ICYMI: Apple launched the brand new iPhone 16 lineup on Monday, together with several other new products and software developments, together with AirPods 4, the Apple Watch Series 10, and new upgrades to the AirPods Professional 2 mannequin to create clinical-grade hearing aids.
And when you’re most likely anticipating ZDNET’s workforce of tech specialists to say that we’re all hopping on the iPhone 16 bandwagon due to flashy guarantees of Apple Intelligence, a brand new camera control button, and an upgraded design, you would be mistaken. Regardless of many people extensively overlaying the event of flagship tech (particularly smartphones) over time with a fervent ardour and curiosity, outdoors of our work, we’re most likely quite a bit such as you.
Additionally: 4 ways I reuse my old iPhones instead of trading them in – including with robots
We’re all the time in search of deals on high merchandise, weighing the professionals and cons earlier than upgrading or shopping for new ones, and in search of the perfect long-term worth in our tech. So perhaps you are shocked to study that regardless of overlaying the most recent cellphone launches, from the iPhone 16 to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, a few of us are nonetheless comfortably utilizing our iPhone 12s, 13s, and 14s — and are not essentially all in on shopping for a brand new mannequin.
Listed below are the highest explanation why we’re (or aren’t) upgrading to the iPhone 16 within the coming months, together with concerns of Apple Intelligence, digital camera options, and preorder or trade-in affords which can be simply too good to move up.
Here is why ZDNET editors shall be upgrading to the iPhone 16
1. The digital camera
Maybe one of the necessary options of any smartphone today is the digital camera, so it’s no shock that digital camera high quality is an enormous consideration for ZDNET editors. It most likely is for you, too. The iPhone 16 lineup features a new Camera Control function that works in panorama or portrait mode with a button on the facet of the iPhone. As well as, you possibly can evenly press the button to point out digital camera capabilities you possibly can select from, resembling zoom, publicity, or focal lengths, by swiping between the choices.
Additionally: Why the iPhone 16 Pro is Apple’s biggest Pro upgrade in years, and I can’t wait to buy one
The Digital camera Management makes use of Apple’s Visual Intelligence to allow you to seize a photograph of issues round you, like a poster or a restaurant, then makes use of iPhone’s AI functionality to seek for it to provide you extra data — just like the Google Lens function discovered on Android telephones. In contrast to final 12 months, the iPhone 16 Professional and iPhone 16 Professional Max each comprise the identical digital camera, it is most spectacular but. These fashions have a brand new 48MP fusion digital camera, an up to date 48MP ultrawide digital camera, and the identical 5x optical zoom succesful 12MP telephoto digital camera. Customers can snap 48MP macro pictures and shoot 4K Dolby Imaginative and prescient movies at as much as 120fps (together with slow-mo movies), making these telephones nice for creators and photographers. A number of ZDNET editors are able to improve due to this digital camera alone, particularly ZDNET’s Sabrina Ortiz, who has an incredible disdain for the digital camera on her iPhone 14 Professional.
Additionally: I want to be excited about the iPhone 16’s new camera button, but can’t (for now)
“I’ve the most important one-sided beef on the earth with the iPhone 14. I can provide you materials for years. Primarily as a result of the digital camera is the worst factor I ever skilled on an iPhone. Even the bottom iPhone 16 mannequin appears method higher,” Ortiz says.
2. Commerce-in offers and service affords
I advised you we’re actually all identical to you. Some ZDNET tech specialists are prepared to leap to the brand new iPhone 16 due to nice service and trade-in affords on the fashions and are much more enthusiastic in the event that they’re prepared for an improve.
ZDNET contributor Ed Bott is planning to improve his iPhone 12 Professional Max for a brand new iPhone for his spouse. “I’m planning to improve as a result of it’s price $800 as a trade-in at T-Cellular. I’ll give the brand new cellphone to my spouse and can use her iPhone 14 Professional Max, which is a secondary cellphone for me. The iPhone 12 Professional Max nonetheless works nice, however the trade-in worth is simply too good to move up,” Bott says. Equally, workers author Allison Murray is prepared for an improve from her iPhone 12 Professional and is content material with the brand new base iPhone 16’s choices to make the flip.
Additionally: iPhone 16 Pro vs. iPhone 13 Pro: Should you upgrade to Apple’s latest model?
And should you’re seeking to change carriers, like managing editor Alison DeNisco Rayome, among the trade-in affords make it arduous to withstand. “I nonetheless have the 13, and the trade-in offers are making it price it for me to improve to the 16 (plus we need to change carriers, so even higher),” she says.
Verizon and T-Cellular have similar offers proper now, they usually’re fairly candy. At T-Cellular, new and current prospects can get a free iPhone 16 Professional with a trade-in on the Go5G Subsequent plan, or as much as $1,000 off on any iPhone 16 mannequin.
3. For work
Okay, this one comes as no shock. There was sure to be a few of us upgrading as a result of nicely, we do work in tech in spite of everything, and what higher technique to cowl Apple’s iPhones than really proudly owning the brand new mannequin your self? So whereas this might not be an relevant purpose for some, for these in tech it’s generally justifiable.
