Long gone are the days when every yearly iteration in smartphones brings redesigns and new features that change the way you use your phone. This has been the case since the iPhone 12 Pro series, where there have only been a few changes to the overall design.
With the iPhone 15 Pro and 16 Pro, the differences seem minor, which leads to the question of whether getting the latest and greatest iPhone is worth it. In this article, we’ll find that out by checking out some of the new features of the iPhone 16 Pro, and whether they justify an upgrade from last year’s flagship iPhone.
· The (Slightly) Bigger Elephant in the Room
One of the biggest changes in the latest iPhone is the larger size for both Pro and Pro Max models. Last year’s iPhone 15 Pro had a 6.1-inch screen whereas the 16 Pro has a 6.3-inch screen. The 15 Pro Max had a 6.7-inch screen whereas the newer 16 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch display.
So, does this actually make a difference?
No, not really. The size difference is barely noticeable. An iPhone 15 Pro Max with a normal case is almost the same size as a caseless iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Besides this, there aren’t any major changes to the display or the tech used.
· A Whole New Button for the Camera
iPhone 15 Pro models introduced the Action button which could be used for another function instead of the default Ring/Silent switch. This year, Apple introduced the Camera Control button with the iPhone 16 models which allows you to open the camera and access quick settings in the camera.
I’m not much of a camera person which is why I don’t find myself using the Camera Control button. I’ve set Snapchat as the default app that opens with the press of a button.
Instead, I found myself appreciating the Action button more this year. I went to a Halloween party at a friend’s house where I met a lot of Spanish speakers. Now, I know nothing about the language, besides the common greetings, which made communication barely possible. I used the Action button with the Translate feature, which made communication with Spanish speakers as smooth as it ever could be.
· The Most Powerful Gaming iPhone Yet
While I’m not the most avid gamer out there, I often find myself enjoying the occasional Call of Duty Mobile or PUBG Mobile match. This time, the iPhone 16 Pro Max can not only play AAA games smoothly but also do that without heating the device.
iPhone 16 has newer heat management tech with graphite-clad aluminum that allows it to get a 20% increase when sustaining performance. This has allowed me to make one of the best makeshift Nintendo Switch possible. Let me explain how.
I use a USB-C hub, which allows me to connect an Ethernet cable from my Spectrum router, an HDMI cable from my TV, a charger, and a MagSafe cooling fan, all of which connect directly to my iPhone 16 Pro Max with a single USB-C cable. I then connect a Bluetooth controller directly to my phone which allows me to play my favorite multiplayer, AAA, or emulator games on my TV.
With multiplayer gaming, using a wired connection can be a lifesaver, especially when using a fast and reliable connection like the one I get with Spectrum. They offer multiple internet plans and even offer support for Spanish-speaking customers at numero de Spectrum.
· AI for Everyone, but Late to the Party
This was the one thing I was genuinely excited about the new iPhone 16 models, which was the introduction of Apple Intelligence. Now, more than a month after the phone’s launch, we don’t have a feature-complete version of Apple Intelligence, which is supposed to be done by 2025.
Right now, with iOS 18.1, we only have a few features like Writing Tools, Clean Up, Memories in Photos, and Call Recording. Besides this, we’re supposed to get Image Playground, Genmoji, ChatGPT with Siri, and additional Writing Tools in iOS 18.2, which is expected to be released in December 2024.
But these AI features aren’t exclusive to the iPhone 16 models as they are also going to be available for the iPhone 15 Pro models.
So, that begs the question.
Is the iPhone 16 Pro Worth Getting?
I don’t have one answer for everyone. Coming from last year’s iPhone 15 Pro Max, I barely noticed a difference in my overall daily usage. While the Camera Control button is a neat new addition, it doesn’t bring enough to the table to warrant an upgrade.
If you’re someone who already has the iPhone 15 Pro, you shouldn’t upgrade to the newer model. For anyone with the iPhone 13 or 14 series, the iPhone 16 Pro has some great upgrades that can make your investment worthwhile.
If you’re someone with an iPhone 12 Pro or earlier model, the iPhone 16 Pro is going to be a huge upgrade, not only for the AI features but also an amazing camera setup, ProMotion display, USB-C connectivity, a longer-lasting battery as well as better hardware and software.
