With the new iPhone 16 lineup officially out, a lot of people—myself included—are taking a hard look at each device’s features and wondering which model to buy. There’s a $200 difference between the 6.1-inch iPhone 16 versus the 6.3-inch iPhone 16 Pro—a similar size difference is between the larger iPhone 16 Plus and the iPhone 16 Pro Max. But if you don’t want the bulk of the larger iPhone models, $200 isn’t all that much money when you’re already considering a $1,000 purchase, in theory.
Choosing between the iPhone 16 versus the iPhone 16 Pro? Here’s what you need to know before you … [+]
That said, the gap between the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Pro seems particularly narrow this year. Both phones have similar specifications in a few key areas which might give you pause. If you can get most of the iPhone 16 Pro for 80% of the price, why wouldn’t you go with the non-pro model? Here’s how to choose between the iPhone 16 versus the iPhone 16 Pro.
iPhone 16 Vs. iPhone 16 Pro: Similarities
Size And RAM Built For Gaming
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro have a lot in common. Most notably, the iPhone 16 has very similar physical features as the iPhone 16 Pro. In terms of physical size, they’re within millimeters of each other—they’ll both take up about the same amount of room in your pocket.
On the inside, both phones have the same amount of RAM as well—8GB. That means they’ll both be able to handle the same kinds of tasks. The upgraded processor in the iPhone 16 Pro means it can handle heavier tasks like sustained gaming, but the iPhone 16 is no slouch in that department. Both phones easily outmatch their Android contemporaries in that department, so you won’t need to worry about an extra second here or there launching apps.
Camera Control At The Forefront
The most notable feature both the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Pro offer is the Action Button and Camera Control. The Action Button was limited to the Pro models last year, but this year Apple brought it to the non-pro models.
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro, left, looks very similar to the Apple iPhone 16, right.
Think of it like a shortcut for your flashlight or voice recorder. The Camera Control is an all-in-one control for your camera. With a single press, you can launch the camera and with another press you can capture an image. Its real power comes in the half-press of the button which allows you to adjust aspects of the camera like depth of field, photographic styles and more by sliding your finger over the capacitive button. It’s pretty impressive that Apple included that button in the non-pro models while retaining its affordable price point.
iPhone 16 Vs. iPhone 16 Pro: Cameras
iPhone 16 Pro Gets All The Extras
The iPhone 16 Pro comes with a few camera enhancements that the iPhone 16 base model doesn’t have, and those extras may appeal to you. Notably, the iPhone 16 Pro ships with a 5x optical telephoto camera—a feature previously reserved for the Pro Max model. This year, the iPhone 16 Pro gets that same zoom capability, which is pretty great for people like me who prefer the smaller Pro models. The iPhone 16 has a 48MP main camera which is capable of 2x zoom by cropping in on the sensor, but 5x zoom is a difference maker.
Apple also increased the resolution of the ultrawide camera to 48MP. The result showcases higher quality photos regardless of whether they’re captured with the main camera or the ultrawide. If only the telephoto camera could catch up (it’s still at 12 MP), the Pro models would have a very complete camera experience.
The camera set is a big area where the devices differ.
The iPhone 16 Pro brings a Lidar time-of-flight sensor to the table, which allows the camera to better capture depth. That will become especially valuable once Apple makes spatial video capture a more significant part of its portfolio. The selfie camera also gets optical image stabilization, which is a nice add on, though the iPhone 16 still captures very good selfies and selfie videos.
If you’re not planning on using every single camera feature, the iPhone 16 may be the best choice here. But if you want the strongest Apple camera available for content creation or capturing photos, the iPhone 16 Pro is your best bet here.
iPhone 16 Vs. iPhone 16 Pro: Screen Improvements
A Refresh Rate Difference
As mentioned, the iPhone 16 Pro has a slightly larger screen than the iPhone 16 despite the fact that they have a nearly identical footprint. The iPhone 16 Pro has thinner bezels, which allow for a 6.3-inch screen that also happens to be capable of a 120Hz refresh rate. Meanwhile, the base iPhone 16’s 6.1-inch display is limited to 60Hz. If you have particularly sensitive eyes, you might notice the difference. You’ll find plenty of debates as to whether 120Hz refresh rates improve the experience, and by how much. I don’t see it, but gamers may especially take notice.
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro has a dedicated Camera Control button on the right side of the device.
One thing you will notice, and that I particularly miss on the non-pro version is the Always On Display. Apple had a cool feature where it made the Always On Display a darker version of your wallpaper, and it looked really neat. But, as I mentioned before, this feature is only available on the iPhone 16 Pro. You can also customize your Always On Display with widgets from Apple and from third parties. I mostly use it for sports scores, but everyone will find their own niche. If you want the Always On Display, you’ll need to be on the iPhone 16 Pro.
iPhone 16 Vs. iPhone 16 Pro: Build Materials
Two Metals To Choose From
The last notable difference between the two phones comes in the form of titanium. The iPhone 16 is constructed of recycled aluminum, which is a durable lightweight metal that will keep your device protected. In contrast, the iPhone 16 Pro is made of high-quality titanium, which makes the phone more durable, lighter and generally sharper looking.
Whether this build material makes a difference to you is completely subjective. The aluminum build is capable of brighter colorways, like the highly-sought after Ultramarine. Desert Titanium is a new colorway in the Pro models, and it looks particularly stunning. If you want more premium materials, go with the iPhone 16 Pro.
iPhone 16 Vs. iPhone 16 Pro: Which Should You Buy?
Camera Versus Budget
The gap between the two phones seems very close, but there are some definite quality of life items that need to be carefully considered before opting for the iPhone 16. Telephoto zoom is a big consideration. Yes, you can get 2x optical zoom on the iPhone 16, but it’s only by cropping the sensor, so there’s less data to be used. Plus, 5x is considerably closer than 2x, and you can still do the same 2x zoom on the iPhone 16 Pro.
Titanium is also a premium build material. It’s tougher and will stand up to more drops and dings than its aluminum counterpart on the iPhone 16. A slightly larger display gives you more room to watch movies and look at your apps.
The Always On Display is also pretty huge. Once you’ve experienced how useful it is, it’s hard to go back to not having it. There’s just something so compelling about having a screen to look at as opposed to just a black rectangle; Apple got a lot right when it developed that feature.
But your budget may say something different. You are increasing the cost of an iPhone 16 by 20% to get the extra pro juice. Those quality of life improvements are mostly just that—quality of life. There’s nothing fundamentally better on the iPhone 16 Pro, save that telephoto lens, and so it all comes down to your budget. Personally, I think this year you’d be fine to opt for the iPhone 16, but I surely wouldn’t blame you for splashing the extra cash for the iPhone 16 Pro.
My Expertise
I’m a Chicago-based freelance reviewer and have been writing about consumer electronics for over a decade with a particular focus on mobile phones and cellular technology including the birth of 5G. I’ve also tested most smartphones on the market over the last several years, including the Google Pixel 8 Pro. I also have compared top devices, from the Oneplus 12 versus the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra to the iPhone 14 versus iPhone 15. And, of course, I’ve tested each phone’s software, comparing Android versus iPhone to help you make informed buying decisions.
When I’m not testing the latest and greatest flagship phones, I’m hosting the Benefit of the Doud podcast/YouTube channel with my co-host Clifton M. Thomas and editing technology news articles for SlashGear. In addition to Forbes and SlashGear, I have bylines at Android Central, Reviewed.com, Android Authority, Lifewire and more.
