but a small and steady step up” in CPU speed phonearena.com. All iPhone 16 models are industry-leading in CPU: in Geekbench, the 16 Pro’s single-core outscored the Galaxy S24 Ultra by ~50% phonearena.com. For everyday use, this means snappy performance across iOS 18 and plenty of headroom for intensive apps and games.

GPU and gaming: Here is where the Pro chip distinguishes itself. The A18 Pro features a 6-core Apple GPU (with higher memory bandwidth), whereas the regular A18 reportedly has a 5-core GPU nanoreview.net. In graphics benchmarks, the Pro models pull ahead. For example, in 3DMark Extreme tests, iPhone 16 Pro scores ~10–15% higher than the iPhone 16 (non-Pro) phonearena.com phonearena.com. Interestingly, the A18 (base) GPU is roughly on par with, or slightly below, last year’s A17 Pro GPU in some tests – one analysis found “A17 Pro is more powerful than A18 in GPU, though A18 is king in battery efficiency” nanoreview.net. This is likely because the A18 (non-Pro) is tuned for efficiency and has one fewer core. Meanwhile, the A18 Pro’s 6-core graphics and improved thermal design allow it to regain the crown. In sustained GFXBench runs, the 16 Pro Max’s GPU, after throttling, still edges out the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Galaxy S24 Ultra (Apple scores ~3009 vs 2710 in the long 3DMark Wildlife test, indicating better sustained frame rates) phonearena.com. Apple has effectively caught up to and slightly surpassed Qualcomm’s best in GPU performance this generation phonearena.com phonearena.com. This means the Pros are better suited for high-end gaming, especially over longer sessions, thanks to both the extra GPU core and superior cooling. The base iPhone 16 can still play any current game very well – its GPU is no slouch – but hardcore gamers will appreciate the Pro’s edge. To quantify: an iPhone 16 Pro Max hits ~72 FPS in GFXBench Aztec Ruins (high tier), about 13% higher than A17 Pro and 16% higher than the base A18 chip abachy.com. In real terms, expect a few extra FPS and more stable performance on the Pros in graphically intensive apps.

RAM: The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max come with 8 GB of RAM, unchanged from the 15 Pro generation en.wikipedia.org. The iPhone 16/Plus were rumored to have 6 GB (as the iPhone 15 did), but interestingly Apple’s mid-cycle introduction of the iPhone 16e confirms 8 GB in that device phonearena.com. It’s reported that even the base iPhone 16 may have gotten a bump to 8 GB for consistency with Apple’s AI ambitions (some sources differ, but the consensus is base 16 = 6 GB, 16e = 8 GB, and Pros = 8 GB). Regardless, memory is sufficient for heavy multitasking and future iOS updates. Notably, rumor has it next year’s iPhone 17 Pro could jump to 12 GB RAM to support more advanced AI and camera features macrumors.com, but the current 8 GB on Pro is already more than virtually any competing phone’s usage requires, given iOS’s efficiency.

Thermals & sustained performance: Apple redesigned the internal architecture for better heat dissipation on all iPhone 16 models. The logic board placement was centralized and a new aluminum subframe acts as a heat spreader en.wikipedia.org. On the Pros, the titanium frame is bonded with this aluminum and graphite layers to maximize thermal capacity en.wikipedia.org. The result: in stress tests and gaming benchmarks, the iPhone 16 series runs cooler and sustains high performance longer. Apple claims the 16 Pro can maintain 20% higher performance under load than the 15 Pro could before throttling apple.com. Indeed, Tom’s Guide battery test (a proxy for sustained load) found the 16 Pro lasted over 14 hours of continuous web surfing vs ~11 hours for the 15 Pro – a remarkable improvement 9to5mac.com. Users on forums also noted that the base iPhone 16, while extremely fast, might actually run warmer under extreme gaming than a 15 Pro, due to the A18’s efficiency tuning and less aggressive thermal limits nanoreview.net nanoreview.net. But generally, the consensus is that thermal throttling is reduced – the A18 Pro especially can push hard without quickly overheating. One reviewer of the 16 Pro Max after months of use said “the titanium chassis has held up well…Battery health remains at 100%…and it doesn’t get as hot during intense tasks” forums.macrumors.com applevis.com. This bodes well for long-term performance and battery longevity.

