Apple has unveiled its latest smartphones. Compared to the previous model, the innovations for the iPhone 16 Pro (Max) are slightly disappointing. Major new possibilities were lacking and the innovation is mainly in the details.
The difference between the standard and pro versions is less than you might expect this year. For example, all models were equipped with new camera functions, including the camera controller. According to Apple, the 16 Pro has a Pro design, Pro cameras, Pro display, Pro performance and still a Pro price starting at € 1229. Because this is not exactly cheap, you will probably think twice before buying a new device. We list everything so that you get a good idea of ​​the differences.
iPhone 16 Pro Updates â–¸ iPhone 15 Pro
In the overview below we briefly summarize the iPhone 16 Pro innovations compared to the iPhone 15 Pro. This means that the options, possibilities and hardware below are only available on the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. At the bottom of this overview we explain some differences in detail, so that you get a good idea.
- Larger 6.3-inch (Pro) and 6.9-inch (Pro Max) display
- Slightly larger dimensions due to screen increase
- Thinnest bezels ever in an Apple smartphone
- Latest generation Ceramic Shield on the front
- Custom Always-On Super Retina XDR Display Now with 1-Nit Minimum Brightness
- Camera Control: Extra pressure-sensitive button while taking photos and videos
- All lenses have anti-reflective coating (reduces lens flare)
- New Fusion Wide Angle (Standard): 48 MP, aperture Æ’/1.78
- New Ultra Wide Angle: 48 MP, aperture Æ’/2.2
- Telephoto lens on both models: 12 MP, aperture Æ’/2.8
- Take spatial photos and record videos
- 48 MP macro photography
- Photographic styles of the latest generation
- Support for JPEG-XL file format for photos
- Record video up to 4K Dolby Vision at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps, 100 fps (Fusion) or 120 fps (Fusion)
- Record up to 4K ProRes video at 120 fps with external storage
- Slo-mo video in 1080p at up to 240 fps and in 4K Dolby Vision at up to 120 fps (Fusion)
- QuickTake video up to 4K at 60 fps in Dolby Vision
- Four studio-quality microphones
- Record videos with spatial audio or in stereo
- Wind noise reduction and audio mixing in video recording
- Improved battery life thanks to processor and larger battery
- Wireless charging with MagSafe up to 25W with 30W or higher adapter
- A18 Pro chip: 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores, 6-core GPU
- Wifi 7 support
- Available in titanium colours natural, black, desert and white
- Standard 128GB of storage for the iPhone 16 Pro
- Standard 256GB of storage for the iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Price: iPhone 16 Pro from €1229 | iPhone 16 Pro Max from €1479
- Extensive information about the iPhone 16 Pro
Larger screen with thinner bezels
For the first time since 2020, Apple has adjusted the screen size of its smartphones and is moving to a larger display. For example, the iPhone 16 Pro has a 6.3-inch screen, the previous model has a size of 6.1 inches. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has gone from 6.7 inches to 6.9 inches. The iPhone 16 Pro (Max) has the thinnest screen bezels ever in a smartphone.
Due to the larger screen, the size of the iPhone Pro models has also grown slightly. For example, the iPhone 16 Pro has a height of 149.6 mm (+3 mm), a width of 71.5 mm (+0.9 mm) with a screen edge of 1.2 mm (-0.51 mm). The thickness of this model remains the same: 8.25 mm. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a size of 163 mm (+3.1 mm) high, 77.6 mm (+0.9 mm) wide, 8.25 mm (+0.00 mm) thick and with a screen edge of 1.15 mm (-0.4 mm).
As with the iPhone 15 Pro (Max), the new premium model is of course equipped with a Dynamic Island with always-on display with a refresh rate of 120Hz (ProMotion). Not is the minimum brightness of 1 nits.
Screen specifications
- 6.9-inch iPhone 16 Pro Max â–¸ Super Retina XDR OLED always-on display with ProMotion â–¸ 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio â–¸ Wide color display (P3) â–¸ Max. 2000 nits brightness (in direct sunlight) â–¸ 2868 x 1320 pixels with a pixel density of 460 ppi
- 6.3-inch iPhone 16 Pro â–¸ Super Retina XDR OLED always-on display with ProMotion â–¸ 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio â–¸ Wide color display (P3) â–¸ Max. brightness 2000 nits (in direct sunlight) â–¸ 2622 x 1206 pixels with a pixel density of 460 ppi
Apple Intelligence
During the presentation of the iPhone, Apple Intelligence was a frequently heard term that came back. Of course, Apple is doing everything it can to promote this personal intelligence system for Mac, iPhone and iPad extensively. AI will combine the power of generative models with the individual context of the user, resulting in AI that is both useful and relevant.
