Comparison · Phones · Desk research

Apple iPhone 16 vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro

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Quick Answer

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro launched together in 2024 and still share USB-C, Action Button, Camera Control, Dynamic Island, IP68, and MagSafe / Qi2 up to 25W. iPhone 16 (Support 121029) is the 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR at 2556×1179 and 460 ppi, aluminum with Ceramic Shield front and color-infused glass back, A18 (6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine), 48MP Fusion Main 26mm ƒ/1.6 plus 12MP Ultra Wide, 128GB / 256GB / 512GB, 71.6 × 147.6 × 7.80mm, 170g.

The verdict

Apple iPhone 16 or Apple iPhone 16 Pro — quote the two manufacturer sheets.

Why: Original P1 leftover. Both 2024 Support pages already list Dynamic Island, USB-C, Action Button, Camera Control, IP68, and MagSafe / Qi2 up to 25W. 16 (Support 121029) is 6.1-inch 2556×1179 aluminum, A18 (5-core GPU), dual 48MP Fusion Main + 12MP Ultra Wide, 128/256/512GB, 170g, video 22h / streamed 18h / audio 80h — no ProMotion or Always-On row. 16 Pro (Support 121031) is 6.3-inch 2622×1206 titanium, ProMotion, Always-On, A18 Pro (6-core GPU), 48MP Fusion + 48MP Ultra Wide + 12MP 5x tetraprism, 128GB–1TB, 199g, video 27h / streamed 22h / audio 85h.

Buy Apple iPhone 16 if

You want the leftover 6.1-inch 16: A18, Camera Control, USB-C, and a dual-camera Fusion Main, and you do not need ProMotion or a 5x telephoto.

Buy Apple iPhone 16 Pro if

You want the leftover 6.3-inch Pro: ProMotion, Always-On, A18 Pro, titanium, and the 5x tetraprism telephoto.

Spec comparison

iPhone 16 from Support 121029. iPhone 16 Pro from Support 121031. Caption lock: 16 vs 16 Pro, not Plus / Pro Max.

SpeciPhone 16iPhone 16 Pro
Year introduced20242024
Finish / frameBlack, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine; aluminum; Ceramic Shield front; color-infused glass backTitanium (Black / White / Natural / Desert); Ceramic Shield front; matte glass back
Display6.1-inch 2556×1179 at 460 ppi; Dynamic Island; 1000 / 1600 / 2000 outdoor; no ProMotion or Always-On row6.3-inch 2622×1206 at 460 ppi; Dynamic Island; Always-On; ProMotion up to 120Hz; 1000 / 1600 / 2000 outdoor
ChipA18; 6-core CPU (2p+4e); 5-core GPU; 16-core Neural EngineA18 Pro; 6-core CPU; 6-core GPU; 16-core Neural Engine
Storage128GB / 256GB / 512GB128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
Rear cameras48MP Fusion Main 26mm ƒ/1.6; 12MP Ultra Wide 13mm ƒ/2.2; 2x optical in / out48MP Fusion 24mm ƒ/1.78; 48MP Ultra Wide; 12MP 5x Telephoto 120mm tetraprism
Buttons / portAction Button; Camera Control; USB-CAction Button; Camera Control; USB-C
Battery (OEM)Video 22h; streamed 18h; audio 80hVideo 27h; streamed 22h; audio 85h
Fast charge (OEM)~50% in around 30 min with 20W USB-C or 30W MagSafeMagSafe up to 25W (Support); wired 50% class as printed on 121031
Wireless chargeMagSafe up to 25W; Qi2 up to 25WMagSafe up to 25W; Qi2 up to 25W
Size / weight71.6 × 147.6 × 7.80mm; 170g71.5 × 149.6 × 8.25mm; 199g
WaterIP68 (6m / 30 min)IP68
RAMNot published by AppleNot published by Apple

Shared controls — do not invent a button war

Camera Control, Action Button, and USB-C are on both Support pages. The leftover fork is panel class, chip suffix, and the third camera.

ProMotion stays on Pro

Support 121029 does not list ProMotion or Always-On. Writing those onto base 16 is a factual error.

Frequently asked questions

Does iPhone 16 have Camera Control and USB-C?

Yes. Support 121029 lists Camera Control, Action Button, and a USB-C connector. Those are not 16 Pro exclusives.

Does iPhone 16 have ProMotion or Always-On?

Not on Support 121029’s display section. Those rows are on 16 Pro Support 121031 (ProMotion up to 120Hz; Always-On).

What camera hop does Apple publish?

16: advanced dual-camera — 48MP Fusion Main 26mm ƒ/1.6 and 12MP Ultra Wide 13mm ƒ/2.2; 2x optical in / 2x out; 4x optical range; digital 10x. 16 Pro: Pro camera system — 48MP Fusion 24mm ƒ/1.78, 48MP Ultra Wide, 12MP 5x Telephoto 120mm tetraprism. Do not invent 100×.