iPhone 16: pricing, camera specifications, Apple Intelligence functionalities, and all essential information you require.
Apple's iPhone 16 has landed – here's what you need to know
The iPhone 16 has officially launched, with Apple introducing its new base model in conjunction with the iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max during its recent event on September 9.
For an initial assessment of the new devices, please refer to our comprehensive reviews: hands-on iPhone 16 review, hands-on iPhone 16 Plus review, hands-on iPhone 16 Pro review, and hands-on iPhone 16 Pro Max review.
All four models are poised to be among the finest iPhones to date, featuring new buttons, reimagined cameras, and advanced Apple Intelligence capabilities that may position them as some of the leading AI smartphones of 2024. As Tim Cook highlighted during the presentation, these are the "first iPhones designed from the ground up for Apple Intelligence."
In the following section, we have compiled all essential information regarding the iPhone 16, including details about its pricing, release date, and the latest advancements in both hardware and software.
iPhone 16: key information
- The iPhone 16 will begin shipping on September 20
- Starts at $799 / £799 / AU$1,399
- It inherits the Action button from the iPhone 15 Pro
- ... and gets a new dedicated Camera Control button
- Camera Control can be used to instantly learn about your surroundings
- The iPhone 16 uses the new A18 chipset
- It comes with up to 512GB of storage
- ... and a reported 8GB of RAM to power Apple Intelligence
- Apple Intelligence features will begin rolling out in October
- The iPhone 16's cameras are aligned vertically for spatial video capture
- It ships with iOS 18
- The iPhone 16 comes in Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, White, and Black
iPhone 16: price, release date and preorders
- Starts at $799 / £799 / AU$1,399
- Pre-orders open on September 13, and shipping begins on September 20
The iPhone 16 was unveiled during Apple's 'It's Glowtime' event on Monday, September 9. Preorders for the iPhone 16 will commence on Friday, September 9, with the device becoming available in retail stores on Friday, September 20. For information on early promotions, please visit our dedicated iPhone 16 deals page.
The starting price for the iPhone 16 is $799 / £799 / AU$1,399 for the 128GB storage variant, which increases to $899 / £899 / AU$1,599 for the 256GB model, and reaches $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,949 for the 512GB version.
For context, these prices mirror those of the iPhone 15 at its launch in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Notably, in Australia, the iPhone 16 is priced AU$100 lower than the iPhone 15. Detailed pricing information for the iPhone 16 is provided below.
| Storage | US price | UK price | AU price |
| 128GB | $799 | £799 | AU$1,399 |
| 256GB | $899 | £899 | AU$1,599 |
| 512GB | $1,099 | £1,099 | AU$1,949 |
iPhone 16 specs
Below, we've detailed the key iPhone 16 specs.
| iPhone 16 | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions: | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8mm |
| Weight: | 170g |
| Display: | 6.1-inch OLED |
| Resolution: | 2556 x 1179 pixels |
| Refresh rate: | 60Hz |
| Chipset: | A18 |
| Rear cameras: | 48MP main (26 mm, ƒ/1.6), 12MP ultrawide (13 mm, ƒ/2.2) |
| Front camera: | 12MP (ƒ/1.9) |
| Storage: | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
iPhone 16 colors
The officially announced colors for the iPhone 16 include Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, White, and Black. In comparison, the iPhone 15 was released in Yellow, Blue, Pink, Green, and Black, indicating that Apple has replaced three colors with new options for this year's model.
iPhone 16: new features
- New Action Button
- New Camera Control button
- New A18 chipset
- Will get Apple Intelligence features in October
- Vertical cameras for spatial video capture
Aside from the vertically aligned rear camera lenses, which have been repositioned to facilitate spatial video capture, and the introduction of the iPhone 15 Pro's versatile Action button along with a brand-new Camera Control button, the standard iPhone 16 bears a striking resemblance to its predecessor, the iPhone 15.
While these three physical enhancements are certainly significant and appreciated—particularly the innovative Camera Control feature, which will be discussed further below—they do not provide sufficient justification for an upgrade on their own. The most noteworthy advancements for the iPhone 16 lie within its internal components.
To begin with, the latest standard model from Apple is equipped with the new A18 chipset, representing a substantial leap from the A16 Bionic chipset found in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. This is particularly noteworthy, as Apple typically utilizes its previous-generation flagship chipsets in new standard models; however, this year, the iPhone 16 is endowed with a unique chipset (alongside the iPhone 16 Plus).
It is reasonable to speculate that the iPhone 16 will feature 8GB of RAM, an increase from the 6GB found in the iPhone 15. Although Apple has not officially revealed the RAM specifications for the new device, it is understood that a minimum of 8GB is necessary to support the Apple Intelligence functionalities that the iPhone 16 will incorporate, which are expected to be available in beta starting in October.
Among the most anticipated features of Apple Intelligence are a ChatGPT-enhanced Siri, capabilities for text summarization, writing assistance, and generative image creation. These advancements will position the iPhone 16 competitively alongside other leading devices such as the Google Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy S24, indicating that Apple is making significant strides in the AI domain.
While Apple has not yet provided details regarding the battery capacity of the iPhone 16, it has been stated that the new model will deliver a "significant improvement in battery life." Considering that the iPhone 15 is capable of 20 hours of video playback, this assertion is quite encouraging.
Additionally, the iPhone 16 will feature wireless MagSafe charging with a power output of up to 25W, nearly doubling the previous maximum of 15W. This is a commendable advancement by Apple.
Returning to the Camera Control button, which represents a significant physical enhancement across all iPhone 16 models, it is located on the right side of the device, positioned beneath the power button, and functions as a shutter release.
A single press of the Camera Control button promptly launches the camera application, a second press captures an image, and holding the button activates video recording. Additionally, similar to a touch bar, the Camera Control button accommodates a range of gesture controls, allowing users to zoom and modify exposure, among other practical functions, with mere finger movements.
As previously noted, the newly introduced Camera Control button is accompanied by the existing multi-functional Action button on the iPhone 16. It is reasonable to assume that the integration of these two features may position the new device, particularly the iPhone 16 Pro, among the top contenders in the realm of camera phones.
Written by: JD