Apple’s new iPhone series, the iPhone 16 is official. On September 9, Apple’s “It’s Glowtime” event officially released the iPhone 16 series, including the base iPhone 16, the iPhone 16 Plus and flagship iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Alongside the iPhone 16 series, Apple also launched the Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Ultra 2, AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 2 and the new AirPods Max.
This year the Apple iPhones have AI features with Apple’s own Apple Intelligence. Including AI in smartphones has been a trend this year with most large smartphone brands such as Samsung with Galaxy AI and Google with Gemini AI. Other smartphones in the market are using AI which enhances productivity and performance.
The iPhone 16 series replaces the iPhone 15 series from last year, including the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. There are a few major changes in the iPhone 16 series from the iPhone 15 series. The iPhone 16 series has a new button as the camera control button which is touch sensitive. The base models, the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Plus have a new design which looks very familiar to the older iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 base models.
The iPhone 16 Pro models have some major changes from the iPhone 15 Pro models. The 16 Pro models have not changed that much in terms of design, but there is a significant change in both the Pro model’s display size.
Let us see what the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max deliver regarding specifications.
Specifications of iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max
| Dimensions | 16 Pro: Height: 149.6 mm Width: 71.5 mm Depth: 8.25 mm 16 Pro Max: Height: 163 mm Width: 77.6 mm Depth: 8.25 mm |
| Weight | 16 Pro: 199 grams 16 Pro Max: 227 grams |
| Display size | 16 Pro: 6.3-inch 16 Pro Max: 6.9-inch |
| Display type | Super Retina XDR OLED display |
| Resolution | 16 Pro: 2622 x 1206, 460 ppi 16 Pro Max: 2868 x 1320, 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | Upto 120 Hz |
| Brightness | Typical max brightness: 1000 nits HDR peak brightness: 1600 nits Outdoor Peak brightness: 2000 nits |
| IP rating | IP68 dust and water resistance (depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes) |
| Glass protection | Ceramic Shield |
| Chipset | A18 Pro (3nm) |
| CPU | 6‑core CPU (2 performance + 4 efficiency cores) |
| GPU | 6-core GPU |
| OS | iOS 18 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 16 Pro: 128GB | 256GB | 512GB | 1TB 16 Pro Max: 256GB | 512GB | 1TB |
| Rear camera | 48MP main camera 48MP ultra-wide camera 12MP 5x telephoto camera |
| Selfie camera | 12MP |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 | Dual-band |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| Network | LTE | 5G |
| SIM | Dual SIM |
| Audio | Stereo speakers |
| Sensors | Face ID LiDAR Scanner Barometer High dynamic range gyro High-g accelerometer Proximity sensor Dual ambient light sensors |
| Battery | Lithium-ion battery |
| Charging | Wired fast charging MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W with 30W adapter or higher Qi2 wireless charging up to 15W Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W Reverse wired charging up to 4.5W |
| Colours | Black Titanium | White Titanium | Natural Titanium | Desert Titanium |
| Price (expected) | 16 Pro: Rs 175,000 (128GB) Rs 195,000 (256GB) Rs 225,000 (512GB) Rs 265,000 (1TB) 16 Pro Max: Rs 215,000 (256GB) Rs 245,000 (512GB) Rs 285,000 (1TB) |
Design and Display
The iPhone 16 Pro and the 16 Pro Max designs are the same as those of the previous year’s iPhone 15 Pro models. The significant change can be seen in the display size with the 16 Pro models having a slightly larger display. With the increased display size, both smartphones are narrower and wider. The back of the 16 Pro models is made of glass with a matte finish. The camera layout is the same as the iPhone 15 Pro models.
On the other hand, the frame of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max is made up of titanium introduced in the 15 Pro series for better protection. There is a new button on the bottom side of the right frame called the camera control button.
The camera control button. The button makes it easy to launch the camera app quickly, take photos or start recording videos without having to unlock the phone. Depending on users ‘ preferences, the button is customizable and can be set to different camera modes. The camera button can also be used to adjust settings like exposure or depth of field, switch between lenses or zoom in for perfect framing.
The action button on the iPhone 16 Pro models sits in the same position as the iPhone 15 Pro models. The action button replaced the alert slider in the last generation iPhone 15 Pro models and not in the base iPhone 15 models. But this year, along with the iPhone 16 Pro models, the base iPhone 16 models also have the action button.
Coming to the display, the iPhone 16 Pro models have the thinnest bezel on any smartphone. The thin bezels give the smartphone an infinity-type feel adding to the premiumness. The iPhone 16 Pro has a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 2622 x 1206 pixels at 460 ppi, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max features a larger 6.9-inch display with a higher resolution of 2868 by 1320 pixels at the same 460 ppi. The main difference between the two models is the screen size and resolution, with the Pro Max offering a bigger and slightly more detailed display.
Both models except for the size and resolution share the same display features, including Dynamic Island, Always-On display and ProMotion technology with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz. It supports HDR, True Tone and wide colour (P3), ensuring vibrant colours and a sharp viewing experience. Both have a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, a peak brightness of 2000 nits for outdoor use and a minimum brightness of 1 nit. Additionally, the smartphones come with a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating and support multiple languages and characters.
Performance and Storage
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are powered by the A18 Pro chipset, built on a 3nm process. This chip includes a 6-core CPU, consisting of 2 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, ensuring a balance of power and energy efficiency along with AI processing for Apple Intelligence. Both models also come with a 6-core GPU for enhanced graphics performance, making them ideal for gaming and demanding tasks. Running on iOS 18 it offers the latest features and software improvements.
