iPhone 16 Pro Review

Design

The iPhone 16 Pro does not have major differences in terms of design compared to its predecessors in the last few generations. This model, which has a titanium frame like the 15 Pro, offers a lighter but also more durable case due to the nature of the material used. The use of titanium makes the device lighter, while at the same time making it more resistant to drops and impacts. This provides a great advantage, especially for users who use their device intensively. The iPhone 16 Pro is also quite satisfying in terms of the feeling of holding in the hand; the smooth surface and ergonomic structure of the device offer users a comfortable use. I can say that it is slightly ahead of the iPhone 15 Pro in terms of smoothness.

The rear camera module does not show any change in appearance, while still offering an integrated look, its harmony with the titanium case is striking. Apple states that this design is not only an aesthetic element, but also an element that increases the durability of the device. On the other hand, the phone’s thin side frames increase the screen-to-body ratio, allowing users to experience a wider screen. Apple took advantage of this by increasing the screen size of the iPhone 16 Pro from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches. This slightly increases the surface area of ​​the device, but the thinned screen frame makes the growth of the body a little more limited.

The iPhone 16 Pro’s color options are a bit more plain than the iPhone 16. Black, white, and natural titanium options continue to exist. Apple sent us the natural titanium color for review, and it looks really stylish and I really liked it. This year’s flash color is desert titanium. This will be the leading color option for those who like gold  phones . All color options also seem ideal for users who want a professional look. Apple has managed to offer simplicity and elegance together when determining the colors.

 Another noteworthy feature is the phone’s resistance to water and dust. The iPhone 16 Pro offers high-level protection against water and dust with its IP68 certification. Thanks to this certification, the device is water-resistant up to 6 meters deep, which is a great advantage for users who frequently use their devices outdoors. Apple uses this certification to show its confidence in the durability of the device.

The back surface of the iPhone 16 Pro provides extra protection against scratches with a special coating. This coating helps the device maintain its first-day appearance even after long-term use. At the same time, this surface has a fingerprint-proof structure, which ensures that the device always looks clean and aesthetic. The design was developed with an understanding that prioritizes Apple’s user satisfaction and the durability of the device.

When we look at the edges of the phone, the button layouts haven’t changed much. The Action Button we met with the iPhone 15 Pro models last year is still on the left edge. There are volume buttons just below it. There is also a Side Button on the right edge. Moving further down, we see the Camera Control that we see on all iPhones this year. Taking photos and videos becomes much easier with the Camera Control. With the Action Button that came last year, I immediately opened the camera and sped up the process of taking photos. Now I can use the Action Button for another job with the Camera Control.

With Camera Control, you can adjust exposure and depth of field settings, switch between lenses, and adjust your frame as you wish with digital zoom by swiping your finger. This physical control takes some getting used to, but once you do, it makes things easier for taking photos. When designing this control, Apple based its design on the Touch ID Home button we saw on iPhones from years ago. There’s no physical button here, actually. There’s a vibration motor under a touch area. When the device is off, it’s a normal surface, but when the device is on, it becomes a functional button. You can adjust the sensitivity and functions of Camera Control from within Settings. By the way, thanks to the two-stage shutter feature that will be available later this year, you’ll be able to automatically lock focus and exposure with a light touch, allowing you to reframe your shot while keeping your subject in focus.

Screen and Sound

It is emphasized that the iPhone 16 Pro’s screen is equipped with the most advanced Super Retina XDR display technology Apple has ever developed. As I mentioned above, this screen, which is 6.3 inches in size, offers a resolution of 2622 x 1206 pixels, and offers a sufficiently high level of clarity and detail with a pixel density of 460 ppi. Apple states that this screen provides the highest image quality with HDR10 and Dolby Vision support. In particular, the experience of watching movies and videos turns into a movie theater with this screen. The 6.3-inch screen may seem small to some, but I can say that I really enjoyed the Netflix or Disney+ series or YouTube videos I watched on this device’s screen. When you look at the screen, I can also feel that it is larger than the iPhone 15 Pro. On the other hand, it provides a very good image even outdoors with a brightness value of up to 2,000 nits. Thus, it becomes easier to use camera or navigation applications in particular.

