Alright, it is that point of the yr! Apple lastly took the plunge and went all out on AI with its new iPhone 16 sequence. Calling the newest iPhones as constructed for Apple Intelligence. In fact, the corporate coined its model of AI, brief for synthetic intelligence, which the remainder of the world makes use of for its merchandise, however that is Apple, so you recognize it. Nevertheless, one large miss is these telephones don’t include any Apple Intelligence options out-of-the-box.
We have the brand new iPhone 16 sequence and the Watch 10 mannequin. I am beginning the proceedings with the all-new iPhone 16 Professional Max, the largest iPhone by way of show and measurement ever constructed by Apple. I’ll leap to the iPhone 16 Plus and Watch Sequence 10 fashions subsequent, however these are for another day, so keep tuned to Devices 360 for these.
The iPhone 16 sequence is the primary set of iPhones constructed or designed for Apple Intelligence. Nevertheless, that is most likely occurring for the primary time that Apple stored an AI-related theme for its launch occasion in September – Glowtime – to spotlight how the brand new options change how everybody will use iPhones going ahead however missed providing these out of the field.
As a heads-up for readers, this evaluation talks about how large of an improve the iPhone 16 Professional Max is over its predecessor in each approach doable. In fact, I’ll do an in-depth piece when the newest iOS 18 replace (learn, secure) hits the brand new gadgets with Apple Intelligence options. However for now, let’s dive into the brand new Max, we could?
iPhone 16 Professional Max Design: Conversant in Titan Contact
- Colors: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Pure Titanium, and Desert Titanium
- Weighs: 227 grams
- Dimensions: 163×77.6×8.25mm
Virtually, the iPhone 16 Professional Max is 15 Professional Max on steroids. Why? Let me clarify. If the 16 Professional Max is positioned on a desk with the show going through downward alongside the 15 Professional Max, not many individuals can determine that that is the new-gen mannequin – albeit in the event that they discover intently. Design-wise, the iPhone 16 Professional Max packs a bunch of latest issues. In fact, the Digicam Management is the largest addition. Subsequent, the bezels on the 16 Professional Max are slimmer than the 15 Professional Max. Final however not least, the 16 Professional Max packs the largest show ever seen on an iPhone but. I’ll deep dive one after the other now.
Apple launched the Motion Button final yr with the iPhone 15 Professional sequence
After introducing the Motion button on the iPhone 15 Professional Max, Apple has added Digicam Management to its complete vary of iPhone 16 fashions this yr.
Simply once we thought smartphone producers have been transferring in direction of gesture-based controls for interactions, Apple took a distinct route by including one other bodily button. The iPhone 16 Professional Max packs the ability and quantity rockers alongside the Digicam Management and Motion buttons – 4 bodily buttons general. Whereas organising the 16 Professional Max, I deliberately eliminated the digital camera app icon from the house display in order that I might use the all-new Digicam Management. Nevertheless, my muscle reminiscence led me to the house display for the primary few days till I realised the 16 Professional Max had a devoted digital camera button.
When you get used to the Digicam Management, there is not any going again. It is handy and straightforward to search out, and one of the best feeling is that it typically provides a nostalgic point-and-shoot digital camera reminiscence. The one drawback is that vertical pictures or movies are the brand new norm for social media, reminiscent of Instagram, Fb, X, and different platforms like YouTube with Shorts. For a tool just like the iPhone 16 Professional Max, holding the telephone with one hand and utilizing the Digicam Management to border your shot is difficult. You want the second hand for higher framing your photographs. Digicam Management on the smaller iPhone 16 Professional ought to be simply manageable. The Digicam Management addition is a neat contact, and it is like a shoutout to all pictures lovers to go all out with this one.
iPhone 16 Professional Max (proper aspect) contains a 6.9-inch show, whereas the 15 Professional Max (left aspect) packs a 6.7-inch show
If you’re completely satisfied utilizing the app on the house display to launch the digital camera and need to utilise the digital camera management for one thing else, Apple has you coated. You possibly can select between launching the Digicam app, code scanner, Instagram, Magnifier or none. With future updates, Apple is anticipated so as to add extra third-party apps to the listing.
