iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Pro: All key specs compared
Now that Apple’s iPhone 16 lineup is here, you might be wondering whether you should spring for the $800 base model or pay more for the $1,000 Pro model. Here’s a breakdown of the key specs for each device to help you decide.
Pre-orders for the iPhone 16 series begin Friday, and will be available 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.
Cameras: The Pro’s Big Selling Point
A major plus point of Apple’s iPhone Pro models is the high-quality camera, both for photos and videos.
When it comes to rear cameras, the base iPhone 16 has a 48MP Fusion camera and a 12MP ultra-wide camera, while the 16 Pro has a 48MP Fusion camera, 48MP ultra-wide camera, and a 12-megapixel telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom. Both phones have a 12MP TrueDepth front-facing camera.
For video, the iPhone 16 can record in 4K at 60 frames per second, alongside 1080p spatial video at 30 frames per second. The 16 Pro has the same spatial video capability, but can also record in 4K at up to 120 frames per second, bringing slow-motion effects to iPhone.
So if you want to do a little more with your camera (or just zoom in on a concert without sacrificing quality), the Pro’s premium features might appeal.
Views, dimensions and weight
The iPhone 16 has a 6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display, while the 16 Pro is 6.3 inches. The 16 has a 60Hz refresh rate, while the Pro has a 120Hz refresh rate. Both have a pixel density of 460 ppi and a peak brightness of 2,000 nits.
The iPhone 16 measures 5.81 inches tall, 2.82 inches wide, and 0.31 inches thick. The 16 Pro’s dimensions aren’t too far off: 5.89 inches tall, 2.81 inches wide, and 0.32 inches thick. The baseline 16 weighs 170g (6 ounces), while the Pro tips the scales at 199g (7.03 ounces). The materials also vary, with the iPhone 16 having an aluminum enclosure, while the 16 Pro is made of titanium.
Both feature Dynamic Island, an action button and a camera control button.
The iPhone 16 comes in black, white, pink, teal, and ultramarine, while the iPhone 16 Pro comes in black titanium, white titanium, natural titanium, and desert titanium. All are water resistant, with an IP68 rating.
Both support USB-C charging. There’s no fingerprint sensor on either, so you’ll need to use Face ID or a passcode.
Batteries, processors and software
Apple doesn’t disclose battery capacity, but says the iPhone 16 can last up to 22 hours of video playback (18 hours streamed), while the 16 Pro can last up to 27 hours of video playback (22 hours streamed). Both offer 20W wired charging and MagSafe wireless charging up to 25 watts with a 30-watt adapter or higher. They also support Qi2 charging, up to 15 watts.
The 16 is powered by the A18 chip, while the 16 Pro has the more powerful (and aptly named) A18 Pro chip. Both will ship with iOS 18, and will support Apple Intelligence when it launches later this year.
Prices and storage
The iPhone 16 starts at $800 for 128GB of storage, $900 for 256GB, and $1,100 for 512GB. The iPhone 16 Pro starts at $1,000 for 128GB, $1,100 for 256GB, $1,300 for 512GB, and $1,500 for 1TB.
Please see the specification table below for a more detailed overview.
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Pro
| Apple iPhone 16 | Apple iPhone 16 Pro | |
| Screen size, technology, resolution, refresh rate | 6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display; 2556×1179-pixel resolution; 60Hz refresh rate; 2,000 nits | 6.3-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display; 2622×1206-pixel resolution; 120Hz adaptive refresh rate; 2,000 nits |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Dimensions (inches) | 5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches | 5.89 x 2.81 x 0.32 inches |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm | 149.6 x 71.5 x 8.25 mm |
| Weight (gram, ounce) | 170 grams, 6 oz | 199 grams, 7.03 oz |
| Mobile software | iOS 18 | iOS 18 |
| Camera | 48MP fusion camera, 12MP ultra wide angle camera | 48MP fusion camera, 48MP ultra-wide camera, 12MP telephoto camera (with 5x optical zoom) |
| Front camera | 12MP TrueDepth camera | 12MP TrueDepth camera |
| Video recording | 4K at 60 fps; spatial video at 1080p at 30 fps | 4K up to 120 fps; spatial video at 1080p at 30 fps |
| Processor | A18 | A18 Pro |
| RAM/Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Expandable storage | No | No |
| Battery | Up to 22 hours of video playback; up to 18 hours of streaming video playback. 20W wired charging. MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W with 30W adapter or higher; Qi2 up to 15W | Up to 27 hours of video playback; Up to 22 hours of streaming video playback. 20W wired charging. MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W with 30W adapter or higher; Qi2 up to 15W |
| Fingerprint sensor | None (Face ID) | None (Face ID) |
| Connection piece | USB-C | USB-C |
| Headphone jack | No | No |
| Special features | Apple Intelligence, Action button, Camera control button, Dynamic island, Screen brightness range from 1 to 2000 nits, IP 68 resistance Colors: Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine | Apple Intelligence, Action button, Camera control button, 4x audio microphones, Dynamic island, 1 to 2000 nits screen brightness range, IP 68 resistance Colors: Black titanium, White titanium, Natural titanium, Desert titanium |
| The US price starts at | $799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB) | $999 (128GB), $1,099 (256GB), $1,299 (512GB), $1,499 (1TB) |
| The price in the UK starts at | €799 (128 GB), €899 (256 GB), €1,099 (512 GB) | £999 (128GB), £1,099 (256GB), £1,299 (512GB), £1,499 (1TB) |
| Australia prices start at | AU$1,399 (128GB), AU$1,599 (256GB), AU$1,949 (512GB) | AU$1,799 (128GB), AU$1,999 (256GB), AU$2,349 (512GB), AU$2,699 (1TB) |
