After eight months of daily use, the iPhone 16 Pro has proven itself as Apple’s most capable smartphone yet. But living with it long-term reveals both impressive strengths and some unexpected frustrations.
Here’s our comprehensive real-world review of what it’s actually like to own the iPhone 16 Pro in 2025.
Quick Verdict: Should You Buy the iPhone 16 Pro?
âś… Buy if you: Want the best iPhone camera system, need Pro features like ProRAW, value premium build quality, or plan to keep your phone for 4+ years.
❌ Skip if you: Are satisfied with iPhone 15 Pro, primarily use basic features, are budget-conscious, or prefer smaller phones.
iPhone 16 Pro Complete Specifications
| Category | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.3″ Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.9″ Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Resolution | 2622 Ă— 1206 pixels (460 ppi) | 2868 Ă— 1320 pixels (460 ppi) |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 120Hz ProMotion |
| Processor | A18 Pro (3nm) | A18 Pro (3nm) |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB |
| Storage Options | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Rear Cameras | 48MP Main + 48MP Ultra-wide + 12MP Telephoto (5x) | Same |
| Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth | 12MP TrueDepth |
| Battery | 3582 mAh | 4685 mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired, 15W MagSafe | 30W wired, 15W MagSafe |
| Build | Titanium frame, Ceramic Shield front | Same |
| Water Resistance | IP68 (6m for 30 min) | IP68 (6m for 30 min) |
| Starting Price | $999 (128GB) | $1,199 (256GB) |
| Weight | 199g | 227g |
Design & Build Quality: Premium Meets Practical
The iPhone 16 Pro’s titanium construction feels substantial without being heavy. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the largest iPhone Apple has ever made, and it offers the longest ever battery life on an iPhone, but the regular Pro strikes a better balance for most users.
What We Love:
- Titanium feels noticeably lighter than stainless steel
- Natural and Desert Titanium colors age beautifully
- Improved grip compared to iPhone 15 Pro
- Camera Control button placement becomes intuitive after a week
Potential Issues:
- Titanium shows fingerprints more than expected
- Camera Control button can be accidentally triggered
- Still no USB-C to Lightning adapter included
Camera Performance: The Real Star of the Show
Eight months in, the camera system remains the iPhone 16 Pro’s strongest selling point. One of the many things I came to appreciate with the 16 Pro is the ability to film in 4K, 120 fps in regular or slo-mo video mode and adjust the playback speed after.
Camera Specifications Breakdown
| Camera | Specs | Real-World Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Main (Wide) | 48MP, f/1.78, OIS | Excellent in all lighting; 2x crop maintains quality |
| Ultra-Wide | 48MP, f/2.2, 120° FOV | Significant upgrade; usable in low light |
| Telephoto | 12MP, f/2.8, 5x optical | Sharp portraits; decent digital zoom to 10x |
| Front | 12MP, f/1.9 | Great for selfies and FaceTime |
Photography Performance Analysis
Daylight Performance: 9/10 The main camera delivers stunning detail and color accuracy. The new 48MP ultra-wide significantly improves landscape shots compared to previous generations.
Low-Light Performance: 8/10 Night mode continues to impress, though it sometimes overprocesses images. The larger ultra-wide sensor makes a noticeable difference in dim conditions.
Portrait Mode: 9/10 The 5x telephoto creates natural bokeh with excellent edge detection. Portrait lighting effects have improved dramatically.
Video Performance: 10/10 4K 120fps recording is a game-changer for content creators. Cinematic mode now works across all cameras with smoother focus transitions.
Camera Control Button: Love It or Leave It?
After months of use, opinions on Camera Control remain divided. It’s genuinely useful for quickly launching the camera and adjusting settings, but I’ve been using the iPhone 16 Pro Max for three months now and I’ve got some grievances to air, mainly about that Camera button! – accidental presses remain an issue.
Display Quality: Bright, Smooth, and Gorgeous
The 6.3″ Super Retina XDR display is one of the best smartphone screens available. Key improvements include:
- Brightness: Up to 2000 nits peak outdoor brightness
- ProMotion: 120Hz feels incredibly smooth
- Color Accuracy: True-to-life colors with wide P3 gamut
- Always-On Display: More customizable than before
Minor Complaints:
- Slightly larger bezels than some Android competitors
- No significant brightness improvement over iPhone 15 Pro
- Always-On Display can be battery-intensive
Performance & Gaming: A18 Pro Delivers
It has a 6-core CPU with two efficiency cores and four performance cores, along with an upgraded 6-core GPU. There’s a 16-core Neural Engine optimized for machine learning tasks and Apple Intelligence features, and there’s a 17 percent increase in total system memory bandwidth.
