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iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 16 Pro: Buyer's Guide

BornAgainMac said:
Yeah, I must be blind because I can't tell either. I have watched videos demonstrating it and they are scrolling the video like a mad man and I still can't notice any problem. I have 120hz devices but my eyes are still using Apple II technology.
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I think what people don’t understand is it just makes things look more crisp in general. It’s not just necessarily scrolling.
 
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currentinterest said:
I have been using the iPhone 16 Pro Max since it was released on Friday. I upgraded from an iPhone 15 Pro Max. I did not think that there would be as much difference as there is. Something about the new size, the bezels, and the camera capture button makes it a really upgraded and definitely improved experience. I’m very very happy I upgraded. I also really like the new black color.
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Wait there is a new black colour on the 16PM vs 15 PM?
 
ericg301 said:
I think I'm about to go from the 14 Pro to the regular 16. My wife and daughter got theirs over the weekend (coming from regular 13), and as you said, it just feels so much better in the hand. I could pick it up off the table without feeling gravity's pull. This Pro is such a brick and I've never felt entirely comfortable holding it or carrying it over the last 2 years. Sure, I'd give up the extra camera, but I really only take pictures of kids, dogs, and things to show associates at Home Depot...so I don't think that would be a loss there. I do use the AOD but I think tap and raise to wake are a decent replacement. And yes the downgrade to 60z is a thing but I think I would get over it in a few days. I don't have ProMotion on my ipads or Macbooks either.

Someone tell me I'm not making a mistake.
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I made the switch from a 15 Pro to a 16 Plus and I'm fine with the refresh rate drop. I would prefer 90Hz, but I can live without it. Worst case it keeps me from being glued to the screen 🤷‍♂️ the teal looks really nice, even though I liked my former natural titanium. When it comes to the camera, you're losing a telephoto, but the newer sensor still has a cropped zoom of 2x.
 
ericg301 said:
I think I'm about to go from the 14 Pro to the regular 16. My wife and daughter got theirs over the weekend (coming from regular 13), and as you said, it just feels so much better in the hand. I could pick it up off the table without feeling gravity's pull. This Pro is such a brick and I've never felt entirely comfortable holding it or carrying it over the last 2 years. Sure, I'd give up the extra camera, but I really only take pictures of kids, dogs, and things to show associates at Home Depot...so I don't think that would be a loss there. I do use the AOD but I think tap and raise to wake are a decent replacement. And yes the downgrade to 60z is a thing but I think I would get over it in a few days. I don't have ProMotion on my ipads or Macbooks either.

Someone tell me I'm not making a mistake.
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You make some great points and suspect you're experiencing what many others, including myself, are at this point.

Perhaps the rumored "17 Slim/Air" might be what you're looking for?
 
nono_thank you said:
You make some great points and suspect you're experiencing what many others, including myself, are at this point.

Perhaps the rumored "17 Slim/Air" might be what you're looking for?
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Except the rumors for are saying it’d be more expensive than a pro max. With a screen size in between the current pro and promax.
 
ericg301 said:
I think I'm about to go from the 14 Pro to the regular 16. My wife and daughter got theirs over the weekend (coming from regular 13), and as you said, it just feels so much better in the hand. I could pick it up off the table without feeling gravity's pull. This Pro is such a brick and I've never felt entirely comfortable holding it or carrying it over the last 2 years. Sure, I'd give up the extra camera, but I really only take pictures of kids, dogs, and things to show associates at Home Depot...so I don't think that would be a loss there. I do use the AOD but I think tap and raise to wake are a decent replacement. And yes the downgrade to 60z is a thing but I think I would get over it in a few days. I don't have ProMotion on my ipads or Macbooks either.

