The iPhone 16 iPhone 16 Apple’s latest flagship that has arrived.
But after I got a closer look, it may not be the leap forward many hoped for.
Despite some promising features, several glaring shortcomings make this phone fall short of expectations.
Here I brought to you an in-depth breakdown of why the iPhone 16 is more of a disappointment than a breakthrough.
iPhone 16 unboxing
As previously, the iPhone 16’s unboxing experience is typical of Apple’s minimalist approach.
Inside the box, you’ll find the phone itself, a USB-C to Lightning cable and the usual documentation. That is it.
There are no charger or earbuds as Apple still continues to promote its eco-friendly packaging.
iPhone 16 USA launch date
The phone became available for pre-order on September 13, 2024 with the first shipments beginning a week later i.e. September 20, 2024, Friday. So, pre-order date is Sep. 13 and public sales date is Sep. 20.
While the unboxing might feel familiar, many users will find themselves immediately needing to purchase a charger or other accessories adding to the overall cost.
Given the hefty price, Apple could have provided more in the box like the charger and earphones to enhance the user experience.
Design, dimensions, build quality and in-hand feel
Apple stuck with its tried-and-true design for the iPhone 16 featuring the same flat-edged with aerospace-grade aluminum frame we’ve seen in the iPhone 15.
The phone measures 147.6mm × 71.6mm × 7.8mm and weighs 170 grams making it lightweight and easy to hold.
However, the design feels dated. With competitors offering sleeker more innovative designs, the iPhone 16’s flat body lacks the “wow” factor.
In-hand, the device is comfortable but not much different from its predecessor. Apple’s failure to innovate here feels like a missed opportunity.
Colours
The phone is available officially in five colors: Pink, White, Teal, Black and Ultramarine.
While these options add some variety to your colour choices, they are not significantly different from what we’ve seen before.
Other brands offer more striking finishes like shimmering metallic option which make the phone’s color palette feel underwhelming.
Ports and buttons
In keeping with modern design trends, it lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack continuing Apple’s push towards wireless audio.
On the right-hand side, you’ll find the power button and a Camera Control button which works when you touch or slide your finger on it.
On the left-hand side, the volume rocker and Action Button are there.
At the bottom, the phone houses a USB-C charging port and the speaker grille.
At the top, there is nothing.
Despite the shift to USB-C, the port is still capped at USB 2.0 speeds significantly slower than the USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt speeds available in some competitors.
This feels like another area where Apple could have improved but didn’t.
Weight
At 170 grams, the phone is lightweight making it easy to carry and handle.
Comparing with some bulkier flagship models, this is an advantage but it comes at the expense of a smaller battery which could impact performance.
Battery
It features a 3561mAh battery which is disappointingly small for a flagship device in 2024.
Apple claims that it can last through a full day of typical use but in reality, the battery struggles under heavy use especially with gaming and media consumption.
Given the price, a larger more powerful battery of at least 5000mAh should have been included.
Charging
The phone supports 25W MagSafe fast charging reaching half charge in 30 minutes and full charge in 60 minutes.
While this sounds promising, it’s noticeably slower than many Android flagships which offer 150W to 180W fast charging.
So Apple’s slower charging speeds leave this phone lagging behind competitors.
Display
The iPhone 16 comes with a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 1179 x 2556 pixels.
While the screen delivers sharp, vibrant images with excellent colour accuracy, the 60Hz refresh rate is a major and biggest letdown.
Most flagship devices now offer at least 120Hz providing smoother scrolling and a better gaming experience.
Apple’s refusal to adopt a higher refresh rate feels outdated especially considering the premium price.
The brightness levels ranging from 1 nit to 2000 nits are impressive but the display is still inferior to high-refresh-rate screens found in many Android devices.
iPhone 16 full phone specifications
- Display: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 1179 x 2556 pixels, 60Hz
- Processor: A18 5G, 6-core, 3nm fabrication process
- GPU: Apple GPU, 5 cores
- Battery: 3561mAh, 25W MagSafe fast charge, 4.5W reverse charge
- Camera: Dual camera setup
- Main: 48MP f/1.6, sensor-shift OIS, quad-pixel
- Telephoto: 12MP f/1.6 2x zoom, sensor-shift OIS
- Ultrawide: 12MP f/2.2, 120-degree FOV
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB
- Operating System: iOS 18
- Connectivity: WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, no headphone jack
- Body: Aerospace-grade aluminum, IP68 water and dust resistance
- SAR value: Within limit
- Price: $799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1099 (512GB)
Performance
Powered by the A18 5G chip, it delivers fast and efficient performance.
However, while the A18 is more powerful than the A17 in the iPhone 15, the performance boost feels incremental.
