Review · Apple
iPhone 16 Pro Review: 2024 Best Camera Winner Is Now a Bargain
Won Best Camera at MKBHD's 2024 Smartphone Awards. The iPhone 16 Pro is the iPhone 17 Pro's predecessor — same fundamental camera pipeline, same iOS 19 + Apple Intelligence support — and is now $200+ off launch. The best-value path into a Pro-tier iOS phone in 2026.
By SmartphoneAwards Editorial · Published · Updated
Pros
- MKBHD's 2024 Best Camera winner
- Same fundamental camera pipeline as iPhone 17 Pro
- Now $899 — $200 off original launch price
- Five+ years of major iOS updates remaining
Cons
- A18 Pro is one generation behind A19 Pro
- Sustained-load thermals trail iPhone 17 Pro
- Slightly smaller battery than 17 Pro
- Display is fractionally dimmer than the 17 Pro
Why it won Best Camera
MKBHD's 2024 award called out the new 48MP ultrawide sensor and the Camera Control button. Both remain compelling in 2026 — the 48MP ultrawide produces noticeably better stills than older 12MP ultrawides on iPhones, and the Camera Control button is a genuine ergonomic improvement that's still iPhone-exclusive (the 17 Pro inherited it).
Display & build
6.3-inch ProMotion OLED, 1–120Hz adaptive, ~3,000 nits peak. Slightly dimmer than the 17 Pro but excellent. Titanium frame, contoured rails, and the now-standard Action Button + Camera Control button setup.
Performance
A18 Pro + 8GB RAM. Roughly 25% slower than A19 Pro but still enormously capable. Where you'll notice the gap: sustained gaming and ProRes editing. Day-to-day apps run identically to the 17 Pro.
Camera
Triple 48MP system: main, ultrawide, and 5x telephoto. ProRes Log capture supported. Same fundamental pipeline as the 17 Pro — Apple iterated on processing for the 17 Pro, but the underlying hardware is identical. For most photographers and video creators, the 16 Pro produces output indistinguishable from the 17 Pro.
Battery
Real-world: 6.5–7.5 hours of screen-on time. Roughly 30 minutes less than the 17 Pro. 27W wired and 25W MagSafe.
Verdict · 4.5 / 5
Buy the iPhone 16 Pro at the discount if you want a Pro-tier iPhone and don't need the A19 Pro chip or the marginally improved 17 Pro processing. Won MKBHD's 2024 Best Camera award and is now the best-value path into iOS Pro. If you want the latest, the 17 Pro is a refinement worth $200 more — but only if you'll keep the phone for 4+ years.
🛒 Buy the iPhone 16 Pro on AmazonAlternatives to consider
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the iPhone 16 Pro still worth buying in 2026?
Yes — at $899 (down from $999 launch), it's the best value for a Pro-tier iPhone. Won MKBHD's 2024 Best Camera award and shares the same fundamental camera pipeline as the iPhone 17 Pro.
iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro: which to buy?
16 Pro at the discount — you save $200 for marginally less performance. Buy the 17 Pro only if you specifically want the A19 Pro chip or you'll keep the phone for 4+ years.
How long will the iPhone 16 Pro be supported?
Apple typically supports iPhones 5–7 years. The 16 Pro should receive iOS support through approximately 2029–2031.
How we rate
Our editorial score is anchored to outcomes from MKBHD's annual Smartphone Awards (2014–2025), then refined for everyday usability. Phone of the Year winners earn 5/5; category winners 4.5/5; runners-up 4/5; otherwise we score on merit. We earn a commission on purchases via our retailer links — at no extra cost to you.