Like the iPhone 15 series, the iPhone 16s feature four phones: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. But the new year brings with it advanced AI-phone capabilities, something Apple calls “Apple Intelligence”—not to mention powerful new processors and the biggest display and longest battery life ever for an iPhone. Let’s take a quick look at Apple Intelligence tools and go from there.
iPhone 16s are the First Devices Designed with Apple Intelligence
Let’s start with the most significant update: Apple Intelligence, the cutting-edge generative-AI technology that drives the entire new iPhone 16 series. For the first time ever, these iPhones are designed from the ground up with AI at their core, offering a seamless, efficient, and enjoyable user experience. Here’s a snapshot of some of the exciting new AI-powered features in the iPhone 16 series:
- Siri evolves. The latest advancements make Siri more personable and responsive, allowing for more natural interactions. Even if you hesitate or stumble over your words, Siri will understand. Need assistance with a task? Simply ask. For instance, if you need to draft an email now but schedule it for later, Siri will guide you through the process step-by-step.
- Camera Control does it all. This sleek feature on the iPhone 16 series not only allows you to capture flawless photos and videos with a simple slide, but it also provides instant information from third-party apps. See a new café while strolling? Press and hold Camera Control for details like hours, menus, and photos. Spot someone wearing a pair of shoes you love and want to learn more? Just press and hold to find out. See a neighborhood meeting sign? Click to add the event to your calendar with all the details.
- Advanced writing tools make life easier. From email, to messages, to notes, meetings and more, AI can summarize, edit, polish and rephrase it to the tone and style you need.
- Communication is streamlined. AI helps you efficiently manage your inbox and texts by summarizing key information and highlighting important emails and notifications. A really fun new feature is Genmoji, which allows you to describe something and have it turned into a custom emoji instantly!
- Your memories are at your fingertips. No need to scroll endlessly through photos; just describe what you’re looking for, like “Mom and dad at the beach in San Diego,” and it will appear. For videos, a simple description can bring you to a specific moment in the video and even help you create a fun mini-movie with your memories.
- Privacy worries are quelled. Apple is addressing concerns about data security and AI with the iPhone 16 series, ensuring that your personal data is never stored or accessible to anyone, including Apple, and that your data is used only upon request.
Key differences between iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 15
Apple Intelligence. It’s worth noting that Apple Intelligence will not be an option on iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Plus at all. But it will be making its way to iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max via updates. However, without the powerful and efficient chips designed specifically for the AI features, and without longer battery life, the iPhone 16 series devices will definitely outperform its predecessors. So, if that’s a must-have for you, iPhone 16s are the obvious choice. Here’s a closer look at the chipsets.
Chipsets. While the iPhone 15s feature the impressive A17 and A17 Pro chips, the iPhone 16s get Apple’s fastest processors yet: the A18 and A18 Pro. The ultrapowerful processors were designed specifically to address the powerful AI computing needs in the latest devices. They’re about 30 percent faster than iPhone 15 series chips and more energy efficient, helping preserve battery power while performing complex tasks required to make AI seam intuitive and simple. As we mentioned, while AI will technically work with A17 Pro chips, the experience won’t be as smooth as it will be with the new processors.
Big battery boost. Another big difference you’ll notice in the new series is on the flagship device, iPhone 16 Pro Max, which had a huge leap in battery life. It now offers the best battery life on iPhone ever, with up to 33 hours of video playback. It’s also outfitted with the biggest iPhone display ever, a whopping 6.9-inches. None of the iPhone 15 series devices have a display that large.
