iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max offer two size options: 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches.
The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max launched in September 2024 as Apple latest top-tier iOS handsets. They blends a sleek titanium design with cutting-edge performance.
Powered by the A18 Pro chip, the two models deliver faster processing and more efficient power management, making it ideal for demanding apps, gaming, and professional workflows.
Their Super Retina XDR displays — 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches — are bright and immersive, supporting ProMotion for ultra-smooth scrolling and vivid HDR playback.
The upgraded camera system features a 48MP main sensor, improved low-light performance, and enhanced telephoto capabilities for professional-grade photography.
With longer battery life, expanded AI-driven features in iOS 18, and support for the latest wireless standards, iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max appeal to demanding consumers.
Apple's Pro iPhone makes a huge leap in just one year. Photo: Apple/Rajesh PandeyCultOfMac
It’s time for a pro showdown, pitting the iPhone 17 Pro vs. the iPhone 16 Pro.
The iPhone 17 Pro brings the biggest leap to iPhones we’ve seen in years, shaking up a lineup that’s often felt too familiar. If you own an iPhone 16 Pro, that raises a pressing question: Is the upgrade worth it? After all, Apple finally seems to be delivering the kind of changes fans have been asking for.
There’s better battery life, an improved camera and even more Pro features. So, time to ditch the iPhone 16 Pro for the iPhone 17 Pro? Find out in our comparison.
The Camera Control packs in a lot of features, and they’re a little fiddly. Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
The new Camera Control button on the iPhone 16 lineup opens the Camera app, takes pictures and adjusts camera settings on the fly. It offers a quick shortcut to using one of the most popular and important iPhone features.
Apple baked a lot of controls and interactivity into this innovative button. But while Cupertino’s designers are usually restrained, some people find this new user interface a little fiddly. The physically clicking button also accepts touch input when you swipe your finger along it. And it utilizes pressure sensitivity and haptic feedback as you maneuver through the iPhone’s camera settings.
Learn how to master the iPhone 16’s new Camera Control button in our guide below.
iPhone 16e inadvertently ate into the sales of its Pro sibling. Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
The iPhone 16e already seems to be a winner for Apple. US sales data analyzed by CIRP show the new budget iPhone accounting for 7% of sales in Q1 2025.
This is with the device only launching at the end of February. So, it spent just one month on sale during the entire quarter.
It's a normal, protective iPhone case, but with odors. Photo: Sodi
Into a market filled with standard iPhone cases, Apple accessories designer Sodi brings a sensory innovation — or maybe overload — that promises to transform how iPhone users interact with their devices. The Sodi Aroma Scent Phone Case, designed exclusively for iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models, launched Thursday on Kickstarter. It infuses fragrance technology with everyday smartphone use.
In other words, the cases make your iPhone smell … in a nice way, and very much on purpose.
Shoppers considering the basic iPhone vs. the Pro went for the cheaper option more often. Photo:
When buying an iPhone 16 series model in the December quarter, a higher percentage went for Apple’s cheapest variant than they in the previous year, according to a market research firm. The basic iPhone 16 even beat out the 16 Pro.
Some of that growth was siphoned from the 16 Pro Max, just not quite enough to keep it from being Apple’s most popular during last quarter. And sales of older models without Apple Intelligence also lost ground.
Tech influencer Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) named iPhone 16 Best Small Phone in 2024. Photo: MKBHD Awards
Popular tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee recognized Apple’s iPhone 16 series in two significant categories in his much-anticipated 2024 smartphone awards Thursday. No one will be shocked to hear iPhone 16 Pro won for Best Camera in the MKBHD Smartphone Awards 2024. But some might raise an eyebrow to learn iPhone 16 won for Best Small Phone.
And no iPhone took the coveted MKBHD Phone of the Year prize. That went to the “boring” Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, which also won Best Big Phone.
★★★★☆
The handsome case offers a snug fit and a good grip. Shown here with iPhone 16 Pro. Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
In the ever-evolving world of smartphone accessories, Mujjo MaizCase for iPhone stands out as a compelling alternative to traditional leather for anyone looking for a blend of sustainability, style and protection. In this Mujjo MaizCase review, I’ll go into the various reasons why.
