Alright, it is that point of the 12 months! Apple lastly took the plunge and went all out on AI with its new iPhone 16 sequence. Calling the most recent iPhones as constructed for Apple Intelligence. In fact, the corporate coined its model of AI, quick for synthetic intelligence, which the remainder of the world makes use of for its merchandise, however that is Apple, so you already know it. Nevertheless, one huge 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 when it comes to show and measurement ever constructed by Apple. I’ll soar to the iPhone 16 Plus and Watch Collection 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 focus on 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 huge of an improve the iPhone 16 Professional Max is over its predecessor in each approach attainable. In fact, I’ll do an in-depth piece when the most recent iOS 18 replace (learn, steady) hits the brand new units with Apple Intelligence options. However for now, let’s dive into the brand new Max, we could?
iPhone 16 Professional Max Design: Acquainted with 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 dealing with downward alongside the 15 Professional Max, not many individuals can work out that that is the new-gen mannequin – albeit in the event that they discover carefully. Design-wise, the iPhone 16 Professional Max packs a number of recent 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 12 months with the iPhone 15 Professional sequence
After introducing the Motion button on the iPhone 15 Professional Max, Apple has added Digicam Management to its whole vary of iPhone 16 fashions this 12 months.
Simply once we thought smartphone producers had been shifting in direction of gesture-based controls for interactions, Apple took a special route by including one other bodily button. The iPhone 16 Professional Max packs the facility and quantity rockers alongside the Digicam Management and Motion buttons – 4 bodily buttons total. Whereas organising the 16 Professional Max, I deliberately eliminated the digicam 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 digicam button.
When you get used to the Digicam Management, there is not any going again. It is handy and straightforward to seek out, and the most effective feeling is that it typically provides a nostalgic point-and-shoot digicam reminiscence. The one drawback is that vertical pictures or movies are the brand new norm for social media, equivalent to 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 hard. You want the second hand for higher framing your photographs. Digicam Management on the smaller iPhone 16 Professional needs to be simply manageable. The Digicam Management addition is a neat contact, and it is like a shoutout to all images fanatics to go all out with this one.
iPhone 16 Professional Max (proper aspect) encompasses a 6.9-inch show, whereas the 15 Professional Max (left aspect) packs a 6.7-inch show
If you’re pleased utilizing the app on the house display to launch the digicam and need to utilise the digicam management for one thing else, Apple has you lined. You may select between launching the Digicam app, code scanner, Instagram, Magnifier or none. With future updates, Apple is predicted 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 very best half is the load distribution. It is even and aesthetically designed and may 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 12 months. 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 main modifications that you must adapt to throughout each day use are in width and peak. In comparison with the 15 Professional Max (peak 159.9mm and width 76.7mm), the 16 Professional Max measures 163mm in peak and 77.6mm in width. As you’ll be able to 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 12 months. Desert Titanium, which we obtained for the evaluation, is the most effective among the many 4 decisions this 12 months – Pure Titanium, White Titanium, and Black Titanium, among the many others. All the colors look putting. Then again, the iPhone 16 fashions get some actually good colors this 12 months.
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 after 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 provides reassurance in on a regular basis use. On the entrance, Apple has used the latest-gen Ceramic Protect, and the textured matt glass again jogs my memory of 15 Professional Max.
iPhone 16 Professional Max Show: Stellar
- Display: Greatest 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 largest 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 12 months.
The telephone helps a peak brightness of 2000nits
The Tremendous Retina XDR show comes with Dynamic Island and options ProMotion expertise 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 12 months’s solely change is that the minimal brightness can now go all the way down to 1 nit, which wasn’t the case earlier. This implies you’ll be able to maintain 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 observe a curved design, which seems to be good. Speaking in regards to the show high quality, the 16 Professional Max packs among the best 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 superb, and 2000nits peak brightness is nice sufficient for utilizing the telephone beneath harsh daylight.
