The day after Apple launched the iPhone 16, we had our hands-on of the iPhone 16 Pro right after the event, but we didn’t have much time to devote to the base model until today. We’ve been able to use that extra time to learn more about the differences between the standard iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Pro, and to be honest, we’re pleasantly surprised at how little they are.
One of the most obvious ways to differentiate the iPhone 16 from the iPhone 16 Pro is through the color choices. This year’s entry-level series comes in a selection of pleasing, vibrant colors, especially the teal, pink, and blue options. These hues are more saturated and vibrant than the pale, pastel shades of recent years. We especially love the depth of the “ultramarine” blue. Photos don’t do these finishes justice.
The entire iPhone 16 series comes with new camera controls, allowing you to use a hardware switch to launch the camera app and tweak settings like zoom, depth, and tone. I tried both and they both feel equally clicky and comfortable to use. Last year only the Pro models had action buttons, but the iPhone 16 has similar controls, so you won’t miss out on a dedicated key if you opt for the cheaper model.
Thanks to the updated camera on the iPhone 16, you also get the ability to record spatial video and audio. In addition to a new ultra-wide camera with autofocus and macro photography, the sensors have been recalibrated and are now stacked vertically. Most interestingly, the iPhone 16 also supports a new Audio Mix feature, giving you more control over the voice and sound in your footage after you’ve shot it.
Cherlynn Low of Engadget
While it’s easy to speculate that the iPhone 16 Pro’s “four new studio-quality microphones” are behind the audio mix, it seems like it’s just the ability to record spatial audio that makes the new feature possible. This lets you go to the iPhone 16’s video editing interface, tap the audio mix tab, and choose from “In-frame,” “Cinematic,” and “Studio” options. The former isolates sounds from subjects in the scene and cuts out background noise, while Studio mimics the acoustic environment of a recording studio with soundproof walls. Cinematic, on the other hand, integrates all sounds front and center in the space.
I had the chance to see a demo of the Audio Mix feature, and I was really impressed with how the iPhone 16 was able to isolate voices from people talking on the reverberating outdoor deck of Apple’s new Observatory space. I also discovered that not only can you effectively change the volume of different audio sources by switching between different mixes, but you can also adjust the volume of specific streams in each profile. This is something I’d like to play around with more to understand it better, but for now I’m super intrigued by the possibility of using the iPhone 16 for future Apple event videos.
One disappointing feature missing from the iPhone 16 is multi-track recording, which is available on the iPhone 16 Pro. This Voice Memos update will only be available on the Pro models.
In fact, the main upgrades you get if you buy the Pro are: a ProMotion screen with a higher refresh rate and Always On Display, and better camera hardware with a 48-megapixel ultra-wide lens and a 5x telephoto option. The premium handset also supports high-quality 4K120p slow-motion footage and professional formats such as ProRaw. The Pro also comes with an A18 Pro chip compared to the A18 in the iPhone 16, and since the difference is mainly in GPU performance, gaming on the more premium model is likely to be more enjoyable.
Other differences are pretty minor, like the Pro’s titanium build and faster USB speeds, but overall the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus feel like they’re making fewer trade-offs to cut costs, get you more fun colors, and are a big improvement over their predecessors, which is a welcome change after years of incremental changes.
Catch up on all the latest news from Apple’s iPhone 16 event!
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