The Apple iPhone 16 is the 6.1-inch base model of the 2024 iPhone lineup. Apple announced it on September 9, 2024, and sales began on September 20, 2024. It launched in the US at $799 for the 128GB version. In 2025, the iPhone 17 replaced it as the main base model. Still, Apple keeps selling the iPhone 16 as a lower-priced option.
Design and display
The phone uses an aluminum frame, a color-infused glass back and a Ceramic Shield front. It measures 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm and weighs 170 grams. Apple sells it in Black, White, Pink, Teal and Ultramarine. The body is rated IP68 for water and dust resistance.
The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel has a resolution of 2556 x 1179 pixels at 460 ppi. It includes the Dynamic Island and reaches 2,000 nits outdoors. However, the refresh rate stays at 60Hz, so there is no ProMotion and no always-on display. The iPhone 16 also adds the Action button and a new Camera Control button on the right side.
Performance
Inside is the Apple A18, built on second-generation 3-nanometer technology. It has a 6-core CPU with two performance and four efficiency cores. There is also a 5-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine. The phone has 8GB of RAM, which supports Apple Intelligence features. Storage options are 128GB, 256GB and 512GB, with no microSD slot.
Cameras
The rear system has two cameras. The 48MP Fusion main camera has an f/1.6 aperture and sensor-shift stabilization. It can also produce 12MP 2x telephoto shots from the center of the sensor. Next to it is a 12MP ultrawide camera with autofocus, which also handles macro photos. The cameras are now aligned vertically, so the phone can record spatial photos and videos.
Video recording goes up to 4K Dolby Vision at 60 fps. On the front, a 12MP TrueDepth camera supports Face ID and also records 4K video at 60 fps.
Battery and charging
The battery has a capacity of 3,561 mAh, according to Brazilian certification documents. Apple rates it for up to 22 hours of video playback. Charging uses USB-C, and Apple promises 50% in about 30 minutes with a 20W adapter. MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging work at up to 25W with a 30W adapter. A charger is not included in the box.
Software and updates
The iPhone 16 shipped with iOS 18. Apple does not publish a fixed number of iOS upgrades. Still, it has committed to at least five years of security updates from the first sale date. In the US, the phone uses dual eSIM only, while most other markets also get a nano-SIM tray.
Should you buy the iPhone 16?
The iPhone 16 suits buyers who want a compact iPhone with the A18 chip, Apple Intelligence and Camera Control. It also offers IP68 protection, satellite emergency features and Wi-Fi 7. On the other hand, the 60Hz display and USB 2.0 speeds lag behind newer models. Buyers who want a faster display should look at the iPhone 17 instead.
