1 month ago
Last Updated:October 24, 2024, 08:30 IST
iPhone 16 Plus is the new, bright model from Apple that will get AI features thanks to the new hardware and the camera button too.
The big iPhone 16 model also gets the camera button and the AI-powered hardware
The new iPhone 16 and 16 Plus models have got a considerable upgrade, especially if you like the iPhones for their raw power. Apple has introduced the new A18 chipset on the 16 Plus which will get the Intelligence features in the next few weeks and everything else runs around the hardware that looks to rival the most-premium Android flagships. You get these upgrades without any bump in the price tag, which means the new iPhone 16 Plus starts from Rs 89,900 just like last year.
For the same price, Apple also gives you the new camera control button, the new vertical camera system and more in the package. Do all these changes, and the same price make the iPhone 16 Plus a powerful upgrade for many? We got to find out the answer over the last few weeks.
New Polish Strikes Right
The iPhone 16 Plus has got some new shades this year, and we got our hands on the Ultramarine colour. The brushed glass finish might not grab eyeballs but it is practical and durable in equal measures. The new model weighs 199 grams which is just 2 grams lighter than the 15 Plus, while the dimensions are the same.
The in-hand feel is also similar with the iPhone 16 Plus and the brighter shades just give you a feeling of something new. The Plus is big in size but not unwieldy by any means, unless you have small hands, which can make one-hand use slightly discomforting.
But yes, the camera module is now vertical so you quickly pick that difference from the back, and the made in India badge hidden within the USB C port gets a worthy mention. There wasn’t much to complain about the iPhone 15 Plus, so Apple has decided to tweak a few things and keep the rest as it is.
The Apple ‘Intelligence’ Upgrade
Apple has powered the iPhone 16 Plus with the A18 chipset that is made on the 3nm process (A16 was 4nm process), which now gets 8GB RAM to run the AI features that will be coming shortly with the iOS 18.1 update. Having more memory was never a big deal with iPhones until 2024, when the AI era is truly coming to life for Apple and all major tech brands.
The combo of the A18 and 8GB RAM gives you solid numbers in the benchmark tests that can easily overpower the best the Android flagships have to offer. Make no mistake, Apple has left a lot in the tank for the A18 Pro to outgun every other hardware available till date, but the A18 is slouch and our tests have proven them time and again. Knowing Apple’s durability, you can easily get the iPhone 16 Plus to last for 3-4 years without any stress and much beyond that if you use it judiciously.
Some Words About The Display
The 16 Plus still carries a 6.7-inch display with a Super Retina XDR OLED panel like the predecessor and you still get it with a 60Hz refresh rate screen. You might see people say that refresh rates don’t matter but with the ProMotion iPhone 16 Pro by its side, you can tell the difference in quality, at least while operating the screen.
Having said that, the display on the 16 Plus has everything else you need, bright colour reproduction, crisp for viewing content and reading, and the viewing angles allow you see everything without any glare. The ceramic shield glass 2024 version brings protection to the screen. For the discernable, the iPhone 16 Plus offers a screen that will keep them happy.
The Camera Package
The iPhone 16 Plus now comes with a vertical dual camera system that houses a 48MP sensor and a 12MP ultrawide lens like the earlier models.
The camera control button on the right side is the new addition, and its main purpose is to activate the camera and allow you to navigate across different modes and styles using the light capacitive touch input.
The cameras offer good quality images in most conditions, and the improvement in low light shots was evident.
The Mile Muncher
Apple has packed the iPhone 16 Plus with a bigger battery and the results have understandably gotten better because of the change. Apple’s claims are based on the video playback support but in real time, the 16 Plus gives you a couple of more hours extra compared to the iPhone 15 Plus. Purely speaking in numbers, you can expect around 9 hours of screen-on-time with the 16 Plus which is easily good enough to last for well over a day for regular users.
The charging speeds on this iPhone model are once again a mixed bag. While you do get up to 50 percent battery in 35 minutes, the full tilt takes close to two hours, which is not ideal, definitely not when you see phones getting fully charged in under 10 minutes.
The iPhone 16 Plus in Ultramarine looks smashing, the camera button is an interesting addition but it is the A18 chipset with 8GB RAM that steals the show. Having this hardware will allow the 16 Plus to run the Apple Intelligence features, which is a good enough reason for people to consider buying one, especially if they are using the iPhone 13 or 14 version.
Location :Delhi, India
First Published:October 24, 2024, 08:30 IST
News tech iPhone 16 Plus Is Big, AI-Ready And A Battery Workhorse