ZDNET contributor Lance Whitney says he normally upgrades each two years however shall be upgrading to the iPhone 16 Professional from a 14 Professional largely as a result of bigger display screen, digital camera, and AI options, but additionally due to the work he makes a speciality of. “As a author, I all the time hope to have the ability to write in regards to the new iPhone I purchase to assist justify the price,” Whitney says. Equally, ZDNET’s David Gewirtz is making the bounce totally on account of working in tech.
“I will most likely order someday this month. [I’m] under no circumstances enthused by the 16. If it weren’t for this gig, I would most likely wait to improve till new iOS updates will not set up anymore,” Gewirtz says.
Additionally: iPhone 16 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro: Should you upgrade to the latest model?
ZDNET’s Jason Perlow is bumping up for comparable causes. “I’m upgrading from my 15 Professional Max to a 16 Professional Max as a result of I’m on the iPhone Improve Program, and as I cowl developments with Apple, it’s a enterprise expense and [ultimately] it is buying and selling one mortgage fee for an additional. No different purpose, though the digital camera enhancements appear good. I debated skipping, however there wasn’t a lot of a draw back,” he says.
Here is why ZDNET editors will not be upgrading to the iPhone 16
1. The Apple Intelligence options aren’t good
Apple’s greatest flexes over the previous couple of months have been their Apple Intelligence and AI options, which the iPhone 16 is the guinea pig for. Whereas a few of these new AI options are undeniably cool, like the brand new Digital camera Management, enhanced Siri options, and extra, the options are nonetheless restricted to the iPhone 15 Professional and above and rolling out solely in beta over the subsequent few weeks.
Basically, that is Apple’s first iPhone marketed with an AI push, and like every part in tech, there’s sure to be some kinks that should be labored out. ZDNET’s Kyle Kucharski simply is not on board with paying to improve for unpolished AI options. “The trade-in offers are tempting however as many writers have acknowledged, the [iPhone 16] finally looks like a stepping stone. I am betting that ready yet another 12 months (which will not be arduous given the truth that my 12 nonetheless works nicely) shall be extra impactful,” he says.
Additionally: iOS 18 update: Every iPhone model that will support Apple’s new AI features (for now)
Jason Perlow is on the identical web page. “Let’s not diminish the product for what it’s: the iPhone 16 is undeniably nice {hardware}. However until you are utilizing a outdated cellphone — like my colleague David Gewirtz’s iPhone 12, which is 4 generations behind — it is best to strongly contemplate skipping this era. Why? As a result of Apple Intelligence, whereas promising, continues to be in its infancy,” Perlow wrote in certainly one of his recent pieces.
2. Not compelled sufficient to improve
As evaluations editor Kyle Kucharski says, it is by no means a good suggestion to blindly replace your cell tech yearly with out considering. You have to have not less than one good purpose to payout for a brand new mannequin when the one you could have is working completely high-quality.
Additionally: The 7 best iOS 18 features that will make updating your iPhone worthwhile
Workers author Maria Diaz thinks the identical. “I’ve the iPhone 14 Professional Max and am nonetheless proud of it. It performs simply in addition to once I obtained it. I want the digital camera had been higher (however the BlackMagic app helps quite a bit with this) and I would love the comfort of a USB-C port, however it’s nonetheless working nicely sufficient that I do not really feel compelled in any respect to get an iPhone 16. I am holding out for subsequent 12 months, not less than,” Diaz says. Kucharski is on the identical web page. “I nonetheless have the 12, and the underside line: it nonetheless works high-quality,” he says.
3. Expense and trouble
Generally it is the obvious components that affect our decisions. The expense and trouble of coordinating a brand new cellphone might not be in some folks’s budgets simply but (actually and figuratively). I am on this division. It will be actually cool to have that shiny, stunning, and gloriously pink iPhone 16, however my iPhone 14 Professional works utterly high-quality (although its battery grinds my gears), and I’ve no good purpose to improve past wanting a pink cellphone. It will be an added expense on each my pockets and my time (establishing a brand new cellphone isn’t a one-day course of; change my thoughts). Plus, I normally preserve my telephones till they crap out anyway, so an improve proper now could be simply not within the playing cards.
ZDNET’s Adrian Kingsley-Hughes continues to be on the fence, however we agree on one factor. “It is a ton of cash,” he says.
The way to preorder the iPhone 16
When you determine to improve to Apple’s newest iPhone mannequin, there are some things to know. Preorders for the iPhone 16 begin at 5:00 a.m. PDT on Friday, September 16 at Apple and mobile carriers. The telephones shall be launched to the general public on September 20.
Additionally: The 5 best iPhone 16 Pro features that enthusiasts will care about
The iPhone 16 will begin at $799, and the iPhone 16 Plus will begin at $899. Relying in your cellphone service, you possibly can stand up to $800 off whenever you commerce in an iPhone 12 or newer.
The iPhone 16 Pro will begin at $999 and the iPhone 16 Pro Max will begin at $1,199. You possibly can stand up to $650 off with an eligible trade-in.