The burden improve is minimal regardless of the display measurement bump from 6.7 inches on the 15 Professional Max to six.9 inches on the iPhone 16 Professional Max. It is 227 grams on the 16 Professional Max versus 221 grams on the 15 Professional Max. The most effective half is the load distribution. It is even and aesthetically designed and will be managed by one hand. Nevertheless, individuals with small arms will discover working the 16 Professional Max with one hand barely inconvenient. I took a while to get used to the 16 Professional Max regardless of utilizing the 15 Professional Max for nearly a yr. It is humorous that almost a decade again, we used to get tablets with 7-inch display sizes that had a correct heft and thick bezels.
The iPhone 16 Professional Max weighs 227 grams, whereas the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely weighs 232 grams
The foremost modifications it’s worthwhile to adapt to throughout each day use are in width and top. In comparison with the 15 Professional Max (top 159.9mm and width 76.7mm), the 16 Professional Max measures 163mm in top and 77.6mm in width. As you may see, the 16 Professional Max is taller and wider than its predecessor.
Leaping to colors, the Professional fashions once more are available titanium shades this yr. Desert Titanium, which we received for the evaluation, is one of the best among the many 4 decisions this yr – Pure Titanium, White Titanium, and Black Titanium, among the many others. All the colors look placing. However, the iPhone 16 fashions get some actually good colors this yr.
iPhone 16 Professional Max (left) vs iPhone 15 Professional Max (proper) side-by-side comparability
The iPhone 16 Professional Max has Apple’s largest show ever and packs the thinnest borders on any of its merchandise. One thing that was immediately noticeable once I began utilizing the 16 Professional Max for this evaluation. Skinny bezels imply extra display actual property and a extra immersed expertise. Extra on that in our show part.
The iPhone 16 Professional Max, constructed with Grade 5 titanium, feels strong in arms and offers reassurance in on a regular basis use. On the entrance, Apple has used the latest-gen Ceramic Defend, and the textured matt glass again jogs my memory of 15 Professional Max.
iPhone 16 Professional Max Show: Stellar
- Display: Largest show on an iPhone, but
- Show: 6.9-inch OLED, 1320×2868 pixels and 460ppi
- Peak brightness: 2000nits
Coming to the show, Apple has match its greatest show within the 16 Professional Max, measuring 6.9 inches. To place some context, 16 Professional Max packs a much bigger show than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely (6.8-inch), launched earlier this yr.
The telephone helps a peak brightness of 2000nits
The Tremendous Retina XDR show comes with Dynamic Island and options ProMotion know-how with a refresh price of as much as 120Hz. The utmost brightness is 1000 nits (typical), and peak brightness is 2000nits (outdoor) – which we additionally noticed on the iPhone 15 Professional Max. This yr’s solely change is that the minimal brightness can now go right down to 1 nit, which wasn’t the case earlier. This implies you may preserve scrolling or looking in your telephone with out bothering others in the identical room whereas in mattress.
The iPhone 16 Professional Max show has rounded corners that comply with a curved design, which appears good. Speaking in regards to the show high quality, the 16 Professional Max packs top-of-the-line shows you could find in 2024’s iPhone fashions. In on a regular basis utilization, the 16 Professional Max show feels apt for all wants, be it multimedia, gaming or scrolling on social media. The larger display measurement with thinner bezels means you get a extra immersed viewing expertise, and that is about it. The daylight legibility is great, and 2000nits peak brightness is nice sufficient for utilizing the telephone underneath harsh daylight.
The telephone affords 1320×2868 pixels display decision at 460ppi pixel density
iPhone 16 Professional Max Efficiency: Excessive-Octane System
- Chipset: A18 Professional chip
- Breakdown: Six-core CPU with six-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine, 8GB of RAM
- Storage: 256GB, 512GB and 1TB
iPhone 16 Professional Max now packs the all-new A18 Professional chip, a successor to the A17 Professional chip that powers the 15 Professional fashions. Throughout my evaluation, I attempted the whole lot from AAA gaming to streaming, video enhancing, photograph enhancing, and AI apps to see how highly effective the brand new chip is. To not my shock, the 16 Professional Max would not even stutter mildly wherever – the same case was with the 15 Professional Max (14 Professional Max and older Professional fashions). Nevertheless, one of many large areas of improve is warmth optimisation. In comparison with the 15 Professional Max, the 16 Professional Max cools down rapidly, due to Apple’s improved warmth dissipation setup.