Many users will barely notice the difference unless pushing the device with resource-intensive tasks.
Apple could have offered a more noticeable performance upgrade especially considering the generational leap in processor technology.
OS and UI
The iPhone 16 runs iOS 18 which provides a clean and intuitive experience.
However, iOS 18 doesn’t offer significant new features compared to iOS 17. It’s only upgraded in AI department.
While Apple’s ecosystem remains polished and user-friendly, it feels like iOS is coasting on past successes rather than innovating.
Camera
The iPhone 16 sports a dual-camera setup, led by a 48MP primary sensor with sensor-shift OIS.
The images are sharp and vibrant but the absence of any major camera upgrades over the iPhone 15 is disappointing.
The telephoto lens offers 2x optical zoom but many competing devices now offer 5x or 10x optical zoom.
The ultrawide camera performs well but its 12MP resolution lags behind other flagships that offer higher resolution and wider fields of view.
Apple’s camera technology feels stagnant especially in light of the competition’s advances.
Multimedia
The display’s high brightness levels and colour accuracy make media consumption enjoyable but the lack of a 120Hz refresh rate limits its appeal for gaming or fast-motion content.
Audio output through the speakers is crisp but without a headphone jack, you will need wireless earbuds or a dongle which could not only increase the cost but also frustrate those who still prefer wired audio.
Network and connectivity
The iPhone 16 supports dual-band WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 which are industry-standard for high-end smartphones.
The device offers strong 5G connectivity with a wide range of supported bands. NFC is working very fine.
Sensors
The iPhone 16 includes a wide array of sensors: compass, light sensor, proximity, gyroscope, accelerometer, in-display fingerprint sensor.
These sensors work well but there’s nothing revolutionary here that sets it apart from the iPhone 15 or its competitors.
AI features
Apple’s Apple Intelligence’s processing is impressive especially with image recognition and voice commands.
However, compared to the AI-driven features in competitors like Google’s Pixel lineup, Apple’s AI feels less forward-thinking.
Additional features
- SAR: Head/body SAR is within acceptable limits.
- IP Rating: The iPhone 16 retains its IP68 rating with up to 6 metres with 30 minutes water resistant.
- FM Radio: Not available.
- NFC: Yes.
- Satellite Connection: Yes.
- WiFi/Bluetooth: WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.3.
- SD Card: No expandable storage.
- Notification Light: None, continuing Apple’s trend of relying on the always-on display.
iPhone 16 price in USA and availability
The iPhone 16 is available at $799 for the 128GB model, $899 for the 256GB model and $1099 for the 512GB model.
| iPhone 16 variants | iPhone 16 price in USA |
|---|---|
| 8GB•128GB | $799 |
| 8GB•256GB | $899 |
| 8GB•512GB | $1,099 |
While the pricing is high, it’s hard to justify given the minimal upgrades.
FAQs and people also ask
Does the iPhone 16 have a 3.5mm headphone jack?
No, like recent iPhones, it does not.
Does the iPhone 16 have a 3.5mm headphone jack?
No, like recent iPhones, it does not.
What is the refresh rate of the iPhone 16’s display?
The display refresh rate is still 60Hz which is disappointing for a flagship device.
Does the iPhone 16 support fast charging?
Yes, it supports 25W MagSafe fast charging, reaching full charge in 59 minutes.
How much does the iPhone 16 cost in the USA?
In the USA, iPhone 16 pricing starts at $799 for 128GB, $899 for 256GB and $1099 for 512GB.
Does the iPhone 16 support 5G?
Yes, the iPhone 16 supports 5G connectivity.
What is the size of the iPhone 16?
It measures 147.6mm x 71.6mm x 7.8mm.
Is the iPhone 16 waterproof?
It has an IP68 rating meaning it’s resistant to water and dust.
What camera features does the iPhone 16 have?
It has a 48MP main camera with OIS and a 12MP ultrawide camera.
Does the iPhone 16 have a fingerprint sensor?
Yes, it has an in-display fingerprint sensor.
Does the iPhone 16 come with a charger in the box?
No, Apple does not include a charger with the iPhone 16.
My final thoughts about this phone
The iPhone 16 is a decent device but it feels like a minor upgrade over the iPhone 15.
With a 60Hz display, slow charging compared to competitors and no major camera improvements, Apple seems to be resting on its laurels.
For the price, we generally expect more innovation especially when Android rivals are offering much more in terms of features and performance.
While the iPhone 16 does have its strong points—such as excellent build quality, a bright display and solid performance—it ultimately feels like a phone that’s stuck in the past.
Apple fans may be satisfied but anyone looking for the cutting edge of technology will likely be disappointed.
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