The buzz surrounding the new iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max is building up as early reviews flood in. While the design hasn’t seen a significant overhaul from its predecessors, Apple has focused on refining the experience, addressing some of the issues that frustrated users last year. For those who prefer watching videos over reading text, several video reviews are available, but if you’re pondering an upgrade this year, it’s beneficial to delve into various opinions.
Florence Ion from Gizmodo finds multiple aspects of the latest Pro models praiseworthy. However, she recommends an upgrade mainly for users still clinging to an older iPhone. For those already owning an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max, the reasons to switch are minimal unless you’re a devoted fan of having the newest tech each year. She notes, “If you’re due for an upgrade this year, you’ve been dealing with a crusty old iPhone on its last legs, and were thinking of going Pro, then yes, you should consider the iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max.”
Julian Chokkattu of Wired shares an enjoyable experience with the new Pro iPhones but points out the subtle differences between the Pro and the standard iPhone 16 models. He emphasizes that many users may find the regular iPhone 16 and 16 Plus to be sufficient, especially considering the cost savings. “Overall, I had a fairly enjoyable time with the Pro iPhones this year. The differences aren’t that great between the Pro iPhones and the non-Pro models this time around,” he observes.
Nilay Patel from The Verge is skeptical about upgrading from last year’s Pro models, arguing that the new features like Camera Control and the Action button, while nice, aren’t revolutionary. He advises, “It’s hard to find reasons to upgrade from last year’s model. The Camera Control and Action Button are nice, but not game-changing.” Patel suggests waiting for more compelling upgrades in future releases.
Patrick Holland of CNET praises the improvements in the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, such as better battery life and an enhanced camera, but he’s not too thrilled about other aspects like the base storage and color options. He states, “The iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max have a slew of upgrades including good battery life, outstanding photo and video capabilities. However, getting only 128GB of storage for $999 and the drab color options could be better.”
Despite the enhancements, it is noteworthy that pre-orders for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are down by 12.7% compared to last year’s models. Nonetheless, consumer sentiment can shift dramatically, so we remain watchful for further developments.
If you’re contemplating whether these new iPhones are worth the investment, hearing from multiple reviewers can offer a balanced perspective, helping you make an informed decision.
