Apple made fairly a splash this yr with the iPhone 16 lineup. The truth is, the bottom mannequin iPhone 16 gave the impression to be the star of the present, with phenomenal colours and much more Professional-level options than ever earlier than. And whether or not you find it irresistible or hate it, the brand new vertical digicam structure breathes some contemporary life into the cellphone.
However I didn’t go for the bottom mannequin this yr, although I really wanted a pink iPhone. As a substitute, I went with the iPhone 16 Pro, as drab as it could look in comparison with the iPhone 16. I used to be enthusiastic about some new options, however then I initially had some second thoughts after the primary few days.
It’s now been over a month, and the iPhone 16 Professional has been my every day driver since then. Do I nonetheless have that little little bit of purchaser’s regret?
The digicam upgrades are price it
One of many benefits of the iPhone Professional over the bottom fashions has at all times been the cameras. That particularly holds true with the iPhone 16 Professional. It’s one of many causes I at all times improve yearly.
In 2023, I went with the iPhone 15 Pro, although I actually wished the 5x telephoto digicam on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Why the smaller one? I discover the Max telephones to be a bit unwieldy for me in every day use. Whereas I used to be proud of the scale of the iPhone 15 Professional, I used to be aggravated that Apple had such a function disparity between the Professional cameras — not everybody desires the large cellphone to have the most effective digicam. So, I used to be caught with the 3x telephoto digicam.
Fortunately, Apple fastened that this yr with the iPhone 16 Professional. Because it acquired a slight bump up in bodily measurement, Apple was capable of match the 5x telephoto digicam into it. Now, those that favor smaller telephones (hello, it’s me) aren’t lacking out on main digicam options.
It might appear minor, however I’ve actually been having fun with the 5x telephoto lens and utilizing it greater than I believed. It’s not like I couldn’t do 5x zoom with the iPhone 15 Professional, nevertheless it was digital zoom, which meant a lack of high quality the extra I zoomed in previous 3x. With the 5x optical zoom on the iPhone 15 Professional, I can zoom in nearer to my topics with out shedding treasured particulars.
I usually use the telephoto after I see the geese at Disneyland or after I see squirrels and feral cats (and no matter different critters are operating round) in my neighborhood as a result of I really like taking photographs of animals. Having the 5x telephoto has been very helpful for me in getting some good wildlife photographs with out having to get shut and probably disturb them.
The ultrawide lens on the Professional fashions was additionally bumped as much as 48MP as an alternative of 12MP. I don’t use the ultrawide digicam as a lot as the opposite two for many situations, however I’ve appreciated the elevated element in these ultrawide photos. The sensor can even seize extra gentle, making ultrawide lowlight photographs a lot better than earlier than.
Since macro photographs use the ultrawide lens, that additionally means your macro photographs look even higher. The truth is, I did a camera comparison between the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro, and the macro photographs taken with the iPhone 16 Professional reveal a really apparent distinction in high quality over these taken with its predecessor.
How the remainder of my iPhone 16 Professional is growing older
As nice because the cameras are, there are many different issues that I’ve been having fun with with my iPhone 16 Professional.
Apple geared up the iPhone 16 Professional fashions with the brand new A18 Professional chip, which is about 16% sooner than its predecessor, the A17 Professional. As somebody who additionally had the iPhone 15 Professional final yr, I haven’t seen a lot of a distinction in efficiency between the 2. However that’s as a result of the A17 Professional was additionally fairly a quick and highly effective chip, and the A18 Professional is simply barely sooner.
In my every day use, I haven’t encountered any points with the A18 Professional concerning utilization and efficiency. Launching apps has at all times been quick and snappy. I’ve encountered no stuttering or lag when utilizing my apps, and Recreation Mode is definitely helpful after I wish to immerse myself in one thing to take my thoughts off extra urgent issues for a bit.
