It’s that point of yr once more, and as a tech reviewer and photographer, I often get a brand new iPhone to have higher tech, get digital camera enhancements, have the ability to make suggestions, and reply your questions. This yr was no completely different. I received the brand new iPhone 16 Professional.
Let me reply the primary query I get once I say what I simply stated: “Why didn’t you go together with the iPhone 16 Professional Max?” Individuals are often shocked once I say, “I don’t like the larger cellphone!” In spite of everything, what’s to not like? It’s a much bigger display screen, often longer battery life, and a function or two that the common “smaller” Professional mannequin doesn’t have. So why wouldn’t I get the 16 Professional Max? Right here’s why: I had a 13 Professional Max, and all I keep in mind saying for a whole yr was, “I can’t wait until the iPhone 14 Professional comes out in order that I can return down in measurement.”
I didn’t like the larger iPhone in any respect. It wasn’t hand-friendly for one-handed use, and I all the time felt like I used to be going to drop it. It was too cumbersome for my pocket. I simply didn’t prefer it, and I don’t miss it.
At this level, iPhones don’t get massive revolutionary options. They get incremental options, which often leads individuals to skip a model or two or three. Actually, I may have most likely skipped the iPhone 16 Professional, as my iPhone 15 Professional was simply advantageous, particularly now that it has USB-C. Nonetheless, I do admire the 5x zoom within the digital camera, WiFi 7 assist, 48MP wide-angle digital camera, and the brand new devoted digital camera {hardware} button (Why did this take so lengthy?). Because the iPhone is the digital camera I all the time have with me, it’s all the time good to get a greater digital camera with every replace.
Design and Show
Apple has refined the look of the iPhone 16 Professional, making it thinner with smoother edges for a extra comfy grip. The brand new titanium body provides sturdiness with out including bulk, a transparent enchancment over earlier fashions. The Professional model now is available in a brand new vary of matte finishes that resist fingerprints, maintaining the cellphone trying pristine.
The show has been upgraded to a 6.3-inch ProMotion XDR OLED display screen, providing beautiful brightness and a better refresh fee that adapts dynamically to the content material. Whether or not you’re gaming, watching HDR content material, or just searching, the colours are extra vivid, and the element is extraordinary.
Efficiency
Powered by the brand new A18 Bionic chip, the iPhone 16 Professional delivers blazing-fast efficiency. The upgraded 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU, mixed with a 16-core Neural Engine, make this probably the most highly effective iPhone but. Multitasking is easy, gaming is easy, and even demanding functions like video modifying run with no hitch.
Battery life has additionally seen an enchancment, because of the extra power-efficient chip. Customers can anticipate an all-day battery even with heavy utilization, which is nice for many who are consistently on the go.
Digicam System
The digital camera system is without doubt one of the iPhone 16 Professional’s largest promoting factors. The 48MP essential sensor delivers crisp and detailed pictures, even in low-light circumstances, because of its bigger aperture. The telephoto lens now options 5x optical zoom, permitting for clearer close-up photographs. Apple has additionally improved the ultra-wide lens for higher panorama and macro photographs.
The ProRAW format remains to be a favourite for skilled photographers, however even informal customers will discover the distinction in picture high quality. The brand new AI-powered “Sensible Seize” mode mechanically adjusts settings based mostly on lighting and subject material, making it simpler to take professional-looking pictures with none effort. To not point out the flexibility to seize 4K video at 120fps – WOW!
Software program and Options
iOS 18 is completely optimized for the iPhone 16 Professional, providing smoother transitions, improved privateness options, and higher multitasking choices. One standout function is the expanded widget system, which permits for extra customization and interactivity instantly from the lock display screen.
Apple has additionally launched enhanced satellite tv for pc communication capabilities, constructing on its emergency SOS function, which is now out there in additional areas. For vacationers or adventurers, this added layer of security is a welcome addition.
Connectivity and Charging
The iPhone 16 Professional has USB-C charging (which was one in all my essential causes for going with the iPhone 15 Professional), providing quicker knowledge transfers and extra compatibility with different gadgets. This shift will attraction to customers with a number of devices needing a common charging answer.
The cellphone helps 5G, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.3, guaranteeing the quickest doable connections throughout the board. Whether or not you’re streaming high-quality video or partaking in an internet assembly, connectivity is seamless and dependable.
My Configuration
I upgraded my storage from 512GB to 1TB this time as I needed room to develop, taking extra 48MP pictures and capturing extra 4K video. I opted for Desert Titanium and put it in my favourite case of all time, the brand new Pitaka case for the iPhone 16 Professional.
My favourite iPhone case
Yearly, I get a brand new iPhone, and due to this fact, yearly, I get a brand new iPhone case. For the previous 4-5 years, I’ve been utilizing the identical case vendor, Pitaka. Pitaka makes a extremely skinny, robust, light-weight case for iPhones, and ever since I received my first one, I’ve liked it and acquired a brand new one for every new cellphone. That is the one I went with this yr.
iOS 18/18.1
A lot of the actually cool options are within the working system replace, and that signifies that customers of older iPhones get some actually cool options, too. I like the brand new dwelling display screen customization capabilities. My favourite is having the ability to customise the Management Panel that you simply get while you swipe down from the fitting aspect. I’m trying ahead to Apple Intellegance within the upcoming iOS 18.1 and all of this works nice on iPhone 15 as nicely.
