Starting at $799, the iPhone 16 is the most affordable member of Apple’s 2024 iPhone lineup. The company brings a handful of changes to all its phones this year, and the standard iPhone 16 has narrowed the gap with the Pro models in terms of features and performance. It has the same Action Button and Camera Control, for example, as well as a generational jump in processor and memory to power Apple Intelligence. Together with good battery life, fast charging, modern radios, and high-quality hardware, it’s a near-total package. Content creators might want the extra power and pro video tools of the $1,099 iPhone 16 Pro Max, but the iPhone 16 is the best choice for most people and our Editors’ Choice winner.
Year after year, the slow evolution of the vanilla iPhone marches onward. The iPhone 16 carries over much of its design from the iPhone 15 but still manages to take a big step forward thanks to some features that Apple spreads across the entire iPhone 16 lineup.
The iPhone 16 is the smallest and lightest iPhone, measuring 5.81 by 2.82 by 0.31 inches (HWD) and weighing 6.0 ounces. The 16 Plus (starting at $899), which has all the same features as the 16 except the display, measures 6.33 by 3.06 by 0.31 inches and weighs 7.03 ounces. The 16 Pro (starting at $999), meanwhile, is slightly larger than the 16 at 5.89 by 2.81 by 0.32 inches and 7.03 ounces. The Pro Max is quite larger at 6.42 by 3.06 by 0.32 inches and 7.99 ounces. If you want an iPhone that comfortably fits in your hand and your pocket, the iPhone 16 is it.
Competing Android flagships are close in size and weight, including the $799 Pixel 9 (6.0 by 2.8 by 0.3 inches, 7.0 ounces) and the $799 Samsung Galaxy S24 (5.79 by 2.78 by 0.30 inches, 5.93 ounces).
The iPhone 16 (and 16 Plus) are made with aluminum frames and Apple’s Ceramic Shield on the front and back. Apple claims its glass is twice as strong as Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, which is what the Google Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy S24 rely on. The frame and glass panels all have matte finishes that help a little with grip. The phone has an IP68 rating for protection against dust and water, so it can sit in about 5 feet of water for up to 30 minutes and live to tell the tale. Still, unless you’re sure you’ll never drop it, it’s best to wrap the phone in a case. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are available in five shades: Black, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine, or White. We tested the Ultramarine model, which is an attractive shade of blue that sometimes almost looks purple.