Beyond raw speed, the new chips include specialized improvements. The Neural Engine (Apple’s AI cores) is greatly enhanced. The base A18’s Neural Engine is 2× faster than its predecessor (which was A16) en.wikipedia.org, and the A18 Pro likewise has a 16-core Neural Engine capable of 35 trillion operations per second (TOPS) en.wikipedia.org. These AI accelerators are crucial for the on-device Apple Intelligence features (discussed in the next section). They enable things like real-time language processing, image generation, and advanced camera computational photography. In fact, Apple designed a new “Apple Camera Interface” in the A18 Pro ISP to handle the massive throughput of 4K120 video and zero-shutter-lag 48 MP photos apple.com. There’s also hardware-accelerated ray tracing support on the GPU (introduced with A17 Pro) for more realistic lighting in games – Apple showcased console-quality games like Resident Evil 4 running on iPhone 16 Pro 9to5mac.com 9to5mac.com. All told, the iPhone 16 series are among the fastest phones on the planet. The difference between the base and Pro in day-to-day use is minor; you mostly pay extra for the camera and display perks on Pro, not drastically higher app speeds. As WIRED’s reviewer put it: the A18 Pro is “far and away the most powerful smartphone processor…with one extra graphics core compared to A18, plus larger CPU caches, meaning it’s generally faster” forums.macrumors.com. But even the regular iPhone 16 “delivers Pro-level performance,” as one review headline noted, making it harder than ever to justify the price jump for speed alone gizmodo.com.

Battery Life and Charging

Apple focused on battery life this generation, and it shows. All iPhone 16 models have larger battery capacities than their predecessors. A regulatory filing revealed the approximate battery sizes: iPhone 16 – 3561 mAh (up ~6% from iPhone 15’s 3349 mAh), 16 Plus – 4674 mAh (up ~6.6%), 16 Pro – 3582 mAh (up ~9.4% from 15 Pro’s 3274 mAh), and 16 Pro Max – 4685 mAh (up ~6% from 15 Pro Max’s 4422 mAh) 9to5mac.com. Combined with the efficiency gains of the A18 chips and iOS 18 power management, this led to substantially longer battery life across the board.

Apple itself touts that the iPhone 16 Pro Max offers the longest battery life ever on an iPhone apple.com. Officially, Apple rates the Pro Max for “up to 29 hours” video playback (approximately 1–2 hours more than last year). Independent tests back this up: in a 5G web browsing test, the 16 Pro Max lasted 18 hours 6 min, versus ~14h 2m on the 15 Pro Max 9to5mac.com. That’s a gain of about 4 hours or ~30%! The smaller 16 Pro saw an even bigger jump: 14h 7m in the same test, vs 10h 53m on 15 Pro – a ~3 hour improvement, or ~30% longer 9to5mac.com. This catapults the 6.3″ iPhone 16 Pro into all-day-plus territory, even with heavy use. Tom’s Guide noted it was enough to land among the best phone battery life results they’ve recorded forums.macrumors.com.

For the non-Pro models, battery life is also excellent. Apple’s estimates put the iPhone 16 at 22 hours video playback (vs 20h on iPhone 15) and the 16 Plus at 27 hours (vs 26h prior) en.wikipedia.org. In real usage, reviewers found the base iPhone 16 easily goes through a full day and then some. The iPhone 16 Plus, with its big battery and lower-refresh display, actually outlasts even the Pro Max in some scenarios. In fact, one early reviewer (a long-time Pro Max user) opted to switch to the 16 Plus because it “weighs 30 grams less and has longer battery life than the 16 Pro Max, despite similar screen size” en.wikipedia.org. He found the Plus comfortably delivered two days of moderate use.

Charging features have seen incremental updates. All iPhone 16 models use the USB-C port (introduced with iPhone 15) for wired charging. They support up to around 27–30 W charging speeds with a compatible USB‑C PD adapter – enough to refill roughly 50% in 30 minutes. There were rumors the 16 Pro might enable even 35 W or higher charging, but tests indicate no significant change: in practice the 16 Pro maxed out around the same ~27 W as the 15 Pro forums.macrumors.com. Apple did, however, release a new 25 W USB-C compact power adapter that pairs well, and the phones intelligently manage heat during fast-charge.

Wireless charging remains MagSafe up to 15 W, and notably the iPhone 16 series supports the new Qi2 wireless charging standard en.wikipedia.org. Qi2 is essentially MagSafe adopted as a universal standard, so you can use future Qi2 chargers to get the full 15 W magnetic wireless charging on these iPhones. Standard Qi (non-magnetic) is still supported up to 7.5 W. Apple also quietly introduced a new MagSafe Charger that supports faster 25 W wireless charging, likely leveraging Qi2 – meaning you could wirelessly charge a 16 Pro Max nearly as fast as wired apple.com apple.com. This charger is backward-compatible but gives the boost only on the 16 series and beyond.

As for longevity, battery health management in iOS 18 has improved to reduce aging. All iPhone 16 batteries are built with 100% recycled cobalt and optimized chemistry. Users are reporting very stable battery health metrics after months of use, a good sign for long-term durability forums.macrumors.com.

In everyday terms, battery anxiety is greatly reduced with iPhone 16 models. Even power users note the endurance gains. Gizmodo’s reviewer took the 16 Pro through a busy day (GPS navigation, photos, calls, podcasts, etc.) and still had ~20% left in the evening from an 83% morning charge forums.macrumors.com. Standby drain is also lower thanks to chip efficiency and iOS optimizations. The Pro Max is a true two-day phone for light use, and comfortably a full day for heavy use. The Plus similarly is a battery champ. The smallest 6.1″ iPhone 16 now roughly matches last year’s Pro Max runtime in some tests – an impressive feat for a “non-Pro” device 9to5mac.com.

