Apple unveiled its two entry-level models, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, at the “It’s Glowtime” event on Monday at Apple Park in Cupertino, California.
In addition to these models, Apple also unveiled its premium flagship smartphones, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
So, here’s everything you need to know about the new iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Plus:
iPhone 16 And iPhone 16 Plus: Full Specifications
The standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus feature 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED displays, respectively. They have a sturdy, aerospace-grade aluminum enclosure and strong—and beautiful—color-infused glass on the back, with the latest-generation Apple’s Ceramic Shield, which is 2x tougher than glass on any other smartphone.
Further, the internal design of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus has been changed for better heat dissipation and to fit a larger battery inside that is easy to remove.
Both models have a pixel density of 460 ppi (pixels per inch) and a 60Hz refresh rate. They boast up to 2000 nits of peak brightness and can go as dim as 1 nit for better visibility in low-light conditions.
Under the hood, the iPhone 16 models are powered by Apple’s latest A18 chip, custom-built for Apple Intelligence.
This chip is built on second-generation 3nm technology and has an upgraded 16-core Neural Engine that offers up to 2x faster performance than the A16 Bionic chip.
Apple claims the iPhone 16’s 6-core CPU offers up to 30 percent faster performance than the A16 Bionic chip running in the iPhone 15 and consumes 30% less power to process the same workload.
Further, the 5-core GPU provides up to 40 percent faster and 35 percent more efficient performance than the A16 Bionic chip, which should lead to better gaming performance, claims Apple. The chip also provides 17 percent more system memory bandwidth.
Furthermore, Apple also introduced the Action Button in iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models.
With just a press, users can easily access a variety of functions, such as recording voice memos, identifying songs, or translating phrases.
The button can also be customized for different shortcuts or used in-app functionality, like helping a user unlock and lock their car with FordPass.
Additionally, the iPhone 16 line-up comes with a new “Camera Control” button, which is located on the right side below the on/off switch and is protected by sapphire glass.
It uses a high-precision force sensor that enables the light press gesture and a capacitive sensor for touch interactions. This button can quickly launch the camera, take a photo, and start video recording.
“A new camera preview helps users frame the shot and adjust other control options — such as zoom, exposure, or depth of field — to compose a stunning photo or video by sliding their finger on the Camera Control,” Apple wrote in its press release.
Camera Control will also work with visual Apple Intelligence features to help users learn about objects and places in the vicinity.
On the camera front, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus now come with a new 48MP Fusion camera (f/1.6, 2x Telephoto) and a new 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2) autofocus secondary camera with macro photography and LED flash on the back. The models also have a 12MP TrueDepth (ƒ/1.9) front camera for FaceTime, Face ID, and selfies.
Both handsets are splash, water, and dust resistant and have an IP68 rating (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes).
As far as the battery is concerned, Apple claims that the iPhone 16 models come with a bigger battery but hasn’t disclosed the details. Both models have a USB-C charging connector and wireless charging up to 25W with a Qi charger.
Other features include iOS 18, Emergency SOS via Satellite, Wi-Fi 7, NFC, Dolby Atmos, Spatial Audio, and more.
Pricing And Availability
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are available in five color variants: Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, White, and Black, with storage capacities of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB.
The iPhone 16 starts at $799, while the new iPhone 15 Plus costs $899. Both models will be available for pre-orders from September 13 and will be available beginning September 20.