It ’s an exciting twelvemonth forApple ’s iPhone 16lineup , and that ’s not merely because of the upcomingApple Intelligencefeatures . After two years of abide comparatively uninspired updates , sports fan of Apple ’s standard iPhone and iPhone Plus models in the end have a twain of iPhones that finger like more than “ also - rans ” compare to Apple ’s flagship iPhone Pro batting order .
While the standardiPhone 16 modelsmay not have beget all the climb we go for for , Apple is no longer haphazardly reserving its best chips and exploiter interface features for its flagship Pro series . In addition to the Dynamic Island and Action button , theiPhone 16 Plusgets the same Camera Control characteristic that Apple precede in theiPhone 16 Pro , a muscular new A - series chip , and some unequaled aim changes that are altogether its own .
That give the iPhone 16 Plus a substantial leap over last yr ’s manikin , which already deliver substantial television camera improvements over the2022 iPhone 14 Plus . The Apple atomic number 14 in spite of appearance is three generations before of that of the iPhone 14 Plus , and the rest of the computer hardware coil in two years of Pro - sole features . In an unusual twist , Apple is still sell the iPhone 14 Plus , but is that quondam poser still worth buying , or even hanging onto if you already have one ? get ’s take a look .
iPhone 16 Plus vs. iPhone 14 Plus: specs
Front : 12MP
Front : 12MP
Front : Up to 4 K at 60 fps
27W fast charging
25W MagSafe charging
15W Qi2 wireless charging
15W MagSafe charging
iPhone 16 Plus vs. iPhone 14 Plus: design
The iPhone 16 Plus echoes the two old iPhone generations in being an upscaled version of the standard model . Besides a larger covert and extended shelling life sentence , the iPhone 16 Plus has the same specification as the iPhone 16 , as was the case with the iPhone 14 Plus and the iPhone 14 .
That means it gets all the same upgrade and design changes as the 6.1 - inch iPhone , although there are some elusive improvement on the Plus models that do n’t necessarily enforce to its small sibling . The most crucial of these come down to weight and balance . At 6.7 in , the iPhone Plus form factor is naturally more ill-chosen in the hand , but the iPhone 14 Plus was particularly so . As we mention inour review of last yr ’s iPhone 15 Plus , something felt off about the ergonomics of Apple ’s original 6.7 - column inch iPhone 14 Plus , which became even more obvious when handle its successor .
The iPhone 16 Plus maintains the same “ comfortable and velvety ” feel that we liked about the iPhone 15 Plus , thanks to good weight distribution and the curving edge . If you shy away from the iPhone 14 Plus primarily because it was cumbrous to hold , we ’d encourage you to find an iPhone 16 Plus to try out , as it feels importantly skillful in hand .
The iPhone 16 Plus builds on last year ’s iPhone 15 Plus by adopting the same color - infused matt glass , but Apple has also amend the extract process to produce more vibrant colour than the wash - out pastel of 2023 . The ultramarine blue , teal , and pinkish iPhone 16 Plus models are rich and more saturated than most iPhone 14 Plus finishes , except for the vibrant Product Red , which is sadly still unavailable on this year ’s models . It ’s the 2d year we ’ve overlook the extra - edition red iPhone , a color that ’s been a staple in the batting order since it was insert in a mid - cycle iPhone 7 update in 2017 . Apple has n’t gloss on its deletion , but it leave us wondering if it ’s faced challenges producing the right shade of red through its new colour - infusion outgrowth .
Beyond coloring and ergonomics , the iPhone 16 Plus get a new television camera layout that returns to the tandem arrangement of theiPhone 12era and the tablet - shaped bump of theiPhone XS . This give it an elegant and classier look , which sets it aside from Apple’siPhone 16 Pro Max . Putting the same straight photographic camera excrescence on all four iPhone example each year made the standard one feel like they were missing a tv camera . That ’s no longer the case with this raw design — the cameras on the iPhone 16 Plus have a more intentional design that draw them look complete in their own right wing .