Bottom line: iPhone 16 series delivers notable battery life improvements. The choice now can be based on size/weight rather than endurance, since even the compact iPhone 16 can handle a heavy day. If you need the absolute longest life, the Pro Max remains top (and Apple’s official “best ever”), but the 16 Plus is extremely close while being lighter and cheaper en.wikipedia.org. All models support fast wired and convenient MagSafe/Qi2 wireless charging, with no major differences in charging speed among them. Apple continues to exclude a charger in the box, citing environmental reasons, so budget for a USB-C charger if you don’t have one. Fortunately, the universality of USB-C means you can now charge your iPhone 16 with the same cable as a MacBook, iPad, or many other devices – a long-awaited convenience.

New iOS 18 Features (Apple Intelligence)

The iPhone 16 generation is launched alongside iOS 18 and introduces Apple’s ambitious “Apple Intelligence” — a suite of AI-driven features deeply integrated into the system apple.com. Apple Intelligence leverages on-device machine learning and Apple-built generative models to enable smart assistance in language, images, and personal workflows apple.com. Crucially, Apple touts a privacy-focused approach: a concept called Private Cloud Compute, which allows shifting some tasks to Apple’s servers securely when needed apple.com. This means the iPhone can perform advanced AI tasks by balancing between the A18 chip’s Neural Engine and powerful cloud-based models on Apple’s servers – all while keeping your data private (Apple says requests are anonymized and processed in a way that even Apple can’t see your specific content) apple.com.

One marquee feature of Apple Intelligence is the system-wide Writing Tools. Anywhere you can type, you can now invoke AI to help write or refine text apple.com apple.com. For example, you can draft an email and then ask the iPhone to “make it more professional” or “be more friendly”, and it will rewrite the text in that tone apple.com apple.com. It can also proofread for grammar and suggest rephrasings. This is built directly into iOS 18’s keyboard and editing menu. If you highlight text in Notes or Mail, a Rewrite option can generate alternatives. These tools draw on generative language models similar to GPT. In Apple’s demo, with one tap an informal email was transformed into polished, formal language in seconds apple.com apple.com. Early users find it handy for adjusting style or summarizing long messages. Notably, Apple confirms these models run partly on-device and partly on Apple’s servers, using that Private Compute system to maintain privacy apple.com.

Another impressive feature: Live Audio Transcription and Summaries. In the Notes app, you can record audio (say, a lecture or meeting), and the iPhone will transcribe it in real time and even summarize key points apple.com apple.com. This extends to phone calls as well – if you start recording a call (participants are notified for consent), once you hang up, Apple Intelligence generates a concise summary of the conversation apple.com. This could be a game-changer for productivity, letting you get meeting minutes or interview notes automatically.

Notifications and email get smarter too. Summarized notifications can stack less important alerts and provide a quick synopsis so your lock screen isn’t overwhelming apple.com. And Priority Mail uses AI to analyze email content and flag time-sensitive messages, showing a summary of the most important info in the mail without you opening it apple.com. Essentially, iOS 18 tries to understand what matters to you and highlight it.

Siri is also significantly upgraded. It has a new compact UI (a glowing orb at the bottom of the screen rather than taking over the whole display) apple.com. More importantly, Siri now uses a much more advanced language model. Apple says communicating with Siri is “more natural and flexible” – it can handle back-to-back context, so you can ask follow-up questions without repeating everything apple.com apple.com. Siri will no longer get as easily tripped up if you stumble or pause mid-sentence; it actively listens and adapts as you speak apple.com. You can also type to Siri at any time (a feature that existed but is now easier to switch to on the fly) and even seamlessly switch between voice and typing in one session apple.com. Another great addition: Siri has gained extensive device knowledge. You can ask things like “How do I turn on stereo pair on my HomePod?” or “Show me where Night Mode is in Camera settings,” and Siri will actually know those answers now apple.com. This addresses a long-standing limitation where Siri couldn’t answer questions about its own device’s functions.

Apple is rolling out these intelligence features in phases. The first set launched soon after the iPhone 16 release (in iOS 18.1 or 18.2), focusing on writing tools, the new Siri, notification summaries, and call transcription apple.com apple.com. Additional capabilities are coming over time: one called Image Playground will let you generate images (like an AI art generator) by typing a description apple.com. They even teased “Genmoji”, where you can create custom 3D emoji characters just by describing them or using a photo of someone as inspiration apple.com. For example, type “disco pigeon” and the iPhone will create a unique pigeon emoji with disco flair apple.com. Apple showed that you can generate an emoji that looks like a friend by providing their photo apple.com. Another future feature: using on-device personal context, Siri will proactively help with things like pulling up your upcoming travel plans from email when you ask about “my flight” apple.com apple.com. And Siri will gain on-screen context awareness – meaning if you have a photo or article open and invoke Siri, it can take that into account (for instance, “summarize this article” or “edit this photo to black and white”) apple.com.