ProMotion technology is also included in this model, and with a 120 Hz refresh rate, screen transitions become extremely smooth. It is possible to feel this fluidity even when playing games, watching  videos , or just browsing through menus. The touch sensitivity of the screen is also advanced. On the other hand, True Tone technology provides a more natural viewing experience by automatically adjusting the screen colors according to the ambient light.

The iPhone 16 Pro ‘s audio experience is just as impressive as the screen quality. Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support take audio quality to a new level. The depth and clarity of the sound are immediately apparent when watching a movie or listening to music. A significant improvement has been made, especially in the bass tones, which makes the audio experience more satisfying for users. Apple, as in previous iPhones, manages to meet user expectations in terms of the audio system.

The placement of the speakers has been optimized to provide a maximum stereo sound experience. The speakers positioned at the top and bottom of the device ensure that the sound spreads evenly from both sides of the device. This ensures that the sound creates a more natural and environmental effect, especially when playing games or watching movies. With this placement, Apple aims to provide users with maximum enjoyment of the sound experience.

Thanks to Apple’s new generation sound processor, sound clarity remains intact, especially at high volumes. Thanks to this, treble and bass sounds can be clearly distinguished from each other even at high volumes. In addition, the iPhone 16 Pro offers clear sound quality during phone calls. Thanks to the noise-canceling microphone system, it is possible to transmit a clear voice to the other party even in crowded environments. The sound quality is at a level that will satisfy users in both multimedia and communication.

Performance and Battery

The iPhone 16 Pro is equipped with the A18 Pro, Apple’s most powerful chip to date on the smartphone side. This chip stands out as one of the most powerful mobile processors ever produced in terms of performance and energy efficiency. The A18 Pro is produced with 5-nanometer technology and offers higher performance while consuming less energy. Apple states that this chip also provides a major improvement in artificial intelligence and machine learning tasks. Especially in graphics-intensive games and heavy workloads, the A18 Pro is one step ahead of its competitors.

Another important advantage of the chip is that the device can perform multitasking more quickly. There is no lag when switching between applications, making the user experience smoother. The A18 Pro’s 16-core GPU provides a 30% faster performance in graphics processing, providing a great improvement in the gaming experience. This turns the iPhone 16 Pro into a console for mobile games.

I compared the iPhone 16 Pro with the A18 Pro processor and the iPhone 15 Pro with the A17 Pro processor in GeekBench 6. Since I installed the iPhone 16 Pro from a backup of the 15 Pro, the same apps are installed on both phones, so they are almost identical. As expected, the iPhone 16 Pro finishes the tests earlier than the 15 Pro. The difference in the CPU performance test is noticeable, but the real difference comes in the GPU test. The reflection of Apple’s promised improvements in ray tracing and similar areas is seen in the benchmark tests.

In practice, the iPhone 16 Pro offers more than the performance expected from a flagship iPhone. Applications and games open quickly, the user interface and transitions between applications are fast. You can switch between 4-5 applications at the same time without losing what you are doing in the application. I did not experience any performance problems during the three weeks that I tried the phone.

Another notable aspect of the iPhone 16 Pro is the improvements made to the thermal management system. The device manages to keep heating to a minimum even when playing games or editing  videos that require intensive processing power. Apple offers a cooler working environment without compromising performance thanks to the new thermal design. This increases both processing power and user comfort by providing long-term use without slowing down  the phone , especially in graphics-intensive processes. Thermal management also contributes to the device remaining durable for a longer period of time. Indeed, in support of what I have said, the phone remains within reasonable ranges in terms of heating, there is no overheating.