In terms of memory and storage, both models have 8GB of RAM. The iPhone 16 Pro offers storage options of 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at 256GB, 512GB and 1TB.
AI features
The iPhone 16 Pro models introduced Apple Intelligence, a personal AI system designed to enhance how to write, express yourself, and get things done. This system brings advanced privacy protections, ensuring that your data remains secure and inaccessible, even to Apple. With Apple Intelligence, users can boost productivity through features like Writing Tools, which can proofread, rewrite, and summarize text across various apps, including third-party ones. Audio recordings made in the Notes or Phone app are automatically transcribed, and summaries are generated, allowing users to quickly review the most important information.
In addition to improving productivity, Apple Intelligence offers tools for creativity and communication. The Genmoji feature lets users create personalized emojis, while the Image Playground app enables the creation of unique images from descriptions, photos, or concepts. The Clean Up tool allows users to easily remove background objects from photos with a single tap. Siri also gains new capabilities with Apple Intelligence, offering context-aware assistance, improved language understanding, and personalized help, making interactions more seamless and natural.
Camera
The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max rear camera system includes a triple rear camera system. The primary lens is a 48MP Fusion camera with a 24mm focal length, f/1.78 aperture and second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization for sharp and clear images. This lens supports high-resolution photos in 24MP and 48MP modes and also enables a 12MP 2X Telephoto feature with a 48mm focal length, providing flexibility to capture distant subjects while maintaining quality.
For wide shots, the 48MP Ultra Wide camera with a 13mm focal length and f/2.2 aperture offers a 120° field of view. Its lens also supports super-high-resolution photos up to 48MP and features Hybrid Focus Pixels for quick focus. The 12MP 5X Telephoto lens, with a 120mm focal length and f/2.8 aperture, brings far subjects into clear view and for a clear shot. The lens includes 3D sensor-shift optical image stabilization and a tetraprism design. The optical zoom range includes 5X zoom in and 20X zoom out, with a total of 10X optical zoom and up to 25X digital zoom.
The rear camera system is packed with intelligent software features to get that crisp photo quality. The Photonic Engine, Deep Fusion and Smart HDR 5 optimize images by adjusting colours, sharpness and exposure on the fly. The Portrait photography has been upgraded with advanced Focus and Depth Control with customizable backgrounds and six different lighting effects. The LiDAR Scanner allows for Night mode portraits increasing focus and depth sensing in low-light environments. Other features include panorama shots (up to 63MP), spatial photos and macro photography
The iPhone 16 Pro models offer advanced video recording capabilities, supporting 4K Dolby Vision at up to 120 fps (Fusion) and 1080p at up to 120 fps for slow motion alongside options for 720p recording as well. Cinematic mode allows for 4K HDR video at 30 fps, while Action mode provides up to 2.8K at 60 fps, Spatial video recording at 1080p, ProRes video up to 4K at 120 fps with external recording, Log video and Academy Color Encoding System for professional-quality footage.
Additional features include macro video, Night mode time-lapse, and QuickTake video up to 4K at 60 fps. The camera’s second-generation sensor-shift and 3D sensor-shift optical image stabilization keeps video steady and also offers digital zoom up to 25X. The four studio-quality mics with wind noise reduction and spatial audio ensure excellent sound quality.
The front-facing TrueDepth camera on the iPhone 16 Pro models offers a 12MP resolution with an f/1.9 aperture and autofocus powered by Focus Pixels. It is equipped with a Photonic Engine and Deep Fusion technology. The Smart HDR 5 feature automatically enhances brightness and contrast, making skin tones and colours appear natural. For video, the TrueDepth camera supports 4K Dolby Vision recording at up to 60 fps, along with Cinematic mode, ProRes video, and slo-mo recording. The front camera also allows for the creation of Animoji and Memoji, making it fun to use.
Battery and Others
The iPhone 16 Pro models feature a durable lithium-ion battery that supports both wired and wireless fast charging. Both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max have an increased battery size with the increased size giving a longer battery life than the iPhone 15 Pro models. For charging, with a 30W adapter or higher, the smartphones can charge quickly using MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W. It also supports Qi2 wireless charging up to 15W and standard Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W. Additionally, reverse wired charging is available at up to 4.5W, allowing users to charge other devices.
Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6e/7 for high-speed dual-band internet access and Bluetooth 5.3 for smooth pairing with accessories and other devices. The smartphones also support LTE and 5G networks, ensuring fast cellular connections and offering dual SIM functionality. Audio is enhanced with stereo speakers. As for sensors, the iPhone 16 Pro models include Face ID, a LiDAR scanner, a barometer, a high dynamic range gyro, a high-g accelerometer, a proximity sensor and dual ambient light sensors for optimized performance and security.
The iPhone 16 Pro and the 16 Pro Max are available in four colour options; Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium and Desert Titanium.
The iPhone 16 Pro models; iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max alongside the base iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus can be expected soon in Nepal. As for the pricing of the Pro models it can be expected as follows:
| Model | Price (Expected) |
|---|---|
| iPhone 16 Pro | Rs 175,000 (128GB) Rs 195,000 (256GB) Rs 225,000 (512GB) Rs 265,000 (1TB) |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | Rs 215,000 (256GB) Rs 245,000 (512GB) Rs 285,000 (1TB) |