While there are other differences between the iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 16 series, those are the biggest. Here’s a quick breakdown of the rest of the specs to help you decide which series is best for you.
iPhone 16 series phones
iPhone 16 Pro Max
Key Features
- 6.9" Super Retina XDR display
- Titanium design with textured matte-glass back
- Color options: Desert Titanium, Natural Titanium, White Titanium, Black Titanium
- A18 Pro chip
- Apple Intelligence
- Pro camera system
- 48MP Fusion, 48MP Ultra Wide Telephoto
- 48MP Macro Photography
- Dolby Vision up to 4K at 120 fps
- Latest-generation Photographic Styles
- 4,676 mAh battery
- USB-C
- Supports USB 3
- 256GB, 512GB and 1TB capacity
- Price: Starts at $1,199
iPhone 16 Pro
Key Features
- 6.3" Super Retina XDR display
- Titanium design with textured matte-glass back
- Color options: Desert Titanium, Natural Titanium, White Titanium, Black Titanium
- A18 Pro chip
- Apple Intelligence
- Pro camera system
- 48MP Fusion, 48MP Ultra Wide Telephoto
- 48MP Macro Photography
- Dolby Vision up to 4K at 120 fps
- Latest-generation Photographic Styles
- 3,577 mAh battery
- USB-C
- Supports USB 3
- 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB capacity
- Price: Starts at $999
iPhone 16 Plus
Key Features
- 6.7" Super Retina XDR display
- Aluminum with color-infused glass back
- Color options: Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, Black
- A18 chip
- Apple Intelligence
- Pro camera system
- 48MP Fusion, 12MP Ultra Wide Telephoto
- Latest-generation Photographic Styles
- 4,006 mAh battery
- USB-C
- Supports USB 2
- Up to 27 hours of video playback
- 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
- Price: Starts at $899
iPhone 16
Key Features
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR display
- Aluminum with color-infused glass back
- Color options: Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, Black
- A18 chip
- Apple Intelligence
- Pro camera system
- 48MP Fusion, 12MP Ultra Wide Telephoto
- Latest-generation Photographic Styles
- 3,561 mAh battery
- USB-C
- Supports USB 2
- Up to 22 hours of video playback
- 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
- Price: Starts at $799
iPhone 15 series phones
iPhone 15 Pro Max
Key Features
- 6.7" Super Retina XDR
- Titanium design with textured matte-glass back
- Color options: Titanium White, Titanium blue, Titanium Black, Titanium Natural
- A17 Pro chip
- Cameras: 3 Main and 1 Selfie
- 48MP Main
- Ultra Wide
- Telephoto with 5x Optical Zoom
- 12MP Selfie
- 4,422 mAh battery
- Supports USB 3
- Up to 29 hours of video playback
- 256GB, 512GB and 1TB capacity
- Price: About $1,200
iPhone 15 Pro
Key Features
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR display
- Titanium design with textured matte-glass back
- Color options: Titanium White, Titanium Blue, Titanium Black, Titanium Natural
- A17 Pro chip
- 4 Cameras: 3 Main and 1 Selfie
- 48MP Main
- Ultra Wide
- Telephoto with 3x Optical Zoom
- 12MP Selfie
- 3,274 mAh battery
- Supports USB 3
- Up to 23 hours of video playback
- 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB capacity
- Price: About $1,000
iPhone 15 Plus
Key Features
- 6.7" Super Retina XDR display
- Aluminum design with color-infused glass back
- Color options: Pink, Yellow, Green, Blue or Basic Black
- A16 Bionic chip
- Dual-camera system
- 48MP Main
- Ultra Wide
- 12MP Selfie
- 4,383 mAh battery
- Supports USB 2
- Up to 26 hours of video playback
- 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
- Price: About $930
iPhone 15
Key Features
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR display
- Aluminum design with color-infused glass back
- Color options: Pink, Yellow, Green, Blue or Basic Black
- A16 Bionic chip
- Dual-camera system
- 48MP Main
- Ultra Wide
- 12MP
- 3,349 mAh battery
- Supports USB 2
- Up to 20 hours of video playback
- 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
- Price: About $830
It’s worth mentioning, the prices on the iPhone 15 series will probably drop quite a bit now that the newest iPhones are here. As for the iPhone 16s, there will likely be some good introductory offers, as well. Be sure to check out the latest deals so you can find the best price. Need more information before you decide?