The iPhone 16 Plus replaces the venerable ring / unsounded transposition with the Action push button introduced on last year’siPhone 15 Promodels , and it also gains a newCamera Controlbutton . We ’ll talk about Camera Control later on , but from a design perspective , it ’s the most significant alteration to the full iPhone 16 card this yr , and it was a pleasant surprise to see that Apple did n’t hold it solely for the iPhone 16 Pro manikin .
In terms of lastingness , the iPhone 16 Plus has the same IP68 credential that ’s been the average for several years now . It ’s rated for immersion in sixwwwwwwdw meters of body of water for up to 30 minutes . And the newer Ceramic Shield glass promises improved aegis against drop curtain and encroachment . However , we suppose the better weight balance is an even more significant improvement here , as it imply you ’re less likely to fumble your iPhone and put down it in the first position .
iPhone 16 Plus vs. iPhone 14 Plus: display
Like the standard mannequin , Apple gift the iPhone 16 Plus a 60Hz refresh pace , even as its Android challenger offer faster screens onmuch more affordable sound . As we write in our review , scroll through apps at that refresh rate is not the most well-to-do experience for everyone because a fuzz read up while scroll , but it does attend better than it did on the iPhone 14 .
The iPhone 16 Plus has a expectant showing with vivacious colour , HDR backup , and a crisp 460 pixel - per - in ( ppi ) density . However , that ’s tabular array post for a smartphone in this cost mountain range , and nothing here stands out against likewise priced competitors — or even last year ’s iPhone 15 Plus . If you ’re coming from an iPhone 14 Plus , you ’ll see some improvement in brightness , as it can now reach 1,000 nits of typical brightness and 1,600 nits of HDR , an increase of 200 and 400 nits , respectively . It also volunteer 2,000 nits of peak out-of-door light and can blind as low as 1 nit for use in a darker room .
Last year ’s standard iPhone 15 model adopted the Dynamic Island that debut on the iPhone 14 Pro , and that proceed with the iPhone 16 Plus . That does n’t make any difference in quality , but it does make better economic consumption of the region at the top of the screen and offer some playfulness user interface tricks you wo n’t get with the notch .
iPhone 16 Plus vs. iPhone 14 Plus: performance and battery
While Apple ’s new design give this year ’s received iPhone modelling an aesthetic that relieve oneself them once again feel like a full part of the family , the most significant sphere where Apple has brought the iPhone 16 Plus up to equation is in public presentation .
No longer will a stock iPhone model need to limp along with last yr ’s Si while the iPhone Pro model move on to bigger and better things . The iPhone 16 Plus marks a return to theiPhone 13era when all four iPhone models catch more or less the same A - series chips . This year , that ’s the latest A18 microchip .
While the iPhone 16 Pro models get a slightly better A18 Pro , the difference between the two are subtle enough to be irrelevant during everyday exercise . The A18 Pro has one additional GPU core , which was also the slip with the A15 chips used in the iPhone 13 Pro manikin three year ago .
That gives the iPhone 16 Plus a massive leap in operation over even last twelvemonth ’s iPhone 15 Plus , which means it ’s an order of magnitude faster than the iPhone 14 Plus . Apple did n’t allow for any verbatim comparisons with that fashion model , but it did say that the iPhone 16 model are 30 % faster than the iPhone 15 and 60 % faster than the iPhone 12 , while the five - heart and soul GPU offer a 40 % advance over last yr ’s role model and twice the execution of the iPhone 12 . Those are healthy improvements , no matter how you slit it .
Still , the iPhone 14 Plus was no slouch for everyday usance , so we ’re dealing with the law of diminishing returns here . Where the iPhone 16 Plus ’ A18 chip will make a real conflict is in play and artificial intelligence lineament . Apple is of course touting the young chip as ready for its Apple Intelligence suite that is now available in iOS 18.1 , but it ’s also prepared tohandle AAA console gameslikeAssassin ’s Creed MirageandResident Evil Village , thanks to the same hardware - speed up ray trace that Apple brought to the iPhone 15 Pro role model last year .
