iPhone 16 Pro Max: Two Weeks Later, and It’s…Fine?
So, the iPhone 16’s been out for a couple of weeks now, and we’ve had our hands all over the Pro and Pro Max. And you know what? It’s pretty much what you’d expect. Apple’s playing it safe this year, folks. The gap between the regular iPhone 16 and the Pros is smaller than ever. Everyone gets the fancy “Action” button, the “Camera Control” button, that weird “Dynamic Island” thing, and even the promise of future “Apple Intelligence” features.
Now, if you’re a real phone nerd, you’ll still want the Pro for the 120Hz screen that makes scrolling smoother than a baby’s bottom, the 5x zoom lens for spying on your neighbors, and a slightly better wide-angle lens. Oh, and the screens are a smidge bigger. But for most people? The regular iPhone 16 is probably gonna do the trick.
That “Camera Control” button? It’s like that weird friend you’re not sure you like. Sometimes it’s handy for quick pics, but other times you’re fumbling around like a toddler trying to tie their shoes. And forget about using it one-handed on the bigger phones – unless you’ve got hands like Shaq.
The camera’s a little better, sure. Macro mode is sharper, and there’s this “Photographic Styles” thing that lets you customize how your pictures look. But honestly, if you’re expecting a huge leap forward in photos, you’ll be disappointed. Video’s got a new 4K 120fps mode, but let’s be real, most people are just filming their cat doing something dumb.
The new A18 Pro chip? Fast. Blazingly fast. But guess what? So was last year’s chip. Unless you’re coming from a phone that’s older than your grandma’s dentures, you won’t notice a difference. The real reason to get the A18 is for those “Apple Intelligence” features they keep talking about. They’re supposed to be like, super smart AI stuff, but who knows what that even means. Maybe your phone will finally be able to fold your laundry.
Oh, and the battery life is better. Especially on the Pro Max. You might actually make it through a whole day without having to plug in – a modern miracle, I tell ya.
So, there you have it. The iPhone 16. It’s good. It’s expensive. It’s pretty much what we expected. If you’ve got an older iPhone and you’re feeling flush, go for it. But if you’re rocking a 15 or even a 14, you might wanna hold off until Apple does something truly revolutionary. Like, I don’t know, a phone that can actually make a decent cup of coffee.
From the sales floor to the critic's corner, I'm a former Apple Sales Specialist who's not afraid to tell it like it is. Get my honest takes on the iPhone, Mac, and everything Apple. | Los Angeles, California.