How this review was made: it is based on published specifications and on tests by other reviewers, listed at the end. It is not a long-term personal test.

The iPhone 16 Pro arrived in 2024, and the iPhone 18 Pro has since replaced it at the top of the range. That makes the question more interesting. It is no longer about the newest iPhone, but about whether this one is still a good phone to buy or keep.

The camera is the reason

Apple lists a 6.3-inch OLED display, the A18 Pro chip and a camera system with a 5x telephoto lens. The telephoto matters most. In this generation it reached the smaller Pro model, so you no longer needed a large phone to get the longest zoom. Reviewers consistently singled it out.

Advanced video recording adds more headroom, along with a need for more storage. If you rarely film, you will not use much of it.

Camera Control

This was the headline new button, and opinions split. Engadget’s long-term review found that it fits right in. Other reviewers found it fiddly. Think of it as a useful shortcut, not a reason to buy.

Battery and software

Battery life is a clear strength. Reviewers report a comfortable full day of heavy use. Apple Intelligence was less convincing: Engadget’s long-term test found it underwhelming, so do not choose this phone for its AI features alone.

Who it is for

Digital Trends summed up the awkward part: it loved the phone, but would not buy it. Most people get what they need from a cheaper model. Buy the 16 Pro if you will really use the zoom and the video tools, and if the price is well below that of the current Pro models. If you already own one, it has few reasons to be replaced yet.

Sources