Introduction
Apple’s iPhone 16 Plus is the larger sibling of the standard iPhone 16, designed for those who want a big screen and all-day battery life—without the premium pricing of the Pro models.
In 2024–2025, Apple’s Plus lineup has found its niche: delivering flagship-level essentials (great cameras, excellent battery, the latest A-series chip) in a big, accessible package.
But does the iPhone 16 Plus bring enough new features over last year’s 15 Plus? And is it a good buy compared to the 16 Pro or even older models?
This in-depth iPhone 16 Plus review will cover everything you need to know—from design and display to performance, cameras, battery, and more.
📌 iPhone 16 Plus: Key Specs at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.8″ Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz |
| Processor | A17 Pro chip |
| RAM/Storage | 6GB RAM, 128/256/512GB NVMe |
| Rear Cameras | 48MP main + 12MP ultra-wide |
| Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth with Face ID |
| Battery | ~4500–4700mAh, 35W wired, 20W MagSafe wireless |
| OS | iOS 18 |
| Extras | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield glass, IP68 rating |
🎨 Design and Build Quality
✅ Familiar Apple Premium
- Aerospace-grade aluminum frame
- Ceramic Shield front and back
- Slightly slimmer bezels compared to 15 Plus
✅ Size and Weight:
- 6.8-inch screen = excellent for watching movies, gaming
- Weight ~205g (lighter than Pro Max)
- Slim profile, rounded edges for comfort
✅ Color Options:
- Midnight
- Starlight
- Blue
- Pink
- Green
✅ In-Hand Feel:
- Balanced and reassuringly solid
- Rounded edges much more comfortable than older flat designs
✅ Verdict:
Classic Apple craftsmanship. Not as fancy as the titanium Pro models, but premium and refined.
🌈 Display: Big and Bright Super Retina XDR
✅ Specs:
- 6.8-inch Super Retina XDR OLED
- HDR10, Dolby Vision support
- Up to 2000 nits peak HDR brightness
✅ User Experience:
- Big, immersive canvas perfect for Netflix, YouTube, gaming
- Vivid colors, true blacks typical of OLED
- High brightness makes it easy to use outdoors
- Still 60Hz refresh rate
✅ Pros:
✔️ Huge, beautiful OLED panel
✔️ Excellent HDR playback
✔️ Great outdoor visibility
✅ Cons:
✘ No 120Hz ProMotion (reserved for Pro models)
✘ Slightly less sharp than Pro Max in HDR peaks
✅ Verdict:
One of the best big non-Pro iPhone displays—ideal for anyone who wants screen real estate on a budget.
Check out our review on iPhone 16 and find out if a step-up in budget is worth the price..
⚡ Performance: A17 Pro Chip
✅ Core Specs:
- A17 Pro processor (same as last year’s Pro models)
- 6-core CPU, 6-core GPU with ray tracing support
- 6GB RAM
✅ Benchmark Results:
- Blazing fast single-core and multi-core scores
- Future-proof for years of iOS updates
✅ Daily Use:
- Zero lag for apps, games, multitasking
- Heavy games run smoothly, even with advanced graphics
✅ Gaming:
- Supports console-level games like Resident Evil 4, Assassin’s Creed Mirage
- Ray tracing support for realistic lighting
✅ Pros:
✔️ Flagship-level performance
✔️ Great for gaming
✔️ Long software support
✅ Cons:
✘ Slightly less RAM than Pro models
✘ Can get warm during extended high-load gaming
✅ Verdict:
Excellent performance that will remain fast for years, perfect for gamers and power users.
📸 Camera System: Versatile Dual-Lens Setup
✅ Rear Cameras:
- 48MP wide sensor with pixel binning
- 12MP ultra-wide with macro support
✅ Photo Quality:
- Sharp, detailed images in good lighting
- Smart HDR 6 delivers balanced highlights and shadows
- Improved low-light with Night Mode
- Natural color rendering without over-saturation
✅ Zoom:
- 2x in-sensor zoom (using 48MP crop)
- No dedicated telephoto lens
✅ Video:
- 4K 60fps HDR recording
- Cinematic Mode up to 4K
- Action Mode for stabilized video
- Dolby Vision HDR support
✅ Front Camera:
- 12MP TrueDepth with autofocus
- Excellent selfies even in low light
- Center Stage for FaceTime calls
✅ Pros:
✔️ Flagship-quality main sensor
✔️ Great for video recording
✔️ Solid ultra-wide performance
✅ Cons:
✘ No telephoto lens for optical zoom
✘ Slightly behind Pro models in low-light detail
✅ Verdict:
A highly capable camera system for the price, especially for video shooters.
