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Apple simply unveiled the iPhone 16 on Monday at its September 9 “Glowtime” occasion – and curious shoppers are asking: “Ought to I improve?”
There isn’t any one-size-fits-all reply to this query. It relies upon. Whereas the iPhone 16 lineup—which incorporates the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Professional, and iPhone 16 Professional Max—was launched with a handful of latest options, the query is, will they profit you?
I am going to break down 5 client classes that can profit most from upgrading each the entry-level iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Professional fashions.
This can show you how to decide whether or not it is best to go forward and purchase it or wait till the iPhone 17.
iPhone 17: 3 credible rumors that might persuade you to skip the iPhone 16
iPhone house owners with XS and older
Earlier than I delve into the niches that can profit from an iPhone 16 improve, it is essential to notice that the brand new iOS 18 replace will formally roll out to iPhone customers on September 16.
iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max
Picture credit score: Mashable
Nevertheless, this new replace is just not rolling out to everybody. Nevertheless, when you personal a tool older than the iPhone XR, together with iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, iPhone X and iPhone 8, and extra, you are higher off upgrading – Apple’s new updates will not assist your cellphone sooner or later.
If you happen to personal the unique iPhone SE, you also needs to contemplate upgrading. It’s not supported by iOS 18.
Picture credit score: Mashable
If in case you have a cellphone that helps common iOS updates, your machine will likely be shielded from safety vulnerabilities — and you will get the newest and best software program options Apple has to supply. Plus, if in case you have an iPhone 15 Professional and iPhone 15 Professional Max or later, you’ll be able to profit from Apple Intelligence, the corporate’s new suite of AI options.
Wish to know what you may miss within the subsequent large replace? Try a few of the craziest options in iOS 18.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus: Must you improve?
Now that we now have clarified that, let’s flip to the query of which shoppers will profit from an improve to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.
You like the concept of an intuitive button that offers you quick access to digital camera capabilities
The entry-level fashions of the brand new iPhone 16 collection are most likely essentially the most enticing in years. Apple often reserves most of the thrilling new options for the upper-class fashions.
Zoom with iPhone 16’s new digital camera management characteristic
Picture credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
For instance, in final 12 months’s iPhone 15 line, solely the iPhone 15 Professional and iPhone 15 Professional Max fashions obtained the cool new “Motion Button,” a customizable facet button you can assign apps and different capabilities to for handy launching.
Picture credit score: Apple
For the iPhone 16, Apple has launched the brand new digital camera management button. However this time, Apple has not reserved this cool new additional solely for the iPhone 16 Professional and iPhone 16 Professional Max fashions. You’ll find it all over the place all iPhone 16 fashions.
The brand new digital camera controls not solely present on the spot entry to picture and video seize, but in addition help you rapidly do issues like zoom in, change to the ultra-wide lens, change photographic types, and extra with easy gestures. (For extra data on digital camera controls, try our hands-on expertise with them.)
You need this “motion button”
As talked about, in 2023 solely the iPhone 15 Professional and iPhone 15 Professional Max had the Motion Button, however now it will also be discovered on the iPhone 16.
iPhone 16 motion button
Picture credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
You may assign considered one of your favourite apps, be it Gmail, Calendar, Slack, Instagram or TikTok, to the motion button so you’ll be able to entry it with only one contact.
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You desire a extra sturdy show
In line with Apple, the up to date Ceramic Defend on the brand new iPhone 16 fashions is 50% extra sturdy than the unique model that debuted on the iPhone 12. The corporate additionally claims that the brand new technology Ceramic Defend is twice as sturdy as different glass shows on smartphones.
iPhone 16 in Teal
Picture credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
So if in case you have a cracked display screen and are susceptible to clumsiness, contemplate upgrading to the iPhone 16. You may get a model new, unbroken display screen – and it ought to be capable to face up to your clumsiness higher (inside cause, after all).
