Skip to Content

iPhone 16 Pro Review: A Leap in Performance and Design

Summitborn may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article.

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The iPhone 16 Pro combines a titanium frame, A18 Pro chip, and a 48MP camera with advanced AI enhancements. It offers improved performance, battery life, and display, making it ideal for power users and creatives alike.


The iPhone 16 Pro is Apple’s latest entry into its flagship lineup, featuring substantial upgrades across performance, design, and functionality. Let’s delve into what sets this model apart from its predecessors and competitors, highlighting its key strengths and who would benefit most from upgrading.

iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be available in four stunning finishes: black titanium, natural titanium, white titanium, and desert titanium.

iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be available in four stunning finishes: black titanium, natural titanium, white titanium, and desert titanium. Photo: Apple

Design and Build Quality: Premium Titanium Frame

One of the most significant design shifts in the iPhone 16 Pro is its new Grade 5 titanium frame, a change from the stainless steel used in previous models. Titanium is not only lighter but also more durable, making it an ideal material for those who demand a tough yet lightweight phone. This makes the iPhone 16 Pro one of the most durable devices in the lineup, offering a higher strength-to-weight ratio that better resists wear and tear.

In addition to the titanium frame, Apple retains its Ceramic Shield front and back, ensuring the device remains scratch-resistant and durable against drops. The slim profile, combined with the flat-edged design and thinner bezels, gives it a sleek, modern look. While the overall design remains similar to the iPhone 15 Pro, the small refinements make it feel fresher and more premium.

Who Benefits:

  • Outdoor enthusiasts or users who need a durable yet lightweight device.
  • Anyone who prefers a more premium design and feels the weight of previous iPhones is a bit too much for their liking.

Display: ProMotion XDR OLED

The 6.3-inch ProMotion XDR OLED display is another standout feature of the iPhone 16 Pro. This display uses adaptive refresh rate technology, adjusting from 1Hz to 120Hz depending on the content. The benefits of this are twofold: smoother visuals when you need them (such as in gaming or scrolling) and power savings when you don’t (like in static images or reading text).

The Quantum Color Engine that Apple introduced with this display ensures even more accurate colors and better brightness levels. This makes the display a dream for anyone who needs color accuracy, like photographers or video editors. The increased peak brightness also improves outdoor visibility, making it easier to view in direct sunlight.

Who Benefits:

  • Content creators who need precise color accuracy.
  • Gamers who will appreciate the higher refresh rate for smoother gameplay.
  • Everyday users who enjoy watching videos, browsing, and consuming media on their phone.

Performance: A18 Pro Chip for Blazing Speed

The iPhone 16 Pro’s A18 Pro chip is Apple’s most advanced processor to date, built on a 3-nanometer process. This translates into superior performance and efficiency compared to its predecessor, the A17 Bionic. Whether you’re a power user running multiple apps simultaneously or a gamer looking for console-level performance, the A18 Pro ensures there’s zero lag.

The A18 Pro chip features a 6-core CPU, a 6-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. Together, they make tasks like gaming, photo editing, and even AI-based applications faster and more seamless. The Neural Engine, in particular, allows for quicker and more efficient machine learning, from voice recognition to computational photography.

Battery life benefits from the A18 Pro chip’s energy efficiency. Users can expect longer usage times even when performing high-performance tasks. Gaming sessions and video editing will consume less power, making this chip both powerful and practical.

Who Benefits:

  • Gamers who play resource-intensive games.
  • Multitaskers who run several applications at once.
  • Tech enthusiasts who want the latest and greatest in mobile processing power.

Camera System: 48MP Mastery

Apple continues to dominate mobile photography with the iPhone 16 Pro’s camera system. The 48MP main camera is the same resolution as its predecessor, but it’s been fine-tuned for better performance in low light, better contrast, and sharper detail. The Ultra Wide and Telephoto lenses are also improved, offering more versatility, especially when paired with Apple’s AI-powered image processing.

The iPhone 16 Pro introduces an AI-enhanced Photonic Engine, which uses machine learning to improve image clarity, color reproduction, and texture. This is particularly beneficial for night mode and low-light photography, where Apple has already been a leader. The LiDAR Scanner also enhances autofocus in low-light conditions, making it quicker and more accurate.

For videographers, the iPhone 16 Pro now supports 4K 120fps video recording with Dolby Vision HDR. Additionally, Apple introduces ProRes RAW video, a format that gives filmmakers more control in post-production, offering richer data and the ability to fine-tune settings like color and exposure.

