Why I Buy IPhone 16 Plus and Not Pro
I’ve been waiting a long time for an iPhone upgrade and decided that this is finally the year I make the switch. With the iPhone 16 series, I’ve seen enough to convince me to keep my ancient iPhone XS . Before the iPhone 16 launch, I was almost ready to go with the Pro, but after the event, I’m convinced that the non-Pro models are better for most people, including me.
The Pro models have excellent video recording features, and if my job involved this, I’d get a better option right away. But I’m like most people who buy an iPhone: I take photos, install a monstrous amount of apps, surf the web, use social media, and play games from time to time. For people like me, the iPhone “Pro” is no longer a must-have.
iPhone 16 offers a great price
When you’ve been using your iPhones for as long as I have, it’s important to resist impulses and time your upgrade strategically. If I had given in and upgraded to the iPhone 14 , I would have had to wait a long time to switch to USB-C. If I had bought the iPhone 15 , I would have missed out on Apple Intelligence . The jury is still out on artificial intelligence, but as a technology journalist, I want to try out these features before passing judgment.
In the case of the iPhone 16, I see this as a key point to take advantage of technology that will last quite a long time. You get the latest A18 processor and reports show that all iPhone models come with 8GB of RAM . This means that any new iPhone I choose will use Apple’s generative AI features, regardless of whether I buy the cheapest iPhone 16 or the most expensive 16 Pro Max. The iPhone 16 also has an Action button , Dynamic Island, and a new Camera Control button, meaning the hardware itself is virtually identical to the 16 Pro. All iPhones this year support technologies such as Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3, and are also IP68 rated for dust and water resistance. When you combine that with the other Pro features now available on the 16, like video wind noise reduction, Thread network technology, and macro photography, you get a solid overall package with a few major omissions.
The 16 Plus also has excellent battery life: Compared to the 16 Pro, Apple says both models offer the same 27 hours of local video playback, but the Plus drains an additional two hours of battery life when streaming video. What’s more, the Plus battery reportedly lasts for 100 hours of audio playback, while the Pro has 85. The Pro Max beats them all, but looking at the two iPhones I’m most likely to buy, it’s the extra battery life. this is a benefit.
That makes sense when you look at these prices: the iPhone 16 starts at $799 and the iPhone 16 Plus starts at $899. Moving into Pro territory means you’ll spend at least $999. If you need more storage than the standard 128GB offered on every iPhone, you’ll have to keep increasing that price. The Plus offers a lot of great features and a larger display for $899. I don’t think the Pro is worth the extra $100 minimum.
Blurred line between base and Pro models
In previous years, there was a clear delineation between the base model iPhone and the Pro iPhone, as Apple saved some of the more interesting features for its more expensive devices. You could even say that the iPhone X was the first iPhone “Pro”. You can still buy the iPhone 8 or 8 Plus, but if you want that “new” iPhone feel, the iPhone X is the way to go.
This difference has only grown from there, especially with the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15: Apple redesigned the previous generation iPhone processors for these devices. If you want the latest and greatest hardware—well, something new —you need to buy the Pro.
With the advent of the iPhone 16, this line has become blurred. You can use the iPhone comparison tool on Apple’s website and see for yourself. Very few features are exclusive to the iPhone 16 Pro: for an additional cost, you get a ProMotion display that increases the refresh rate from 60Hz to 120Hz; additional GPU core in the A18 chip; higher USB speed; telephoto lens for high-quality photographs with “zoom”; best wide-angle camera; Night mode portrait shots, although the 16 and 16 Plus support standard night mode; and titanium case. This is a smaller list than what we saw on the iPhone 14 and 15 series. Of all these features, I’m personally tempted to buy the Pro models just for the display, but other than that there isn’t much that pushes me to upgrade.
In my opinion, the biggest advantage for professionals is video recording. The 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max support industry standards such as ProRes and LOG video recording, as well as the Academy color coding system. While the phones support 4K shooting at up to 120fps (the 16 and 16 Plus are limited to 4K at 60fps), you can connect the Pro to an external source to record footage. Quite a professional setup for a smartphone, but, again, I don’t record video this way, so I don’t need these features.
Your iPhone will last you a long time
It has been standard practice for some time to update your iPhone every two years. This is no longer necessary. Your iPhone is good enough to last you at least three years, and longer if you’re careful. In recent years, Apple has reaffirmed its focus on the durability of its products and has reluctantly worked to make iPhones more repairable . By this point, rumors suggest that the iPhone 16 battery is now easier to replace .
Although this is in response to regulatory scrutiny , these measures will help you keep your iPhones longer. CIRP data shows that 61% of iPhone buyers have used their smartphones for two years or more. Likewise, Verizon’s CEO stated that many iPhone owners keep their devices for more than three years . Modern iPhones are powerful, reliable and stable. When you look at the changes from one generation to the next, you are not missing much. Take a look at this comparison between the 14 Pro, 15 Pro and 16 Pro phones , and you’ll see there are n’t many gaps in the feature set in each generation.
Unless you’re a professional videographer who uses an iPhone for recording, you won’t have much to lose by upgrading it every three years. In fact, you’ll be doing your wallet and the environment a huge favor by using your iPhones for as long as possible. My iPhone XS still works despite being released in 2018: The iPhone 16 Plus with these aforementioned features should suit me well for some time.
From iPhone XS to 16
I keep advising you to avoid installing beta OSes on your primary devices , and you’ll be glad to know that I follow that advice too. When I decided to upgrade my iPhone XS to the iOS 18 beta , my brother was kind enough to hand me his slightly battered 12 Pro Max, which is now my daily driver. This year I will exchange the iPhone XS and upgrade to the 16 series.
The little voice in my head tells me to prepare for the future and buy the Pro, but the rational part of me can’t justify the expense. I don’t use my iPhone for professional video recording, and while the Pro’s display is impressive, I mostly watch movies and shows on my big TV at home.
The choice for me is between the iPhone 16 Plus and the iPhone 16 Pro. Since the former has better battery life, a larger display, and most of the features I need, I will buy the iPhone 16 Plus. If I can stretch my budget a little, I might even treat myself to the 512GB option.