Apple iPhone 16 review – GSMArena.com tests | Infinium-tech

Introduction

The Apple iPhone 16 – the name of the series – bridges the gap between the vanilla models and the Pro models by introducing a refined design, faster hardware, better connectivity and charging, and camera improvements.

The new iPhone 16 once again leads the way in terms of toughness, thanks to the improved Ceramic Shield Glass, and it holds an IP68 rating designed to withstand submersion in water up to 6 meters. It also has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED with high brightness, HDR10, and Dolby Vision.

Now there is a new generation chip – Apple A18. It brings a new, more powerful processor, far more advanced graphics than the A16 inside the iPhone 15, faster memory bandwidth for AI tasks, and 8GB of RAM like the Pro model.

Some changes have been seen in the dual camera present on the rear. First, there’s a 48MP primary with sensor-shift stabilization and fusion capability, allowing for an improved 2x in-sensor zoom (better than the iPhone 15). Then, there’s an advanced ultrawide camera with a bright aperture lens and autofocus for some nice macro photos. And finally, the new Tone setting allows you to fine-tune the iPhone’s camera tonal processing to better match your tastes.

The iPhone 16 has next-generation MagSafe and Qi2 support for wireless charging options up to 25W if you opt for the new MagSafe charger and 30W+ power adapter.

The iPhone 16 runs on iOS 18 and fully supports Apple Intelligence, although the latter has not been released yet.

Apple iPhone 16 specifications at a glance:

• Body: 147.6×71.6×7.8mm, 170g; Ceramic Shield Glass Front (Corning-made Glass), Glass Back (Corning-made Glass), Aluminum Frame; IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6 meters for 30 minutes), Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, ADEX certified).
• Display: 6.10″ Super Retina
• Chipset: Apple A18 (3nm): Hexa-core; Apple GPU (5-core graphics).
• Memory: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM; NVMe.
• OS/Software: iOS 18.
• rear camera: wide (main): 48 MP, f/1.6, 26mm, 1/1.56″, 1.0µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS; ultra wide angle: 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120-degree, 0.7µm, Dual Pixel PDAF.
• Front Camera: wide (main): 12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm, 1/3.6″, PDAF; depth:SL 3D.
• video capture: rear camera: 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), Stereo Sound Rec; front camera:4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, Gyro-EIS.
• Battery: XXXX mAh; Wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 minutes (advertised), 25W Wireless (MagSafe), 15W Wireless (China only), 15W Wireless (Qi2), 4.5W reverse wired.
• Connectivity: 5G; é SIM; dual SIM; Wi-Fi 7; BT 5.3; NFC.
• various: Face ID, Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity, Compass, Barometer; stereo speakers; Ultra Wideband (UWB) support (Gen2 chip), Emergency SOS, Messages and Find My via satellite.

Apple has retained the 60Hz screen refresh rate for another year. The solid hardware under the hood has once again turned even the cheapest new iPhone into an excellent gaming machine, where a steady 60fps feels like plenty.

We won’t defend Apple’s choice of standard refresh rate, so this is a quick CON for us. But apart from that, the iPhone 16 is shaping up to be one of the hottest compact phones of this season.

Unboxing the iPhone 16

The iPhone 16 retail bundle is what you’d expect these days – you get a braided USB-C cable and a SIM ejection tool.

There is no paper bin anymore, even though the paperwork still exists. The Apple sticker, on the other hand, is now gone.