The telephone comes with an IP68 score for splash, water and dirt resistance
Enjoying titles like Name of Responsibility: Cellular, Asphalt 9: Legends, Alto’s Odyssey and Fieldrunners 2 felt butter-smooth. I additionally tried out Ubisoft’s well-known title, Murderer’s Creed Mirage, and the gaming expertise was unbelievable.
Within the efficiency division, the A18 Professional on the iPhone 16 Professional Max would not simply appear incremental, and it makes the telephone a greater machine for heavy graphics gaming and video enhancing on the go. Speaking about artificial benchmarks, under is a desk to raised mirror the efficiency bump.
| Benchmarks | iPhone 16 Professional Max | iPhone 15 Professional Max |
| AnTuTu | 1587059 | 1345846 |
| GFX Bench Automotive Chase | 59fps | 59fps |
| GFX Bench Manhattan 3.1 | 59.7fps | 60fps |
| GFX Bench T-Rex | 59.4fps | 59.99fps |
| 3D Mark Wild Life Excessive | 2788 | 2749 |
| 3D Mark Wild Life | 8942 | 8803 |
| Geekbench 6 | 3203 (single) & 7846 (multi) | 2704 (single) & 6478 (multi) |
Speaking about connectivity, the iPhone 16 Professional Max can latch onto networks swiftly, be it a basement with low mobile networks. Very similar to the 15 sequence, the 16 Professional Max additionally has a USB-C charger and helps the USB 3.2 customary.
In my earlier iPhone opinions, I’ve stated that haptic motors fitted within the iPhones are among the greatest ones seen on modern-day smartphones. The identical applies to the iPhone 16 Professional Max. Even the loudspeakers are amazingly loud (however in a great way). If you happen to’re in a medium-sized room, you may attempt the highly effective speaker setup on the 16 Professional Max, and you will not be dissatisfied.
It’s powered by Apple’s A18 Professional chip constructed with second-generation 3nm structure
iOS 18 will stay an replace from Apple that can proceed to make headlines till Apple Intelligence arrives on all new gadgets. One of many the explanation why the 16 sequence is within the information is as a result of they launch with a tagline that claims “Constructed for Apple Intelligence” however don’t supply it out of the field. As I discussed at the beginning of this evaluation, I’ll write one other piece to speak about all new AI options in-depth when it hits 16 Professional Max. The most recent iOS 18 replace brings a bunch of upgrades – some that have been a lot wanted and a few that I am nonetheless making an attempt to get used to. The Pictures app was one in all my go-to apps for photos throughout gadgets, however ever because the iOS 18 replace, the brand new refresh has been complicated. What I really like about iOS 18 is the brand new personalisation choices. Apple retains including to the listing, and that is good. Extra choices to customize means extra new house display designs to play with.
The iPhone 16 sequence has been designed maintaining Apple Intelligence on the core
I briefly tried the iOS 18 beta, which ships with a bunch of AI options and affords what Samsung has been providing for months. Some AI instruments I attempted on the beta launch briefly have been a writing device for bettering writing and the Notes app, which will get a summarise function for recorded conferences. Apple is bringing what it calls Genmoji due to the corporate’s Picture Playground app that lets your creativity go all out. Then, the favorite camera-related AI function on Android known as Erase, however Apple has rebadged it to Clear Up, which may take away distractions or objects out of your picture. In fact, Siri is getting a complete greater paint job and is nearly refreshed. I’ll attempt them out within the closing launch earlier than giving the decision on who’s performed it higher.
iPhone 16 Professional Max Digicam: Spectacular
- Cameras: 48MP main, 48MP ultra-wide and 12MP telephoto
- Movies – Audio Combine is a brand new function whereas recording movies
- Help – 4K 120 fps Dolby Imaginative and prescient
- Selfie – 12MP digital camera
Moreover a much bigger show and battery, the 16 Professional Max lastly upgrades the ultrawide digital camera. From a 12-megapixel sensor, Apple has jumped to a 48-megapixel sensor. The telephoto, nonetheless, stays 12-megapixel solely in the meanwhile. Subsequent yr, we might get a triple 48-megapixel digital camera setup on the Professional fashions. Fingers crossed.