The iPhone 16 Pro also takes an important step in terms of energy efficiency. First of all, the enlarged body brings with it an increase in battery capacity. There is a larger battery with 3582 mAh. On the other hand, the advanced battery technology and A18 Pro chip allow the device to be used for longer periods of time while consuming relatively less energy. Despite my intensive use, I observed that the phone usually lasted a day on a single charge. The iPhone 16 Pro’s battery management system optimizes energy consumption according to the device’s usage habits. For example, smart systems such as consuming the battery more efficiently during the most intensive hours and saving energy when not in use come into play. In this way, it becomes possible to use the device for a long time without charging it. Apple has paid attention to such small but effective details so that users can use their devices for longer periods of time.

The iPhone 16 Pro’s battery saver mode is activated when the battery percentage drops, minimizing energy consumption. This mode stops all background processes except essential apps, allowing the battery to last longer. Apple has made the use of this mode more intuitive, allowing the device to offer users maximum flexibility in terms of energy saving. In terms of battery performance, the iPhone 16 Pro will satisfy its users both in daily use and in intensive workloads.

The phone also makes things easier for users with fast charging support. The iPhone 16 Pro, which can be charged up to 50 percent in 30 minutes, is ready to use again in a short time during the day thanks to fast charging support. I used a 30W power adapter in my tests. I saw that it went from 1 percent to 42 percent in 22 minutes, and from 1 percent to 69 percent in 41 minutes. The phone’s battery is fully charged in about two hours. Of course, as the battery level increases, especially as it approaches 100 percent, the charging speed slows down, which makes the time a little longer. However, it would be best to settle for this slow speed in order to consider battery health.

MagSafe technology is also improved on this model. Apple says that with a 30W or higher power adapter and a MagSafe-enabled power adapter, you can get up to 25W of wireless charging power, and charge up to 50 percent in just 30 minutes. I did some testing with the 30W power adapter and the Apple-branded MagSafe power adapter. In fact, wireless charging is faster than on previous models, coming close to, if not up to, Apple’s stated requirement.

Software and Security

The iPhone 16 Pro comes with Apple’s latest operating system, iOS 18. This operating system works in perfect harmony with the device’s hardware. iOS 18 draws attention with both its user-friendly interface and customizable options. Apple has specifically aimed to improve the user experience while developing this operating . The new iOS 18 offers both faster and more stable use with smoother animations and optimized performance. Designed to suit the device’s high processing power, this operating system has been optimized to meet all the needs of users.

Personalization options have been taken a step further with iOS 18. Users can now customize their Home screens, widgets, and  app layouts to their liking. iOS 18 offers innovations that allow users to make their devices more personal. In addition, new lock screen editing options give users the opportunity to control every aspect of their devices.

In terms of security ,  the iPhone 16 Pro continues to rely on Face ID technology. With this, Face ID can now recognize faces from wider angles and works with high accuracy even in dark environments. This makes unlocking the device easier and more secure. Apple has also taken important steps in protecting users’ personal data. The new privacy features that come with iOS 18 further limit apps’ access to user data. Users can control which apps can access which data in more detail.

The device’s security features are constantly supported with software updates. Apple ensures that the device is always protected against the latest threats with regular security updates. This allows users to use their device safely for many years. In addition, the iPhone 16 Pro’s software support continues for a longer period than many other smartphones, which is a factor that extends the life of the device.

iOS 18 stands out not only with its security and personalization features, but also with its AI-powered applications. Apple’s new generation AI algorithms offer optimized recommendations based on the device’s usage habits. This both increases application performance and provides a personalized experience according to the user’s needs. Of course, there is also Apple Intelligence. However, the lack of Turkish language support will limit our use of these AI-powered features on the iPhone 16 Pro.

