Does the iPhone 16 Pro stack up months after its release date? A long-term review

I’ve become increasingly impressed by how tight and efficient Apple’s ecosystem has been over the past few years.

Accusations about a lack of innovation ring true, but the pressure to provide something new every time isn’t always the right path in the tech world. I’ve come to understand that true progress is all about refinement; getting the nuts and bolts in as perfect a place as possible before attempting something no one has seen before.

And so for the past three generations, I’ve paid more attention to how Apple has iterated, rather than just getting stuck on the whole “iteration vs innovation” debate that plagues the smartphone industry every year. And leads to same-same reviews that pretty much always amount to: “it’s good, but it’s not different enough”.

Is the iPhone 16 Pro good? Yes. It’s Apple.

Is the iPhone 16 Pro innovative? No. It’s Apple.

After spending several months with the iPhone 16 Pro since its release in September 2024, I’ve managed to travel quite a bit with the thing. I feel like that’s the most important test. Head off on the road – which requires you to move faster, think quicker and plan better – and see how the iPhone 16 Pro complements those things.

Design

Apple has always been synonymous with premium design, and the iPhone 16 Pro is no exception. The device boasts a refined titanium frame, offering both durability and a lightweight feel. The matte finish on the back provides a comfortable grip as well, making the phone much more stable when you’re moving it around with fluid motions (for example, panning wildly trying to catch video for your next Reel).

The new pressure-sensitive Camera Control button is a welcome addition, and I’ve gotten more use out of then the Action Button. But as with these tactile buttons that Apple keeps reimaginging, it isn’t as meaningful a chance in practicality as it is in theory.

The build is nothing unlike what we’ve come to expect from Apple, which is a good thing. Innovation isn’t needed here, only a rethink in the scalability and sustainable design. And for that, Apple wins plenty of points.

Why? Well, the premium design is still making plenty of headway towards reducing carbon emissions. That’s a big thing for a company as influential as Apple. The iPhone 16 Pro’s build uses over 30% recycled or renewable materials in the build, and the battery is made from 100% recyled cobalt and over 95% recycled lithium.

The design also aligns with energy efficiency needs. The 100% recycled aluminium thermal substructure means improved heat management, boosting sustained performance by up to 20% compared to the previous generation’s Pro models. Most people tend to credit the chip for energy efficiency, and they’d be right, but to ignore the designers here is overlooking Apple’s ingenuity.

Display

The iPhone 16 Pro features a stunning Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology. Colours are vibrant, blacks are deep, and the 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling through photos and apps buttery smooth. I would have written the same thing about the iPhone 15 Pro (and I probably did). The only real difference here is a wider range of colours, calibrated the better maintain those crispy, vivid colours regardless of what’s on screen.

But to really test this I’d have to go full psychadelic with my phone and consume the kind of content that sits on the fringes of the colour wheel. For everyday users, having a wider scope doesn’t really make much of a difference. It’s just a really good display that is perfectly legible regardless of environmental factors like sunlight.

Performance

Under the hood, the A18 Pro chip powers the iPhone 16 Pro, ensuring swift performance across tasks. Apps launch instantly, multitasking is seamless, and even resource-intensive applications run without a hitch. The integration of Apple Intelligence enhances on-device AI capabilities, making tasks like photo editing and Siri interactions more intuitive and responsive.

But the integration of AI is nascent in just about every smartphone right about now. I would imagine in a year’s time, the Apple Intelligence factor will be harder to ignore. For now, it doesn’t make much of a difference even when you’re asking Siri to plan your day.

Camera

Now, let’s talk about the most dynamic bit: the camera system. Equipped with a 48-megapixel Ultra Wide Camera and a 5X optical zoom, the iPhone 16 Pro captures stunning images across various lighting conditions.

I chose the two photos above the best represent the camera’s capabilities. Both shots were taken in Chicago. The surface of the mac & cheese here shows off how well Portrait Mode can capture text and depth now. This is the kind of food shot I’d expect from a Pixel – strong, powerful and vivid. The other photo, of the famous Rookery building, shows you how well the iPhone can snap up detail when there’s a complex flurry of features in frame.

While I was in New York, the camera beautifully captured the intricate details of the skyline, from the towering skyscrapers to the bustling streets below. And the contrast between all the colours helped me better understand just how much Apple has worked on its processing software. The AI-powered features, such as scene recognition and automatic adjustments, ensured that each shot was much better balanced than if I had shot on an older model.

Down in New Orleans, amidst the vibrant nightlife and jazz-filled streets, the Night mode truly shined. Even in low-light conditions, the camera produced sharp and vibrant images, capturing the essence of the city’s soul. Two years ago I would have preferred to use a Pixel for content, now Apple has worked wonders to close that gap.

Most notably is the post-processing. Google’s latest phone, the Pixel 9 Pro, still has that issue where AI can end up overcorrecting details especially in shadows. I think Apple has done a much better job at training its software to keep details as close to raw as possible, so the result is much more true-to-life. That said, the Pixel’s ability to maximise depth and texture is still far superior to the iPhone’s.

The new Camera Control button made accessing the camera a breeze, ensuring I never missed a shot. At least that’s the idea of it. It’s convenient. I like having it there. But I’m just too use to using the camera in the traditional way. I would imagine it’s more useful for those moments where you need to bring up the camera faster than it takes you to unlock your phone and open the app.

One such example is Whale Watching. During a recent trip to Vancouver, I went out on a boat and tried to spy some of those beautiful orcas flirting around the ocean. Blink and you’ll miss moments like these, which is why having the Camera Button is useful. I was able to capture much more impressive video than if I had to play Russian Roulette with Facetime – which still isn’t 100% perfect.

Value

The iPhone 16 Pro comes with a premium price tag, and the decision to upgrade depends on individual needs and budget considerations. For those with recent models like the iPhone 14 or 15, the incremental upgrades might not justify the cost, especially if advanced AI features aren’t a priority. However, for photography enthusiasts and power users seeking the latest in mobile technology, the iPhone 16 Pro is another strong temptation from Apple.

The phone’s blend of sleek design, vibrant display, robust performance, and advanced camera capabilities make it a standout device in the smartphone market. But weren’t you expecting that anyway?

I waited this long to publish my thoughts on the iPhone 16 Pro because in my experience issues don’t show up until months down the track. I’ve had no issues with the iPhone so far. In fact, I’d say it’s the best “new” Apple phone since the 14 Pro.

FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)

Highlights: Apple Intelligence is starting to make a noticeable difference; the Camera Control button helps with last-millisecond content needs; the best post-processing software Apple has put out to date; blindingly fast; better true-to-life photos.

Lowlights: Not thrilling enough for an upgrade unless you have a 13 or below

Price: $1,799

 

Chris Singh

Chris Singh is an Editor-At-Large at the AU review, loves writing about travel and hospitality, and is partial to a perfectly textured octopus. You can reach him on Instagram: @chrisdsingh.