For the past several iPhone generation , I ’ve owned a Pro model . First it was the size of it — I bought an iPhone 13 Pro Max before the Plus phone was a thing — but it ’s other feature as well : the ProMotion presentation , 5X telephoto camera , A17 Pro chip , Dynamic Island , and so on . I ’ve never really deliberate not drive a Pro model … until this year .

For the first time since theiPhone 12 , I ’m getting a “ received ” iPhone this year , theiPhone 16 Plus . There ’s a variety of reason , which I ’ll excuse below , but the main divisor in my decision is that the Pro characteristic are higher - end than I require . The heavy exclusive new features this year are Dolby   Vision up to 4 K at 120   fps and slightly larger covert , neither of which pass water the higher - end iPhones a must - have , at least for me .

Of of course , it ’ll be a downgrade in some areas , primarily the display . While the iPhone 16 Plus is the same size as the iPhone 15 Pro Max it ’ll be replace , I ’m giving up ProMotion and the always - on exhibit . To prepare myself , I turned off always - on and limited the show to 60Hz ( options > Accessibility > Motion > Limit Frame Rate ) and it has n’t been as bad as I think .   After a day or so , I barely noticed .

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Otherwise , most of the Modern features are available on the stock models , include Camera Control and the Modern Photographic Styles . And compared to previous years , the Pro and unconstipated modelsaren’t all that different :

Processor : After a generation interruption on the iPhone 15 and 14 mannikin , the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro models each have an A18 chip . The main difference is an additional GPU core on the A18 Pro , but most exploiter are very improbable to notice .

television camera : There still is n’t a telephoto lens on the standard manikin , but the hardware gets an acclivity to a 48MP Fusion camera , along with numerous raw feature , including spacial photo and videos , and the latest Photographic Styles . But the biggest upgrade to the standard sound is Apple ’s splendid macro mode , which has been a Pro exclusive for years .

video display : The Pro simulation get ever so slightly big displays and still have ProMotion 120Hz display as an undivided feature for the high-pitched - end phones . As I said above , adaptative refresh is nice but Apple ’s 60Hz screens are still quite honorable . And all phones get the one new feature this year : luminosity that goes all the way down to 1 nit .

figure : Once again , the iPhone 16 Pro models are made of Ti versus the aluminum on the standard theoretical account . ( Though the Plus models are still slenderly heavier than their standard counterparts . ) The design are very like to last yr ’s role model as well , but the standard models get a much smaller and lithesome camera array .

Colors : The Pro vividness are once again very dreary and dull while the standard theoretical account get much brighter hue . I ordered teal , and after using Natural Titanium for the last 12 months I ’m appear forth to some color .

Otherwise , the phones are essentially the same : 5 G , quicker MagSafe charging , and of course , Apple Intelligence . Apple has importantly diminish the break between the standard and Pro phones this year , and while I ’m go to pretermit some Pro feature , the iPhone 16 Plus has near everything I need . So I ’m going to try out the received iPhone for a yr .   And keep a few hundred bucks in the unconscious process .

For help choosing your next iPhone read ouriPhone compare chart where we compare every iPhone . We also calculate atiPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 ProandiPhone 15 vs iPhone 16 .