Review: iPhone 16 – new camera button and a promise of AI

The iPhone 16 is the base model in Apple’s latest flagship series. Though it comes at a premium price, it brings several upgrades this year, including a two-generation leap in processor power, two new physical buttons, and a promise of future AI capabilities.

The iPhone 16, as the entry-level device in Apple’s latest lineup, aims to appeal to a broad audience—though at NIS 4,000, it’s still far from cheap. This model is for those who want to avoid the higher costs of Apple’s Pro models (upwards of NIS 5,000), don’t need the largest screen or best camera, but still want a solid experience. However, it’s worth noting that Apple’s much-hyped “Apple Intelligence” AI features were not available at the time of this review, and, even when they do arrive, they will initially work only in English.

Design: iPhone 16 Introduces New Camera Layout

Apple has added a new “Camera Control” button across all iPhone 16 models. This touch button, located on the right side of the device, is intended to offer a feel similar to using a traditional camera, especially in horizontal mode. While the feature is convenient, it’s not revolutionary. A single tap on the Camera Control launches the camera, and another tap takes the photo—even if the phone is locked. Swiping on the button allows for zoom adjustments, while a quick double-tap opens the camera settings. Pressing and holding it enables video recording.

Camera Button: Camera Control

The Camera Control button on the iPhone 16 models is a new addition that Apple touts as offering a more camera-like experience in horizontal mode. While it’s functional, it doesn’t add groundbreaking value. The button allows quick access to the camera with a single tap, while a second tap takes a photo. Swiping across the button controls zoom, and a double tap opens the settings menu. A press-and-hold feature allows video recording.

Display: iPhone 16 Could Use a Refresh Rate Upgrade

The iPhone 16’s 6.1-inch OLED display is unchanged in size from last year’s model, but it remains highly comfortable to hold. The OLED technology provides vibrant colors, HDR support, and peak brightness of up to 2,000 nits under direct sunlight, or 1,000 nits under standard lighting conditions. Brightness is excellent overall, but the display is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, which means it lacks the smoother scrolling experience seen in higher-end models. Additionally, the iPhone 16 lacks the Always-On Display feature found in more advanced iPhone models, which would allow users to view the time and other information without waking the screen. However, it does include the Dynamic Island, a small interactive area around the front camera that shows different types of contextual information, such as currently playing music or navigation details.

Hardware: Efficient Heat Management in iPhone 16

Apple has jumped two processor generations with the iPhone 16, featuring the new A18 chip compared to the A16 Bionic in the iPhone 15. The A18 is designed to support the iPhone’s anticipated AI functions, though those are still forthcoming. Battery efficiency has improved, with the new processor contributing to longer battery life based on my usage experience. Additionally, internal design enhancements aid in better heat management, ensuring smoother performance. The iPhone 16 also includes Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, and UWB (Ultra-Wideband) support. The stereo speakers are adequate, but not particularly powerful.

Camera: Good Performance, But Not the Best

The iPhone 16’s camera system includes two sensors: a 48-megapixel main lens with optical image stabilization and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens with a 120-degree field of view. Photos taken with the iPhone 16 are good but not top-tier. Portrait shots, however, continue to impress with the level of detail and quality Apple achieves. The camera struggles slightly with moving subjects, though the 2x optical zoom performs well without losing detail. Night mode produces well-lit images with minimal noise. The 12-megapixel selfie camera works well in daylight, but in low-light conditions, such as on a dimly lit balcony, images can appear grainy and less sharp.

Battery: Lasts Through a Full Day

The iPhone 16’s battery is slightly larger, now at 3,561 mAh compared to the 3,349 mAh in the previous generation. The battery performs well, easily lasting an entire day. In my experience, it powered through from around 8 a.m. to nearly midnight, with 26% remaining after nearly 5 hours of screen time. The phone supports 30W wired charging and 25W MagSafe wireless charging when connected to a 30W charger or higher.

Price: Starting at NIS 4,050 

The iPhone 16 is priced at 4,050 shekels for the 128GB model and 4,600 shekels for the 256GB model (Partner network prices). The device for this review was provided by Partner, which recently launched Private Care, a repair service available to customers from any carrier. The service offers a “Platinum” tier for flagship devices, covering screen and back repairs at no additional cost, as well as fixes for other issues like audio, charging port, GPS, and Bluetooth problems.

Bottom Line: A Solid Upgrade with Some Limitations

The iPhone 16 brings a convenient Camera Control button, an Action Button that allows customizable quick actions like activating silent mode or the flashlight, a two-generation jump to the A18 processor for future AI applications, and a solid battery. The iPhone 16 remains highly comfortable to use with its compact size and offers excellent display brightness, though it lacks a higher refresh rate. If you have an older iPhone and are considering an upgrade, the iPhone 16 is a solid choice.

For more reviews, visit Gadget Review.