Gaming Performance Analysis
AAA Mobile Games (Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile): 9/10
- Consistent 60fps at highest settings
- Minimal thermal throttling during extended sessions
- Graphics rival dedicated gaming phones
Casual Gaming: 10/10
- Instant app launches
- Zero lag or stuttering
- Excellent for Apple Arcade titles
Emulation: 8/10
- Handles most retro consoles flawlessly
- Some newer console emulation shows limitations
- Great for productivity apps and multitasking
Real-World Performance
Daily tasks feel instantaneous. App switching, photo editing, and multitasking are seamless. The extra RAM makes a noticeable difference in app retention.
Battery Life: All-Day Performer with Caveats
Daily Usage Results:
- Light Use: 12-14 hours screen time
- Moderate Use: 8-10 hours screen time
- Heavy Use: 6-8 hours screen time
Charging Performance:
- 25W wired charging: 0-50% in 35 minutes
- 15W MagSafe: 0-50% in 60 minutes
- No significant improvement over iPhone 15 Pro
Battery Health After 8 Months: Still at 95% maximum capacity with daily charging habits. Battery optimization features work well.
Apple Intelligence: Promise vs. Reality
Apple Intelligence launched months after the iPhone 16 Pro, and results are mixed. With the iPhone 16 Pro, we got Camera Control and, eventually, Apple Intelligence. How has it fared? The consensus is underwhelming so far.
What Works:
- Writing assistance in Mail and Messages
- Smarter Siri responses (when they work)
- Photo search improvements
What Doesn’t:
- Inconsistent performance
- Limited third-party app integration
- High battery drain when active
Issues & Downsides After 8 Months
Hardware Issues:
- Camera Control button placement causes accidental presses
- Titanium frame shows micro-scratches despite careful use
- Lightning to USB-C adapter still not included
Software Frustrations:
- Apple Intelligence features feel half-baked
- iOS 18 bugs more persistent than usual
- Some third-party apps crash more frequently
Missing Features:
- No significant charging speed improvements
- Still no USB-C port on AirPods included
- No reverse wireless charging
Pricing & Market Availability
Global Pricing (June 2025)
| Region | 128GB | 256GB | 512GB | 1TB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | $999 | $1,099 | $1,299 | $1,499 |
| UK | ÂŁ999 | ÂŁ1,099 | ÂŁ1,299 | ÂŁ1,499 |
| EU | €1,199 | €1,329 | €1,559 | €1,789 |
| India | â‚ą1,34,900 | â‚ą1,44,900 | â‚ą1,64,900 | â‚ą1,84,900 |
| Australia | AU$1,849 | AU$2,049 | AU$2,399 | AU$2,749 |
Best Deals (June 2025):
- Trade-in offers up to $800 from Apple
- Carrier promotions offering up to $1,000 off with eligible plans
- Amazon Prime Day upcoming deals expected
iPhone 16 Pro vs. Competition
vs. iPhone 15 Pro
Skip the upgrade if: You’re satisfied with current performance and don’t need Camera Control or Apple Intelligence.
Worth upgrading if: You’re a content creator who needs 4K 120fps video or want the latest Apple Intelligence features.
vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
iPhone 16 Pro wins: Video recording, ecosystem integration, software updates, build quality Galaxy S24 Ultra wins: Display brightness, zoom capabilities, S Pen functionality, customization
vs. Google Pixel 8 Pro
iPhone 16 Pro wins: Video quality, performance consistency, build quality, ecosystem Pixel 8 Pro wins: Computational photography, AI features, price value, faster updates
Who Should Buy the iPhone 16 Pro?
âś… Perfect For:
- Content creators who need professional video capabilities
- Photography enthusiasts wanting the best iPhone camera system
- Apple ecosystem users with multiple Apple devices
- Long-term users planning to keep their phone 4+ years
- Professionals needing reliable performance and security
❌ Not Recommended For:
- iPhone 15 Pro owners satisfied with current performance
- Budget-conscious buyers who can save money with iPhone 15 or 14
- Basic users who primarily text, call, and browse social media
- Small phone lovers who find 6.3″ too large
- Android switchers who heavily rely on Google services
Final Thoughts: Still Apple’s Best, But Evolution Not Revolution
After eight months, the iPhone 16 Pro remains an excellent flagship smartphone, but it’s more evolutionary than revolutionary. The camera improvements are real and meaningful, especially for video creators. Performance is top-tier, and build quality maintains Apple’s high standards.
However, Apple Intelligence underwhelms, battery life improvements are modest, and the premium price demands serious consideration. For iPhone 14 Pro and older users, it’s a worthy upgrade. iPhone 15 Pro owners should probably wait for the iPhone 17 Pro unless they specifically need the new camera features.
The iPhone 16 Pro excels at being a dependable, premium smartphone that will likely remain capable for years to come. It’s not perfect, but it’s undeniably one of the best phones money can buy in 2025.
Final Score: 8.5/10
Have you been using the iPhone 16 Pro? Share your long-term experiences in the comments below. For more in-depth smartphone reviews and tech insights, subscribe to our newsletter.