Camera

The iPhone 16 Pro’s camera system stands out as Apple’s most innovative and powerful camera system to date. Apple continues to include a 48MP main camera in this phone. The iPhone 16 Pro continues to take very good photos, just like its predecessor, the iPhone 15 Pro. We didn’t see much of a difference in the comparative shots we took with the two phones. Photos taken in night mode in particular offer top-quality clarity and detail. This system, which provides less noise and higher color accuracy in night shots, seems to appeal to everyone from amateur photographers to professionals.

In addition to the main camera, the iPhone 16 Pro offers a versatile photography experience with a 48 MP ultra-wide-angle lens and a 12 MP telephoto lens. The ultra-wide-angle lens is ideal for taking wide landscape photos, while the telephoto lens allows you to capture distant objects clearly with its optical zoom capabilities. The 5x optical zoom and 15x digital zoom capabilities add depth to photos by clearly capturing distant details. Last year’s iPhone 15 Pro model had a lower optical zoom degree than the 15 Pro Max model. Now we see Apple offering a 5x optical zoom degree in the 16 Pro, as in the 16 Pro Max. This will be helpful for those who are undecided between the two phones due to their camera capabilities and those who are inclined to a slightly smaller screen model.

The 48-megapixel camera also contributes to the iPhone 16 Pro’s macro shooting performance. You can get as close as two centimeters to an object and take clear and detailed photos. Moreover, the macro mode is very helpful not only in photos but also in video shooting. This makes it easier for those who need to photograph product photos up close, like me.

ProRAW and ProRes formats are among the other important advantages offered by the iPhone 16 Pro for professional photographers and  video content producers. These formats allow you to make more edits to the photos and  videos taken . They provide the user with great flexibility, especially in terms of color adjustments and detail enhancements. Apple aims to meet the needs of users who produce professional quality content with these formats.

The iPhone 16 Pro’s camera system also draws attention with its portrait mode. Apple has made significant improvements to this mode, making depth perception and background blur more natural. The new-generation portrait mode is not limited to human faces, but also provides excellent results on pets and objects. Thanks to depth control, it is possible to change the focal point and adjust the background blur after shooting. This feature provides a great advantage, especially for social media content producers and photography enthusiasts. Users can take their content to the next level by taking professional-level portrait shots.

Apple also includes AI-powered photo enhancement features in the iPhone 16 Pro camera system. Deep Fusion and Smart HDR 5 technologies optimize the level of detail and color accuracy of photos. Deep Fusion analyzes every pixel in photos taken in low-light environments to create clearer and more detailed images, while Smart HDR 5 offers balanced exposure even in high-contrast scenes. These technologies allow you to achieve excellent results in all conditions. Users can achieve the best photo results without the need for professional equipment.

Another notable feature among the camera innovations is the Photographic Styles feature. Users can choose a specific style when taking their photos, and this style is automatically applied to the photo during shooting. With this feature, Apple allows users to take photos that reflect their personal style. Photos can be shaped according to users’ tastes with adjustments such as contrast, saturation and temperature. In addition to being able to choose from certain presets, it is also possible to make tone and brightness adjustments via a trackpad-like interface. Among the presets, there are options that focus on the overall photo, as well as those that focus on human faces. On the other hand, since this feature can also be applied during shooting, it allows you to achieve the desired result without wasting time after editing.

The iPhone 16 Pro’s video shooting capabilities are just as impressive as its photo shooting performance. The device can shoot 4K resolution video at up to 120 frames per second, allowing action scenes and fast movements to be recorded smoothly. Apple has developed this high frame rate especially for users who want to get perfect results in sports videos and action scenes. At the same time, the slow motion mode has also been improved, allowing users to produce creative video content. These video features of the iPhone 16 Pro offer content creators unlimited creative space.

The improved optical image stabilization (OIS) minimizes shake and blur problems in video and photos. Apple has integrated this technology into the entire camera system of the iPhone 16 Pro, making it possible to achieve excellent results, especially in handheld shooting. Users can capture clear and stable images even without the need for a professional tripod. This feature makes a clear difference, especially when shooting on the move.