Someone tell me I'm not making a mistake.
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I also have a 14 Pro and it’s just a little too heavy for a smartphone that size. Apple realized that as well and introduced titanium to reduce the weight on the 15 Pro which sadly is going up again with the 16 Pro. I’m considering getting the regular 16 in ultramarine or teal. I was all set on the ultramarine at first, but now the teal seems to be calling my name. I’ll have to decide when I see both colors in person. I have a 12 Pro as my secondary phone and I’m good with both my phones being 60Hz (for now). I had no issues going back and forth between my 12 Pro and 14 Pro. If Apple makes the decision to give either the 17 Pro or 18 Pro a visual redesign, I may make that phone my new primary phone and the 16 will replace my 12 Pro as my secondary phone. The 17 “Air” sounds like it will be too big and fall short of Pro features.
 
dampfnudel said:
I also have a 14 Pro and it’s just a little too heavy for a smartphone that size. Apple realized that as well and introduced titanium to reduce the weight on the 15 Pro which sadly is going up again with the 16 Pro. I’m considering getting the regular 16 in ultramarine or teal. I was all set on the ultramarine at first, but now the teal seems to be calling my name. I’ll have to decide when I see both colors in person. I have a 12 Pro as my secondary phone and I’m good with both my phones being 60Hz (for now). I had no issues going back and forth with my 12 Pro and 14 Pro. If Apple makes the decision to give either the 17 Pro or 18 Pro a visual redesign, I may make that phone my new primary phone and the 16 will replace my 12 Pro as my secondary phone.
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I always slap a blue caudabe sheath on my phones so the color doesn’t really matter. My carrier has the white 16 256gb in stock and I just pulled the trigger.

If the 16 pro hadn’t gotten bigger or heavier (compared to the 15 pro) I would have gone either with that instead.
 
ericg301 said:
Except the rumors for are saying it’d be more expensive than a pro max. With a screen size in between the current pro and promax.
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If we're living in the now, then the 16 is the right choice IMO.

EDIT: Just saw your updated post. Congrats!
 
ericg301 said:
I always slap a blue caudabe sheath on my phones so the color doesn’t really matter. My carrier has the white 16 256gb in stock and I just pulled the trigger.

If the 16 pro hadn’t gotten bigger or heavier (compared to the 15 pro) I would have gone either with that instead.
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I would get the 512GB in teal or ultramarine because I plan to travel to Europe next year and I would probably record a lot of 4K video that eats up a lot of space. To be honest, I might still get a 16 Pro or wait for the 17 Pro. I just would like a phone that feels comfortably light in my hand or “just right” as some have said like I used to have.
 
ericg301 said:
I think I'm about to go from the 14 Pro to the regular 16. My wife and daughter got theirs over the weekend (coming from regular 13), and as you said, it just feels so much better in the hand. I could pick it up off the table without feeling gravity's pull. This Pro is such a brick and I've never felt entirely comfortable holding it or carrying it over the last 2 years. Sure, I'd give up the extra camera, but I really only take pictures of kids, dogs, and things to show associates at Home Depot...so I don't think that would be a loss there. I do use the AOD but I think tap and raise to wake are a decent replacement. And yes the downgrade to 60z is a thing but I think I would get over it in a few days. I don't have ProMotion on my ipads or Macbooks either.

Someone tell me I'm not making a mistake.
Click to expand...

I think I am with you. For just a $200 difference, the Pro seems like the no-brainer choice until you start thinking about how you actually use a phone.

I think I will go from my broken screen 14 Pro to a regular 16. When you first get a Pro, the heft of it makes it feel like a quality device but after a while, it gets kind of awkward so when I pick up a regular phone now I think, that feels nice. That lighter phone also doesn’t hit the pavement as hard as a heavier Pro. ;) LOL

Camera is another reason, all of the new features would be great if I were a creator but I am not. I am a regular person who snaps pics here and there in general and the regular now with a 48mp camera is really nice compared to the 14 model where the regular had a 12mp camera and you were forced to a Pro for a 48mp.

I honestly do not see a difference switching from my iPad at 60hz to the phone at 120hz. Am I disappointed Apple still limits the regular to 60hz, you bet but the regular fits my needs better than a Pro at this point with the 16 models. Money is not a deciding factor for me but to spend $200 for things I won’t use, that is a factor.
 
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MacAndMic said:
I think I am with you. For just a $200 difference, the Pro seems like the no-brainer choice until you start thinking about how you actually use a phone.