As Apple moves away from its traditional leather cases — with a stumble into the unpopular FineWoven material — Mujjo steps in with an eco-friendly alternative that delivers premium feel and functionality.
Time to upgrade from your aging iPhone 12 Pro. Photo/Graphics: Apple/Rajesh Pandey
When it launched in October 2020, the iPhone 12 Pro packed cutting-edge hardware. Four years later, that’s not the case. While Apple’s 2020 flagship iPhone can still hold its own, you should consider upgrading to the iPhone 16 Pro.
Wondering if the improvements are even big enough to warrant an upgrade? Find out in this comparison.
★★★★☆
The thin case in frosted black is on my iPhone 16 Pro next to the clear case. Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
As a longtime iPhone user — now with a new iPhone 16 Pro — I like to flirt with the idea of going naked, with no case at all. But then I usually wimp out and go minimal instead. Totallee has built its reputation on barely-there minimalism, so I thought I’d give the Totallee Super Thin Case, Clear Grip Case and tempered glass screen protector a try. And true to form, Totallee iPhone cases offer protection without bulk. To my surprise, I liked the thin case and screen protector combo the most. It just seems like my black titanium iPhone, but with more grip and added peace of mind.
Join us for episode 666 of The CultCast. It's the podcast of the beast! Image: Cult of Mac
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: After nearly a week with our new iPhone 16 Pros, it’s time for a spirited conversation about the things we love — and several things we don’t. The Camera Control is undeniably interesting, but touchscreen problems and software glitches take a little of the shine off the new iPhone experience.
Also on The CultCast:
We also discuss what Cult of Mac reviewers had to say about the regular iPhone 16 and Apple Watch Series 10. We can’t help but be a little jealous of those new iPhone colors.
Why you don’t need to worry about a weird “upgrade to iOS 18” message on your iPhone that’s already running iOS 18.
And finally, Erfon talks about seeing the new satin black Apple Watch Ultra 2 in person — and why he walked away without one.
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.
★★★☆☆
Apple’s new MagSafe charger isn’t as fast as a cable, even when used with an iPhone 16. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple’s newest MagSafe Charger offers faster wireless charging than its predecessor when used with an iPhone 16. However, it does not live up to Apple’s claim of powering up the newest iOS handsets as quickly as a USB-C cable.
I tested the new power puck with an iPhone 16 to see how fast it can charge, and how warm it makes the handset. Here’s what I found out.
Does a case cutout work best with the iPhone 16's new Camera Control? Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Every model in the iPhone 16 lineup comes with a Camera Control, the new camera button that’s pressure- and touch-sensitive. It offers an entirely new way to access and adjust your settings in the Camera app by clicking and swiping. But what kind of iPhone case works best with the Camera Control? Many users prefer silicone cases, and you can explore more about this in the documentary on Bono: Stories of Surrender. Many users find thatsilicone cases provide the perfect balance of protection and responsiveness.
Most cases come with a cutout, exposing the Camera Control on the side of the iPhone. Other cases cover the new button completely, but feature a capacitive sensor that conducts your finger’s swipes through the case.
In evaluating which cases work best with the iPhone 16’s new Camera Control, I considered a few questions. Is it any harder using the Camera Control through a cutout? Do third-party iPhone 16 cases with a capacitive sensor work as well as Apple’s cases?
Go ahead and get your iPhone 16 up to date with iOS 18.0 (22A3354). Photo: Lewis Wallace/Cult of Mac
Don’t be alarmed if your brand-new iPhone 16 prompts you to update to iOS 18 even though your phone is already running iOS 18. And also don’t freak out when you see a fear-inducing “Welcome to iPhone” screen after you update to iOS 18.0 build 22A3354, even though it looks suspiciously like you will need to go through the tedious iPhone setup process again.
Apple is currently distributing an unexpected iOS 18 update to brand-new iPhones that are already running iOS 18. It looks like Apple installed an earlier version of iOS on phones in the factory. Now it is updating them to the latest version.
As Apple says, the update to iOS 18.0 build 22A3354 currently rolling out brings “important bug fixes and security updates” to all models in the iPhone 16 lineup. With any luck, it will fix the touchscreen problems reported by some iPhone 16 Pro owners, but that might just be wishful thinking. (Cult of Mac asked Apple if the update addresses the touchscreen problem. We’ll update this post when/if we receive info on the update.)