Perhaps most intriguing: Apple is even embracing third-party AI by making OpenAI’s ChatGPT easily accessible on iPhone apple.com. Users will be able to invoke ChatGPT (presumably via a shortcut or an app extension) while using Siri or other features, which is a surprising collaboration. It suggests Apple knows users want the flexibility to use popular AI services alongside Apple’s own.

In sum, iOS 18 + Apple Intelligence turns the iPhone 16 into a much smarter personal assistant. Tasks like drafting messages, summarizing info, identifying content through the camera, and multi-step Siri queries are now either possible for the first time or much improved. All iPhone 16 models support these features equally (since even the base A18 has the neural horsepower). The Neural Engine’s doubled speed means these on-device AI tasks are quick en.wikipedia.org. Privacy is a key selling point: unlike some cloud-based assistants, Apple’s approach keeps personal data on-device when possible and uses end-to-end encryption for any data sent (e.g. the new Messages via Satellite feature is fully encrypted) apple.com.

Speaking of which, iOS 18 brings Satellite messaging enhancements: now, not only can you do Emergency SOS, but you can actually send and receive short texts via satellite in the Messages app when you have no cellular signal apple.com. This is an expansion of the SOS feature, allowing regular iMessage or SMS (to contacts) with a satellite relay. You can even send emoji reactions (“Tapbacks”) over satellite apple.com. It’s slow (you must point the phone at the sky and send one message at a time), but it’s a breakthrough for off-grid communication. Currently it’s primarily for emergencies or essential texts – Apple includes this free for 2 years on all iPhone 14 or later apple.com apple.com. With iOS 18, they also expanded Roadside Assistance via satellite beyond the U.S. to parts of Europe (launching in the UK with partner services) apple.com. So if your car breaks down in a remote area, your iPhone 16 can connect you to a local roadside help center via satellite.

All these software features make the iPhone 16 feel more personalized and futuristic. Early reviewers note that many of Apple’s most hyped AI features (like the writing tools and image generation) were not fully enabled at launch but would roll out within weeks apple.com apple.com. Once active, though, they work impressively well. For example, PCMag tested the email rewriting and found it “eerily good at shifting tone while keeping key points” – effectively doing in seconds what might take a human several minutes to wordsmith. And The Verge highlighted that while these Apple Intelligence features make the iPhone 16 “remarkably iterative [hardware] update…the real leaps are coming in software later this year” forums.macrumors.com. This suggests that the full potential of iPhone 16 will unfold as iOS 18 updates land, unlocking those advanced AI capabilities that leverage the new hardware. It’s a clear sign that Apple is positioning the iPhone 16 lineup as “built for AI”, not just faster chips but smarter experiences.

Connectivity (5G, Wi‑Fi 7, UWB, etc.)

The iPhone 16 trio is well-equipped with the latest connectivity standards. For cellular, they all support 5G (both sub‑6 GHz and mmWave in regions like the US). Apple uses Qualcomm modems – specifically the Snapdragon X71 5G modem in this generation en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org. The X71 is a slight upgrade, offering improved power efficiency and potentially higher peak speeds over the X70 (used in iPhone 15). Real-world 5G performance is excellent; users can expect multi-gigabit download speeds in ideal conditions on mmWave, and solid coverage on mid-band 5G. The dual eSIM capability continues (US models are eSIM-only with no physical SIM tray, while some international models have one nano-SIM + one or two eSIMs) en.wikipedia.org. Apple has now had a couple of years to optimize 5G in iOS, so the battery drain and signal reliability are reportedly improved as well.

Perhaps the biggest wireless update: Wi‑Fi 7 support. All iPhone 16 models (except the budget 16e) come with next-gen Wi‑Fi 7 (802.11be) capability en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org. Wi‑Fi 7 is the bleeding edge wireless standard offering higher throughput, lower latency, and features like multilink operation. In practical terms, an iPhone 16 on Wi‑Fi 7 can potentially achieve speeds above 5 Gbps (if you have a Wi‑Fi 7 router) and better performance in congested environments via advanced spectrum utilization. This makes the iPhone 16 quite future-proof for networking – even though Wi‑Fi 6E/7 routers are not yet common, the phone is ready for them. Of course, it’s backward compatible with Wi‑Fi 6/5 etc., and also supports dual-band simultaneously.

The Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip is updated (likely UWB 2 as introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro). This gives more precise spatial awareness when locating AirTags or using AirDrop Point-and-Share. Apple says the new UWB has 3× the range compared to the old one. All iPhone 16 models have UWB; interestingly, even the base 16 and 16 Plus include the latest UWB and Thread support en.wikipedia.org. Thread is a low-power mesh networking protocol for smart home devices (part of the Matter standard). The inclusion of Thread in all iPhone 16 devices means your phone can directly communicate with Thread-enabled IoT gadgets, and potentially act as a border router in a smart home network. This was previously only in HomePod and Apple TV, so it’s a nice addition for smart home enthusiasts.

