Apple’s latest iPhone 16 Plus is here, and it’s more than just a larger screen. From the refined design to the powerful internals, Apple has packed this model with features that elevate both everyday and creative uses. But it’s the upgraded 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera that stands out, thanks to the new macro photography capabilities and improved low-light performance. Whether you’re capturing intricate close-ups or taking photos in dim conditions, the iPhone 16 Plus promises sharp, vibrant images that make it a versatile tool for photography enthusiasts and casual users alike.
Design and Build
The design of the iPhone 16 Plus stays true to Apple’s signature aesthetic while making slight refinements that improve its overall feel and usability. With its 6.7-inch display, the iPhone 16 Plus is a large device, but it manages to remain surprisingly lightweight, coming in lighter than the iPhone 16 Pro Max. This weight reduction, combined with its rounded edges and sleek glass back, makes the phone comfortable to hold despite its size, making it easier to use for extended periods.
Apple has introduced new color options for this model, with a palette that includes a mix of classic and vibrant shades. These fresh colors give the iPhone 16 Plus a youthful, energetic vibe while maintaining the elegance associated with the brand. The build quality, as always, feels premium. The glass and aluminum frame are solid, giving the phone a durable yet luxurious feel in hand. Apple’s continued use of Ceramic Shield on the front offers improved protection against drops and scratches.
Compared to its predecessors, the iPhone 16 Plus doesn’t stray far from the design language established with the iPhone 15 series, but it feels slightly more refined. The placement of the buttons and ports is intuitive, and the phone remains slim and ergonomic for a device of its size.
In terms of design, it offers a balance of comfort, aesthetics, and functionality, even though it lacks some premium touches like the stainless steel frame found in the Pro models. Overall, the iPhone 16 Plus offers a polished, attractive design without the extra weight or cost of its higher-end siblings.
Camera and Video Features
The 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera on the iPhone 16 Plus is no longer just for capturing vast landscapes. Apple has introduced macro photography to this model, making close-up shots fun and creative. This feature allows you to capture minute details with impressive clarity. I found the camera’s low-light capabilities particularly impressive during an outdoor concert; the iPhone 16 Plus handled fluctuating spotlights effortlessly, producing sharp, detailed images even in challenging lighting.
On the video side, the iPhone 16 Plus now supports 4K recording at 60 frames per second with Dolby Vision, a fantastic addition for content creators. A standout feature is the ability to slow videos down to 30 frames per second post-recording, adding dramatic slow-motion effects directly within the Photos app. The processing is quick, making this feature easily accessible and fun to use.
Another highlight is the new Audio Mix feature, which utilizes the iPhone’s built-in microphones to remix audio directly from the video. The feature offers four presets: Standard, In-Frame, Studio, and Cinematic, each with customizable levels for background noise reduction. This feature works surprisingly well and can potentially eliminate the need for extra recording equipment, which is great if you’re on the go and forget to bring an external microphone.
Display
The iPhone 16 Plus features a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display, which is both expansive and detailed. While the display doesn’t offer the 120Hz ProMotion feature available in the Pro models, it still delivers a vibrant and crisp visual experience, perfect for streaming, gaming, and everyday tasks. The OLED panel provides rich blacks, accurate colors, and excellent contrast, making everything from videos to photos look stunning on screen.
Apple has improved the brightness on this display, which now peaks higher than previous models. Whether you’re using the phone under direct sunlight or in a dimly lit room, the screen adjusts well to provide clear and sharp visuals. This makes outdoor use more comfortable, and the display remains bright enough for easy viewing in nearly all conditions.
The resolution is sharp, and the color accuracy is spot-on, offering true-to-life colors that are ideal for photo editing and media consumption. The 6.7-inch size is particularly appealing for users who want a bigger canvas for watching movies or working on multiple apps at once. However, some may miss the 120Hz refresh rate, especially if they are upgrading from an iPhone 13 Pro or 14 Pro, where smoother scrolling is more noticeable. For the average user, though, this won’t be a significant drawback.
