My exactly 3 months experience with the new iPhone 16 Plus

The iPhone turns sweet sixteen this year, and let’s be real—the regular models have spent most of that time in a bit of an identity crisis. Since the iPhone 11, they’ve been stuck in the awkward middle ground: not quite budget-friendly, not quite a Pro-level powerhouse. They’ve left buyers in a classic dilemma: save some cash or splurge for the Pro? While the Pro models have aged like fine wine, the standard iPhones have played the role of the shadowed sibling—less flashy, yet consistently more popular. But with the iPhone 16, that narrative flips. Finally, the middle child is ready to steal the show.

As someone who's been loyal to the Pro lineup since day one, I’ll admit: the iPhone 16 has me questioning everything. It’s got features that blur the line between regular and Pro. A fresh chip, five buttons—yes, five, just like the Pros—and upgrades you wouldn’t expect from a so-called “non-Pro” model. This is the closest the regular iPhone has ever come to feeling like its Pro sibling. So, is it finally time for the regular iPhone to outgrow its middle-child syndrome? It just might be.

Let’s start with the headline feature of the iPhone 16: five buttons. Yes, five. The usual suspects—power and volume—are still comfortably placed along the sides, and there’s the Action button, sitting just above the volume controls where the old mute switch used to be. This button is fully customizable, and I’ve set mine as a shortcut to my gym access card—no more fumbling to unlock my phone or dig through my wallet. Handy, right? 

But wait, there’s a new kid on the block. The iPhone 16 introduces a Camera Control button. Technically, it looks like a button, but it doesn’t quite work like one. There’s a lot to unpack here, but I’ll save that for when we dive into the camera details. Trust me, it’s worth the wait. As for the build, the iPhone 16 is a dream to hold. The 6.7-inch display fits snugly in my hand, thanks to its slim profile, lightweight design, and edges contoured just right. If you’re upgrading from an iPhone 14 or earlier, the ergonomics alone will make you wonder why you didn’t switch sooner.

The iPhone 16’s screen maxes out at a blazing 2,000 nits and dims all the way down to a barely-there 1 nit. That might sound techy, but here’s the takeaway: whether you're outdoors in glaring sunlight or scrolling in bed at night, your screen keeps up. Just maybe keep an eye on your battery percentage when the lights are bright. The display is vivid, vibrant, and perfect for whatever you’re doing—except Apple has reserved the 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate and always-on display for the Pro models.

Now, I could rant about how sticking with 60Hz in 2024 feels like a time warp, but let’s be honest: if you’re going for a regular iPhone, you probably won’t care. Sure, 60Hz is a bit behind the curve, but Apple’s iOS animations are so buttery smooth, that you won’t even notice unless you’ve used ProMotion before. The same goes for the always-on display—what you don’t know, you won’t miss.

As for durability, Apple claims the iPhone 16’s new Ceramic Shield glass is twice as strong as before. Bold claim, but so far, it’s holding up. Despite a few heart-stopping drops—like that time someone bumped into me mid-call and my phone hit the ground—there’s not a scratch or crack in sight. If you’ve ever lived in fear of cracked screens, this might just be your new best friend.

The iPhone 16 packs Apple’s all-new A18 chip, the fastest ever built for a regular iPhone—and it’s optimized for Apple Intelligence. Translation? This phone is fast. Everyday tasks like opening apps, switching between them, and even flexing those AI-powered features (yes, I’ve been putting them to the test) are lightning-quick. Editing videos, tweaking photos, and tackling what Apple might call “pro-level” tasks? Handled like a dream.

Memory management is another win. Apps stay loaded longer than you’d expect. Case in point: I started ordering food one evening, got sidetracked by emails, and when I came back the next day, the food app was still ready to go. That’s what I mean by long. 

And gamers, listen up. The A18 introduces hardware-accelerated ray tracing to the regular iPhone lineup—something that, until now, was exclusive to last year’s Pro models. AAA titles like Assassin’s Creed: Mirage, Resident Evil Village, and Death Stranding Director’s Cut are now playable on the regular iPhone. I tried out the demo for Resident Evil Village, and it ran beautifully (or horrifyingly).