I’ve additionally lastly been utilizing Apple Intelligence because of the iOS 18.1 replace in October. Although the Writing Tools will be helpful, I haven’t used that function an excessive amount of since I attempted it out briefly. Nevertheless, the Clean Up tool in the Photos app has been glorious and one thing I’ve been wanting ahead to for years. It really works effectively and tidies up my photos properly. I’m thrilled I now have Clear Up so I don’t must obtain a third-party app (doubtless with a subscription) to take away undesirable objects from my photos.
I’ve been getting a lot better battery life on my iPhone 16 Professional than I used to be with my iPhone 15 Professional. The battery on my iPhone 15 Professional was already degrading fairly quick, and from what I’m experiencing, the iPhone 16 Professional has been rather more energy environment friendly. I usually unplug my cellphone round 5:30 a.m. on weekdays, and I’ve been hovering round 70% by midday, whereas my iPhone 15 Professional can be round 50% at that time. If I don’t high it off in the course of the day, I get to about 30% to 40% by dinner.
It will not be the most effective battery life I’ve skilled, nevertheless it’s an enchancment over what I acquired with its predecessor. I want Apple improved the wired charging pace, however the claimed 50% cost in half-hour is fairly correct.
Checking in on the Digital camera Management
One of many important modifications throughout the whole iPhone 16 lineup was the addition of the Camera Control function. After I first noticed it was being launched, I used to be excited as a result of I believed it will make the iPhone really feel extra like an precise digicam, which is likely one of the principal issues I exploit my iPhone for.
Nevertheless, a function that I used to be wanting ahead to utilizing turned out to be a giant disappointment for me, personally. I simply don’t discover myself utilizing Digital camera Management as a lot as I might have preferred.
Beforehand, with my iPhone 15 Professional, I had set the Motion button to launch the Digital camera app. Now that the Digital camera Management can try this, I’ve assigned a distinct perform to my Motion button (turning on the flashlight) and I exploit the Digital camera Management to rapidly entry the Digital camera app. However that’s just about all I’ve used it for.
I’ve talked about it earlier than, however the position of the Camera Control button makes it awkward to make use of as an precise shutter button, particularly in panorama orientation. It may have been a lot better if Apple had moved it a little bit decrease on the body. However with its present location, it’s simpler for me to make use of the touchscreen controls.
Then there’s the truth that Digital camera Management is more durable to press than the opposite buttons. Because it’s flush with the body and composed of glass for haptic controls, you need to put a little bit extra effort into the presses and half-presses. The results of this, particularly when utilizing it as a shutter button, is that it’s going to trigger a slight digicam shake, which may wreck a photograph. Sure, even after you adjust the settings, it’s higher, however not excellent. It’s simply a lot simpler to the touch the button on the display screen.
I want the Digital camera Management wasn’t flush and was raised and straightforward to press like the opposite 4 buttons. The half-press gesture to entry the assorted settings is finicky for me, and it’s simply simpler to make use of the onscreen controls for that.
Once more, I used to be actually wanting ahead to the Digital camera Management, however the way in which that Apple has applied it’s a letdown. It’s an important thought with poor execution.
The iPhone 16 Professional was definitely worth the improve
As a lot as I might have preferred to have a pink iPhone 16, I’m fairly having fun with having the iPhone 16 Professional as an alternative. Not solely do I would like the 1TB storage provided solely on the Professional fashions, however the digicam upgrades are very good this yr.
The most important purpose I’m proud of the iPhone 16 Professional is that I’m not lacking out on digicam options this yr. I lastly have the 5x telephoto lens I missed out on final yr, and it’s been nice for my use circumstances. And macro photographs look higher than ever.
Even with the awkward Digital camera Management placement, the iPhone 16 Professional has confirmed improbable. As an energetic shutterbug, the upgraded telephoto digicam in a smaller iPhone addresses my principal grievance in regards to the iPhone 15 Professional. Mix that with the improved battery life and extra succesful chipset, and the iPhone 16 Professional has been a worthy improve for me — and all of my purchaser’s regret has disappeared.