In case you have been following Apple, then you definately already know that they’ve been steadily ramping up their digital camera recreation to match the wants of professional customers – content material creators, artists, photographers, administrators, and extra. The 16 Professional Max is one other chapter in that journey and brings some thrilling additions.
The telephone will get an all-new 48-megapixel ultra-wide digital camera
Digicam Management needs to be a type of additions which have helped push the digital camera for use increasingly, at the least for me. It’s intuitive and straightforward to leap from zooming to modes and extra. Nevertheless, there is a brief studying curve connected, so be prepared.
Throughout Apple’s September launch, one of many executives talked about how the brand new 48-megapixel Fusion Digicam can learn information two instances quicker, enabling zero shutter lag. And I might take a look at it throughout my evaluation interval; clicking pictures of vehicles on the street whereas transferring comes approach higher than earlier than.
Your complete iPhone 16 vary will get the Digicam Management button
Daylight pictures on the 16 Professional Max come out beautiful, which was the case with the 15 Professional Max. You will have sufficient particulars in every shot, beautiful dynamic vary, wonderful saturation, and, most significantly, pure and lovely colors. Some samples under to indicate you the way good the cameras are on the 16 Professional Max. The first 48-megapixel sensor is strong for daylight photographs.
Daylight pictures from the first digital camera of the 16 Professional Max
This yr, you may mess around together with your photos with all-new Photographic Types that alter tones, colors, and extra in actual time. The brand new management pad within the Pictures Types places you on prime of your photos and makes it handy. One other small replace is that you could now change the type after clicking a picture, which wasn’t doable earlier.
Color accuracy and ample particulars are highlights of the first digital camera
Videography lovers are getting one other large replace this yr with 4K at 120fps help – what Apple calls its highest decision and body price with slo-mo. The most effective half is that Apple this yr is just not forcing you to make real-time choices on the body price. You possibly can alter the playback velocity after seize within the Pictures app. The addition of those options makes on-the-go enhancing wonders.
Macro shot
Portrait picture
Bokehs come out wonderful, too, with pure pores and skin tones and no color blowout. One thing that iPhones are vouched for. Macro photographs additionally come good. Nevertheless, you have to to do some work to ensure you nail the shot, or else you might find yourself with a number of close-ups with the topic blurred.
Telephoto (5x) digital camera samples
The telephoto digital camera has additionally obtained a good replace, and I received some unbelievable zoom outcomes. At 10x and 15x, the 16 Professional Max manages wonderful outcomes with ample particulars. That is the primary time I’ve observed that the iPhone 16 Professional Max did higher than the S24 Extremely in some zoom photographs.
Photographs have been taken utilizing an Ultrawide digital camera
The ultrawide digital camera can be succesful and does a wonderful job in daylight. There is a noticeable improve over the 15 Professional Max photographs by way of picture particulars captured.
Leaping to low-light pictures, there’s appreciable enchancment on this division. Particularly contemplating the 15 Professional Max recently was disappointing in difficult low-light circumstances. Under are some night time samples the place 16 Professional Max flexes its muscle in low-light circumstances.
Low-light pictures from the iPhone 16 Professional Max
Portrait at night time, shot on iPhone 16 Professional Max
Why not take a look at 16 Professional Max with the present flagship from the Android area – Samsung Galaxu S24 Extremely? Under are some pictures to your comparability. Although word, to merge each the photographs, the standard has taken a slight hit, however that is representational to indicate you the way properly Apple has improved its low-light cameras on the brand new Professional fashions.