I think I will go from my broken screen 14 Pro to a regular 16. When you first get a Pro, the heft of it makes it feel like a quality device but after a while, it gets kind of awkward so when I pick up a regular phone now I think, that feels nice. That lighter phone also doesn’t hit the pavement as hard as a heavier Pro. ;) LOL

Camera is another reason, all of the new features would be great if I were a creator but I am not. I am a regular person who snaps pics here and there in general and the regular now with a 48mp camera is really nice compared to the 14 model where the regular had a 12mp camera and you were forced to a Pro for a 48mp.

I honestly do not see a difference switching from my iPad at 60hz to the phone at 120hz. Am I disappointed Apple still limits the regular to 60hz, you bet but the regular fits my needs better than a Pro at this point with the 16 models. Money is not a deciding factor for me but to spend $200 for things I won’t use, that is a factor.
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I thought the 15 pro was not that heavy and it can probably be found at some retailers/eBay for the same price as the 16. So maybe something to consider...
 
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ProMotion, 120Hz and Zoom on the Pro models are the main differences. Other than that the base models are good iPhones.
 
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kp98077 said:
yeah thinking of a phone for my son who upgrades every 3-4 years, but its saying it will give me $999 for the trade in and therefore $0/month for the phone, whats the catch? the 3 year contract? Other than that it is really free?
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Thats the catch, to get the full $999 you'll have to stick with them for 36 months.
 
I believe that the non pro models are the ones who stole the show, they’re the ones who got the major updates this year including the colors…. I’m this close to cancel my 16PM and get the 16 Plus.
 
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BelgianChoklit said:
The sole reason the 16 doesn't have a 120Hz display is to push people to the Pro model. I personally don't care much of the camera quality differences between the regular 16 and Pro models, but I do care about having a 120Hz display which my 15 Pro has. I couldn't go back to a 60Hz display. And because I like color and not having to cary a brick around, I'd like to return back to the regular iPhone in the future. I'm hoping the iPhone 18 will have 120Hz, if not, I won't upgrade.

Lots of people say you don't notice the difference between 60Hz and 120hz on an iPhone. I don't think that's true. It's very noticeable when scrolling. What I do think is true is that as long as you've never gotten used to using a smartphone with a 120Hz display, it won't bother you, because you just wouldn't have tasted 120Hz displays.

Anyway, the regular iPhones are expensive enough for this to be included, which is why I think it should be. If the iPhone 16 was selling for 700€ instead of +969, I would accept it having a 60Hz display.
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How can you tell people who cant tell the difference that they are wrong? i have a 16 pro and cannot tell the difference. Zero. I turn it off to preserve battery life. Keep my phone on low power mode to keep my battery health.
120hz is useless to me.
My eyes refractory rate is slower than most. Or my fine motor function of my eyes are slower. My eyes cannot adjust fast enough to notice a difference. And i am not the only one.
i could care less about 120hz.
 
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BelgianChoklit said:
The sole reason the 16 doesn't have a 120Hz display is to push people to the Pro model. I personally don't care much of the camera quality differences between the regular 16 and Pro models, but I do care about having a 120Hz display which my 15 Pro has. I couldn't go back to a 60Hz display. And because I like color and not having to cary a brick around, I'd like to return back to the regular iPhone in the future. I'm hoping the iPhone 18 will have 120Hz, if not, I won't upgrade.

Lots of people say you don't notice the difference between 60Hz and 120hz on an iPhone. I don't think that's true. It's very noticeable when scrolling. What I do think is true is that as long as you've never gotten used to using a smartphone with a 120Hz display, it won't bother you, because you just wouldn't have tasted 120Hz displays.

Anyway, the regular iPhones are expensive enough for this to be included, which is why I think it should be. If the iPhone 16 was selling for 700€ instead of +969, I would accept it having a 60Hz display.
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The truth is 99% of iPhone users dont care and/or know what a refresh rate is. And me neither. There’s so much to the display than just “120hz good 60hz bad” . You could compare a 400$ Samsung 120hz to a iPhone 16 60hz and I guarantee you the iPhone would win.
 
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