One of the important features that we should draw attention to on the video side is the Audio Mix. This feature offers three different audio options, leaving the user completely in control of how the sounds in the videos are heard. For example, the Frame option is ideal for those who want to reduce background noise or focus only on the sounds in the frame. This mode filters out sounds outside the frame and records only the sounds in the frame, providing a clear audio experience. Users who shoot  videos , especially in crowded environments, can achieve professional quality results by eliminating unwanted sounds.

Studio and Cinematic modes are other options that add different sound editing to videos. Studio mode isolates sounds as if they were recorded in a professional studio, providing a clear and clean recording. This mode is great for vloggers and podcasters, allowing you to capture conversations very clearly even without using a microphone. Cinematic mode, on the other hand, records all the sounds around you, gathers them at the front of the stage, and creates sound design like a film production. 

Another striking camera feature of Apple is the LiDAR scanner. This technology provides fast and accurate focusing even in low-light conditions. The LiDAR scanner increases clarity and details, especially in night mode shots. At the same time, this technology provides a great advantage for augmented reality (AR) applications. Thanks to the LiDAR scanner,  the iPhone 16 Pro offers a more realistic and faster performance in AR applications, allowing users to have a more interactive experience with the virtual world.

When looking at the front camera, the 12 MP TrueDepth camera takes the selfie performance of the iPhone 16 Pro to the next level. Thanks to its wide-angle lens, it is possible to fit more people into the frame. In addition, Smart HDR 5 and Deep Fusion technologies are used on the front camera, providing excellent clarity and detail, especially in selfies taken in portrait mode. Apple has made face detection and exposure features more sensitive to improve the front camera experience. This allows users to take the best selfies in any environment.

Finally, Apple ProRAW and ProRes video shooting modes offer a great advantage, especially for professional content creators. Photos shot in ProRAW format offer much more flexibility in the editing phase, while ProRes video shooting mode allows for cinema-quality video recording. These features turn the iPhone 16 Pro into a mobile production tool for photographers and filmmakers. With these professional features, Apple makes the iPhone 16 Pro not just a phone, but also a powerful tool for creative work.

The iPhone 16 Pro once again demonstrates Apple’s expertise in technology and design. This device not only has a stylish and elegant design, but also stands out with its high-level performance, long battery life and advanced camera features. The iPhone 16 Pro is a versatile device that appeals to a wide audience from professional photographers to ordinary users. With this model, Apple offers not only a phone, but also a technology assistant that will help in every aspect of daily life.

With the A18 Pro chip, Apple has taken the device’s performance to the next level and has enabled multitasking without any lag. This performance increase is clearly evident not only between applications, but also in graphic-intensive games and professional video editing applications. The iPhone 16 Pro offers its users both speed and efficiency, making daily operations more enjoyable.

The camera performance of the device is truly impressive. The 48 MP main camera, combined with ultra-wide and telephoto lenses, allows users to take professional-quality photos and videos in all conditions. Apple has further strengthened the user experience by adding AI-powered photo enhancement technologies to the iPhone 16 Pro’s camera system. These improvements to the camera will especially please users who love taking photos and  videos .

The software and security features of the iPhone 16 Pro are also noteworthy. The iOS 18 operating system maximizes the performance of the device with both its user-friendly interface and security measures. In addition, customizable widgets, lock screen settings and privacy options give users full control over the device. Apple has once again emphasized its sensitivity to security and privacy in the iPhone 16 Pro.

Ultimately, the iPhone 16 Pro offers a premium smartphone experience with its powerful hardware, long battery life, advanced camera features, and user-friendly software. With this device, Apple appeals not only to technology enthusiasts but also to anyone who wants to use technology effectively in their daily lives. The iPhone 16 Pro solidifies its place in the technology world as a device that will satisfy users both functionally and aesthetically.