This is a big release, even if the changes might be rather small. At first it’s big in terms of size: as soon as we held the new Pro Max, which is something of a doppelganger for the previous generation, the screen struck us. At 6.9 inches, it’s Apple’s largest display ever, and while the device is microscopically larger than the last gen, that extra space has mostly come from the bezel rather than an embiggened case. The same trick has been pulled off on the 6.3-inch screen of the Pro model. Apple’s reps tell us they’ve rerouted screen traces from the edge to underneath the display; we have to assume the bezel’s days will be numbered soon enough. The entire range, including the non-Pro version, gets a new button, Apple’s Camera Control, which sits just below the power button.
It’s a recessed technology-stuffed tactile/haptic combo button similar to the shutter button you’ll find on an SLR – but one which you can press lightly, hard, or swipe to quickly gain access to different photography features. It might just change how you use your iPhone, and it took us all of 20 seconds to figure out. Apple wasn’t quite ready for us to test the full extent of the new Apple Intelligence AI features which are on the way, but those we did try – photo Clean Up in particular – worked smoothly, and Siri’s new glowing look is a treat. GOING WITHOUT PRO So what of the standard iPhone, which starts at B79,900 Well, it gets a couple of extra side buttons this time around, with the new Camera Control joined by the classic action button which trickles down from the Pro models. Otherwise, everything’s pretty much as we’re used to. It’s a powerful, familiar phone which looks and feels like an iPhone. That’s no bad thing, and we found it snappy enough despite being stuck with a 60hz screen. There are outward updates, with some colourful new colour schemes and a redesigned camera bump, and this also gets the A18 chipset to help it fly; while the big changes seem to have come to the Pro models, the regular iPhone definitely hasn’t been left out. How it fares head-to-head with last year’s model, though, remains to be seen.
New Processor
Our limited preview time wasn’t enough to go all-in on AAA games, but the brand new A18 Pro chipset tore through the Apple Intelligence tasks we tried, and the phone generally felt snappy. Its new heat management system apparently makes things more efficient, too – we think it’ll be a challenge to push this too far.
Camera Bump
Both the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max carry the Apple’s new 5x tetra prism zoom, along with a new 48MP ultra-wide sensor. We were able to take some sample shots which looked good on screen, and the 48MP main camera’s faster shutter speed was evident, though we’ll have to wait for our full review to really analyse the photographic results.
Pricing and Availability
- ₹1,19,000
- apple.com