Hands-on review: Apple iPhone 16 Pro smartphone

The iPhone 16 Pro is a statement of design and performance, marking a bold step forward for Apple's Pro line-up.

This year's model not only improves on its predecessor but also introduces a suite of innovative features that aim to redefine the smartphone experience. Here's a closer look at how the iPhone 16 Pro holds up in real-world use.

Design and display

Apple has elevated the iPhone 16 Pro's design with a premium titanium frame that feels remarkably lightweight despite its durability. The 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display offers crisp, vibrant visuals, and the thinner bezels provide an immersive experience. With a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, the display performs excellently outdoors, maintaining readability even in direct sunlight. The Always-On and ProMotion technologies are back, keeping the screen responsive with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz, which is particularly useful for gaming and fluid scrolling.

Performance

Powered by the new A18 Pro chip, the iPhone 16 Pro delivers unmatched speed and efficiency. Apple's 6-core CPU and 6-core GPU ensure seamless multitasking and intense mobile gaming. Graphics-heavy games like *Death Stranding* ran smoothly with no noticeable lag, and thanks to hardware-accelerated ray tracing, visuals are sharper and more realistic than ever.

The second-generation 3-nanometer technology improves energy efficiency, enabling better heat dissipation for sustained high performance. Whether editing videos or running generative AI models through Apple Intelligence, the A18 Pro handles it all effortlessly.

Camera and camera control

The iPhone 16 Pro's camera system truly stands out. With a new 48MP Fusion camera, zero shutter lag, and a faster quad-pixel sensor, capturing high-resolution shots, even in motion, is a breeze. The 5x Telephoto lens allows you to zoom in from a distance without losing clarity—perfect for wildlife or sports photography. Macro photography is a delight with the 48MP Ultra Wide lens, allowing for stunning close-ups with immense detail.

One of the most exciting new features is Camera Control. The tactile switch and gesture controls make it intuitive to take photos, adjust depth, and manage exposure settings in real time. For more advanced users, these controls offer precise photography adjustments, while the general user will appreciate the ease of use.

Video features

The A18 Pro's video capabilities are top-tier, with 4K 120fps recording in Dolby Vision, making it perfect for creating slow-motion content with cinematic quality. The combination of the A18 Pro's image signal processor and video encoder allows for real-time colour grading, which is a boon for videographers looking to elevate their footage.

Spatial Audio capture with four studio-quality mics adds a new dimension to your videos, offering an immersive sound that aligns with the visuals. The wind noise reduction feature also performs admirably, making outdoor video recording smoother, even in less-than-ideal conditions.

Apple Intelligence

Next month, a beta of Apple Intelligence will launch as a free upgrade. It will deliver enhanced AI features such as system-wide Writing Tools and Siri with improved language understanding. Writing Tools can adjust emails or notes to be more professional or concise on the fly, offering users quick assistance with tasks that would typically take longer. Meanwhile, Siri has gained the ability to manage in-app actions and provide personal context for quicker results—transforming how you interact with your phone. It will be available on all iPhone 16 modes, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPad and Mac with M1 and later, with the device and Siri language set to U.S. English. Later this year, Apple Intelligence will add support for localised English in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, as well as select other countries. 

Battery life

Battery life is significantly improved, with Apple claiming up to four extra hours of video playback compared to last year's model. In practice, the iPhone 16 Pro comfortably lasted a full day of use, including periods of intense gaming, video recording, and regular app usage. For those who need the longest battery life, the iPhone 16 Pro Max offers even more.

My verdict

The iPhone 16 Pro is a significant leap forward for Apple's Pro series, combining an outstanding design with top-notch performance. Its refined camera system, intuitive Camera Control, and immersive video and audio capabilities make it a fantastic choice for creatives and professionals alike. While it may be overkill for casual users, those looking for the best iPhone experience to date will find that the iPhone 16 Pro exceeds expectations in every aspect.