Apple has lifted the curtain off the iPhone 16 and the Apple Watch Series 10, and it’s fairly an thrilling array of units. Not solely is that this the primary line of iPhones constructed from the bottom as much as help Apple Intelligence, however Apple additionally gave us some extremely enjoyable colours for the common fashions.
Even so, Apple nonetheless fell quick on some points of the iPhone 16 line. Let’s dive in.
The iPhone 16 nonetheless has a 60Hz show
In 2017, Apple added ProMotion to the iPad Professional. That is the identify for its shows with a 120Hz refresh fee, which implies smoother scrolling and animations on the display.
With the iPhone 13 Professional, Apple lastly launched ProMotion to the iPhone show. Beforehand, 60Hz was the usual Apple used for years. As soon as ProMotion arrived on the iPhone, Apple stored it unique to the Professional fashions, even to at the present time. The usual iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus solely have a 60Hz refresh fee, whereas the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Professional Max have a 120Hz ProMotion show.
In recent times, many Android phones, even the bottom fashions or budget-friendly choices that solely value a number of hundred {dollars}, have featured 120Hz or 90Hz refresh charges. However for Apple to cost no less than $799 for a cellphone that also solely has 60Hz within the yr 2024? It’s insulting.
Maybe most individuals who find yourself getting the iPhone 16 don’t care. I admit it may be just a little tough to see the variations between 60Hz and 120Hz until you’re looking at them facet by facet. However when you’ve been utilizing a tool with 120Hz, particularly for a number of years, it may be fairly laborious to return to something much less.
Consider it like when Apple launched the Retina show on the iPhone 4. When that show know-how debuted, you could possibly not see the person little pixels on the display should you regarded intently. Once more, refresh charges aren’t fairly as apparent to some individuals, however it’s laborious to downgrade when you discover.
I significantly hope that Apple considers elevating the refresh fee to no less than 90Hz, if not 120Hz, with the iPhone 17. In 2025, 60Hz must be out of date.
No important telephoto digital camera upgrades
OK, I do know, I do know. The iPhone 16 Professional lastly obtained the improved periscope digital camera with 5x optical zoom that debuted final yr with the iPhone 15 Pro Max. I’ve been demanding this for the previous yr after the iPhone 15 Pro was caught with simply 3x optical zoom. Besides, I’m nonetheless not glad.
I’m truthfully stunned that Apple didn’t enhance the megapixel rely on the telephoto lens this yr for both the small Professional or the bigger Professional Max. The ultrawide digital camera jumped considerably to 48MP from the earlier 12MP, so why didn’t the telephoto digital camera get this remedy, too?
For context, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has two telephoto lenses, 10MP and 50MP, which may do 3x and 5x optical zoom, respectively. The Google Pixel 9 Pro, which simply got here out a month in the past, has a 48MP ultrawide lens and a 48MP telephoto digital camera. Apple growing the spec on simply the ultrawide lens and never the telephoto feels just a little, effectively, lazy.
Apple may have additionally elevated the digital zoom previous 15x. The Pixel can do as much as 30x proper now, and the Galaxy S24 Extremely can do 100x. Apple nonetheless doesn’t allow you to go previous 15x, which is a disgrace.
All the Professional colours are unhealthy
I’ve to give props to Apple for the colors of the regular iPhone 16 fashions. These colours are completely beautiful. Although pink is my favourite, I really like teal and ultramarine, too. Particularly once you evaluate this yr’s pink cellphone to the pink iPhone 15, I simply love how Apple actually saturated these colours.
However the iPhone 16 Professional fashions? Might the colours be any extra boring this yr? It’s the worst coloration lineup by far — there’s not even a blue, for crying out loud. Some individuals could like that Desert Titanium coloration, however I’m not a fan, and I sometimes get the “new” coloration yearly. However this yr, it appears to be like like I’ll find yourself going for white titanium as an alternative, although I’m actually not a fan of any of them; that’s simply the least unhealthy of the bunch.
Critically, why can’t Apple pay attention and provides us an precise enjoyable coloration for the Professional fashions? I really like that Google gave us a Rose Quartz Pixel 9 Professional this yr, and I actually hope that Apple can take a touch. Folks need a colourful iPhone Professional, not 4 completely different shades of grey.
Nonetheless no return of Contact ID
The iPhone 16 collection provides a brand new {hardware} characteristic: Camera Control. This new button on the appropriate fringe of the body launches the Digital camera app, acts as a shutter button, and makes use of haptics to detect sliding motion and regulate settings when utilizing the digital camera.
The Digital camera Management is among the biggest changes to the iPhone in a very long time, however some individuals could also be left questioning why didn’t Apple carry again Contact ID to that button (and even on the facility button)?
Although many Android telephones today have each face unlock and an under-display fingerprint sensor, we could by no means see that come to an iPhone. Apple’s personal iPad fashions, except for the iPad Professional, nonetheless use Contact ID with a fingerprint sensor housed within the sleep/wake button. With Apple including extra buttons to the iPhone line in recent times, one would assume Contact ID may return in some unspecified time in the future.
Why have Contact ID and Face ID? I feel having multiple biometric safety measure on a smartphone is a great transfer, only for that additional layer of safety. I’d have cherished to see Apple carry again Contact ID with the Digital camera Management and even the sleep/wake button.
Maybe someday, we are able to get two types of biometric safety on an iPhone.
Strive once more subsequent yr
Don’t get me mistaken — the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Professional are thrilling updates. I’m keen to take a look at the Digital camera Management since pictures is a giant a part of how I take advantage of my cellphone. And I completely love these iPhone 16 colours!
Nonetheless, it’s disappointing to see a number of the missteps made this yr. No smartphone is ideal, and we should always by no means count on one to be, however a few of these issues are so irritating. A 60Hz display? No telephoto upgrades? Come on, Apple.
Hopefully, Apple can deal with these complaints sooner or later. A base mannequin iPhone with a 120Hz display, a Professional iPhone with enjoyable colours, important telephoto digital camera enhancements, and an iPhone with Contact ID and Face ID? It doesn’t damage to dream.
