iPhone 16 Pro Review: A Refined Powerhouse with a Peek into Apple's 'Intelligent' Future

Apple's latest flagship, the iPhone 16 Pro, is the biggest upgrade among all four iPhone 16 models. It gets all the Pro Max exclusives in its smaller form factor alongside other upgrades, unlike last year. It's a phone that offers a symphony of subtle yet substantial upgrades, blending familiar comfort with a hint of future possibilities.

Since you're paying a minimum of Rs 1,29,900 for 256GB and up to Rs 1,69,900 for the 1TB variant, it's important to look beyond the marketing hype and assess its merits and shortcomings objectively. I spent a whole month deep-diving into what it feels like to live with Apple's latest smartphone. Let's look closer at how the iPhone 16 Pro stacks up for potential buyers in India.

PROS

• Powerful performance
• Stunning display
• Enhanced battery life
• Improved camera system
• Future-proofed connectivity
• Seamless software

CONS

• Limited base storage
• Delayed AI features
• Unintentional Camera Control touches
• No design upgrade

Design & Display: Elegance Meets Durability-At a Cost

The iPhone 16 Pro maintains Apple's signature design with subtle refinements. The 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display, now with thinner bezels, is immersive without making one-handed use difficult, a benefit for daily users who appreciate functionality without sacrificing comfort.

Its display is among the best available on premium-segment phones, offering an outstanding 1 nit of brightness for dim environments and excellent outdoor visibility under direct sunlight. It's a stunning display for all use cases, such as reading, watching videos, gaming, or simply scrolling through social media.

Apple also claims it has strengthened the iPhone 16 Pro's built with a tougher ceramic shield glass, making it more resistant to scratches and accidental drops. Having used iPhones as my daily driver for the last 5 generations, I can safely say that all iPhones after the 13 series have impressed me with their resistance against drops and falls. The jokes about the broken iPhone screen have also run out of the meme market after the iPhone X redesign.

The new 'Desert Titanium' colour introduces a muted gold that adds a fresh aesthetic to the lineup. However, some may find it similar to older versions like the iPhone 11 Pro Max, raising the question if it's really a fresh colour. My personal pick is either Black or Natural Titanium.

One unique design addition is the 'Camera Control', a capacitive sensor with a Sapphire crystal lens cover for durability offering tactile control over camera functions. While this addition may have immense functionality for creators and pros in the future, for now, its placement can lead to unintentional touches, and for many, its necessity remains debatable. We will learn more about its real-life use cases once the smartphone reaches more customers. However, I still believe this feature has lots of potential once users get habitual and their muscle memory aligns with it. You should read my detailed experience with Camera Control here.

Performance & Battery: A18 Pro Chip Impresses, But Questions Linger

Under the hood, the A18 Pro chip, built on a 3nm architecture, drives the iPhone 16 Pro with power and efficiency. Paired with 8GB of RAM, the device handles demanding tasks with ease, from graphically intensive gaming to AI-driven computations. Apple has also improved the cooling system, but I will reserve my scepticism about it unless I use it under the heat of an Indian summer, where the iPhone 14 Pro and the 15 Pro have shown signs of overheating in my experience.

Apple has added more RAM to all models this year, and we assume that it's meant to power, or rather support Apple Intelligence's needs without compromising on the power. Apple Intelligence is said to arrive later in October 2024, and I am expecting some impact in performance after it, but we'll only know once we have it.

To test gaming performance I played COD: Warzone Mobile battle royal sessions on the phone, and it does get noticeably warm. However, I am extremely impressed with the way it runs graphic-intensive games. It's way more stable at handling such titles than 'gaming' phones tuned for smartphone gaming enthusiasts. As a regular smartphone gamer, I can say that it's the best available option for gaming in the market right now. If your budget is tight, go for the iPhone 16, or even 15 can do the job.

The phone is future-proofed with Wi-Fi 7 support and the Qualcomm X75 modem, ensuring fast mobile data speeds-a blessing for users streaming high-definition video content or relying on stable connectivity in areas with inconsistent network coverage. We did a 5G speed test comparing the iPhone 16 Pro with the iPhone 15 Pro, you can watch the test results in the video below.

One of the major highlights for everyday use is battery life. The larger battery, combined with the efficiency of the A18 Pro chip, gives the iPhone 16 Pro about an extra hour of usage compared to its predecessor.

With battery anxiety becoming a thing of the past, this feature will resonate well with busy professionals, gamers, and those who use their iPhones to shoot photos and videos. Here's how the iPhone 16 Pro fared in our battery test.

4K 120fps video recording - 10 mins - 1% drop
4k 60fps video recording - 35 mins - 18% drop
COD Warzone test peak settings - 20 mins - 12% drop

However, despite these improvements, how much Apple's AI will further optimise battery life remains a key question as we await the full rollout of Apple Intelligence.

Camera: A Photographer's Delight, But Incremental Improvements

The iPhone 16 Pro camera system is designed to deliver DSLR-like image quality without compromising on versatility. Its 48MP main camera, with a 24mm focal length, ƒ/1.78 aperture, captures high-resolution photos in both 24MP and 48MP. The 48MP Ultra Wide camera, with a 13mm focal length, ƒ/2.2 aperture, and 120-degree field of view, provides impressive wide-angle shots. In contrast, the 12MP 5x telephoto lens, with a 120mm focal length allows for long-range zoom photography that was only available in the Max variant till last year.

