The wait is over. Apple officially announced the launch of the iPhone 16 on Monday, September 9, at its annual fall event. Excited? You should be. With a nod to the iPhone 15 series, this year’s lineup also includes four models — iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max — with some big game-changing upgrades.
Even in light of all the excitement, is it worth it to upgrade to the new iPhone?
New iPhone 16 features
The standard iPhone 16 includes the customizable Action button, now found on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. And every model of the iPhone 16 will also have a Camera Control button, which will allow you to capture photos without touching or interacting with the screen. Thanks to the new Ceramic Shield material, the iPhone is now 50% tougher.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Chip upgrades also mean that the iPhone 16 is now faster and more energy efficient. And of course, you can choose from an array of shiny new pastel colors.
With reference to the “Its Glowtime” tagline, the September launch includes Apple Intelligence — Apple’s recent take on how AI can help people in their everyday lives, with a big focus on privacy. You can expect the iPhone 16 to feature a smarter Siri, writing help, generative image creation and text summarization.
Camera upgrades
The iPhone 16 features a vertical camera arrangement. So, instead of the diagonal camera arrangement on the iPhone 15, you’ll see a pill-shaped raised surface with two separate camera rings for wide and ultra-wide shots. The 48-megapixel main camera now enables Spatial Video recording, not found on the iPhone 15, as well as macro-photography, allowing you to take detailed close-up shots. It also features better low-light performance, autofocus and a Camera Control button.
iPhone 16's new Camera Control feature, which can be used in both landscape and portrait, makes capturing images easier than ever. Press the Camera Control button to open the camera and click again to take an image or hold to record a video. It can also distinguish between a full click and a lighter press — which can be used to help you focus and frame a shot.
The new Camera Control feature can also help you learn about your surroundings and get information faster. For example, take a picture of a restaurant with Camera Control and Apple Intelligence will look up information for that location.
All iPhone Pro phones feature a 12MP telephoto lens with 5x zoom and can record video in 4K.
New IOS and Pro Chip
All four iPhone 16 models will be equipped with A18-branded chips.
Other noteworthy iPhone 16 features
With each model that Apple debuts, from the first iPhone that Apple introduced in 2007 to the latest iPhone 16 models, the features keep improving. This year is no different. Other iPhone 16 features (depending on the model) include:
- New display sizes (6.1-inch iPhone 16, 6.7-inch iPhone 16 Plus, 6.3-inch iPhone 16 Pro and 6.9-inch iPhone 16 Pro)
- Enhanced audio performance
- Peak battery life
- New colors
- Macro-lens technology
- Action button upgrade
- Increased memory and expanded storage
- Ultra-thin bezel and Titanium finish
- New Siri features
- Telephoto lens
- Support for AAA games
New iPhone 16 price
The iPhone 16 costs $799 and iPhone 16 Plus is $899.
The iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999 and iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199.
How to upgrade to a new iPhone 16
One of the easiest ways to upgrade to the new iPhone 16 is through Apple’s iPhone Upgrade program. Benefits include:
- You get a new iPhone every year—once you’ve made 12 payments, you can upgrade to a new phone every year. Just trade in your current iPhone and start a new plan.
- AppleCare+ coverage is included.
- Works with your current carrier.
- Starting from $39.50/month.
Start by checking if you’re eligible to upgrade your current phone, then choose the iPhone you’d like to upgrade to, or stop by an Apple store to see the various models. Choose the level of AppleCare+ coverage you need, provide your carrier preference, provide a credit or debit card for payment, and return your old phone to Apple via a Trade-in kit provided. You can also visit your current carrier for the latest upgrade deals.
Should you upgrade to the iPhone 16?
If you’re still carrying around an iPhone 8 (or older), it may be time to upgrade. Clearly, there are remarkable changes and upgrades to consder, but before you commit, consider other reasons to hold off, at least for now.
- The new iPhone 16 models are larger. So if you want something that fits in your back pocket or a compartment in your purse, you may want to think twice.
- Like most Apple products, new iPhones are expensive. Consider your budget before breaking the bank.
- Do you really need all those extra features? Yes, the new camera may be a significant upgrade, as is the new A18 chip and battery life. But if you text a few friends or call your sister-in-law once a week, do these features really matter?
- And, while the new colors are nice, if you add a new case (add in that extra cost), you won’t really see the color anyway.
- AI upgrades can improve the overall function of Siri and other apps, but isn’t Siri just fine the way it is?
What else is new?
The September 9 event also announced the new Apple Watch 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 3, along with the new AirPods 4 and updated AirPods Max.
Related Content
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks Rally Despite Rising Geopolitical TensionThe main indexes were mixed on Tuesday but closed well off their lows after an early flight to safety.
-
What's at Stake for Alphabet as DOJ Eyes Google's ChromeAlphabet is higher Tuesday even as antitrust officials at the DOJ support forcing Google to sell its popular web browser. Here's what you need to know.
-
Six Ways to Optimize Your Charitable Giving Before Year-EndAs 2024 winds down, right now is the time to look at how you plan to handle your charitable giving. The sooner you start, the more tax-efficient you can be.
-
Structured Settlement Annuity vs Lump-Sum Payout: Which Is Better?As the use of structured settlement annuities grows, it can be tough to decide whether to take the lump sum to invest or opt instead for guaranteed payments.
-
What to Do as Soon as Your Divorce Is FinalDon't delay — getting these tasks accomplished as soon as possible can help you avoid costly consequences.
-
How to Fight Inflation's Hidden Threat to Your SavingsIf higher prices are putting your savings goals on hold, you're in danger of financial erosion. Fortunately, several strategies can help stop the spread.
-
Seven Luxury Places to See the Northern Lights This WinterThe northern lights will be at their most captivating this winter. Fancy making them even more magical? From hotels on ice to glass cabins and mountain yurts, here are seven places to see the northern lights with luxury winter stays.
-
Does a Farm Need a Different Homeowners Insurance Policy?Homeowners insurance is all about providing the right tool for the right exposure, and life on the farm comes with different risks than life in the city.
-
How One Caregiver Is Navigating a Loved One's DementiaShe's spent many hours doing research and speaking with other caregivers to find her way to resources designed to help caregivers.
-
October CPI Report Hits the Mark: What the Experts Are Saying About InflationCPI While the current pace of rising prices appears to have leveled off, the expected path of rate cuts has become less certain.
