For the first time, the new Apple range of devices are launching in South Africa on the same day as in North America and Europe. We were able to get our hands on all the latest Apple devices at a special launch event, thanks to our friends at iStore. We had several hours to dive deep into what Apple has to offer this year, so let’s take a look at the iPhone 16 range in more detail.
Read: iPhone 16 prices in South Africa announced, and its dropping
iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max
I just spent a good amount of time with the new iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, which feature larger displays with thinner bezels, enhanced cameras, and Apple’s intriguing new Camera Control button.
Let’s start with Camera Control. It’s a physical button that slightly depresses into the case, offering haptic feedback from Apple’s Taptic Engine, making it feel more substantial. While it can function as a traditional shutter button, allowing you to capture photos from the 48MP main camera without any noticeable shutter lag, it’s much more than that. In my brief demo, the button kept up with rapid-fire shots easily, but we’ll see how it holds up in real-world use.
The Camera Control button is also a multifunctional capacitive control surface. Pressing it lightly activates swipe-to-zoom controls, and a quick double press brings up more options like lens selection, exposure adjustments, and the new photo styles exclusive to the Pro models. It took me a moment to get the hang of the pressure sensitivity, but it wasn’t difficult to figure out. Apple plans to roll out a software update later this year that will add a two-stage shutter feature, allowing users to lock focus and exposure with a half-press.
Having used this button for a while, I have to say that the placement is very awkward. It is unclear how exactly Apple intend this button to be used. The placement is too low to be used comfortably in portrait mode with the thumb, and slightly too high to be comfortably used as a shutter button in landscape with the finger.
Switching between photo styles with swipes felt smooth, though it was hard to assess their full impact in iStore’s perfectly lit demo area. Still, I’m eager to see how they perform in varied lighting conditions.
As for the cameras, the iPhone 16 Pro features a 48MP “Fusion” main camera, a 48MP ultrawide camera, and a 12MP 5x telephoto lens. Notably, the tetraprism design, previously exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, is now available on the standard iPhone 16 Pro. The Pro models can also capture 4K video at 120fps, with playback speed adjustable directly in the Photos app.
Apple is also highlighting improved audio hardware with four “studio-quality” microphones, though testing them properly in the demo area wasn’t feasible.
The iPhone 16 Pro models are slightly taller and wider than their predecessors, making room for larger screens: 6.3 inches for the 16 Pro and a whopping 6.9 inches for the 16 Pro Max. Thanks to thinner bezels, they don’t feel significantly bigger in hand, though this is something that’s easier to assess over longer use.
Both phones are powered by the A18 Pro chip, which boasts a 16-core neural engine that Apple says delivers 15% faster performance than the iPhone 15 Pro. Graphics performance also gets a boost with a six-core GPU, said to be 20% faster. Apple is promising more Apple Intelligence features, likely including notification summaries and writing assistance, but specifics remain to be seen.
As for colour options, they remain muted, with the standout being a darker gold called “desert titanium,” alongside other familiar neutrals. If you were hoping for bolder hues, you’ll have to keep waiting.
The rear cameras are now arranged vertically on a smaller, pill-shaped bump—a design shift that’s better for capturing spatial video, especially with the Vision Pro in mind. It also gives the regular iPhone a refreshed look, which Apple likes to introduce every few years.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus
The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are now available to purchases countrywide, featuring Action Buttons borrowed from the 15 Pro and a redesigned camera bump. After getting hands-on time with them in Cape Town, we can say that colour is making a strong comeback: the new models look fantastic.
The screen sizes remain the same as their predecessors, with a 6.1-inch display on the iPhone 16 and a 6.7-inch on the 16 Plus. Aside from the new vertical camera layout, the overall design is largely unchanged. However, the 16 series comes in a range of more vivid colours, including vibrant ultramarine, teal, and pink, alongside the classic white and black. These colours are noticeably richer than the muted tones of the 15 series.
A standout feature for the iPhone 16 models is the new Camera Control button shared with the Pro models. It’s great to see the feature not only being made available on the flagship models.
Under the hood, the iPhone 16 is powered by the new A18 chip, which is reportedly 30% faster than last year’s version. It’s also more durable, with enhanced resistance to scratches and shattering. While the chip upgrade is significant, its full potential will be realized when Apple Intelligence—a suite of AI features—arrives, which is expected around 2025. One of the key features will be an upgraded Siri, but users will have to wait a little longer for that.
