iPhone 16 Pro After 9 Months
The iPhone 16 Pro has been around for almost a year now, with much of the early noise now gone. This makes now a great time for a detailed review. Is this "Pro" model worth buying in mid-2025, or should you wait for the iPhone 17. We've taken a lot of user thoughts and our own use to give you a clear answer.
Look and Feel
Apple has made its well-known design even better with the iPhone 16 Pro. Using titanium for the frame not only adds a luxe feel but also keeps smudges low, most of all on the matte back. A small yet key tweak is the rounder edges, making the phone nicer to hold than the older, sharp-edged iPhone 13 Pro. This shape makes it easier and nicer to use day by day.
The 6.3-inch screen is just right, bigger than 6.1 inches but not as big as the Max ones. It works for both small and big hands. The three-camera set up on the back, seen since the iPhone 11 Pro, still shows this is a top phone. But, the Dynamic Island, while neat for showing timing, music, and alerts, isn't liked by all who want a full screen with no cuts.
The new Camera Control button is an interesting add but may not be used a lot by most, who might just use it to open the camera fast rather than to tweak deep settings.
Screen
The 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR screen is still a key feature. With 120Hz ProMotion tech, moving and scrolling look very smooth. The display is super bright, which means it can be used in strong light with ease. Colors look full but not too much, and text is super sharp, making reading easy.
A big step up from older Pro models is how it manages heat with the screen. There is a lot less auto-dimming when the phone heats up on the 16 Pro. Some users say there is a mild yellow tint on some screens, but it's not a big problem. For those who find Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) hard, the screen works at a higher, less annoying rate when it’s over 39% bright.
Speed and Software
With the A18 Pro chip and 8GB of RAM, the iPhone 16 Pro is very strong. Nine months later, it still handles all tasks well, from top games and video edits to lots of tasks at once. There’s no slow-down in normal use. It manages heat better than before, even though it doesn’t have a vapor chamber, which some Android models do for long game plays.
iOS is as smooth as it's ever been. With iOS 18 and looking forward to iOS 26, the phone runs very stable. Regular updates to the system and key apps are a strong point for Apple. Though maybe less flexible than Android, iOS's stable, trusty nature is hard to beat.
Camera System
The iPhone 16 Pro shines with its cameras, true to its "Pro" name. The three-lens set, now with a 48MP ultra wide lens, offers lots of options. Shooting in ProRAW lets those who edit photos have lots of room to play, while regular shooting keeps giving top-notch results.
Video is great, with up to 4K at 120fps and Apple ProRes for high-end recording. A big plus with the 16 Pro is it shares top camera features, like 5x zoom, with the bigger 16 Pro Max, so you don't need the biggest model for the best camera. The front camera is still good but hasn't had big upgrades recently, which might be a small downside for some.
Battery Life and Link Ups
Battery life in the iPhone 16 Pro is strong due to a bit bigger size than the 15 Pro, fitting in a larger battery that usually lasts a full day, normally giving 6.5 to 7 hours of screen time. Heavy users might need a refill by night, but it’s a lot better and feels like the good old iPhone 13 Pro battery life.
Charging pace is okay but not the fastest, taking between an hour and a half and two hours for a full charge through USB-C. Linking up is mostly solid, with Wi-Fi and cell working well, thanks to the Qualcomm modem. Yet, some say Samsung models do a bit better in weak signal spots. Bluetooth links can be patchy for some, though Apple keeps fixing these issues in updates.
Pros and Cons
- Great Build High-end titanium body with better, comfy hold.
- Beautiful Screen Sharp, swift 120Hz ProMotion screen with true colors.
- Strong Speed The A18 Pro chip manages all tasks with no fuss.
- Good Camera Mix Top-level photo and video use, just like the Pro Max.
- Long Battery Life A big step-up from past models.
- Stable Software & Support Regular updates and a smooth user feel.
- High Cost Opens at $999 for a small 128GB space.
- Old Look The same look for many years.
- Dynamic Island Still not a full screen view.
- Slow to Fill Charges slower than many Android phones.
- Heat Issues Can get hot and slow down when used a lot.
Our Ratings
- Style & Hold: 4/5
- Screen: 5/5
- Speed: 5/5
- Camera: 5/5
- Battery: 4/5
- Total: 4/5
Should You Buy Now or Wait
After nine months, the iPhone 16 Pro is a top-notch, all around good phone that hits all key points. It has a clear screen, strong speed, a pro camera set-up, and long battery life. There's little to not like; it's a phone to trust every day.
Who should buy it now. If you have an iPhone 12 or older and want a big step up, the iPhone 16 Pro is a smart pick and will seem like a huge leap ahead. It's a sure choice that will last you years.
Who should wait. If you have an iPhone 14 Pro or 15 Pro, the new stuff may not seem big enough to pay out. With the iPhone 17 coming soon and talked of bigger design changes it might be smart to wait and see what Apple brings next.