Powered by the new A18 chip, designed with Apple Intelligence in mind for future updates, the iPhone 16 delivers some subtle enhancements in key areas. However, the absence of Apple Intelligence at launch and mixed reactions to the new Camera Control button have left reviewers with some lingering questions.
The Verge: A Year of Small Gains
Allison Johnson from The Verge highlights the iPhone 16’s proximity to the Pro models, saying that “it’s a good year for the basic iPhone, and it’s a good year to upgrade.” While the upgrades are modest, the review focuses on how the absence of Apple Intelligence leaves the iPhone 16 feeling like a "work in progress."
The new Camera Control button was met with some disappointment, as Johnson found it "hard to use" and awkwardly placed. Moreover, the continued lack of ProMotion and an always-on display in the standard models remain pain points, especially with competitors already offering 120Hz screens as the default.
The review remains optimistic, though, hoping that once Apple Intelligence becomes available, it will deliver the “time-saving, stress-easing” experience Apple is promising. Yet, there’s little here to convince iPhone 15 users to upgrade.
Gizmodo: Early Excitement About Apple Intelligence
Florence Ion’s early review for Gizmodo expresses enthusiasm for Apple’s AI vision, describing the new A18 chip as “ripe for Apple Intelligence processing.” She praises Apple’s focus on unobtrusive AI, stating that it could “improve the value of the typical things you already do with the iPhone.”
When it comes to the cameras, Ion points out that while the iPhone 15’s cameras were satisfactory, the iPhone 16’s are poised for Spatial Video and Photos, giving them a slight edge. However, optical zoom remains limited.
Overall, Ion concludes that while the new iPhones are solid, there’s no need for fear of missing out just yet: “There’s no need to have FOMO for the iPhone 16 quite yet.”
MKBHD: Camera Control Concerns
YouTuber MKBHD touches on the awkward positioning of the new Capture Control button, questioning how useful it will be. "It's kind of in this awkward spot on the bottom right of the phone. It makes sense as a horizontal shutter button, but they’re kind of splitting the difference trying to make it usable in a vertical orientation."
He also shares his disappointment with the iPhone’s continued 60Hz display, noting that limiting a flagship phone in 2024 to 60Hz seems outdated. Despite these drawbacks, MKBHD still considers the iPhone 16 “probably a better buy for most people over the Pro phones.”
CNET: Incremental But Noticeable Changes
Lisa Eadicicco of CNET acknowledges the iPhone 16’s lack of a standout, knockout feature but emphasizes how small improvements add up. The Camera Control and Action buttons are the most significant changes, though neither seem to be must-haves for those not already planning to upgrade.
She is particularly concerned that the Camera Control button might share the fate of the MacBook Pro’s Touch Bar, which was largely ignored. Nonetheless, Eadicicco appreciates Apple’s gradual transformation of the iPhone interface to be “more customizable and efficient.”
Her final thoughts reflect the current state of smartphone upgrades: “The days of upgrading your phone every year for the one big new feature are far behind us, and the iPhone 16 is proof. And that's not a bad thing."