iPhone 16 first impressions: bold colors, new action button, and more

At first glance, the iPhone 16 is reminiscent of the 2020 model, as Apple has switched from a diagonal to a vertical camera layout. Priced at ₹79,900, Apple maintains the same price as last year’s model, despite the iPhone 16 incorporating the more powerful A18 chip. But is it worth buying?

Here are my initial impressions after using the device for the past few days.

Design, look and feel

The iPhone 16 features vibrant colors. The matte finish enhances the overall aesthetic, and the in-hand feel is undeniably premium. The smaller form factor makes it easier to hold.

The most noticeable visual change is the new camera module. With the iPhone 13, Apple adopted a diagonal camera layout to accommodate larger cameras, but now the iPhone 16 is returning to a vertical layout. The capsule-shaped module is designed to enable spatial video.

Another significant change is the introduction of the “Action Button,” which replaces the iconic mute switch. This button can be customized to quickly activate features like the flashlight or stopwatch. While convenient, the new camera bar, located below the power button on the right side, can be a little confusing at first.

(Image: Shibani Gharat)

The back of the device is protected by Crystal Shield glass, which gives it a rugged feel. The iPhone 16 also features an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.

Software

One nice surprise was that iOS 18 comes pre-installed on the iPhone 16. The new control center is a bit hard to get used to, but it offers a lot of cool features. If you buy the iPhone 16, you’ll likely enjoy Apple’s expanded update support, something that Android brands are still trying to implement.

Performance

Apple has equipped the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus with its latest processor, the A18 Bionic. Last year, the base model of the iPhone 15 had the older A16 chipset, but this year Apple is skipping a generation by integrating the A18, which is manufactured using the 3nm process. The 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, and 16-core NPU make the A18 Bionic incredibly efficient, promising better performance and longer battery life.

In fact, Apple claims the iPhone 16 offers up to four more hours of video playback compared to its predecessor.

Camera

Thanks to the vertical camera arrangement, the iPhone 16 can capture spatial photos and videos. The device features a 48MP Fusion camera with 2x optical zoom and a 12MP camera. The quality of the images is impressive.

Taking photos and videos with the iPhone 16 is really fun thanks to the new ultra-wide lens. However, the most interesting innovation is the new Capture Control.

(Image: Shibani Gharat)

I found it more comfortable to use in landscape mode, but it also works in portrait mode. Capture Control lets you adjust:

Magnification (0.5x to 2x)
Cameras (0.5x, 1x and 2x)
Exposure
Depth of field in portrait mode
Photographic styles
While I haven’t fully tested the camera yet, initial results seem comparable to last year’s iPhone. I’m looking forward to testing it out during my rainy runs to see how well it performs when shooting without touching the screen.

Battery life

Apple, as usual, hasn’t revealed the exact size of the iPhone 16 battery, but they do claim it lasts a couple of hours longer than the previous model when playing videos. Both fast charging and MagSafe charging should work faster, with speeds nearly equal for wired and wireless charging.

In conclusion

After this year’s Apple Glowtime presentation, I was disappointed. But after spending a few hours with the iPhone 16, my impression has changed. The new action button and camera control significantly improve the user experience. Paired with the A18 Bionic, the performance is wonderful.

I’m also looking forward to exploring iOS 18 and its new user experience further. Stay tuned for my detailed review!

In ₹$79,900 If you have an older device, the iPhone 16 is definitely worth considering. It’s fresh, bold, exciting, and future-proof.