You get “FOMO” about AI options
Apple has introduced Apple Intelligence for the iPhone 15 Professional and iPhone 15 Professional Max, however your entire iPhone 16 lineup can even obtain Apple Intelligence.
Picture credit score: Apple
Take pleasure in extras like creating your personal AI-generated emoji with textual content immediate, a brand new and improved Siri, summarized notifications, the cleanup software, and extra.
You like sturdy, vibrant colours
It seems to be like Apple has lastly heard our suggestions to desert the pastel-like, delicate coloration mixtures for the iPhone. (Elizabeth de Luna of Mashable has been begging Apple to launch a deep pink coloration, and it seems to be like she acquired her want.)
iPhone 16 in pink
Picture credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
The iPhone 16 is obtainable in ultramarine, teal, and pink, and anybody who has seen these colours in particular person can let you know they’re as beautiful as they sound.
iPhone 16 in Ultramarine coloration
Picture credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
The iPhone 16 additionally is available in white and black; excellent for many who like their cellphone colours as thrilling as a tax kind. (And sure, that was sarcasm.)
iPhone 16 Professional and iPhone 16 Professional Max: Must you improve?
With the iPhone 16 Professional fashions, you get all the options talked about above, plus some up to date digital camera options (akin to a brand new 48MP ultra-wide sensor), improved studio-quality microphones, and extra.
For my part, the iPhone 16 Professional fashions are tougher to promote for Apple. Why? The goal teams that can profit from the iPhone 16 Professional and iPhone 16 Professional Max are extra area of interest prospects.
You desire a mega show
The iPhone 16 Professional Max has a whopping 6.9-inch show. For comparability, I do know tablets with 7-inch screens. (That is why I jokingly known as the iPhone 16 Professional Max a phablet in my hands-on.)
Picture credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
You might be pondering, “If the iPhone 16 Professional Max’s show is almost 7 inches, will it really feel bizarre in my fingers?” The reply is not any. I held the iPhone 16 Professional Max round my fingers and it felt pure and ergonomic, conforming effortlessly to the contours of my hand.
It additionally options ultra-thin bezels that provide you with extra display screen actual property than ever earlier than.
You need a particularly lengthy battery life
If lengthy battery life is considered one of your greatest promoting factors, you may most likely be pleased with the iPhone 16 Professional Max.
Picture credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
In line with Apple, the iPhone 16 Professional Max has the longest battery life ever achieved on an iPhone. (However after all, we’ll have to check these claims to know for positive.)
For reference, the iPhone 15 Professional Max lasted practically 15 hours in our inner testing. This cellphone was the battery life champion for months—till the Google Pixel 9 Professional XL knocked it off its throne.
You’re a content material creator who is continually on the go
The content material creator house (e.g. YouTube, TikTok and Instagram) is extremely aggressive, and in case your movies aren’t sharp, it is going to be troublesome to construct an viewers, so you may profit from the truth that the iPhone 16 Professional and iPhone 16 Professional Max can now shoot 4K video at 120Hz.
Picture credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
This implies you get increased high quality movies that seem smoother and snappier to your followers. Plus, modifying your movies to get that cool gradual movement impact is less complicated than ever on the Professional fashions.
You document movies in noisy environments
For example you are recording a video and there is an excessive amount of happening within the background: wind, facet conversations, and the rustling of leaves.
Audio Combine on iPhone 16 Professional fashions
Picture credit score: Apple
The iPhone 16 Professional fashions can scale back undesirable noise. Because of an easy-to-use slider, you’ll be able to flip down the background noise as desired.
You like taking part in round with music
If in case you have an present recording within the Voice Memos app, you’ll be able to add one other observe on prime of it.
New voice memos characteristic on iPhone 16 Professional fashions
Picture credit score: Apple
For instance, if you wish to sing over a beforehand recorded beat, you are able to do so by merely including one other layer and urgent the document button.
The entry-level fashions of the iPhone 16 begin at $799The iPhone 16 Professional variants begin at $999.