Apple Dwelling customers will admire the flexibility to have the ability to set your most popular Dwelling hub (we’ve been asking for this for years!)
The Apple Watch Extremely 2
I additionally often get a brand new Apple Watch annually, and this yr, I made a decision to go together with the Apple Watch Extremely 2 as a substitute of the NEW Collection 10. The one factor that modified within the Extremely 2 from final yr’s mannequin was a brand new black coloration. So technically, since I went with the titanium coloration, I’m mainly utilizing final yr’s mannequin, and that’s advantageous. It was actually a toss-up for me to decide on between the brand new, greater Collection 10 and Extremely 2 (the display screen sizes are nearly equivalent). I’m not an excessive sports activities particular person, so I by no means went with the Extremely fashions after they had been launched. Nonetheless, the Extremely 2 gives one factor over the Collection 10 that basically appeals to me and is the principle cause that I went Extremely 2 as a substitute of Collection 10. Apple Watch Extremely 2 has a rated battery lifetime of 36 hours whereas Collection 10 is just 18 hours.
My days might be fairly lengthy, particularly once I journey throughout a number of time zones. My Collection 9 watch would usually die and wish recharging earlier than I used to be finished for the day. I by no means sleep in my watch, so I don’t care about it lasting all night time. Nonetheless, I want it to final all day. You’ll suppose that 18 hours can be lengthy sufficient, however I solely received 18 hours on a extremely good day. I by no means get the rated battery efficiency. Even on the Extremely 2, I’m not getting 36 hours, however I get all-day battery life, which I wanted/needed. Now, once I go to mattress after a extremely lengthy day, I’ve not less than 20-30% battery left on the Extremely 2. I additionally like the extra customizable Motion button and the brand new titanium band. I hated all the opposite Extremely 2 band selections and would have doubtless gone with a third-party band if Apple didn’t come out with the brand new Titanium ones.
AirPods Max
That is going to sound bizarre. I hate over-the-ear headphones! “Then Terry, why on earth would you purchase AirPods Max?” I received a pair of the unique AirPods Max from work. They sound nice and provide seamless connectivity to all my Apple gadgets. The Lively Noise cancellation and battery life is beautiful! I fly so much nowadays, and my goto AirPods Professional 2 earbuds are nice, however the issue is battery life. I barely get 4 hours of use earlier than placing them within the case for a fast cost. Because of this on a cross-country flight, I received’t have the ability to use them for a part of the flight as soon as the battery dies. This occurs to me on each lengthy flight.
Why do I hate over-the-ear headphones? They often give me a headache after an hour or two. As an eyeglass wearer, they press in opposition to my glasses, making them uncomfortable to put on for lengthy durations.
Being annoyed by the battery lifetime of the AirPods Professional 2 and liking the 2 new coloration selections and USB-C port of the brand new AirPods Max, I made a decision to present them one other try to do one thing I by no means did with the unique pair, and that’s flying with them. I’m touring each week by means of mid-October, so I made a decision to present the brand new ones a shot within the surroundings the place I wanted them most: in flight! Whereas I may have simply used the older ones, I even have transitioned all my cell gadgets to USB-C. I don’t wish to use any extra gadgets with a Lightning port for charging.
4.5 hours later, I didn’t wish to rip them off my head!
My first flight with them was a hit. I received what I needed. I may put on them with out getting a headache, I had GREAT Lively Noise Cancellation, and once I landed, I nonetheless had 79% battery. Whereas I didn’t get a headache, I didn’t wish to put on them any longer than wanted. The stress from them after 4.5 hours was noticeable. This isn’t particular to the AirPods Max as I’ve had this drawback with Bose, Sony, Beats, and many others.
My solely disappointment is that, for the asking worth ($549), the “case” is weak! It’s probably not a case. It’s extra of a canopy. I additionally want they folded in half to take up much less area. Bose and Sony headphones value much less and have an actual case.
My mates are fast to suggest options, and I’m positive they’re nice. We may argue over sound high quality and lively noise cancellation, and many others. Nonetheless, the one factor that the others don’t have is the H1/H2 chip that’s in Apple’s headphones. This chip supplies seamless connectivity between Apple gadgets. I simply put them on, and a few seconds later, I hear a tone indicating that they’ve related to my iPhone. If I open my MacBook Professional and begin working, they swap over mechanically. If I’m watching one thing on Apple TV, tvOS gives to hook up with them. That is the performance that I’m not keen to surrender when going with a distinct model, even when they’re cheaper or have higher sound efficiency.
I used to be considering I used to be going to return them after that first flight, however now I’ve finished three cross-country flights with them the entire time, and I can dwell with the stress for the opposite advantages.
Sure, they work with AirFly as nicely
One of many issues I additionally love utilizing my AirFly Duo on the aircraft in order that I can use any Bluetooth headphones and connect with the in-flight leisure system. These AirPods Max related completely to my AirFly Duo. Get the AirFly Duo right here.
The Backside Line
None of those upgrades are must-haves for many of my readers. Within the case of Apple Watch Extremely 2 and AirPods Max, there’s little or no cause to improve if you have already got a watch and headphones that you simply’re pleased with. When you haven’t upgraded your iPhone for some time, then I might say the 15 Professional is a strong improve. When you haven’t gotten a brand new watch or are on the lookout for over-the-ear headphones and wish to keep within the Apple ecosystem, then it’s best to check out them. The AirPods Max are overpriced, in my view, however they work as marketed.
