1. Apple iPhone 16 – Best value iPhone
The iPhone 16 is a big leap from the previous generation, in fact, the step is so large that it is catching the Pro model up. Where the iPhone 15 (see iPhone 15 vs iPhone 16) brought only a few new features that the iPhone 14 lacked, in the iPhone 16 we have a new phone with a significantly better processor, the new Camera Capture and Action buttons, and improved battery life. The question is more about why you would want to buy the iPhone 16 Pro when you can get a decent phone for $200/£200 less.
The iPhone 16 has two new buttons on the right-hand side: the Action button and a Camera Capture button. The new colors on offer are Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, White, Black, all darker shades than the previous generation. Color choices are a matter of personal preference, but we would suggest that choosing a new iPhone based on the color would be a bad idea as you will be keeping it in a case if you are sensible.
The Action button first arrived on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max in 2023. It is a customizable button that gives quick access to various functions that you can choose, such as the flashlight (torch), activating Voice Memos, or accessibility features. The Camera Control button is a new feature of all four 2024 iPhones and lets users quickly access camera tools and use various gestures to adjust camera functions like exposure or depth of field. This camera button uses a Taptic Engine to simulate the feeling that it is being pressed, so you get a bit more feedback than the onscreen button.
However, the Camera Control button has its limitations: you won’t be able to use it while wearing gloves. This button is also a good reason to choose the smaller iPhone models, as it can be a bit of an uncomfortable stretch to use if you have small hands.
The cameras themselves get a boost in the iPhone 16 thanks to some innovations. The two-in-one ‘Fusion’ camera offers built in 2x telephoto functionality and features a new 48-megapixel sensor that offers better resolution and light intensity. The 12MP Ultra Wide camera has a larger aperture and bigger pixels than the previous generation. It can capture 2.6x more light and can now shoot close‑up macro photos or wider photos.
When it comes to video the iPhone 16 can shoot 4K/60fps, which is more than enough for most people. A new Audio Mix feature lets you adjust the way voices sound in your videos. You can decrease background sound, or just focus on the voices that are in frame, for example. There is also a new Spatial Capture feature, but that only really matters to those who own a Vision Pro.
Many of the new photo-related features are made possible by the A18 chip. This is a leap of two generations from the A16 that featured in the iPhone 15 (and the iPhone 14 Pro before that). Since 2022’s iPhone 14, Apple has given the standard iPhone the processor used by the Pro models in the preceding generation, but in 2024, the iPhone 16 has the same generation of processor as the iPhone 16 Pro, albeit with one fewer GPU chip and other behind-the-scenes differences.
The A18 is an impressive chip and our Geekbench results prove it. In the Geekbench 6 multi-processor test the iPhone 16 shows a significant 25% increase in performance from 6,242 points to 7,828 points. Performance jumps in the graphics benchmarks were even more pronounced.
Another improvement compared to the previous generation is the battery. The phones have been re-engineered to better dissipate heat and to make space for a larger battery, as a result, battery life extends to 22 hours on the iPhone 16, compared to 20 on the iPhone 15. If you want longer battery life, both the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 16 Pro can manage 27 hours, while the Pro Max boosts that to 33 hours.
The only reason not to buy the iPhone 16 is if you want to save $200/£200 and buy the iPhone 16e instead. But there are some pretty big tradeoffs if you do that, as you will see in the section below. We also look at the iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16.
Also read: Best iPhone 16 deals (US) and Best iPhone 16 deals (UK)
