iPhone 16 Plus

Specification

Bigger, Better, or Just Playing Safe?

Apple’s iPhone Plus models have always targeted users who want a big display and long battery, without paying “Pro” prices. With the iPhone 16 Plus, Apple continues this tradition — but does it offer enough upgrades? Or is it just the same iPhone 15 Plus with a new name?

Let’s break it down: design, display, performance, camera, battery, iOS 18, and where this phone fits in 2025’s market.

1. Design & Build: Familiar, But Refined

The iPhone 16 Plus looks nearly identical to its predecessor, but Apple has made a few small (yet welcome) tweaks:

• Flat-edged aluminum frame, still sleek and premium
• New rear matte glass finish – less slippery, fewer smudges
• Camera bump now slightly more refined
• IP68 rating – standard Apple water/dust protection

Weight: 201g – surprisingly manageable for a 6.7″ phone
Feel in Hand: Balanced, premium, and solid as expected

2. Display: Big, Bright, and Smooth

The 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen is one of the main reasons to buy the Plus version.

Display Specs:

• Resolution: 2778×1284 (FHD+)
• Brightness: Up to 2000 nits (peak outdoor)
• 60Hz refresh rate (still no ProMotion, sadly)
• True Tone, HDR10, Dolby Vision

Real-world Use:

• Bright outdoors? No issue.
• Color? Punchy but natural.
• Video? Cinematic with Dolby Vision.

3. Performance: A17 or A16? Depends on your region

The iPhone 16 Plus ships with the A17 chip (non-Pro variant) – a custom silicon based on 3nm architecture.

Performance Snapshot:

• Geekbench Multi-core: ~6200
• 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU
• 6GB RAM (LPDDR5)
• NVMe storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB

Everyday Use:

• Absolutely fluid — iOS 18 + A17 = buttery multitasking
• No lag, no stutter — Safari, Instagram, Lightroom, all fly
• Handles 4K video edits and mobile workflows with ease

Thermals: Very cool — thanks to efficient silicon and software tuning

4. Camera: Apple’s Reliable Shooter

The iPhone 16 Plus has two 12MP rear cameras (wide + ultra-wide) — the same setup as iPhone 15 Plus but with minor sensor improvements.

Camera Setup:

• 12MP Main (f/1.5, sensor-shift OIS)
• 12MP Ultra-wide (f/2.4, 120° FOV)
• 12MP Selfie Camera (f/1.9, with TrueDepth)

Camera Experience:

Daylight:

• Classic Apple color science: balanced, neutral, realistic
• Excellent Smart HDR 5: highlights and shadows perfectly exposed

Low Light:

• Night Mode improved slightly — more detail, better noise control
• Not Pixel level, but consistent

Video (4K 60fps):

• Still the best in the game: stabilization, detail, sound
• Dolby Vision recording
• Cinematic Mode improved — now tracks subjects more naturally

5. Gaming & GPU: Smooth, But Not Built for Power Gamers

The A17 chip inside handles games well, but the 60Hz display holds it back from a full flagship experience.

Gaming Test:

Drawbacks for Gamers:

• No high-refresh-rate support
• No game booster/dashboard like Android
• Not ideal for those who game 3–4 hours daily

6. Battery Life: A True Two-Day Phone

This is where the iPhone 16 Plus really shines.

Specs:

• 4,422mAh battery (Apple never says officially, but confirmed via teardown)
• 20W wired charging, 15W MagSafe wireless, 7.5W Qi

In real use:

• Screen On Time (SOT): 9–10 hours
• Mixed Use: Easily lasts 1.5 to 2 days
• Standby: Incredible thanks to iOS power management

Charging Speed:

• 0% → 50% in ~30 mins
• Full charge: ~90 mins (wired)

7. iOS 18 & AI Features: Apple Intelligence Lite?

iOS 18 brings some big AI tools (called Apple Intelligence) — but many are exclusive to Pro models.

On iPhone 16 Plus, here’s what you get:

• Siri upgraded — better contextual understanding
• Notes app → smarter search and voice-to-text
• Lock screen customization and widget improvements
• RCS Messaging finally supported
• New Control Center redesign and Home screen freedom

Misses out on: Image generation, AI writing tools, Genmoji (only for Pro models)

8. Audio, Connectivity, and Biometrics

• Stereo Speakers: Loud, rich, spatial audio
• Face ID: Still the gold standard — fast & secure
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4, 5G (Sub-6 + mmWave)
• eSIM + Physical SIM (region dependent)

No fingerprint sensor — but Face ID works in almost all lighting conditions.

9. Who Should Buy?

Buy this if you:

 Want big screen + best battery
 Love iOS and Apple ecosystem
 Take a lot of photos/videos, but don’t need zoom or RAW
 Want a phone to last 5–6 years smoothly
 Don’t care about flashy specs but want consistency

Skip this if you:

 Want 120Hz display or gaming-level specs
 Love customization and themes
 Want fastest charging (80W+)

Final Verdict:

The iPhone 16 Plus may not look flashy on paper — but it delivers on what matters most: battery life, display, camera reliability, and long-term support.

Its AI tools are limited, but what’s here works seamlessly. The camera doesn’t wow with megapixels, but gives natural, consistent results. And its battery? One of the best in any iPhone ever.

If you want a big-screen iPhone without the Pro price tag, and can live without 120Hz or telephoto — this is the one to get.