iPhone 16 Pro

Bigger and better in almost every way

- MARK SPOONAUER

From $999 From www.apple.​com

Features 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR Display (2622x1206 pixels), A18 Pro chip, 128/256/512/1TB of storage, Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), Bluetooth 5.3, 5G, USB-C port, up to 27 hours (video playback)

BETWEEN THE IPHONE 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, the latter seems like a bigger deal because of its enormous 6.9-inch screen. But the iPhone 16 Pro should not be overlooked. We've been using both of these new iPhone Pro models, and we think the iPhone 16 Pro is better value. For $999 you get a bigger display than last year (6.3 vs 6.1 inches), the more powerful 5x zoom that used to be a Pro Max exclusive, and a battery life boost.

The iPhone 16 Pro has many of the same features as the 16 Pro Max, including the powerful A18 Pro chip, upgraded 48MP Ultra Wide camera and impressive video features like 4K 120fps SloMo videos and Audio Mix for zapping background noise. Apple Intelligence features like Writing Tools and improved Siri are promising based on early testing of the iOS 18.1 developer beta, but that won't officially arrive until October.

The iPhone 16 Pro is still compact, but there's a trade-off with getting a larger display. It's now more mid-size - measuring 5.9x2.8in and weighing 7oz, compared to 5.7x2.8in and 6.6oz for the iPhone 15 Pro.

The handset is still easy to use with one hand, as Apple has made the bezels thinner. The design should be more durable, too, as Apple says the Ceramic Shield display is 50% tougher. Plus, the band is still made of titanium, which is more durable than aluminum. The iPhone 16 Pro colors aren't very flashy compared to the regular iPhone 16. There's Black Titanium, Natural Titanium, White Titanium and the new Desert Titanium, which looks like a soft rose gold.