It may appear odd that such a minor iPhone 16 Pro function has had such a huge impact on me when you think about the flurry of additives Apple has made: larger batteries, bigger screens and the brand new Camera Control button.
However many people have most likely been on this scenario: it is a night flight and somebody pulls out their telephone, lighting up the cabin like a Broadway present. Eyes sting, blinking ensues, annoyance grows and an inside debate begins about whether or not to go full Larry David on the poor sap and their phone, which appears to glow brighter than the solar.
Additionally, take a look at: A Billion Pixels a Second: A Rare Look Inside Apple’s Secret iPhone 16 Camera Labs
Fortunately, these sorts of occasions is perhaps in my touring previous. Ultimately, Apple has come to the rescue by decreasing the minimal brightness throughout all of the shows on its iPhone 16 sequence.
The show’s decrease brightness is well misplaced amongst all the opposite hubbub surrounding the iPhone. In spite of everything, there are Snoop Dogg commercials for the iPhone 16 with him touting Apple Intelligence. I’ve even gone on file to say that the iPhone 16 Professional’s up to date gradual movement recording function is my favorite thing on an iPhone in years.
However the minimal brightness on the iPhone 16 is one thing you possibly can solely respect once you see it (or do not), even in case you aren’t on a darkish aircraft or having fun with a night automobile trip. Earlier iPhone fashions had screens that would dim all the way down to 2 nits. The iPhone 16 can go even decrease, all the best way all the way down to 1 nit.
Now, this is not Apple pulling a Nigel Tufnel from Spinal Tap and saying, “These go to 11” or, within the iPhone’s case, all the way down to 1. It is really noticeable.
The iPhone 16 loses the glare
I hate to confess it, however I wish to learn on my telephone in mattress. I do know it is a horrible behavior. However after I would learn on my previous iPhone 15 Pro, there have been occasions after I had the brightness all the best way down and it nonetheless had a little bit of glare. That glare is gone with the iPhone 16 Pro I have been utilizing. And I discover that my eyes really feel much less strained consequently.
Is there an opportunity I killed off these light-sensitive cells in my eyes from years of studying on my telephone in mattress? Completely. However the iPhone 16 Professional actually is much less vivid when I’ve the display cranked down.
Beneath is a photograph of the iPhone 15 Professional facet by facet with the iPhone 16 Professional in a darkish room. Each have their display’s brightness turned all the best way down. And the 15 Professional is certainly nonetheless brighter.
Right here is the iPhone 15 Professional (left) subsequent to the iPhone 16 Professional in a darkish room. Each telephone have their display brightness turned as far down as they go.
Why the iPhone 16 is value contemplating
I will not say that you can purchase the iPhone 16 or 16 Professional merely for the way dim their screens can go. However this function is consultant of the small however important methods Apple delights its prospects. When you’re coming from an iPhone 12 series or older, than the iPhone 16 is a superb improve.
And in case you succumb to Snoop Dogg’s charismatic stress and get a brand new iPhone or purchase one as a present for a buddy or member of the family and also you occur to be sitting subsequent to them on an in a single day flight, your eyes will thanks. (And even in case you wish to learn late at evening in your telephone.) Now do not get me began on the iPhone 16’s superb audio system. In spite of everything, there is a motive that the iPhone 16 tops our list for the best iPhone of 2025.