As for heat, don’t sweat it. While the phone does get slightly warm during intense gaming sessions, it stays cool the rest of the time. Apple’s updated thermal design, featuring a new “thermal sub-structure,” works wonders—not just for keeping the phone from overheating but also for delivering consistent, sustained performance.

On paper, the iPhone 16 boasts a big battery upgrade—Apple claims up to 22 hours of video playback on a full charge. But how does that stack up in real life? In my experience, the 16 handles a regular day like a champ. Light Safari browsing, snapping a few Pinterest-worthy shots, taking calls, and vibing to music all day? It powers through almost an entire day without breaking a sweat. Add gaming to the mix, and you might need a top-up a few hours before bedtime—but not much earlier.

The real win here is how fast it charges. From zero to 100% in just over an hour is a game-changer. Wireless charging also gets a significant boost, jumping from 15W to 25W with MagSafe. Just keep in mind you’ll need to pick up the new 15W MagSafe puck separately to make the most of it. Fast, reliable, and efficient—this battery is built to keep up.

Let’s break down the iPhone 16’s camera game, starting with the setup. You get two rear cameras: a 48MP wide lens (dubbed the “Fusion camera” because it combines wide and 2x focal points) and a 12MP ultra-wide lens, now with a lower aperture and macro capabilities borrowed from the Pro models. Up front, there’s the familiar 12MP selfie camera, reliable as ever.

A standout new feature is the Camera Control button. Positioned on the side, it acts like a button but also registers light presses and swipes. At first, it’s a bit of a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, it changes how you shoot photos. Zooming in and out feels seamless, and adjusting styles, tones, and exposure becomes second nature. Think of it as holding a digital camera with manual controls—it’s tactile, intuitive, and, frankly, fun. After three months of use, I’ve grown accustomed to it, even vertically, though it’s definitely a skill you’ll build over time. Photos from the 48MP main sensor are as sharp and vibrant as you’d expect, with realistic colours and flawless skin tones. Portraits look stunning, and the 2x zoom shots deliver just as much detail as the standard 1x lens. The 12MP ultra-wide lens, with its new macro capability, excels at capturing sprawling landscapes and extreme close-ups while keeping the same natural colour palette.

Low-light photography is where the iPhone 16 steps it up. Both cameras handle dimly lit scenes with minimal noise and true-to-life colours. The ultra-wide, in particular, captures sharper nighttime shots compared to its predecessor. Yes, lens flares are present, but depending on your perspective, they can add character to certain photos.

Apple reimagines Photographic Styles with the iPhone 16, turning them into highly customizable presets rather than basic filters. You can adjust skin tones, shadows, and colours in real-time while shooting—or even after you’ve taken the photo. There are five “undertone” settings for skin tones and nine “mood” settings that feel like premium Instagram filters with Lightroom-level control. Setting a default style takes some digging through the system settings, which feels less intuitive than simply picking it in the camera app. But once set, it’s a game-changer for achieving a consistent aesthetic.

When it comes to video, the iPhone 16 is a close second only to the Pro models. The footage is stable, detailed, and rich in true-to-life colours, with Dolby Vision baked in. While it lacks ProRes recording, the Audio Mix feature steps up. This lets you fine-tune audio to suit different scenarios: Studio Mode eliminates background noise for a polished sound, while Cinematic Mode subtly focuses on voices in the frame and blends ambient sounds for a natural vibe. Testing all three audio modes, I was especially impressed by Studio Mode, which effectively silenced background chatter during a noisy shoot. The only trade-off? Voices can sound slightly processed. 

The iPhone 16 has just about everything you’d want in a smartphone, with advanced tech sprinkled throughout to elevate your experience. That said, if you can spare a few extra hundred RM, upgrading to the Pro version is worth considering—it’s simply the best iPhone Apple has ever made. But if photography and videography aren’t your top priorities, the iPhone 16 hits all the right notes. It offers reliable cameras, nearly all-day battery life, lightning-fast performance, and a stunning display that’s perfect for any visual need. For most people, this is the sweet spot in Apple’s lineup.