Bluetooth 5.3 is on board as well en.wikipedia.org, supporting the latest audio codecs and the upcoming Bluetooth LE Audio standard (which should enable features like dual audio streams, lower latency headphones, etc. once accessories catch up). NFC is present for Apple Pay and works as before (with reader mode and Express Card support for transit cards, etc.) en.wikipedia.org.

On the satellite connectivity front: as mentioned, the iPhone 16 series extends Apple’s satellite features. Emergency SOS via satellite remains free for two years from activation and available in an expanding list of countries apple.com apple.com. With iOS 18, Messaging via satellite is introduced for emergency use – you can send a short text to family to let them know you’re safe when off the grid apple.com. The service is intended for emergencies (or very isolated cases given the slow throughput), but it’s a remarkable capability unique to recent iPhones. Apple partnered with Globalstar for this, and the feature is integrated in the Messages and Find My apps (you can update your location via satellite in Find My). In late 2025, when those two-year free periods from iPhone 14 start to lapse, Apple will likely announce pricing for satellite service going forward.

Finally, USB-C connectivity on iPhone 16 Pro models supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds (up to 10 Gbps) en.wikipedia.org. This is great for videographers or anyone transferring large files – e.g., offloading a 100 GB ProRes video can now be done in minutes instead of half an hour. The base iPhone 16/Plus’s USB-C port is limited to USB 2.0 (480 Mbps) speeds en.wikipedia.org, similar to the old Lightning port throughput. So the Pro has a clear advantage for wired data. You can connect accessories like external storage, 4K displays, Ethernet adapters, etc., to the Pros and they’ll work thanks to the higher bandwidth and DisplayPort support. The base models will connect to the same things but with slower data. All models do support analog audio out over USB-C if you use USB-C headphones or adapters.

In summary, the iPhone 16 lineup is fully up-to-date on wireless tech: top-tier 5G and Wi‑Fi 7 for speedy internet, upgraded UWB and new Thread for local connectivity, and even satellite link as a last resort. The inclusion of these in every model (not just Pros) is great to see. The only connectivity features reserved for Pros are the faster wired data rate and possibly some advanced video out capabilities (the Pros can output clean video feed over USB-C for instance, which the base might not). But day to day, an iPhone 16 or 16 Pro both offer the same network experience on cellular and Wi‑Fi. It’s clear Apple built these phones to last years into the future network-wise.

Storage Options and Pricing Tiers

Apple offers a range of storage configurations for each model, as usual. The iPhone 16 starts at 128 GB base storage, with upgrade options for 256 GB and 512 GB. The larger iPhone 16 Plus mirrors those tiers (128/256/512 GB). Pricing for the iPhone 16 begins at $799 for 128 GB, and $899 for the 16 Plus 128 GB en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org. Each step up in storage typically adds $100 (so 256 GB ~$899 for iPhone 16, etc.). These prices are unchanged from last year’s iPhone 15/15 Plus launch pricing, despite the added features – indicating Apple is holding the line on base model costs.

For the Pro models: the iPhone 16 Pro also starts at 128 GB, priced at $999 in the US en.wikipedia.org. A 256 GB upgrade is +$100, 512 GB +$300 (from base), and the top 1 TB tier is available at +$500 (bringing a 1 TB 16 Pro to $1,499). The iPhone 16 Pro Max interestingly starts at 256 GB minimum, with a base price of $1,199 en.wikipedia.org. Apple did this last year as well – the Pro Max gets double storage at the entry price, perhaps to justify the ~$200 jump over the smaller Pro. The Pro Max’s tiers are 256 GB ($1,199), 512 GB ($1,399), and 1 TB ($1,599). All models are available in both carrier-locked and SIM-free versions at those prices.

Regional pricing varies (e.g., in Europe, iPhone 16 starts around €949, and in India around ₹79,900). It’s worth noting that Apple did not increase US prices year-over-year, but some regions saw slight adjustments due to exchange rates. For instance, in the Euro zone the 16 Pro Max 256 GB is around €1449, same as the 15 Pro Max launch price【54†look】.

Apple’s preorder and release schedule for these was as follows: Pre-orders opened on Friday, September 13, 2024, and the official release date (start of deliveries and in-store availability) was Friday, September 20, 2024 apple.com en.wikipedia.org. This applied to all four main models (16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max) across first-wave launch countries. And indeed, on Sep 20, they hit shelves in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, major EU markets, China, and more than 30 countries simultaneously en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org. Additional regions got them in subsequent weeks (e.g., some smaller markets on Sep 27, and Indonesia notably only in April 2025 after a local certification delay en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org).

Apple continues to offer trade-in credits and carrier deals to bring down the cost. For example, trading in an iPhone 14 Pro could yield a few hundred dollars credit towards a 16 Pro purchase phonearena.com. There are also installment plans via Apple or carriers that effectively spread the cost over 24 months, often with 0% interest. These programs have made the $999+ phones more palatable to many buyers.

Here’s a summary table of key specs and pricing for quick reference:

(Prices above are US MSRP. International prices vary; for example, EU pricing for 16 Pro Max 256 GB is €1,449【54†look】.)

