Telegraph verdict: 9/10
This is a really excellent device, particularly for anyone moderately serious about smartphone photography or video, with real, physical buttons making it easier and faster to use the camera.
Like a fine wine, it’s also going to improve with age, with Apple Intelligence set to add new features this winter and into the coming year. iPhone 15 owners will also be able to update their OS to take advantage of the new features, but not owners of the iPhone 14 or older models.
So is it worth the upgrade? The improved battery life might be what swings it for iPhone 15 Pro owners, but the bigger screen and thinner bezel make this a really appetising choice overall. It’s not cheap, but then iPhone Pro models never are, and this looks set to be a powerful, sleek launchpad for the age of Apple Intelligence.
FAQs
When does the iPhone 16 come out?
It has been available in the UK since September 20.
How much does the iPhone 16 cost?
The most affordable iPhone 16 is the 128GB base model, for £799. The iPhone 16 Pro, which has more features, starts at £999 for the 128GB model. The iPhone 16 Pro Max, with a 6.9-inch screen, starts at £1,199 for the 256GB model.
What are the key features of the iPhone 16?
The most notable new feature is the new Camera Button, allowing you to change camera settings while you’re framing a shot with various gestures and pressures. There is a new ultra-wide camera for close-up photography and a new ‘3D’ photography option called Spatial Capture.
There are now three settings for audio in your videos: In-Frame, Studio and Cinematic. You can now choose Photographic Styles and apply them to all your photographs.
Aside from photography features, the iPhone 16 has a new, faster processor called the A18 and its battery lasts longer than the iPhone 15. You can now customise the colour of widgets on your homescreen and set the Action Button to carry out a variety of tasks at one click.
Finally, there are a range of AI features called Apple Intelligence which will launch in the UK some time around the end of 2024. You will need an iPhone 16 or iPhone 15 to use these.
What is the battery life like on the iPhone 16?
You should get 22 hours of video playback. A 50 percent charge takes 30 minutes.