Check out our latest review on iPhone 16 Pro and compare the pro tech with iPhone 16 plus.
🔋 Battery Life and Charging
✅ Specs:
- ~4500–4700mAh battery (Apple doesn’t publish exact)
- 35W wired USB-C charging
- 20W MagSafe wireless charging
✅ Usage:
- Easily a 1.5–2 day phone for average users
- ~7–9 hours of screen-on time
✅ Charging:
- 50% in about 25–30 minutes with supported USB-C charger
- Supports any USB-C PD charger
✅ Pros:
✔️ Massive battery for all-day use
✔️ Fast USB-C charging
✔️ MagSafe ecosystem support
✅ Cons:
✘ Charger sold separately
✘ No ultra-fast charging like some Android competitors
✅ Verdict:
One of the longest-lasting iPhones ever, making the Plus a top pick for battery-focused buyers.
🛠️ Software: iOS 18
✅ Features:
- Most customizable iOS yet
- Redesigned Control Center with more toggles
- Interactive widgets on Home Screen
- App icon theming and placement freedom
- New AI-powered text summarization, image editing
- Passwords app for secure logins
✅ Exclusive Features:
- Advanced camera controls (less than Pro but still solid)
- Clean, intuitive interface
✅ User Experience:
- Ultra-smooth, even at 60Hz
- Secure and private by design
- Supported for ~5–6 years with major updates
✅ Pros:
✔️ Clean, polished experience
✔️ New customization options finally arrive
✔️ Excellent security and privacy
✅ Cons:
✘ Less customizable than Android overall
✘ AI features sometimes region-locked at launch
✅ Verdict:
Apple’s best iOS yet, with real improvements to customization and AI tools.
📶 Connectivity and Extras
✅ Connectivity:
- USB-C port (finally)
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Bluetooth 5.4 with LE Audio
- 5G mmWave and Sub-6
- Ultra Wideband chip for precise Find My and AirTags
✅ Extras:
- Face ID with TrueDepth camera
- Ceramic Shield protection
- IP68 water and dust resistance
- Emergency SOS via Satellite
✅ Pros:
✔️ Modern, universal USB-C
✔️ Great 5G support
✔️ Advanced safety features
✅ Cons:
✘ No fingerprint sensor (Face ID only)
✘ Satellite features may vary by region
✅ Verdict:
Covers all the modern needs with Apple’s typical polish.
🤔 Who Should Buy the iPhone 16 Plus?
✅ Buy it if you want:
✔️ A giant screen without Pro pricing
✔️ Best-in-class battery life
✔️ Flagship-grade camera for photos and video
✔️ Years of software updates
✔️ Reliable Apple build quality
❌ Skip it if:
✘ You demand 120Hz display smoothness
✘ You want the best zoom or macro camera
✘ You prefer smaller phones
✅ Pros and Cons at a Glance
Pros:
✔️ Massive, high-quality OLED display
✔️ Flagship-level A17 Pro performance
✔️ Excellent dual cameras with 48MP main
✔️ Outstanding battery life
✔️ iOS 18 customization
Cons:
✘ 60Hz display only
✘ No telephoto lens
✘ Premium pricing without Pro features
📌 FAQs
Q: Does the iPhone 16 Plus have USB-C?
👉 Yes! Finally, a universal USB-C port with fast charging.
Q: Does it have ProMotion 120Hz?
👉 No, it’s limited to 60Hz. Only Pro models get ProMotion.
Q: How long does the battery last?
👉 Easily 1.5–2 days for most users, among Apple’s best.
Q: Does it have the A17 Pro chip?
👉 Yes, the same flagship chip as last year’s Pro models.
Q: How long will it get iOS updates?
👉 Typically 5–6 years of major updates.
🌟 Final Verdict: 4.4/5 ⭐
The iPhone 16 Plus is exactly what fans of the Plus line want: a huge, gorgeous screen and exceptional battery life, with Apple’s flagship-level performance and camera quality.
✅ It’s not quite as fancy as the Pro or Ultra, but for most people it’s all the iPhone you’ll ever need—and a great choice if you want a big-screen iPhone without paying Pro Max money.