Early Reviews and Expert Opinions

The iPhone 16 series has been met with largely positive reviews, with particular praise for the improvements to the base models. Many experts note that the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus narrow the gap between non-Pro and Pro iPhones more than ever. Digital Trends bluntly headlined their review: “iPhone 16 review: Who needs the Pro?”, observing that for the first time, the cheaper model doesn’t feel like a significant downgrade digitaltrends.com. Reviewer Joe Maring wrote, “the base model iPhone has often felt like a notable downgrade from its Pro counterparts, but that’s not the case this year. Whether it’s the design, performance, camera, software, or extra hardware features like the Action button and Camera Control, you don’t make any severe compromises by choosing the iPhone 16 over a 16 Pro.” digitaltrends.com This sentiment was echoed by other reviewers who found the iPhone 16/Plus to offer Pro-level performance and features at a lower price – making the Pro models a tougher sell unless you specifically want the 120 Hz display or telephoto camera en.wikipedia.org.

On the flip side, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max were described as excellent but relatively iterative upgrades. The Verge’s Nilay Patel noted that at launch (before the promised Apple Intelligence features arrived), “as it exists today, [the 16 Pro] is a remarkably iterative update to the iPhone 15 Pro — it’s hard to find reasons to upgrade from last year’s model.” forums.macrumors.com He felt the hardware changes like the camera button and brighter ultrawide camera, while nice, were not game-changers on day one forums.macrumors.com. However, Patel acknowledged that future software updates (Apple Intelligence expansions, more Camera Control functions) could make the device feel more revolutionary in use. Other outlets like WIRED and Engadget still lauded the 16 Pro for refining an already great phone – citing things like the “outstanding 120 Hz LTPO display,” the versatile camera system, and the promise of new AI features hothardware.com forums.macrumors.com. WIRED’s Julian Chokkattu highlighted that the A18 Pro’s extra GPU core and bigger caches keep it “generally faster than the A18 [base],” ensuring the Pro stays on top in performance forums.macrumors.com.

Camera reviews have been favorable across the lineup. PetaPixel’s camera expert praised the 16 Pro’s new 48 MP ultrawide, noting it “delivers decent macro capabilities with more detail than before” and produces 48 MP RAW shots that give photographers extra latitude forums.macrumors.com. He did note that a 48 MP quad-bayer sensor isn’t the same as a full 48 MP DSLR image in real-world detail, but it’s a welcome upgrade for landscape and macro shooters forums.macrumors.com. The lack of a 24 MP HEIF option on that ultrawide (which the main camera offers) was a small critique, but overall image quality was deemed superb. The main camera’s zero-shutter-lag and improved Smart HDR algorithm produce even “flatter” images (in terms of balanced exposure) – some photographers might find the output too even, but Apple gives tools like Photographic Styles to tweak that to taste forums.macrumors.com. Macworld and PCMag both remarked that iPhone 16’s camera is so good now that average users won’t miss the Pro except maybe in low-light zoom situations en.wikipedia.org. The iPhone 16 Plus in particular got love as a “photographic powerhouse with crazy battery life,” essentially an affordable 6.7″ alternative to a Pro Max for those who don’t need 120Hz or 5× zoom en.wikipedia.org.

Battery life is a standout highlight in reviews. Tom’s Guide editor Mark Spoonauer said the 16 Pro’s endurance “is a big jump…enough to crack our best battery life list,” after his testing showed it beating most flagship phones forums.macrumors.com. Gizmodo’s Florence Ion was impressed that even with heavy use in a city outing, the smaller 16 Pro still had ~20% left by evening forums.macrumors.com. PCMag noted that the Plus model, despite 60Hz, might be the “battery champ of the year” given its size and efficient A18 chip – in their rundown test it outlasted some Android phones with 5000+ mAh batteries, a testament to Apple’s integration of hardware and software power management 9to5mac.com.

Audio and other details also got positive nods. Engadget’s Cherlynn Low tested the new microphone modes and said “Studio mode [on iPhone 16 Pro] generally improved voice clarity, making people sound like they could be on a podcast.” forums.macrumors.com She found the noise reduction effective at cutting background din when Cinematic or Studio audio filters were applied during video recording. This kind of attention to audio quality in videos is something few competitors do, and it adds to the Pro iPhones’ appeal for content creators.

Overall, expert consensus is that the iPhone 16 series is Apple’s most well-rounded lineup yet. The base models step up in a way that “the base iPhone…having enough features to make the Pros somewhat redundant” for many users (as MacStories’ Federico Viticci observed, choosing a 16 Plus over a Pro Max himself) en.wikipedia.org. Meanwhile, the Pro and Pro Max remain the phones to get for bleeding-edge features and maximal specs, but Apple didn’t drastically widen the feature gap this year – instead, they focused on useful improvements (like that camera button and battery life) and foundational AI capabilities that will evolve. Many reviewers advise that if you have an iPhone 14 or 15 Pro, you can comfortably wait, but if you’re on an older device or the regular 13/14, the iPhone 16 (even non-Pro) will be a massive upgrade in every respect forums.macrumors.com. And if you do opt for Pro, you’re getting what MacRumors called “iterative upgrades…for now,” with the potential to become much more than iterative once Apple flips the switch on all the promised software features forums.macrumors.com.