However , even if you ’re not a gamer or AI fan , the A18 chip has the reward of being more great power - efficient , which should translate to long bombardment life . One reason to choose for the larger Plus poser is a bigger bombardment , and the iPhone 16 Plus delivers on that front . fuse with a slenderly larger battery , the new A18 silicon chip promises to deliver up to four hour of additional video streaming compared to the iPhone 14 Plus .
This also stand for you wo n’t need to charge quite as often , which is secure . Apple has n’t increased its wired charging stop number over anterior models — you ’re still look at 35 minute to reach 50 % and around two hours for a full top - up . Or , if you ’re favorable , a 50 % commission in 30 minutes when using a 20W battery charger . However , the good news is that wireless charging speeds have increased to match the wired speeds , provided you opt for Apple ’s new 25 - watt MagSafe charger . Standard Qi and Qi2 charger will still only deliver 7.5W and 15W , respectively , as will Apple ’s original MagSafe chargers that the troupe has betray for the past four old age .
iPhone 16 Plus vs. iPhone 14 Plus: cameras
Apple seems to be settling into a two - class bike of big tv camera updates , at least for its standard iPhone models . The iPhone 16 Plus does n’t gain much over last year ’s iPhone 15 lineup , but if you ’re come from an iPhone 14 Plus , the accumulative improvements are worth the jump .
The primary sensor is now 48 - megapixels versus 12MP on the iPhone 14 Plus . That not only provides eminent - quality guessing , but also precede a 2x practical rapid climb where the centre of attention pixels are used to create a 12MP ocular - calibre shot . This first come to the iPhone 14 Pro two year ago , but the stock iPhone 14 models were allow for out of that company . This have in mind you effectively get a telephoto lens throw into the mixture . While 2x images are 12MP , standard 1x images can be saved in either 24MP or 48MP formatting .
That ’s why Apple is now using the name “ Fusion Camera ” to describe it on the iPhone 16 lineup , although that ’s just a new marketing name for the technology acquaint in last yr ’s iPhone 15 simulation . The ultrawide camera on the iPhone 16 Plus has the same 12MP resolution as that of the iPhone 14 Plus , but it gets a large f/2.2 aperture for 2.6x sound lowlight performance , plus autofocus capableness .
Thanks to the addition of autofocus , it ’s also possible to capture macro photograph on the iPhone 16 Plus . That ’s been a Pro - exclusive feature since it was introduced on the iPhone 13 Pro three years ago , so it ’s nice to see it come to the standard models . The new tandem television camera arrangement also allows for spatial pic and video transcription .
As common , Apple has some computational photography feature that go beyond the raw tv camera ironware specs , with the A18 chip power a new generation of Photographic Styles that go well beyond the basics . A total of 15 unique styles now use machine learning to factor in skin tone , color , highlights , and shadows in actual time for more natural results . And the best part is that you do n’t need to commit to a Photographic Style when you take the picture — you may change them up later when editing your photos . They ’re a fun new feature that open up a whole new globe of creative possibilities .
iPhone 16 Plus vs. iPhone 14 Plus: software and updates
The iPhone 16 Plus ships withiOS 18out of the box . However , the iPhone 14 Plus can also be updated to iOS 18 , and it ’s a model that ’s late enough to support all of the latest iOS 18 features .
The only substantial differences at this tip are the obvious thing that require hardware features that the iPhone 14 Plus does n’t have , such as the Action button , Camera Control , andDynamic Island . However , the iPhone 16 Plus gets another ramification up withApple Intelligence , which comes with the iOS 18.1 update .
Apple Intelligence is a rooms of AI feature article limited to the iPhone 15 Pro and later model . In the first stage , these are mostly spell tools , sum-up of notification , and a new Clean Up feature in Photos similar to Google’sMagic Eraser . Later iOS 18 point releases will sum up AI image generation , integrating with ChatGPT , and a encouragement to Siri ’s intelligence service . Siri already has a unlike user interface on the iPhone 16 Plus compare to senior models , although that ’s mainly ornamental for now . It will also be a few months before Apple Intelligence is available in dialects other than U.S. English ; non - English languages are n’t expected to be supported until next year .
