2 weeks Ago
The iPhone 16 is finally here, and I have the Pink variant. Along with Pink, the phone has been launched in four other colours—Teal, Ultramarine, White, and Black. At first glance, the iPhone 16 is reminiscent of the 2020 model, as Apple has switched from a diagonal camera arrangement back to a vertical one.
Priced at ₹ 79,900, Apple has maintained the same price as last year's model, despite the iPhone 16 featuring the more powerful A18 chipset. But is it worth buying? Here are my initial impressions after using the device for the past few days. Design, Look, and Feel The iPhone 16 boasts vibrant colours.
The matte finish enhances the overall aesthetics, and the "in-hand feel" is undeniably premium. The smaller form factor makes it easier to hold. The most noticeable visual change is the new camera module.
With the iPhone 13, Apple adopted a diagonal camera arrangement to accommodate larger cameras, but now the iPhone 16 returns to a vertical layout. The capsule-shaped module is designed to enable Spatial Video. (Image: Shibani Gharat) Another significant change is the introduction of the ‘Action Button,’ replacing the iconic mute switch.
This button can be customised to quickly activate features like the torch or Stopwatch. While convenient, the new camera bar, located below the power button on the right-hand side, can be a bit confusing at first. (Image: Shibani Gharat) The back of the device is protected by Crystal Shield glass, which feels sturdy.
The iPhone 16 is also IP68-rated for dust and water resistance. Software A pleasant surprise was that iOS 18 comes pre-installed on the iPhone 16. The new control centre takes some getting used to, but it offers many exciting features.
If you buy the iPhone 16, you’ll likely enjoy Apple’s extended update support, something Android brands are still catching up with. Performance Apple has equipped the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus with its latest processor, the A18 Bionic. Last year, the iPhone 15 base model had the older A16 chipset, but this year Apple skips a generation by integrating the A18, which is built using the 3 nm process.
The 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, and 16-core NPU make the A18 Bionic incredibly efficient, promising better performance and improved battery life. In fact, Apple claims that the iPhone 16 offers up to four more hours of video playback compared to its predecessor. Camera Thanks to the vertical camera arrangement, the iPhone 16 can capture spatial photos and videos.
The device features a 48 MP Fusion camera with 2x optical zoom and a 12 MP camera. The picture quality is impressive. Taking photos and videos with the iPhone 16 is genuinely fun, thanks to the new ultra-wide-angle lens.
The most exciting innovation, though, is the new Capture Control. (Image: Shibani Gharat) I found it most comfortable to use in landscape mode, but it works in portrait mode as well. The Capture Control lets you adjust: Magnification (0.
5x to 2x) Cameras (0.5x, 1x, and 2x) Exposure Depth of field in portrait mode Photographic styles While I haven’t fully tested the camera yet, the initial results seem comparable to last year’s iPhone. I’m eager to test it during my rainy runs to see how well it handles shooting without touching the display.
Battery Life Apple, as usual, hasn’t revealed the exact battery size of the iPhone 16, but they claim it lasts a couple of hours longer than the previous model when playing videos. Both fast charging and MagSafe charging should work faster, with near-equal speeds for wired and wireless charging. In conclusion After this year's Apple ‘Glowtime’ keynote, I felt underwhelmed.
But after spending a few hours with the iPhone 16, my impression has changed. The new Action Button and camera control significantly enhance the user experience. Coupled with the A18 Bionic, the performance feels delightful.
I’m also excited to explore iOS 18 further and its new user experience. Stay tuned for my detailed review! At ₹ 79,900, if you’re using an older device, the iPhone 16 is definitely worth considering. It’s fresh, bold, exciting, and future-ready.
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