The telephone presents 1320×2868 pixels display decision at 460ppi pixel density
iPhone 16 Professional Max Efficiency: Excessive-Octane Machine
- 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 every little thing from AAA gaming to streaming, video enhancing, picture 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 anyplace – an identical case was with the 15 Professional Max (14 Professional Max and older Professional fashions). Nevertheless, one of many huge areas of improve is warmth optimisation. In comparison with the 15 Professional Max, the 16 Professional Max cools down rapidly, because of Apple’s improved warmth dissipation setup.
The telephone comes with an IP68 ranking for splash, water and mud resistance
Enjoying titles like Name of Obligation: 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 implausible.
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 higher replicate the efficiency bump.
| Benchmarks | iPhone 16 Professional Max | iPhone 15 Professional Max |
| AnTuTu | 1587059 | 1345846 |
| GFX Bench Automobile 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 normal.
In my earlier iPhone evaluations, I’ve mentioned 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). When you’re in a medium-sized room, you’ll be able to strive the highly effective speaker setup on the 16 Professional Max, and you will not be disillusioned.
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 units. 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 provide it out of the field. As I discussed in 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 newest iOS 18 replace brings a number of upgrades – some that had been a lot wanted and a few that I am nonetheless making an attempt to get used to. The Pictures app was certainly one of my go-to apps for footage throughout units, however ever because the iOS 18 replace, the brand new refresh has been complicated. What I 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 holding Apple Intelligence on the core
I briefly tried the iOS 18 beta, which ships with a bunch of AI options and presents what Samsung has been providing for months. Some AI instruments I attempted on the beta launch briefly had been a writing software for enhancing writing and the Notes app, which will get a summarise function for recorded conferences. Apple is bringing what it calls Genmoji because of 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 might take away distractions or objects out of your picture. In fact, Siri is getting an entire larger paint job and is sort of refreshed. I’ll strive them out within the remaining 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
- Assist – 4K 120 fps Dolby Imaginative and prescient
- Selfie – 12MP digicam
In addition to a much bigger show and battery, the 16 Professional Max lastly upgrades the ultrawide digicam. From a 12-megapixel sensor, Apple has jumped to a 48-megapixel sensor. The telephoto, nevertheless, stays 12-megapixel solely for the time being. Subsequent 12 months, we might get a triple 48-megapixel digicam setup on the Professional fashions. Fingers crossed.
If in case you have been following Apple, you then already know that they’ve been steadily ramping up their digicam 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 digicam
Digicam Management must be a type of additions which have helped push the digicam for use an increasing number of, at the least for me. It’s intuitive and straightforward to leap from zooming to modes and extra. Nevertheless, there is a quick studying curve hooked up, so be prepared.
Throughout Apple’s September launch, one of many executives talked about how the brand new 48-megapixel Fusion Digicam can learn knowledge two occasions quicker, enabling zero shutter lag. And I might take a look at it throughout my evaluation interval; clicking pictures of automobiles on the highway whereas shifting comes approach higher than earlier than.
Your entire iPhone 16 vary will get the Digicam Management button
Daylight pictures on the 16 Professional Max come out gorgeous, which was the case with the 15 Professional Max. You will have sufficient particulars in every shot, gorgeous dynamic vary, glorious saturation, and, most significantly, pure and lovely colors. Some samples under to indicate you ways good the cameras are on the 16 Professional Max. The first 48-megapixel sensor is strong for daylight photographs.
Daylight pictures from the first digicam of the 16 Professional Max
This 12 months, you’ll be able to mess around along with your pictures with all-new Photographic Kinds that alter tones, colors, and extra in actual time. The brand new management pad within the Images Kinds places you on prime of your pictures and makes it handy. One other small replace is you could now change the fashion after clicking a picture, which wasn’t attainable earlier.
Color accuracy and ample particulars are highlights of the first digicam
Videography fanatics are getting one other huge replace this 12 months with 4K at 120fps assist – what Apple calls its highest decision and body price with slo-mo. The very best half is that Apple this 12 months isn’t forcing you to make real-time selections on the body price. You may 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 superb, 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 will have to do some work to be sure to nail the shot, or else you could find yourself with just a few close-ups with the topic blurred.
