IS THE IPHONE 16 PRO A SMART CHOICE?

PUTTING APPLE'S BIG PROMISES TO THE TEST

- AMY SPITZFADEN-BOTH

I’m usually an odd numbers girl; I update my iPhone every other year, jumping from the 11, to the 13, and last year I opted for the 15. However, with Apple’s promised massive updates with Apple Intelligence, I wanted to get my hands on a phone that was specifically designed to run these features, and, well, so far, the ride hasn’t been a smooth one.

A ROCKY START

One thing I love when upgrading my Apple devices is the pure simplicity of transferring one device to another. While I know iPhone transfers take a little longer than other devices, it’s usually just as easy. This time, however, it was not.

I followed the usual prompts to switch with the usual amount of success, and then I agreed to install the iOS 18.1 beta. The process didn’t take too long, and once it was updated… I was asked to transfer all my data from my old iPhone again. After many failed attempts, I finally restored my new iPhone from my iCloud backup instead.

I was ready to write this off as a coincidence, until pretty much all my apps started crashing and I saw that other 16 Pro users reported experiencing similar issues. Apple’s integration of software and hardware with the 16 Pro is off to a decidedly rocky start.

A WEIGHTY UPGRADE

The body is slightly bigger than my old phone was, which isn’t something I particularly needed, and the color is so boring I could weep (why, Apple? Why do you assume Pro users aren’t interested in pretty colors?), but overall, I’m pleased with how the iPhone feels in my hand and I have cases to cover the lackluster “Natural Titanium.” It’s a little heavier than my iPhone 15 Pro, which I find sits more steadily in my palm when I try to reach my thumb over to the other side of the phone, giving me a better shot at one-handed navigation.