Who Benefits:

  • Professional photographers or videographers looking for a powerful yet portable camera.
  • Casual users who want to take the best possible photos and videos on a smartphone.
  • Content creators who rely on their smartphone for on-the-go videography.
iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max feature a 48MP Fusion camera, a 48MP Ultra Wide camera, and the 5x Telephoto camera, now available on both models. Photo: Apple

iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max feature a 48MP Fusion camera, a 48MP Ultra Wide camera, and the 5x Telephoto camera, now available on both models. Photo: Apple

Battery Life: Improved Efficiency

Thanks to the A18 Pro chip and the iPhone 16 Pro’s adaptive ProMotion display, battery life has seen noticeable improvements. Apple claims up to 29 hours of video playback or 97 hours of audio playback, which is a step up from the iPhone 15 Pro.

The efficiency of the chip, combined with MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging, means users get fast and reliable charging. MagSafe accessories remain a big part of the iPhone’s ecosystem, and the convenience they bring continues to make them an attractive feature. Qi2 wireless charging promises even faster charge times for those who prefer wireless options.

Who Benefits:

  • Heavy users who rely on their phones for long periods of video playback, gaming, or work.
  • Travelers who may not always have access to charging points and need extended battery life.

Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 7, and Satellite Communication

In terms of connectivity, the iPhone 16 Pro introduces Wi-Fi 7, offering faster internet speeds and improved network stability. This is great news for those who stream, game, or use their phone for remote work.

Apple has also refined the Emergency SOS via Satellite feature, introduced in the iPhone 14 lineup. In addition to emergency calls, users can now send text messages via satellite when they’re out of cellular coverage. This is a huge win for outdoor enthusiasts, adventurers, or anyone who might find themselves in remote locations without cell service.

Who Benefits:

  • Remote workers who need fast, reliable Wi-Fi speeds.
  • Outdoor adventurers who want the peace of mind of satellite communication when in remote areas.
  • Travelers who spend time in places with limited or no cellular service.

Software: iOS 18 – Smarter, Faster, and More Secure

The iPhone 16 Pro runs on iOS 18, which offers new levels of customization and intelligence. Apple’s AI-driven personal assistant features are now faster and more responsive thanks to the A18 Pro chip’s Neural Engine. Siri can handle more tasks offline, which speeds up performance and enhances privacy.

Enhanced Multitasking is a standout feature in iOS 18, allowing users to run multiple apps simultaneously with split-screen functionality. This makes the iPhone 16 Pro feel more like a miniature computer than ever before.

iOS 18 also brings improved privacy settings, ensuring that your data remains protected. Apple’s new privacy features give users more control over what data apps can access and when, and on-device processing minimizes the need for data to be sent to cloud servers.

Who Benefits:

  • Privacy-conscious users who value Apple’s approach to protecting data.
  • Multitaskers who want the best experience running several apps at once.
  • Apple ecosystem enthusiasts who benefit from the tight integration across Apple devices, like the iPad, MacBook, and Apple Watch.

Storage and Pricing: Flexible Options

Apple offers the iPhone 16 Pro in storage options ranging from 128GB to 2TB, catering to different needs. The base model starts at $1,199, which is consistent with previous Pro models but provides more advanced features.

For most users, the 256GB model should suffice, but for those capturing large amounts of 4K video or using their phone for professional photography, the 1TB or 2TB models are ideal.

Who Benefits:

  • Content creators who shoot lots of videos and photos and need extra storage.
  • Regular users who want ample space for apps, media, and documents.
  • Professionals who use their phone as a primary work device and store large files on it.

Conclusion: Should You Upgrade?

The iPhone 16 Pro is a significant step forward in mobile technology, particularly in its use of the A18 Pro chip, camera system, and durability enhancements. For users with iPhone 12 or earlier, this upgrade represents a substantial improvement in every department: from design and performance to camera capabilities and battery life.

For iPhone 14 or 15 Pro users, the decision will come down to whether you need the improved camera, processing power, or titanium build. While the changes are evolutionary rather than revolutionary, professionals, gamers, and content creators will find enough to justify the upgrade.

In conclusion, the iPhone 16 Pro caters to power users, professionals, and those who simply want the best smartphone experience available today. Whether you’re upgrading from an older model or considering a switch from another brand, this iPhone offers exceptional value across the board.

Shop the iPhone 16 Pro at Best Buy

About the Summitborn Explorer’s Club

The Summitborn Explorer’s Club is a community that lives for the thrill of discovery, the call of the wild, and the freedom of the open trail. Subscribers will enjoy the following benefits:

  • Expert Adventure Guides – The best trails, destinations, and travel tips to fuel your next trip.
  • Gear Reviews You Can Trust – In-depth insights on the latest outdoor gear and apparel.
  • Exclusive Offers & Giveaways – Special deals and promotions just for club members.
  • Behind-the-Scenes Stories – Inspiration from fellow explorers and adventure seekers like you.