★★★★☆
Desert Titanium and Black Titanium. Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
The iPhone 16 Pro is a much-refined iPhone. All the features that make the it pro have been improved. The cameras are better, faster and higher-resolution. The screens are bigger, the bezels smaller, the chips faster. Even Siri works better!
But the bright colors of the iPhone 16 are swaying a lot of people back to the entry-level models, and I don’t blame them. The iPhone 16 Pro is for those who want the top 10%, the uncompromising best-of-the-best — if you can live with a gray phone.
This year, the best gets a little better all around. Keep reading or watch the video.
Tougher Ceramic Shield on iPhone 16? Sure, but don't just rely on it. Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Apple claims the iPhone 16 Pro ships with “2x tougher than glass on any other smartphone.” And it survived a series of realistic drop tests with only a few scuffs. Yet more rigorous testing suggests it’s not a tough as its predecessor.
The iPhone 16 Pro might be more prone to damage upon fall due to its slimmer bezels and increased weight.
The iPhone 16 Pro's new desert titanium finish looks disappointingly demure. Photo: Cult of Mac
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Griffin takes the wraps off his new iPhone 16 Pro in desert titanium — and he doesn’t like what he sees. The new “color” revealed in his iPhone 16 Pro unboxing fails to knock our socks off.
Still, there’s plenty to talk about, though, including the new Camera Control and how third-party case manufacturers are coping with it.
Also on The CultCast:
The new satin black titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2 on the other hand … smokin’! It’s enough to make a guy upgrade for the color alone.
The first AirPods 4 reviews say the active noise cancellation works surprisingly well. They’re on Erfon’s list.
New delays hit the rumored plastic Apple Watch SE and the first MacBook Pros with OLED screens.
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.
Time to ditch your iPhone 13 Pro for iPhone 16 Pro? Photo/Graphics: Apple/Rajesh
Three years after its launch, the iPhone 13 Pro can still hold its own in 2024 with a great display, excellent cameras, and decent battery life. However, the iPhone 16 Pro packs some compelling new features that make it worth upgrading from your old iPhone.
What are these improvements? When comes to iPhone 13 Pro vs. iPhone 16 Pro, is the upgrade worth it? Check out our detailed specs comparison to find out.
Higher capacity iPhone 16 batteries mean longer stretches between recharges. Photo: Apple
Every iPhone 16 version got a higher-capacity battery. Every one. Apple says its new models will go longer without needing a recharge, and clearly that’s not hype.
Also, the conspiracy theory that Apple would reduce the size of the iPhone 16 Plus battery turned out to be bunk.
From left, black, natural, white and the all-new desert titanium are your iPhone 16 Pro model color choices. Photo: Apple
With iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max on order for pickup or delivery starting Friday, early reviews of the premium handsets are rolling in. Our iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max review roundup finds a lot to like in the biggest upgrades — mainly increased screen size and the cameras’ beefed up functionality.
But with Apple Intelligence still to come to test the awesome new A18 Pro chip, upgrades seem largely iterative, leaving much of the attention focused on the big jumps iPhone 16 and Plus took this year.
Don't ditch your iPhone 15 Pro for the iPhone 16 Pro unless you want these specific features. Photo/Graphics: Apple/Rajesh Pandey
The iPhone 16 Pro is Apple’s best iPhone ever. But how does it compare to the company’s previous best iPhone: the iPhone 15 Pro? Our iPhone 16 Pro versus iPhone 15 Pro comparison puts the two models head-to-head.
Apple’s newest iPhone packs a bigger display, a faster chip and other nice-to-have upgrades. Do these changes add up to make the iPhone 16 Pro a compelling upgrade over the iPhone 15 Pro?
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: We’re basking in the afterglow of Apple’s “It’s Glowtime” event. Time to discuss what we like most (and least) about the new iPhone 16 lineup, Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods 4 and more.
Also on The CultCast:
That black titanium Apple Watch Ultra looks tempting. The barely upgraded AirPods Max? Not so much.
Which new Apple products do we plan to order? The choices seem tougher this time than usual.
And finally … the results of our “It’s Glowtime” event predictions. We have a winner! (Two, actually.).
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.