When the iPhone first came out, it was common in the US to upgrade every two years. Now? Keeping your phone for three years or more is becoming more common. That said, there’s still plenty of temptation to see what’s new in this year’s devices and see if an upgrade makes sense for you.
Now that the iPhone 16 is official, we finally know what’s new on the company’s latest iPhones. The Action button (introduced on last year’s 15 Pro and Pro Max) is now present around the sides, as is a new Camera Control button, while under the hood there’s a faster A18 processor and improved cameras around the back (again, vertically aligned, similar to older iPhones like the iPhone X, XS, XR, 11 and 12). Apple claims the newer phones are also primed to take full advantage of upcoming Apple Intelligence features.
More from the Apple event
Additionally, the battery should last longer than the iPhone 14, and you can use USB-C for wired charging instead of Lightning. Pricing starts at $799 for the 128GB iPhone 16.
Those looking for a bigger screen should check out the iPhone 16 Pro or Pro Max. The iPhone 16 and its bigger sibling, the 16 Plus, have the same screen size as their 14 and 14 Plus counterparts.
Is all this enough to warrant a device upgrade? We’ll let you be the judge. Here’s how the new iPhone 16 compares to the iPhone 14 in terms of specs, and stay tuned to CNET for more, including our first impressions, deals guides and reviews of the iPhones, as well as the new Apple Watch Series 10 and AirPods 4.
Check this out: CNET Editors React to Apple’s iPhone 16 ‘Glowtime’ Event
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 14
| iPhone 16 | iPhone 14 | |
| Screen size, technology, resolution, refresh rate, brightness | 6.1-inch OLED; 2,556×1,179 pixels, 60Hz refresh rate, 2,000 nits | 6.1-inch OLED; 2,532×1,170 pixels |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Dimensions (inches) | 2.82 x 5.81 x 0.31 inches | 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | 71.6 x 147.6 x 7.8 mm | 147x72x7,8mm |
| Weight (gram, ounce) | 170 grams (6 oz) | 172 grams (6.07 oz) |
| Mobile software | iOS 18 | iOS 18 |
| Camera | 48-megapixel Fusion, 12-megapixel Ultra Wide | 12 megapixel (wide), 12 megapixel (ultra wide angle) |
| Front camera | 12 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
| Video recording | Up to 4K at 60 fps | 4K at 60 fps |
| Processor | A18 | Apple A15 Bionic |
| RAM/Storage | RAM n/a; 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | RAM n/a; 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Expandable storage | No | No |
| Battery/Charging Speeds | Not disclosed; Apple claims up to 22 hours of video playback (18 hours streaming) and 80 hours of audio playback | Not disclosed; Apple claims 20 hours of video playback |
| Fingerprint sensor | None (Face ID) | None (Face ID) |
| Connection piece | USB-C (USB 2.0) | Lightning |
| Headphone jack | Action button, Camera control, Side button, Volume up/down | No |
| Special features | Apple Intelligence, 5G (mmWave/Sub-6); MagSafe; water resistant (IP68); wireless charging; eSIM; satellite connectivity | 5G (mmWave/Sub-6); MagSafe; water resistant (IP68); wireless charging; eSIM; satellite connectivity |
| US price outside contract | $799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB) | $799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB) |
| British price | €799 (128 GB), €899 (256 GB), €1,099 (512 GB) | £849 (128GB) |
| Price Australia | AU$1,399 (128GB), AU$1,599 (256GB), AU$1,949 (512GB) | AU$1,399 (128GB) |