Telephoto (5x) digicam samples
The telephoto digicam has additionally acquired a good replace, and I obtained some implausible zoom outcomes. At 10x and 15x, the 16 Professional Max manages superb 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 had been taken utilizing an Ultrawide digicam
The ultrawide digicam can also be succesful and does a wonderful job in daylight. There is a noticeable improve over the 15 Professional Max photographs when it comes to picture particulars captured.
Leaping to low-light pictures, there may be appreciable enchancment on this division. Particularly contemplating the 15 Professional Max currently was disappointing in difficult low-light situations. Beneath are some night time samples the place 16 Professional Max flexes its muscle in low-light situations.
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? Beneath are some pictures on your comparability. Although word, to merge each the photographs, the standard has taken a slight hit, however that is representational to indicate you ways nicely 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 situations
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 mild
The selfie digicam is identical because the 15 Professional Max, and we do not see any variation in that both. Selfies come out glorious with pure pores and skin tones and colors throughout completely different mild situations. The low-light pictures, nevertheless, have a scope for enchancment. Total, the iPhone 16 Professional Max packs a stellar digicam trio, and you can not put it down in comparison with any telephone available in the market.
iPhone 16 Professional Max Battery: Powerhouse
- Battery: Claimed larger battery capability
- Video playback: As much as 33 hours (marketed)
- Charging: As much as 50% cost in 35 minutes
By now, you could 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 knowledge Apple shared is that it presents as much as 33 hours of video playback in comparison with the 15 Professional Max (and 14 Professional Max), which provided 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 good 28 hours and 33 minutes of playback time.
The iPhone 16 Professional Max is a succesful smartphone in the case of battery prowess
Speaking purely about battery efficiency, the iPhone 16 Professional Max is a stellar machine that may provide over 8 hours of screen-on time. With heavy utilization that included a few hours of gaming and streaming and a great 30-40 minutes of digicam use for pictures and movies, the telephone simply lasted over a day with virtually 25 % of battery nonetheless left.
In a number of assessments we did on the evaluation unit, the 16 Professional Max simply did over 8 hours of lively display on time, and the max we obtained was 8 hours and half-hour with 13 % juice left. In fact, you’ll be able to derive extra battery backup when you flip off the always-on show and cut back digicam use. On days with reasonable 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 Each day Objects for the iPhone 16 Professional Max
Apple has actually pushed the envelope in the case of battery efficiency, which is one thing that can be powerful for competitors to match.
Nevertheless, wired charging velocity stays the Achilles heel of the iPhone 16 Professional Max. In an period the place telephones provide full charging inside half-hour, the 16 Professional Max reached 55% cost in 35 minutes. A full cost with a 20W adapter takes about 100 minutes and, at occasions, 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 should purchase the iPhone 16 Professional Max? The reply is easy – for iPhone customers who aren’t already utilizing the iPhone 15 Professional Max. Get it, in fact, in case your finances permits. For many who nonetheless choose an beneath 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 12 months minus a 120Hz refresh price show and a 3rd telephoto digicam. The very best factor is that it is a sale season, and you’ll seize some nice offers when you prioritise switching to an iPhone, as reductions can be found throughout fashions in each on-line and offline shops.
Digicam Management is without doubt one of 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 largest upgrades, whereas the 15 Professional Max now seems to be underrated. It has the largest show on an iPhone but. In my testing, the 16 Professional Max delivered unprecedented battery efficiency, and naturally, it is a Professional machine, so even heavy-duty customers can go for this. The show is unbelievable, and the one draw back is the gradual wired charging, which appears to be taking without end to be upgraded.
One huge bummer is that there are not any Apple Intelligence (learn, steady) options on the 16 Professional Max, which definitely makes it appear to be not a fantastic deal for the time being. 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 just a few weeks.
The 2 largest options to the iPhone 16 Professional Max are the iPhone 15 Professional Max (Assessment), retailing at all-time low costs through the festive gross sales in India. And, the second is the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely (Assessment), the closest flagship that may tackle the 16 Professional Max.