Overall, the display on the iPhone 16 Plus strikes a great balance between size, quality, and brightness, providing a visually immersive experience that makes it perfect for both casual users and those who rely on their phones for entertainment or work.
The iPhone 16 Plus comes pre-installed with iOS 18, Apple’s latest iteration of its mobile operating system. iOS 18 brings a number of refinements that enhance the user experience, starting with smoother animations, more responsive gestures, and better multitasking. The new widgets system is more customizable, allowing users to place interactive widgets on their lock screen or home screen, providing quick access to apps and information at a glance.
Software
Apple has also introduced a new feature called Smart Suggestions, which uses machine learning to anticipate your next action. For example, if you regularly use Maps after checking the weather, iOS 18 will suggest opening Maps directly after your weather app, streamlining everyday tasks. The revamped Notification Center and Focus modes make managing alerts and staying productive easier, especially for users who rely on their phones for work.
Performance-wise, iOS 18 runs flawlessly on the A18 chip, with no noticeable slowdowns or crashes, even when running multiple apps simultaneously. Apple’s commitment to software longevity is another strong point. The iPhone 16 Plus is expected to receive major software updates for at least five years, ensuring that users will continue to benefit from new features and security patches for the foreseeable future.
Overall, the iOS 18 experience on the iPhone 16 Plus feels intuitive and polished. The OS complements the phone’s hardware perfectly, delivering a seamless, responsive, and highly customizable user experience that can cater to both casual users and power users alike.
Performance of the iPhone 16 Plus
At the heart of the iPhone 16 Plus is Apple’s A18 chip, which offers remarkable power and efficiency. The 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine, paired with 8GB of RAM, make for an incredibly smooth user experience. Whether you’re browsing, multitasking, or engaging in video calls, the phone doesn’t slow down. Even after extensive camera use or long gaming sessions, the device remains cool, though it can warm slightly during intensive tasks like SharePlay.
When it comes to gaming, the iPhone 16 Plus handles AAA titles and mobile games seamlessly, ensuring a fluid experience even with demanding apps. Apple’s focus on the integration of its hardware and software pays off here, allowing for impressive performance even in resource-heavy tasks. The GeekBench 6 scores—3,302 in single-core and 8,042 in multi-core—are among the highest in the smartphone market, outclassing most Android competitors.
What really stands out is that even with all this power, I never felt like I needed more. The performance leaves little to be desired, making me question just how much more the iPhone 16 Pro could offer.
Battery Life and Charging Capabilities
Apple doesn’t reveal exact battery sizes, but it does promise solid runtimes for the iPhone 16 Plus: 27 hours of local video playback, 24 hours of streamed video, and 100 hours of audio playback. While these numbers might be ambitious, real-world usage supports the claim that the iPhone 16 Plus offers impressive battery life. During a full day of moderate use, including calls, streaming, and social media, I typically had around 20% battery left by the end of the evening.
In the Future Labs test, the iPhone 16 Plus lasted an impressive 16 hours and 29 minutes during continuous 5G web browsing. Apple has also made charging faster: the phone can go from 0% to 50% in about 30 minutes using a 20W adapter. If you opt for a 35W charger, you might squeeze out even more battery in the same timeframe. Additionally, MagSafe wireless charging supports speeds up to 25W, and Qi2 wireless charging reaches 15W.
While it no longer holds the crown for the best iPhone battery life, the iPhone 16 Plus still comfortably lasts a full day for most users.
Final Thoughts & Verdict
The iPhone 16 Plus strikes a compelling balance between high-end performance and affordability, making it a strong contender in the mid-tier smartphone market. With its expansive 6.7-inch display, powerful A18 chip, and versatile camera system, it offers plenty of premium features without the Pro-level price tag. The inclusion of Camera Control and macro photography capabilities gives it an edge in creativity, while the improvements in battery life and charging make it a reliable daily driver for most users.
In terms of weaknesses, the lack of a telephoto zoom lens and the absence of a 120Hz refresh rate might deter some users, particularly those who value photography or gaming on a higher level. However, for the majority of users who prioritize a larger screen, smooth performance, and excellent camera quality in everyday scenarios, the iPhone 16 Plus is more than capable.
