At Apple's Glowtime event on Monday, the company introduced its latest flagship phones: the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. While these new models closely resemble their predecessors, they feature upgraded hardware, enhanced cameras, and the debut of Apple Intelligence—highlighted by a new AI-dedicated button for camera use.
The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are larger than their forerunners, with the Pro sporting a 6.3-inch display and the Pro Max boasting a 6.9-inch screen, making it the largest iPhone ever. Despite the increased screen size, the phones maintain their titanium finish from last year and remain relatively lightweight.
The iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999 (£999, AU$1,799) for 128GB of storage, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max begins at $1,199 (£1,199, AU$2,149) with 256GB of storage. Both models are available for pre-order starting Friday, Sept. 13, and will be released on Sept. 20. They come in four colors: black, white, a silverish natural hue, and a light brown desert shade.
For those interested in preordering, we’re compiling the best deals for the iPhone 16, Apple Watch Series 10, and AirPods 4 at launch.
The new Apple Intelligence (AI) suite introduces various advanced features, such as message tone adjustments, enhanced Siri capabilities, improved photo and video search, and new camera controls. While AI will also be available on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, Apple is using these new tools as a key selling point for the iPhone 16 series.
The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max feature a new dedicated button for Visual Intelligence, located below the lock button. This camera-focused feature offers AI-driven insights and quick access to camera settings like zoom and aperture with a simple touch.
Both phones are powered by the Apple A18 Pro chipset, with the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus using the A18 chipset to support Apple Intelligence. The iPhone 16 Pro offers storage options ranging from 128GB to 1TB, while the Pro Max starts at 256GB and is available in up to 1TB. Note that there is no expandable storage; users will need to rely on cloud storage.
The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max now share some features with the more affordable iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, including an action button for customizable app shortcuts. However, the Pro models retain exclusive features like the 5x optical zoom telephoto lens and a larger battery, with the Pro Max offering up to 33 hours of video playback compared to the Pro’s 27 hours.
Both models come equipped with a 48-megapixel main camera featuring a new sensor for 2x macro zoom and the ability to record 4K video at 120 frames per second. They also support 1080p spatial video at 30 fps for viewing on the Apple Vision Pro headset. The rear camera setup includes a 48-megapixel ultrawide lens.
Additional audio features include four microphones for spatial audio recording and three pro audio settings: in-frame, studio, and cinematic. Voice Memos now allow users to sing or speak over recorded audio while removing background music.
The new capacitive camera button necessitates new cases, and Apple offers a selection that supports capacitive tapping and sliding for photo adjustments. The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max retain the USB-C connector and feature an upgraded MagSafe charging capability of up to 25 watts with a compatible 30-watt charger, while wired charging remains at 20 watts.