The iPhone 16 Plus represents Apple’s latest effort to improve the balance between premium features and affordability in its lineup. Positioned as a mid-tier option, it builds on its previous generation with improved performance, battery life, and camera capabilities, while also offering an iconic large display that will appeal to power users and tech enthusiasts. .
While the iPhone 16 Plus doesn’t have all the cutting-edge features of the Pro models, such as a 120Hz display or ProRAW, it offers a refined experience tailored to everyday users who prioritize practicality and value. But is it really a significant upgrade or just an incremental improvement? Let’s take a closer look to determine if the iPhone 16 Plus is worth the investment.
The combination of an efficient chipset and improved thermal management keeps your phone cool even during demanding tasks. Photo credit: John Xavier
display and design
The iPhone 16 Plus features a 6.7-inch display with a 60Hz refresh rate, but this may be an issue for some, especially when compared to the 120Hz ProMotion technology found on the Pro model. No. Despite this limitation, iOS’s optimized animations and smooth software will alleviate the refresh rate drop to some extent. The screen is large, bright, and has excellent color accuracy, with peak brightness matching the Pro model, making it suitable for outdoor use.
The bezels are thinner than previous non-Pro models, but still slightly more noticeable than the Pro series. Dynamic Island is also included, but opinions vary. While useful for notifications and multitasking, it can be visually distracting for some users. The build quality is outstanding with a clean aluminum frame. Apple launched this device in different color variants, but we now have a matte black version with a stylish look. It’s fingerprint resistant and durable, and the matte black finish gives it a luxurious feel.
performance and battery
Powered by the A18 chipset and 8 GB of RAM, the iPhone 16 Plus offers great performance. It can easily handle multitasking, gaming, and AI features, and is comparable to the Pro model in daily use. iOS optimizations make the phone work efficiently and make the lack of a 120Hz display less noticeable in most scenarios.
Overall, this camera suite strikes a good balance between practicality and performance. Photo credit: John Xavier
Battery life is a standout feature. It has a larger capacity than the iPhone 15 Plus and can last for about 1.25 days on average, which is better than older models such as the 14 Pro Max. The combination of an efficient chipset and improved thermal management keeps your phone cool even during demanding tasks like video editing and gaming. This phone is perfect for users who value extended battery life.
camera
The camera system has some meaningful upgrades. The addition of macro mode increases versatility and enables close-up shots with excellent detail. The main camera supports 10x zoom, which is an improvement over previous models, while the video capabilities are still strong and provide smooth and vivid results. The lack of ProRAW and 4K at 120fps may deter professionals, but for most users this camera performs very well.
Photo taken with Apple iPhone 16 Plus camera | Photo credit: John Xavier
However, the 12MP front camera remains unchanged from the previous generation and feels outdated in 2024. It offers reliable performance, but upgrades would be welcome.
Photo taken with Apple iPhone 16 Plus camera | Photo credit: John Xavier
Overall, this camera suite strikes a good balance between practicality and performance, appealing to users who want high-quality photos and videos without needing pro-level features.
Photo taken with Apple iPhone 16 Plus camera | Photo by John Xavier
apple intelligence
iPhone 16 Plus benefits from the latest iOS 18 features, including sophisticated widgets, AI integration, and seamless software updates. The addition of visual intelligence tools, such as camera object and location recognition, improves usability. While it lacks some Pro-specific features like split-screen multitasking, the overall software experience is very polished and leverages the strengths of the Apple ecosystem like iMessage and seamless device compatibility.
Photo taken with Apple iPhone 16 Plus camera | Photo credit: John Xavier
final verdict
The iPhone 16 Plus is a solid device that offers a great balance of performance, design, and battery life while being more affordable than the Pro model. It’s not without its drawbacks. Especially the 60Hz display and the lack of certain Pro features like ProRAW and split-screen multitasking.
However, it’s an attractive choice for users who prioritize long battery life, high-quality cameras, and Apple’s ecosystem.
So, is it worth upgrading? If you have an older Plus model, such as iPhone 14 Plus or earlier, and want longer battery life, better performance, and camera enhancements, upgrade to the new iPhone 16 Plus. We recommend that you do so. On the other hand, if you currently own a 15 Plus or 120Hz Pro model and are happy with your current device, you may be better off sticking with your current device.
The phone is fingerprint-resistant and durable, and the matte black finish exudes premium quality similar to high-end models. Photo credit: John Xavier
For most users, the iPhone 16 Plus is a worthy upgrade and probably the best Plus model Apple has released. It strikes the right balance between affordability and premium features, making it a practical choice in 2024.
iPhone 16 Plus is available in three storage versions in India. 128GB, priced at ₹79,900. 256 GB, priced at ₹89,900. 512 GB, priced at ₹1,09,900. These prices are consistent across all color options including white, black, pink, teal, and ultramarine.
issued – December 31, 2024 3:08 PM IST