Availability and Release Timeline

Apple’s iPhone 16 lineup was officially unveiled on September 9, 2024 during an Apple Event at Cupertino en.wikipedia.org. Breaking from tradition, this was a Monday announcement (Apple usually holds iPhone events on Tuesdays) en.wikipedia.org. Pre-orders for all models began on Friday, September 13, 2024 apple.com. Demand was high, especially for the new Pro Max in the popular Natural Titanium finish – shipping dates slipped by a few weeks within hours for some Pro Max variants.

The release date was September 20, 2024 (Friday). On that day, the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max became available in Apple Stores and started arriving to pre-order customers in the first wave of launch countries apple.com en.wikipedia.org. The first wave included the US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, India, China, Japan, Australia, and over 30 other regions en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org. A week later, on September 27, a second wave hit additional countries like Macao and Vietnam en.wikipedia.org. By October, Apple had rolled out the devices to most markets worldwide, with only a few exceptions.

One notable hiccup was Indonesia, where a regulatory issue caused a delayed launch. Indonesia has local component requirements, and initially the iPhone 16 models were banned from sale in late 2024 because Apple hadn’t met certain investment or local sourcing rules en.wikipedia.org. Apple negotiated and committed to investments (reportedly up to $1 billion) and by early 2025 the ban was lifted en.wikipedia.org. As a result, Indonesia officially received iPhone 16 models on April 11, 2025 en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org – much later than other countries.

For customers, all four models are available through Apple’s online store, physical stores, and partner carriers/resellers. Apple also introduced new FineWoven cases and accessories alongside (replacing leather). A fun fact: Apple’s packaging for iPhone 16 is a bit more eco-friendly and notably, no Apple logo stickers were included in the box for the first time ever (unless requested at an Apple Store) en.wikipedia.org – a minor change reflecting Apple’s environmental push.

Other Upcoming iPhones and Rumored Launches

Looking beyond the iPhone 16 series, there are a few other iPhone models either newly released or on the horizon in late 2025:

• iPhone 16e (2025) – Apple introduced a new mid-range model called the iPhone 16e in early 2025, effectively taking the place of what was expected to be the 4th-gen iPhone SE. Instead of “SE 4,” Apple branded it under the main lineup as 16e phonearena.com. Launched on February 19, 2025 (via a press release, no big event) phonearena.com, the iPhone 16e is a budget-friendly 6.1-inch iPhone priced from $599 for 128 GB phonearena.com. It uses the same A18 chip and even packs 8 GB RAM phonearena.com, so it’s very powerful for the price. However, it’s pared back in other areas: it has a more basic design akin to iPhone 14 (likely an aluminum frame, possibly no Dynamic Island to save cost, though unconfirmed) phonearena.com, and a single rear camera (a 48 MP main lens only) apple.com. It still includes the Action Button and Camera Control button, so budget buyers don’t miss out on those new features apple.com. The 16e’s biggest draw is offering modern performance and battery in a cheaper device – Apple nearly doubled the battery capacity vs the previous iPhone SE, addressing one of SE’s weaknesses phonearena.com. With a starting price $170 higher than the old SE 3, it targets the ~$600 segment where it competes with upper-midrange Androids. Essentially, iPhone 16e = iPhone 14 body + A18 chip + 48 MP camera, available in just Black or White finishes apple.com apple.com. It’s a compelling option for those who want an iPhone on a smaller budget, and it broadens the “iPhone 16” family.
• iPhone 17 Series (late 2025) – Apple’s next flagship lineup, presumably iPhone 17, 17 Air, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max, is expected to launch in September 2025. Yes, rumors suggest Apple might shake up naming, possibly introducing an “iPhone 17 Air” as a super-thin 6.7″ model to replace the Plus naming theguardian.com. The iPhone 17 (base) is rumored to remain 6.1″ but perhaps with a 120 Hz display at last – one report even called it the “thinnest iPhone ever” potentially dubbed Air, focusing on a lighter chassis techcrunch.com theguardian.com. Hardware leaks indicate the A19 chip will power the 17 series, and notably, the Pro models may jump to 12 GB RAM macrumors.com. Camera upgrades are a big buzz: the iPhone 17 Pro/Max are expected to feature a new Telephoto with up to 8× optical zoom macrumors.com. Apple might implement a variable zoom lens that can switch between 5× and 8× optical, using a moving lens element – effectively giving two distinct telephoto focal lengths without digital cropping macrumors.com. This requires a larger camera bump and more space, which schematics have shown (the 17 Pro’s camera hump could grow even larger). Additionally, all iPhone 17 models might get an anti-reflective matte display option to reduce glare macrumors.com. This could be similar to the nano-texture glass on some Apple monitors, or simply a coated glass; either way, it would make the screen less mirror-like in sunlight. Apple is also reportedly putting a huge emphasis on video recording improvements for iPhone 17 Pro macrumors.com. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the 2025 iPhones will be marketed heavily towards the vlogging/content creator crowd, possibly encouraging them to ditch dedicated cameras macrumors.com. Rumored features include the ability to record from multiple cameras simultaneously (front and back) in the Camera app macrumors.com – great for reaction videos or creative shots – and even a new “Camera Pro” app that offers more granular controls for both photo and video, akin to pro apps like Filmic Pro or Halide (though that latter rumor is from a less established source) macrumors.com. The design of iPhone 17 Pro is expected to carry on the flat-edge titanium look, possibly with slightly more curved edges on the glass for comfort. There’s also speculation that Apple might finally adopt under-display Face ID sensors either in 2025 or 2026, which could shrink or eliminate the Dynamic Island, but most leaks point to the Island persisting through iPhone 17. Launch timing: MacRumors notes Apple is likely to hold the iPhone 17 event on September 9, 2025 (a Tuesday) with availability by mid-September macworld.com, following the usual pattern.
• Foldable iPhone (“iPhone Flip/Fold”) – While not expected in 2025, it’s worth mentioning the growing chatter about Apple’s foldable plans. Multiple analysts (including Ming-Chi Kuo and reports cited by CNET/The Guardian) claim Apple is developing a foldable iPhone, possibly a flip-phone style device or a foldable iPad-type phone theguardian.com theguardian.com. A JPMorgan report suggests Apple’s first foldable iPhone could arrive in September 2026 and cost around $1,999 at launch theguardian.com. The form factor is undecided – Apple has patents for both a clamshell (think Galaxy Z Flip) and a book-style (Galaxy Fold). Industry experts believe Apple will wait until foldable tech (especially screens and hinges) matures to avoid the durability issues early foldables had theguardian.com. By 2026, they expect the market for foldables to be more established (projected ~19 million units industry-wide in 2025) theguardian.com. Rumors indicate Apple’s foldable might not have a visible crease thanks to some innovative display techniques appleinsider.com. It’s also likely to support Apple Pencil if it’s more of a foldable-iPad hybrid. In any case, no foldable iPhone is confirmed for 2025 – at most we might hear hints at WWDC 2025 or see further leaks, but Apple appears to be taking its time. As CCS Insight’s analyst Ben Wood put it, “Apple is rarely first… it likes to refine and then jump.” theguardian.com Given Samsung’s lead, Apple will aim to deliver a foldable that truly wows – some speculate it could be branded as “iPhone Fold” or even join the iPad lineup if it skews large.
• iPhone SE 4th-gen – As mentioned, the SE 4 was effectively rebranded to iPhone 16e. So we likely won’t see another “SE” in early 2025. If Apple continues that strategy, the next mid-cycle affordable iPhone might be a “17e” or similar in 2026. For now, consumers looking for a smaller or cheaper iPhone have the 16e and the legacy iPhone 15 (which Apple kept on sale at a reduced price).

In addition, late 2025 could bring updates to other Apple products like the Apple Vision Pro (2nd gen) or Apple Watch, but those are outside the scope of iPhones. It’s worth noting that the “ultra-thin iPhone” referenced in some articles is likely the iPhone 17 Air which we discussed – The Guardian explicitly mentioned “Apple reaching for new designs… for example, the ultra-thin iPhone, expected to launch in September [2025]” theguardian.com. This suggests a design refresh is in store for the non-Pro iPhone 17 models to reinvigorate excitement (perhaps to make the line more enticing as core specs plateau).

In conclusion, the iPhone 16, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max represent a refinement year with some significant quality-of-life upgrades (battery, camera UI, build materials) and a strong foundation for Apple’s AI-driven future. Combined with the surprise iPhone 16e filling the budget gap in early 2025, Apple’s iPhone lineup is broader than ever. Looking ahead, late 2025’s iPhone 17 family is shaping up to introduce more radical changes (periscope zoom, design tweaks, more RAM, etc.), and a foldable iPhone looms on the horizon around 2026 theguardian.com. For now, the consensus is that the iPhone 16 series is an excellent iteration, with even the base model being “probably the one you should buy” for most people due to its balance of price and features thenote.app. The Pros remain the choice for enthusiasts and professionals who want the absolute best Apple can offer in 2024 – albeit with the understanding that some of their most advanced promises (AI features and software capabilities) will roll out over time, fulfilling the potential of the hardware you invest in today.

Sources: apple.com apple.com en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org apple.com apple.com apple.com apple.com phonearena.com nanoreview.net phonearena.com 9to5mac.com apple.com en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org forums.macrumors.com digitaltrends.com en.wikipedia.org forums.macrumors.com forums.macrumors.com forums.macrumors.com forums.macrumors.com 9to5mac.com forums.macrumors.com forums.macrumors.com theguardian.com macrumors.com macrumors.com phonearena.com phonearena.com macrumors.com theguardian.com