Unlike some of its Android rivals , Apple does n’t allow specific timeline for iOS updates , but since the iPhone 14 Plus send with iOS 16 in 2022 , it ’s probable to overlook off the update leaning sooner than the brand - raw iPhone 16 Plus . It should get at least three more geezerhood , although the 2021 - era A15 chip may eventually exclude it from newer feature film in future iOS release .
iPhone 16 Plus vs. iPhone 14 Plus: special features
While Apple Intelligence will eventually lay the iPhone 16 Plus asunder from its predecessors , the iPhone 16 Plus offer one fun new concrete feature you may bask right out of the box : theCamera Control clitoris .
This is what Apple anticipate the young clitoris on the lower right - hand side of its in style iPhone 16 models . As the name suggests , it trip the tv camera , but it does much more than that .
Pressing it once will open a television camera app , after which you could utilize it as a traditional shutter clit to take pictures . However , it ’s also capacitive and trace - sensitive , so it can be used to adjust many other setting on the fly , such as pic , rapid climb , depth , and more . It even lets you chop-chop swipe through the fresh Photographic Styles .
You may also notice we said that it opens “ a ” camera app , not needs “ the ” television camera app . That ’s because Apple is allow third - company developers take advantage of the Camera Control , so you’re able to habituate it to trip your camera app of choice , as long as the developer has updated their app to support it . developer can also prefer what the Camera Control does once inside their apps . This button already works well and is a lot of fun in Apple ’s first - party Camera app , and we ca n’t await to see what other apps do with it .
In add-on to the other upcoming Apple Intelligence feature , Apple will later this year loose an iPhone 16 - exclusive Visual Intelligence feature film that will rake literal - world objects Google Lens - style when you hold down the Camera Control .
While they ’re not entirely new , the Dynamic Island and Action clitoris also sic the iPhone 16 Plus asunder from the iPhone 14 Plus . The Dynamic Island is more than merely a replenishment for the notch ; it also indorse unexampled user interface ( UI ) elements like Live Activities and a unexampled control for the built - in torch . The Action button replaces the ring / soundless switch , and while it performs the same function out of the box , it can be customize to spark off nearly anything else you’re able to opine of , thanks to its support for Apple ’s Shortcuts app .
iPhone 16 Plus vs. iPhone 14 Plus: price and availability
The iPhone 16 Plus can be purchase flat from Apple and most other major retailers and carrier wave . The base 128 GB example costs $ 899 , the same terms former Plus model launched at . The usual 256 GB or 512 GB capacity are available for $ 999 and $ 1,199 , severally .
This year , Apple surprise us by leaving both the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 14 Plus on the market ; in the past , it ’s keep sell only the received 6.1 - column inch versions of its two - year - old models . That means you’re able to pluck up an iPhone 14 Plus directly from Apple get at $ 699 for the 128 GB framework , $ 799 for 256 GB , or $ 999 for the largest 512 GB capability .
iPhone 16 Plus vs. iPhone 14 Plus: Should you upgrade?
If you ’re a fan of turgid phones and do n’t want to drop a bundle on Apple ’s flagship Pro Max , the iPhone 16 Plus is a worthwhile leverage this year . It ’s the first year since 2021 that Apple ’s stock simulation do n’t feel like second - class citizen next to the Pro framework , which make them a better buy than ever .
Unlike the iPhone 14 Plus , which already felt old when it debuted two yr ago , the iPhone 16 Plus can agree its own against Apple ’s most expensive flagships . It has a near - identical CPU , the same Camera Control and Action button , and will support the recent Apple Intelligence features . This makes the move from an iPhone 14 Plus to an iPhone 16 Plus feel like at least a three - twelvemonth spring .
If recent rumors are accurate , this could also be Apple ’s last positive mannikin . Several reports have indicate that it ’s about to go the direction of the iPhone miniskirt , as the standard 6.7 - in iPhones have n’t been bad sellers . While the iPhone 16 Plus will likely be around for at least two more age , betting odds are against an iPhone 17 Plus appearing next year . If the iPhone Plus is your preferred model , that may be an bonus to upgrade to the iPhone 16 Plus now rather of waiting to see what next year bring .
