ZDNET’s main points about the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are that they are more affordable than the Pro models by up to $400, yet still offer similar features. The new Action button and Camera Control provide users with more iOS shortcuts, but may require some getting used to. Unfortunately, some features like the 60Hz refresh rate and slow 20W wired charging have not been improved. Despite this, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus have quickly become the recommended handsets, surpassing last year’s iPhone 15 series. The new features, including the Action button and Camera Control, make the standard iPhones more capable than ever, reducing the fear of missing out on the Pro models.
The “Sibling” strategy is being implemented by Apple with the iPhone 16, taking features from last year’s Pro model and incorporating them into the standard iPhone lineup. The new Action button and Camera Control provide users with more customization options and camera settings, although there may be a learning curve involved. The placement of the Camera Control may take some time to get used to, but it encourages users to capture photos in landscape orientation for immersive spatial content. The new 12MP ultrawide camera and 48MP Fusion camera make the iPhone 16’s camera system versatile and capable of capturing detailed photos in various lighting conditions.
Although the lack of a higher refresh rate display may be disappointing to some users, the overall performance and battery life of the iPhone 16 have been sufficient. While the standard models may not have all the latest features of the Pro models, they still offer a reliable and capable smartphone experience.