iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Pro: How do they compare?

Every year, Apple tows the line between making its Pro models premium, without making the entry-level iPhone seem too unappealing. This year, that's not much of a concern as Apple has packed in a decent list of upgrades into the base iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Plus.

There are, of course, a few reasons to consider the iPhone 16 Pro, such as a bigger display with slimmer bezels and a supercharged A18 Pro chipset, but for the most part, iPhone 16 users won't be missing out on much this year. 

• Just Deserts: As always, the iPhone 16 Pro range comes in an exclusive range of 'Pro' colours. This year, the heavily-rumoured 'bronze' iPhone turned out not as bronze as we'd hoped. Known as Desert Titanium, the flagship 16 Pro colour is still a classy shade.
• Pro goes big: This year, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max feature bigger displays and slimmer bezels than the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus
• Better ultrawide camera: The iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max get a boosted 48MP ultrawide shooter
• ProMotion: 120Hz refresh rate still exclusive to 16 Pro models
• Titanium: Aluminum frame for the 16 and 16 Plus, Titanium for 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max
• Telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom on both 16 Pro models
• Always-on Display: Apple's AOD is still exclusive to the 16 Pro range

There are a lot of upgrades coming to the iPhone 16 range this year, and not all of them exclusive to the iPhone 16 Pro range. In fact, this year seems to be a big one for standard iPhone 16 users, with only a few features exclusive to the 16 Pro range. 

Below you'll find a comprehensive side-by-side comparison of the entire iPhone 16 family. If you're looking for comparisons with previous iPhone models, be sure to check out the following guides:

• iPhone 12 vs iPhone 16
• iPhone 13 vs iPhone 16
• iPhone 14 vs iPhone 16

In a pleasant twist, Apple has actually managed to make every iPhone 16 model cheaper this year (when compared with the iPhone 15's launch price.) The 128GB iPhone 16 starts at $1,399, the 16 Plus at $1,599 and the iPhone 16 Pro at $1,799. Once again, Apple isn't offering a 128GB iPhone 16 Pro Max so the starting price for Apple's biggest smartphone yet is $2,149 for the 256GB model. 

It's never easy to ignore the iPhone Pro models' premium features but this year, base model iPhone 16 users are their fair share of upgrades with the A18 chipset, Apple Intelligence, the Action Button and Camera Control button and an advanced 48MP main shooter, which allows for Macro photos plus spatial photos and videos. 

For our money, spending less and getting funner colours with the iPhone 16 is almost worth more than the bigger display and slimmer bezels of the 16 Pro. But as someone who has returned to the 15 Pro's 120Hz refresh rate after a period without it, it will be hard for me and other Pro users to settle for anything less. 

If you currently own a base model iPhone, don't concern yourself with spending the Pro premium. But if you're already on that ProMotion 120Hz bandwagon, I'd warn that the iPhone 16 may feel a little sluggish in comparison.