Apple’s most advanced smartphones yet, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, mark a pivotal leap in performance, intelligence, and pro creativity. Introduced in September 2024 and built around the powerful A18 Pro chip, these models expand the boundaries of what’s possible on a smartphone, with larger displays, groundbreaking camera capabilities, longer battery life, and the revolutionary integration of Apple Intelligence.
A Smarter, More Personal iPhone
The iPhone 16 Pro lineup is Apple’s first built specifically for Apple Intelligence — a personal AI system deeply embedded into iOS 18. It helps users rewrite emails, summarize notes, and generate images or emoji using simple natural language. It can even pull contextually relevant information from your apps to power features like Priority Messages, summarized notifications, and smart transcriptions.
Crucially, this intelligence is designed with privacy in mind. Private Cloud Compute ensures that when tasks require more power than the iPhone can handle, data is processed on dedicated Apple silicon servers without being stored or shared.
Introducing Camera Control and Pro Visual Intelligence
With the introduction of Camera Control, Apple provides an intuitive new way to interact with the iPhone’s pro-grade camera system. A physical switch supports gestures like light presses to focus or hold for object recognition and third-party integrations. Users can adjust zoom, exposure, and focus with precision, and third-party apps like Kino are already integrating the feature.
Later this year, Camera Control will evolve with visual intelligence, letting users get information about objects, places, or text just by pointing and pressing — from pulling business hours off a sign to identifying a dog breed or copying text on a flyer.
Pro-Level Camera and Audio
The new camera system includes a 48MP Fusion sensor, a faster quad-pixel sensor, and a new 48MP Ultra Wide lens supporting macro and high-resolution photography. Both Pro models now come with the coveted 5x Telephoto lens. For video pros, the highlight is 4K120 fps Dolby Vision recording — the highest resolution and frame-rate combo ever on an iPhone.
Spatial Video and Audio are front and center. Four new studio-grade microphones capture immersive sound. Apple’s new Audio Mix feature uses machine learning to isolate voices, reduce wind noise, and place sound dynamically around the user. Whether filming cinematic content or capturing memories, the 16 Pro series delivers tools previously found only in pro gear.
A18 Pro: Built for Power and AI
At the heart of the iPhone 16 Pro is the A18 Pro chip, the fastest chip ever in a smartphone. Built with second-gen 3nm technology, it features:
- A 16-core Neural Engine optimized for Apple Intelligence
- A 6-core CPU that’s 15% faster and 20% more power efficient
- A 20% faster 6-core GPU with 2x ray tracing performance
- A new ISP and video encoder that processes double the data for faster workflows
This hardware powers everything from real-time cinematic editing to AAA gaming performance. Game Mode in iOS 18 ensures steady frame rates and low-latency accessory support for the most immersive experience yet.
Bigger, Stronger, Sleeker
iPhone 16 Pro features the thinnest bezels ever on an Apple product, paired with a 6.3-inch display, while the Pro Max boasts a record 6.9-inch screen. These Super Retina XDR displays support Always-On and ProMotion for buttery-smooth visuals.
The devices are encased in a refined titanium chassis (black, natural, white, desert), improving durability while reducing weight. A revamped internal structure improves thermal efficiency, delivering up to 20% better sustained performance.
Unmatched Battery Life and Connectivity
Thanks to power efficiencies from A18 Pro and iOS 18, the iPhone 16 Pro Max achieves the longest battery life ever in an iPhone. Both models also support faster USB 3 data transfer, ProRes recording to external drives, and 5G connectivity backed by the latest modem integration.
Apple’s satellite messaging and SOS features continue to expand, with Messages via satellite gaining Tapbacks and emoji support in iOS 18. Emergency SOS now supports live video sharing with dispatchers, while Roadside Assistance via satellite is expanding to the UK.
Sustainability in Every Detail
As part of Apple 2030, the Pro lineup is crafted with over 25% recycled materials, including:
- 100% recycled aluminum frame
- 80%+ recycled steel components
- 100% recycled cobalt and lithium in batteries
The packaging is now fully fiber-based, eliminating plastic and pushing Apple closer to its carbon-neutral goal.
Pricing and Availability
The iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999 and the 16 Pro Max at $1,199, both available in 128GB to 1TB capacities. Pre-orders began on Friday, September 13, with availability starting Friday, September 20 in more than 58 countries.
Trade-in offers, carrier deals, and flexible payment options make upgrading easier than ever.