The possibilities of Apple Intelligence are great, but for now only for users in the United States. AI will first be available in English (US) and later this year in other English-language variants. Next year, Apple Intelligence will be available in French, Spanish, Japanese and Chinese, among others.
Users can change the language of their device to use AI, but due to European legislation, Apple has blocked this for the EU. This means that you cannot use AI in the Netherlands and Belgium for the time being. In addition, the iPhone 15 Pro (Max) is also suitable for Apple Intelligence, so a new device is not necessary.
Pressure sensitive camera control
New is the Camera control button, camera control in Dutch, which can be found on the right side under the side button. This smart button can be used while taking photos and videos. This is a pressure-sensitive button that can even be operated with swipe movements. By lightly pressing the button, the user can, for example, fix the focus or exposure, just like with a DSLR camera.
By pressing the button all the way down, the photo can be taken. You could also zoom in and out by swiping left or right over the button, or adjust the portrait mode, etc. If you press the button for a long time, you can take a video.
When the camera app is not open, the button also ensures that you can open the Camera app from any situation, so you can capture all your favorite moments immediately. In addition, other apps can also fully utilize the camera control button.
Pro camera system with 48 megapixels
The iPhone 16 Pro (Max) still has a triple camera system with all lenses renewed. The camera system of the iPhone 16 Pro and Max are the same again and both models have the same professional camera system.
- Pro camera system with sapphire crystal lens surface
- Anti-reflective coating on all lenses
- 48MP Fusion main camera: 24mm, Æ’/1.78 aperture, second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
- 48MP ultra-wide angle: 13 mm, ƒ/2.2 aperture and 120° angle of view, Hybrid Focus Pixels, super-high-resolution photos (48MP)
- 12MP 5x telephoto lens: 120 mm, ƒ/2.8 aperture and 20° angle of view, 100% Focus Pixels, seven-element lens, sensor-shift 3D optical image stabilization with autofocus, tetraprism
- 12MP 2x telephoto lens (enabled by the Fusion camera’s quad-pixel sensor): 52mm, Æ’/1.6 aperture, second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels
- 5x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 10x optical zoom
- Up to 25x digital zoom
- Up to 25x digital zoom in video
- Camera controller
Software camera features
Not only has Apple improved the hardware, the camera software also offers new possibilities. The options below are only available on the iPhone 16 Pro (Max).
- Audio Mixing: Effects to edit audio in videos in a professional way
- Photographic styles of the latest generation
- Support for JPEG-XL file format for photos
- Record video up to 4K Dolby Vision at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps, 100 fps (Fusion) or 120 fps (Fusion)
- Record up to 4K ProRes video at 120 fps with external storage
- Slo-mo video in 1080p at up to 240 fps and in 4K Dolby Vision at up to 120 fps (Fusion)
- QuickTake video up to 4K at 60 fps in Dolby Vision
- Wind noise reduction and audio mixing in video recording
- Ability to record spatial videos and photos for Apple Vision Pro.
Switching from an iPhone 15 Pro or 14 Pro
Do you own an iPhone 15 Pro? Then there is no need to switch to the new iPhone 16 Pro (Max). Of course, the innovations are a nice bonus, but the price remains high and the new options are limited. Apple has tried to make the update as interesting as possible, but most of the innovations are really only for Pro users.
The iPhone 16 Pro has a gorgeous design, and the slightly larger always-on display with the Dynamic Island will likely appeal to many users. The new camera system is excellent, but doesn’t add much in the way of innovation that you’ll use on a daily basis. The tetraprism telephoto lens now comes to the 16 Pro, and the improved ultra-wide lens is a big plus.
The camera slider is a nice feature, but it’s not something that will ‘unlock’ new features. All the camera options that the camera slider can control are already in the Camera app by default.
If you own an iPhone 15 Pro, it might not be worth switching now. This is different for the iPhone 13 Pro and older generations. With the iPhone 14 Pro this is a doubtful case, the switch to the 16 Pro does provide a significantly better and more advanced camera system.
Order iPhone 16 Pro
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be available from September 20, 2024 and can be pre-ordered from September 13. You can order the new iPhones via the Online Apple Store, your favorite webshop or provider. This is possible at Bol.com, Coolblue, MediaMarkt, Amazon, YourMacStore, Paradigit, Yorcom, Expert, Mobiel.nl, Odido, KPN and Vodafone.