iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus hands-on: Camera controls, action button and new colors
Apple’s newest phones are official, and CNET got to try them out. During its “Glowtime” event on Monday, the company unveiled the latest iPhones, with the base models predictably called the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.
The biggest differences between the iPhone 16 and last year’s iPhone 15 include the introduction of a new dedicated camera button, the addition of an Action button (previously exclusive to the Pro), a new A18 processor, and improvements to the quality of the zoom camera. Apple is also touting its new iPhone line as the first phones built for Apple Intelligence, at a time when tech giants are competing to inject more AI into their flagship products.
Pricing remains the same as last year’s phones, with the 128GB iPhone 16 starting at $799 (£799, AU$1,399) and the 128GB iPhone 16 Plus starting at $899 (£899, AU$1,599). The phones are available to pre-order from Friday, and will be in stores from September 20.
Want to pre-order the latest Apple devices? We’ve rounded up the best launch deals for the iPhone 16, Apple Watch Series 10 and AirPods 4 for you.
iPhone 16 cameras
The iPhone 16’s cameras are stacked vertically.
The new iPhones get a redesigned camera bump on the back that aligns the sensors vertically, similar to how they were on the back of the iPhone X, XS, XR, 11, and 12 (the iPhone 13, 14, and 15 had rear cameras that were aligned diagonally). Aligning the cameras vertically allows them to record spatial photos and videos to view on Apple’s Vision Pro headset.
More from the Apple event
Especially for those who want to improve their photo and video recordings, there is now a special camera control “button” on the side of the device. Apple has long touted the iPhone as the equal of DSLRs, and this dedicated button could make it even easier to capture moments and memories.
Clicking the button takes a photo, and sliding it adjusts the zoom. Double-clicking changes modes or settings. Apple says the “camera controls” will be usable in third-party apps.
Based on CNET’s Lisa Eadicicco’s time testing out the Phone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, Camera Control seems like a lot of fun to play with. You can access various settings and controls by sliding your finger across the sensor like a touchpad. It feels like a button and touchpad in one, building on the idea Apple introduced with its QuickTake feature on the iPhone 11, which let you record video by holding down the shutter button.
The iPhone 16’s camera control button lets you activate the camera without touching the screen.
CNET will need to spend more time with the iPhone 16 before it can decide how useful Camera Control is and how well it works. But so far, it seems like a convenient way to manage camera settings and shooting modes without covering the screen with your finger.
The more interesting use of Camera Control, though, is a new tool Apple is calling “visual intelligence.” You can hold down the Camera Control button to quickly point the iPhone’s camera at a place or object to learn more about it, almost like Google Lens. It’s another sign that tech companies are positioning the camera as a tool meant not just for taking photos, but for learning more about the world around you.
For example, Google and OpenAI have both touted how their mobile virtual assistants can answer questions and process requests based on images and text. But the feature won’t be available at launch; Apple says it’s coming later this year.
In terms of camera specs, the main camera is still a 48-megapixel camera (capable of 2x telephoto shots at 12 megapixels), while there’s a new ultra-wide sensor that Apple says can capture “up to 2.6x more light.”
iPhone 16 gets Action button, screen sizes remain the same
The iPhone 16 now has the Action button, which was only on the Pro models last year.
The camera button isn’t the only new addition to the iPhone 16 line, with both models getting an “Action” button similar to what was added to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max last year. This button lets you set shortcuts to open specific apps or tasks (like setting your phone to Do Not Disturb, opening the flashlight, or setting up an instant coffee order from Dunkin’). It’s a small change, but a practical one that should make the basic iPhone feel more personal and customizable.
The displays on the new phones will be similar to those of 2024’s iPhone 15 and 15 Plus: 6.1 inches on the smaller model and 6.7 inches on the larger Plus. Those looking for larger displays should check out the new iPhone 16 Pro (now 6.3 inches) and 16 Pro Max models (now 6.9 inches). The Pro models are also expected to feature improved cameras and even faster processors.
Check this out: Apple’s iPhone 16 gets camera control button
iPhone 16 Processor and Battery Life
All iPhone 16 models run iOS 18 on the new A18 processor, which can take advantage of the new Apple Intelligence AI features. Apple says the iPhone 16 will have a “larger battery,” but the company didn’t reveal how long the battery will last during the presentation.
Looking at the specification pageApple now says that the iPhone 16 will have two hours more video playback compared to the iPhone 15 (for both watching locally stored video and streaming video). The iPhone 16 Plus will have one hour more local video playback and four hours more streaming video playback.
Like the iPhone 15 line, the phones can be physically charged over USB-C or wirelessly via MagSafe or Qi2. MagSafe charging can now take advantage of faster speeds of 25 watts, up from the maximum 15 watts on the iPhone 15. (Qi wireless charging remains at 15 watts for Qi2 chargers and 7.5 watts for older Qi chargers.)
The new color options of the iPhone 16
The new base The colors of the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are white, black, ultramarine, blue-green and pink, and in real life they look bright and colorful.
Between the new Camera Control and Action button, along with a new processor and camera improvements, the iPhone 16 seems like a notable improvement over the iPhone 15. But the big question on everyone’s minds is likely whether Apple Intelligence is worth the upgrade, given that these new phones are among the few models to get Apple’s new AI features. We’ll know more once we’ve had a chance to spend more time with them, and when Apple Intelligence rolls out.
Check this out: See everything announced at Apple’s iPhone 16 event