iPhone 16 Professional Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely: Low-light photographs in contrast
iPhone 16 Professional Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely in low-light circumstances
One other iPhone 16 Professional Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely night time pattern
On this picture, the 16 Professional Max retains colors and tone pure whereas the S24 Extremely blows it away with an excessive amount of unnatural gentle
The selfie digital camera is similar because the 15 Professional Max, and we do not see any variation in that both. Selfies come out wonderful with pure pores and skin tones and colors throughout completely different gentle circumstances. The low-light pictures, nonetheless, have a scope for enchancment. Total, the iPhone 16 Professional Max packs a stellar digital camera trio, and you can’t put it down in comparison with any telephone available in the market.
iPhone 16 Professional Max Battery: Powerhouse
- Battery: Claimed greater battery capability
- Video playback: As much as 33 hours (marketed)
- Charging: As much as 50% cost in 35 minutes
By now, you might already know that Apple is the one firm that does not promote spec sheets. So, when it got here to battery bump on the brand new iPhone 16 Professional Max, the one information Apple shared is that it affords as much as 33 hours of video playback in comparison with the 15 Professional Max (and 14 Professional Max), which supplied as much as 29 hours of video playback. We did our HD video loop take a look at, and 16 Professional Max impressed with a decent 28 hours and 33 minutes of playback time.
The iPhone 16 Professional Max is a succesful smartphone in terms of battery prowess
Speaking purely about battery efficiency, the iPhone 16 Professional Max is a stellar machine that may supply over Eight hours of screen-on time. With heavy utilization that included a few hours of gaming and streaming and a great 30-40 minutes of digital camera use for pictures and movies, the telephone simply lasted over a day with virtually 25 p.c of battery nonetheless left.
In a number of checks we did on the evaluation unit, the 16 Professional Max simply did over Eight hours of lively display on time, and the max we received was Eight hours and 30 minutes with 13 p.c juice left. In fact, you may derive extra battery backup should you flip off the always-on show and scale back digital camera use. On days with average use, the iPhone 16 Professional Max gave us practically two full days of battery life.
A MagSafe case by beats, a Silicone Case from Apple, and a case from Day by day Objects for the iPhone 16 Professional Max
Apple has actually pushed the envelope in terms of battery efficiency, which is one thing that will probably be robust for competitors to match.
Nevertheless, wired charging velocity stays the Achilles heel of the iPhone 16 Professional Max. In an period the place telephones supply full charging inside 30 minutes, the 16 Professional Max reached 55% cost in 35 minutes. A full cost with a 20W adapter takes about 100 minutes and, at instances, can take as much as 120 minutes, relying on a number of components.
The iPhone 16 Professional Max is not a small telephone by any means
iPhone 16 Professional Max Verdict
Who can purchase the iPhone 16 Professional Max? The reply is easy – for iPhone customers who are usually not already utilizing the iPhone 15 Professional Max. Get it, in fact, in case your finances permits. For individuals who nonetheless favor an underneath Rs. 1 lakh telephone and are okay with compromising on some facets, there’s the bottom iPhone 16 with principally all of the goodies this yr minus a 120Hz refresh price show and a 3rd telephoto digital camera. The most effective factor is that this can be a sale season, and you’ll seize some nice offers should you prioritise switching to an iPhone, as reductions can be found throughout fashions in each on-line and offline shops.
Digicam Management is among the highlights of the brand new 16-series
In comparison with the 14 Professional and 13 Professional sequence, the iPhone 16 Professional Max packs among the greatest upgrades, whereas the 15 Professional Max now appears underrated. It has the largest show on an iPhone but. In my testing, the 16 Professional Max delivered unprecedented battery efficiency, and naturally, this can be a Professional machine, so even heavy-duty customers can go for this. The show is unimaginable, and the one draw back is the gradual wired charging, which appears to be taking endlessly to be upgraded.
One large bummer is that there are not any Apple Intelligence (learn, secure) options on the 16 Professional Max, which definitely makes it seem like not a terrific deal in the meanwhile. However bear in mind, these telephones are constructed from scratch to work with Apple Intelligence, so an iOS replace with all of the goodies might drop in a number of weeks.
The 2 greatest options to the iPhone 16 Professional Max are the iPhone 15 Professional Max (Evaluation), retailing at all-time low costs throughout the festive gross sales in India. And, the second is the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely (Evaluation), the closest flagship that may tackle the 16 Professional Max.