TLDR Review: iPhone 16 Pro
Pros
- •Exceptional battery life reliably lasting days on a single charge, outperforming previous iPhone Pro models.
- •Lightninast performance powered by the A18 Pro chip ensures smooth operation and seamless app transitions.
- •Higuality camera with a new 5x optical zoom adds versatility to photography, producing more natural skin tones.
- •Dedicated camera button included, though opinions on its placement vary.
- •Display size increased to 6.3 inches without making the phone bulky, with impressive brightness and low dimming (down to 1 nit) to reduce eye strain.
- •Accessibility features like the Magnifier are extremely helpful, especially for users with severe sight loss, allowing scanning and audio reading of text.
- •New AI functionalities such as text summarization and notification filtering show promise and enhance usability over time.
- •Improved speaker quality with rich, loud sound and enhanced bass, arguably the best found on an iPhone so far.
- •Wireless charging supports up to 25W MagSafe for faster, more convenient charging.
- •The phone’s solid build and hardware meet Apple’s high standards, with eSIM support simplifying carrier transitions.
Cons
- •Display size, while larger than previous models, is still considered too small by some for comfortable typing and general use.
- •Connectivity issues reported, sometimes requiring frequent resets that can disrupt network reliability.
- •The new iOS 18 interface and system can feel confusing and cumbersome, leading to a frustrating user experience.
- •Data porting and setup problems have caused inconvenience and even data loss for some users.
- •The dedicated AI photo button is seen as gimmicky and not particularly practical by a number of users.
- •Strict Japanese model shutter sound cannot be disabled, which negatively impacts user experience for some buyers (standard in Japan and South Korea).
- •New password protocols have caused lockouts and user frustration.
- •Necessary visits to stores for troubleshooting setup issues and unexplained malfunctions have been reported.
- •Some users feel this model isn’t a significant upgrade from previous iPhone models to justify an immediate purchase.
- •AT&T customers have voiced dissatisfaction with carrier upgrade policies and charges.
Bottom Line
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro is a powerhouse with remarkable battery life, impressive camera capabilities, and standout accessibility options, making it especially attractive for those who value long-lasting use and vision support. However, its slightly small display and occasional connectivity or software quirks might test your patience. If you prioritize photography and battery over typing comfort and carrier loyalty hassles, this phone is a solid pick. Otherwise, if you’re an AT&T customer or want a larger typing surface, you might want to explore alternatives or wait for software updates to smooth out iOS 18 issues.
How we researched this
About this review: We pulled together findings from professional reviews and hundreds of user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from 1 retailers to give you the short version.
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