I’ve always been a big fan of “Pro Max”, “Ultra” and “XL”. Whether it’s an Android or iOS device, I want the latest and greatest from Samsung, Google, and Apple.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, for example, is a beast of a phone that blew us away with its “stop, stop” battery life. Also, its Super Res Zoom is terrible. Also, I won’t even look The cheapest Pixel 9. no way Ditch the stylus-less base model.
As for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, I like that I can try out Apple Intelligence, which is currently in a very early beta for iOS 18, while the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models lack Apple’s new suite of AI features. yawn!
Now that the iPhone 16 is off the shelves, I thought I would lean more toward the iPhone 16 Pro Max, but the entry-level model (i.e., the non-Pro iPhone 16) caught my attention for the first time.
Apple Event 2024: Everything announced, including iPhone 16, Apple Watch Series 10
iPhone 16: Why it’s more attractive than ever
Apple has been known to keep its focus on new features on Pro models (sometimes before rolling them out to lower-tier models the following year.)
On the iPhone 13, for example, the Pro-specific headline news is undoubtedly the LiDAR scanner, which supports augmented reality (AR) capabilities, allowing users to use apps that blend real-world environments with interesting virtual overlays .
When the iPhone 12 launched, LiDAR was the hot new thing.
Credit: Mashable
On iPhone 14, Dynamic Island is a hot new feature exclusive to the Pro model, while the lower-end models retain the amazing functionality.
The dynamic island got everyone talking.
Image source: Mashable/Stan Schroeder
Last year, the action button was arguably the most notable new feature on the iPhone 15 series, allowing users to assign their favorite apps to the new top-left side button for easy access.
Mix and match speed of light
Credit: Apple
Another amazing perk of last year’s iPhone 15 series? The new “square prism” telephoto feature is just marketing mumbo jumbo for the new 5x optical zoom feature (up from 3x). This feature is reserved for iPhone 15 Pro Max, so iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, and The iPhone 15 Pro is excluded.
This time, with the launch of the iPhone 16, Apple is a little less stingy. The current-generation iPhone features Camera Control, a new button on the lower right side of iPhone that lets you quickly use intuitive gestures to access popular Camera app features like zoom, photography styles, and more.
Use camera controls
Photo credit: Kimberly Gedeon/Mashable
Surprisingly, camera control isn’t a Pro-only feature—it’s available across the entire platform. all line-up. I hope Apple doesn’t read this (because I don’t want them to get any ideas), but as someone who always snaps up the pricier Pro Max, Ultra, or XL models just for the “crown jewel” features, I I have to admit—for the first time in years—I don’t think this is necessary with the new iPhone 16.
I suspect the iPhone 16 will make me “complete,” a rare feeling with today’s entry-level smartphones.
Of course, I’ll lose the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s new features, such as 120Hz 4K video capture, studio-quality microphones, spacious 6.9-inch display, audio track layering in Voice Memos, and more, but I can live without them .
Holding an iPhone 16 Pro model in a desert titanium mine
Photo credit: Kimberly Gedeon/Mashable
At just $799, the entry-level iPhone is more attractive than ever and comes with the following new features:
The color palette of recent generations of iPhones has been too “bland” for me, but the new pink, ultramarine, and cyan hues finally have that punch of vividness I’ve been looking for.
iPhone 16 pink
Photo credit: Kimberly Gedeon/Mashable
Even though the iPhone 16 doesn’t have a telephoto sensor, Apple has found a way to make up for it, and you can reportedly get up to 2x high-quality zoomed-in photos. It’s not as attractive as the 5X optical sensor on the iPhone 16 Pro models, but it’s enough.
iPhone 16 Ultramarine
Photo credit: Kimberly Gedeon/Mashable
The only thing that gives me pause is that the iPhone 16 Pro Max will reportedly have the longest runtime of any iPhone in terms of battery life. I like the energy efficiency, but I’m not convinced yet without testing it in-house first.
Is there anyone else interested in getting started with iPhone for the first time? Please leave a comment below.
The iPhone 16 entry-level model starts at $799. The iPhone 16 Pro variant starts at $999.
