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Reviewed: The 'brilliant' new iPhone 16

Reviewed: The 'brilliant' new iPhone 16

The regular handset is so good, you don't need a Pro model this year.

Leander Kahney
September 23, 2024

Ever since Apple started splitting the iPhone lineup into regular and Pro models, I’ve always stumped for a Pro handset.

My kids were little and I wanted the best camera available, plus I liked the bigger, better screens, longer battery life, faster processors and all the other benefits of the high-end models.

I even appreciated the 120Hz screen refresh rate, which made doomscrolling through X a much nicer experience.

But this year, the lines between the regular and Pro handsets are more blurred than usual.

The regular iPhones boast a lot of the best features of the Pro models, including the new Camera Control button.

Our reviewer, Ed Hardy, bought himself the basic iPhone 16 and spent the last few days reviewing it. His advice is to forego the Pro models.

“My time reviewing Apple’s latest shows you’ll be giving up perhaps less than you think in exchange for significant savings,” he writes in his review.

His verdict — it’s “brilliant.”

Also in today’s newsletter:

We also hands-on review the new Apple Watch Series 10, and conclude the best smartwatch is even better.
Every year, the right-to-repair advocates at iFixit usually declare the latest iPhones unrepairable (by ordinary mortals). Not this year.
You can save hundreds of bucks off M3 MacBook Pros. Amazon currently offers some pretty hot discounts on 14- and 16-inch models.
Watch or listen to the latest episode of the Cult of Mac podcast, in which one of our writers learns the devastating truth about the new desert titanium color.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

Why you should choose iPhone 16 or 16 Plus over iPhone 16 Pro [Review] ★★★★★

Our iPhone 16 and 16 Plus review shows the regular models might be a better choice for many people than the more expensive Pro and Pro Max. Here's why.

Apple Watch 10: The best gets gloriously better [Review] ★★★★★

Our Apple Watch Series 10 review finds the best wearable for most people just keeps getting better. Sleeker. More functional. Just beautiful.

iFixit teardown finds iPhone 16 'the most-repairable iPhone yet'

Well-written manuals, independent access to the battery and other internal changes make the iPhone 16 the most-repairable iPhone yet.

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

Nab your choice of M3 MacBook Pro for hundreds off

Some folks might want to wait for M4 chips, but you can get hundreds off M3 MacBook Pro models right now at Amazon.

Here's when new Apple Intelligence features are expected to roll out

After releasing Apple Intelligence with iOS 18.1 in October, Apple will roll out more features to it with iOS 18.2 and iOS 18.4.

Watch MLS soccer playoffs for $10 or free

An MLS Season Pass is down to $10, just in time to watch the playoffs and the MLS Cup. There's still plenty of Messi!

^{A message from the Cult of Mac buyback program}

With new AirPods, it’s a great time to sell your old buds

It’s a fantastic time to upgrade — and sell your aging earbuds. Apple won't buy back AirPods, but Cult of Mac will.

iPhone 16 Pro unboxing reveals the sad truth about desert titanium [The CultCast]

This week on Cult of Mac's podcast: Griffin takes the wraps off his new iPhone 16 Pro in desert titanium -- and he doesn't like what he sees.

Price drop: Use your iPhone to instantly identify plants with this AI-powered app

The Plantum plant ID app uses your iPhone for fast plant identification by photo. It even offers growing tips for gardeners!

Spy thriller ‘Slow Horses’ season 4 gets even more popular

Fans push Apple TV+’s darkly comic spy series "Slow Horses" to the top of a weekly popularity chart.

Today in Apple history: Apple lays out its core company values

On September 23, 1981, Cupertino published "Apple Values." The Apple mission statement established a positive, productive corporate ethos.

Powerful speakers and subwoofer blast MacBook Pro rig's sound [Setups]

Want to crank up your computer setup's sound? This MacBook Pro user added a subwoofer to his stand-mounted Audioengine speakers.

Tweets of the day

No one told me that you can actually use the camera control on the iPhone 16... without sliding your finger on the button??? 🤯🤯🤯
— Raven (@Razar_the_Raven)
3:37 PM • Sep 22, 2024

Apple Watch Ultra 2 in black: I absolutely love the new color option. I played with the Series 10 — I am not a fan at all as an Ultra user for two years. In a vacuum, I wouldn’t recommend any other Apple Watch. I wish there was a real update this year though. Unlike Apple.
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman)
10:07 PM • Sep 21, 2024

Finding it a little too easy or difficult to trigger a half-press with Camera Control on iPhone 16 Pro? Or do you want to disable the Adjustments altogether?
Here’s how you can adjust Camera Control to work your way:
— Halide + Kino (@halidecamera)
4:02 PM • Sep 21, 2024

Is this the first iPhone with a modem that’s actually really good?
— Quinn Nelson (@SnazzyLabs)
3:45 AM • Sep 22, 2024

Wallpaper of the day

New wallpaper 🌍
— Aesthetics 𝕏 (@aestheticsguyy)
7:21 PM • Sep 22, 2024

One more thing ...

❝

It takes a lot of hard work to make something simple.

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

Did you go Pro or no this year?

Results from last Friday’s poll: What new Apple gear did you get today?

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