Is the iPhone 16 the upgrade you’ve been waiting for?

Apple fans around the world have been buzzing about the new releases the tech giant unveiled earlier in September. There’s the AirPods 4, the latest Apple Watch and more notably, the highly anticipated iPhone 16. Much like with every new release, Apple promises cutting-edge features, and this one is no exception. During the launch, CEO Tim Cook mentioned that the iPhone 16 includes several new innovations. But with the hefty price tag, many are left wondering— is it really worth splashing out for the latest model?

That being said, you might have second guesses if you already own last year’s iPhone 15. But this year’s update is said to bring even more exciting features to the table. From enhanced performance to fresh design updates, the iPhone 16 offers all the perks of its predecessor and then some. So, if you’ve been holding off on upgrading, this might just be the perfect opportunity to make the switch.

To discover what sets the iPhone 16 apart from Apple’s former models, along with all the exciting new features it promises, keep scrolling.

Vibrant colours and a durable design

If we had to sum up the new colour options in Apple’s latest iPhone 16 lineup in just three words, they’d be: bright, bold, and beautiful. Available in five new colours, including Ultramarine, Teal, and Pink, along with classic shades of White and Black, these models are perfect for those who prefer bolder palettes. It’s done by infusing metallic ions at the beginning of the glass creation process, to achieve a brilliantly deeper hue.

Speaking of glass, the phone is more durable than ever thanks to an improved “Ceramic Shield” over the glass casing – but the extent of any damage will depend on the way the phone lands. Therefore, even those with an iPhone 16 should think about investing in a protective case.

When it comes to spills, the iPhone 16 is IP68 rated, which means your device can withstand water immersion of up to 6 meters for 30 minutes. It also offers resistance against accidental liquid spills, so you won’t have to stress about spilling your morning coffee on your phone—if it happens, that is.

Action Button 

Much like the Pro versions of the iPhone 15, the iPhone 16 has now introduced the action button to its latest lineup. So instead of the silent button, you’ll now have the option to customise your phone’s action button to easily access different functions of your phone like your torchlight, recognise music, translate as well as other shortcuts – so you can easily find what you need with a touch of a button. 

Camera Control 

Another new function that has been introduced to the iPhone 16 is the camera control. Made from durable sapphire crystal, this new button lets you quickly access your camera for those spontaneous snaps or videos when you’re on the move. Even better, it’s touch-sensitive, allowing you to effortlessly scroll through various camera functions. You can easily adjust exposure, depth, styles, and tone — just by sliding your finger across the button. As a former iPhone 13 Pro user, I found this feature incredibly convenient for quickly switching on my camera to capture photos or videos. However, I have to admit that it took me some time to fully adjust, especially since I usually take my photos in portrait mode and the camera control feels more natural when you’re taking your photos in landscape mode. 

Cameras

48MP Fusion Camera with Optical-Quality 2x Telephoto

Another feature that I got really excited about was the cameras itself. For those who didn’t know, the iPhone 16 is fitted with a 48MP Fusion Camera with Optical-Quality 2x Telephoto – which basically means, higher resolution photos and videos. To take a 48MP photo, all you need to do is go into Settings > Camera > Formats, and turn on Resolution Control. When that’s done, you can easily tap on HEIF MAX on the top right-hand corner of your camera to take a photo with maximum resolution. This is perfect especially when you want to capture detailed images. While you may be worried about the file size of the images, rest assured that these high-resolution images are optimised for easy storage and sharing.

As for its Optical-Quality 2x Telephoto function, you’ll notice that it captures up to 1.6 times more light, resulting in zero shutter lag and exceptional low-light performance. This makes it a breeze to take beautiful photos even in darker environments.

12MP Ultra Wide Camera with Autofocus

One other great feature that many users who are familiar with Gen Z selfies will be thrilled with is the ultra-wide camera. Now, the camera in the iPhone 16 features a faster aperture and bigger pixels, so it can capture up to 2.6x more light which translates to better images and improved video quality, especially in low-light scenarios – so you don’t have to compromise on quality. With the ultra-wide camera, users can get up close to their subjects and capture high-definition photos. 

In addition, both cameras feature an anti-reflective coating on the lenses, which helps minimise lens flare in your photos.

Audio

Whether you’re an audiophile or someone who’s looking for an upgrade in terms of audio quality, you’ll be glad to know that the iPhone 16 has not only upgraded its video capabilities but also introduced better audio quality and new ways to edit the sound of your videos on your phone.

To start off, the iPhone 16 is now able to capture Spatial audio when recording in video mode. This is switched on by default and it essentially delivers a more immersive experience for your video playbacks when you’re listening to it on your AirPods, Apple Vision Pro or even on devices like your home theatre sound system.

But that’s not all. What I like most about the new audio features is that it now boasts wind noise reduction, which is great for when you’re filming your videos in windy environments, and most of all, it has intelligent features which allow you to distinguish between background noise and voices when recording videos. For the latter, you can choose from several options: the standard setting, the in-frame option that isolates the speaker’s voice while filtering out others not in view, the studio option that enhances audio to give it a polished studio sound, and the cinematic option that prioritises in-frame voices while incorporating environmental surround sound. I have to say, this is a major upgrade from previous models, elevating your videos to a whole new level and enhancing their overall quality.

Apple Intelligence (available later this year with iOS 18.1) 

As part of its latest release, the tech giant has also unveiled Apple Intelligence, a new AI assistant that’s built into the phone and will be available later this year with iOS 18.1. What it does is it basically helps to simplify everyday tasks such as writing, with its unique Writing Tools assist that helps you to rewrite, proofread, and summarise text, making it easier to express ideas clearly and effectively.

Additionally, Siri has been redesigned for deeper integration, allowing for more seamless interactions with a responsive edge light and resilient request handling. In fact, now users don’t necessarily have to use their voice to control Siri, but they can also type into Siri in quiet environments.

A18 Chip 

When it comes to processing power, the iPhone 16 is equipped with the A18 chip, featuring a faster CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine. This means everything on your phone runs more smoothly, so you won’t have to deal with lagging apps. Whether you’re gaming or multitasking, you’ll enjoy an enhanced experience thanks to new rendering features.

Plus, one of the best improvements is its battery life — it offers up to two additional hours of video playback compared to the iPhone 15, so you can watch more of your favourite dramas or doomscroll through TikTok without constantly recharging.

Final Thoughts

Some may argue that the iPhone 16 doesn’t offer as much as its predecessor, the iPhone 15, but as a former iPhone 13 Pro user who has been eager for an upgrade, I can confidently say this new model represents a significant leap forward. While I’m patiently awaiting the arrival of Apple Intelligence, I’m genuinely impressed with the camera capabilities, which have transformed my video shooting experience with stunning visuals and excellent sound quality. It’s truly changed the game for how we capture content on our phones, and you can see the difference in the quality of the videos I create on Her World’s socials. Plus, on a lighter note, the camera is fantastic for snapping those Gen Z selfies!

Aside from that, I also love the customisable action button, which allows me to access different functions quickly with just a tap. And let’s not forget the A18 chip — it’s made my phone feel lightning-fast, letting me scroll and browse without any lag.