I'll be the first to admit it: I'm not a fan of upgrading my iPhone every time a new model comes out. I'm a bit of a tech conservative, and I hate getting used to new things, transferring files, and all that jazz. However, Apple's reliability and ability to use my favorite smartphone for a longer period without any issues or problems won me over. And I got my iPhone 16 right away after it hit the stores.
iPhone 16: reviews
iPhone 16 colors
First, let's talk about the color palette. I have to say, Apple really knocked it out of the park with the new iPhone 2024. The colors are beautiful and deep. I won't bore you with screenshots: there are too many photoshopped images in Google where the colors are edited and look different from the real thing. If you want to get a sense of the colors, I'd recommend checking out the display models at a larger electronics store in your city. You can usually find a few shades on display, and the colors are 1:1.
After weighing my options, I settled on the iPhone 16 Ultramarine. On the ads, it just looks blue, but in person, it's this gorgeous lavender color.
iPhone 16: reviews
Unboxing and iPhone 16 packaging
I'd seen reviews before buying, so I knew what to expect. But I just can't pass up mentioning this.
iPhone 16: reviewsThe packaging is super minimalist, which I'm not a huge fan of. In the cardboard box with my new iPhone, you'll find the phone itself, a SIM ejector tool, and a charging cable. The cable, by the way, is really cool – it feels like a soft, woven material, and it looks like it might be more durable than previous versions.
iPhone 16: reviews iPhone 16: reviewsThat's it! Okay, no headphones – that would be a nice touch from Apple in 2024. But selling a phone without an adapter is just confusing to me. Luckily, the original was available at the store for around $25.
Inside the box, I found a pretty standard Apple booklet.
iPhone 16: reviews
iPhone 16 design
I've got to say, the front has changed, and I like it. The new oval area at the top is a nice touch – it looks better than the separate circles on some other phones.
iPhone 16: reviewsOn the back, the cameras are huge compared to previous models. To be honest, it makes the iPhone 16 look a bit cute and toy-like – like those dolls with oversized eyes.
iPhone 16: reviews
Now, let's move on to the sides of the iPhone 16. There are some interesting changes here.
On the right side, the power button is still there – I've numbered it 1.
iPhone 16 ReviewI've added another feature to the mix - a second button that's also touch-sensitive. Honestly, it's not really done it for me. It's supposed to be for comfortable and functional photo-taking with the iPhone 16, but in reality, it's UNCOMFORTABLE and useless in practice. Let me explain. When I press it, I open the camera - okay. And I can zoom in and out by swiping along it - okay. But to actually take a photo, I need to press the flat button through the case with some force, which is a real pain, especially when I'm holding the phone with one hand. The image shakes a bit, and no amount of stabilization helps. And if I'm using both hands, I can just tap the screen instead. So, what's the point of the new button?
iPhone 16 ReviewThe left side of the iPhone 16 has a SIM card slot, volume buttons (3) - nothing new there. But the switch for silent mode has changed - now it's a button (I've marked it with a 4). The changes are minor, and I got used to them pretty quickly.
iPhone 16 ReviewThe bottom of the phone still has the charging and headphone jack - nothing's changed there.
My standout features of the iPhone 16
1. Screen
It's plenty bright and vivid. Maybe that's just because I'm coming from an older iPhone, but this new model really does catch the eye. It's a joy to edit photos and videos on the phone, with more than enough brightness and great viewing angles. For me, as a regular user, that's what matters most. I'd take a great screen over a bunch of fancy specs any day.
iPhone 16: reviews
iPhone 16: reviews2. Sound
The new iPhone 16 is seriously loud. I put the same video on both models and the difference was night and day. The sound is crisp and clear, without any distortion. Plus, it's much harder to miss a call when the phone is in my bag and I'm in a noisy area.
Of course, you can always adjust the settings to your liking. But the fact that it can produce such loud, high-quality sound is a major win in my book.
iPhone 16: reviews
3. Camera
I've got to say, Apple's smartphones are known for their crisp, beautiful, and high-quality photos – and the new iPhone 16 is no exception. I know some people might disagree, but I think that's a major selling point. What really impressed me, though, is the way the phone automatically enhances low-light shots, making them look surprisingly natural.
I'm not talking about just tweaking the brightness settings. The iPhone 16 has a more comprehensive approach, and I'm really loving the results.
Below, I've added a few photos taken with the iPhone 16 in extremely poor lighting conditions. With the grey skies that have been stuck with us for weeks, there's barely any natural light even during the day. But this phone has done a much better job than its predecessor.
(All photos are unedited and unprocessed – I don't want to spoil the quality with any fancy apps like Airecommend)
iPhone 16: photo iPhone 16: photo iPhone 16: photo iPhone 16: photo iPhone 16: photo iPhone 16: photo
4. Battery
I have to say, the battery life is one of the main reasons I bought the new iPhone 16. First of all, it lasts me more than a day, even if I'm actively using it, browsing the internet, and watching videos. Of course, that looks pretty cool in comparison.
Another plus is the super-fast charging. I didn't do any specific measurements, but with a standard adapter, my smartphone charges around 40% in about 30 minutes. That's a huge help when you're in a rush and don't want to carry a charger with you.
iPhone 16: reviews
5. Memory
On my old iPhone, I had a paltry 64GB, which turned out to be a disaster waiting to happen. Luckily, the new models come with at least double that amount. Let's see how this increased storage will hold up. So far, I'm really pleased with the amount of free space I have (considering all the copied files and native apps after the transfer).
iPhone 16: reviews iPhone 16 drawbacks
If I'm being honest, there aren't many downsides to the iPhone 16. But I think it's worth mentioning a few things before you make a purchase.
Incomplete packaging. So, be sure to order some earbuds and a charging cable to avoid any disappointment during the unboxing process. The large camera. The protruding lenses make me nervous about dropping the phone, so you'll definitely need a thick case for the iPhone 16. Button camera issues. I've heard you can customize the camera button for other tasks, but I wanted to use it for effortless one-handed photos. Unfortunately, it's pretty much useless. A simple tap-to-shoot feature or video pause would be so much more intuitive, don't you think?
iPhone 16: Reviews
Verdict
I'd say the iPhone 16 is a solid choice, but to be honest, I wouldn't upgrade from the 15 if I had it. The differences between these close models just aren't that significant to me. If you're due for an upgrade, though, this is a great option. I'd definitely recommend it!
iPhone 16: Reviews
Price: around $990
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