The faster main sensor was the first thing to grab my attention when I switched to the 16 Pro. There's minimal to no shutter lag in well-lit conditions, which helps capture fleeting moments ensuring precision, whether photographing the chaos of a street, portraits, or anything else.

The new Photography Styles feature is my favourite addition to the camera UI, it's super convenient to use and it lets users fine-tune their shots beyond standard filters, adjusting elements like skin tones and shadow depth. For videographers, the ability to record in 4K at 120fps offers silky-smooth slow-motion footage. Of course, the better the lighting is, the more impressive the footage turns out.

However, while these upgrades are impressive, they may feel marginal to those upgrading from the iPhone 15 Pro. Smart HDR is more aggressive, and while the camera's performance is reliable, it might not deliver a dramatic leap for those familiar with last year's model.

For video, the main camera on the iPhone 16 Pro is just incredible. Trust me, it's better than anything else out there right now. What really amazes me is how smooth and consistent the frame rates are, no matter what kind of lighting you're dealing with. And if you're into serious video editing, you'll love shooting in ProRes - the footage is packed with detail, and you get this beautiful, natural background blur that wants you to be a filmmaker.

Let me break down why I'm so impressed:

It captures incredible detail: This thing shoots stunning 4K video at a buttery-smooth 60fps, with Dolby Vision that makes everything pop. I've been testing it for a while now, and the level of detail it picks up is mind-blowing - even when the lighting isn't great. Everything just looks crisp and lifelike.

Colours are accurate and natural: One thing that really stands out is how true-to-life the colours are. I've shot everything from bright outdoor scenes to dim restaurant interiors, and the colours always look spot-on. What really impresses me is how it handles skin tones - they just look real, not artificial or overly processed.

Focus is always on point: The autofocus on this camera is seriously impressive. I've tried tracking moving subjects, and it just locks on and stays there. Even in tricky lighting situations, it handles focus transitions like a pro - none of that hunting or jerky refocusing you see on other phones.

Super steady shots: The stabilisation is rock-solid. I've done plenty of walking shots and even some light running, and the footage comes out looking like I used a gimbal. It's that good.

Minimal Noise: You know that annoying grain you get in videos, especially in low light? The 16 Pro Max handles this beautifully. The footage stays clean and clear in most situations.

Extra features for pros: If you're into serious video work, you'll love the pro features. The different recording modes give you tons of flexibility for colour grading, and the slow-mo capabilities are fantastic - when you've got enough light.

A few things to keep in mind:

• HDR: Just remember - to really see what this camera can do, you need an HDR-capable display.
• 120fps mode: The slow-motion looks amazing, but you'll want plenty of light for the best results. Low-light slow-mo can get a bit grainy.
• Minor Tone Mapping: There are some small quirks with really bright scenes, but honestly, you'll barely notice.

Bottom line? The iPhone 16 Pro Max is a video powerhouse. Whether you're a casual user or a serious content creator, this camera system delivers the goods.

But here's where things get a bit disappointing. The ultra-wide and zoom cameras feel like they got the short end of the stick. And don't get me started on that selfie camera. For a premium phone in 2024, a tiny 12MP sensor feels kind of stingy. Your selfies will look... fine? I mean, Portrait Mode helps make them look better, and it works pretty well on both front and back cameras. But let's be real - Apple definitely needs to improve the low light selfies as it's been a constant concern on iPhones.

Software: iOS 18 and the Promise of AI

iOS 18, the operating system running the iPhone 16 Pro, introduces meaningful enhancements like customizable home screens and strengthened privacy controls, which are always welcome. However, the real excitement revolves around Apple Intelligence, the AI-based features set to launch with iOS 18.1. This update promises to change the way users interact with their iPhones, offering features like smart replies, a more natural Siri, and tools that streamline communication.

One feature that stands out is the Clean Up tool in the Photos app, similar to Google's Magic Eraser, which allows users to effortlessly remove unwanted elements from photos. This will be a favourite among Indian users who often find their perfect shot photobombed at a crowded tourist spot. Real-time transcription in Notes and other apps enhances productivity, whether you're a student or a professional, making the iPhone 16 Pro not just a smartphone but a practical work tool.

All the new features have seamless integration and even the interface supports it quite well. Some of the features have been there on Android for quite some time, but Apple's implementation is way neater, so that makes up for the late entry for me.

The Verdict: A Premium Experience with Considerations

The iPhone 16 Pro is undeniably a powerful and polished device that reflects Apple's commitment to refinement and forward-thinking technology. Its stunning display, performance prowess, and enhanced battery life make it a pleasure to use. The camera system, while not revolutionary, offers solid upgrades, particularly for those passionate about photography or videography. And the anticipation surrounding Apple Intelligence suggests that this phone's potential is still unfolding.

However, potential buyers should consider a few caveats. The delayed AI features might be a dealbreaker for those hoping to experience Apple Intelligence right out of the box. The base model's 128GB storage could also be limiting, especially for users who take a lot of photos, record videos, and download multiple apps.

Ultimately, the iPhone 16 Pro is a compelling upgrade, especially for users with older models. Its refinement and potential AI integration make it a powerful tool today and one ready for the future. But if you're drawn to the AI features or concerned about storage capacity, you might want to weigh your options or even consider waiting until iOS 18.1 fully launches.

In any case, the iPhone 16 Pro remains a top contender for those seeking a premium smartphone experience and a companion that doesn't compromise on quality of performance for years to come. On that note, if your budget doesn't allow for Pro, the iPhone 16 or 16 Plus looks like the most sensible pick for all users.