Apple has lifted the curtain off the iPhone 16 and the Apple Watch Sequence 10, and it’s fairly an thrilling array of units. Not solely is that this the primary line of iPhones constructed from the bottom as much as help Apple Intelligence, however Apple additionally gave us some extremely enjoyable colours for the common fashions.
Even so, Apple nonetheless fell quick on some facets of the iPhone 16 line. Let’s dive in.
The iPhone 16 nonetheless has a 60Hz show
In 2017, Apple added ProMotion to the iPad Professional. That is the identify for its shows with a 120Hz refresh price, which suggests smoother scrolling and animations on the display.
With the iPhone 13 Professional, Apple lastly launched ProMotion to the iPhone show. Beforehand, 60Hz was the usual Apple used for years. As soon as ProMotion arrived on the iPhone, Apple stored it unique to the Professional fashions, even to this present day. The usual iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus solely have a 60Hz refresh price, whereas the iPhone 16 Professional and iPhone 16 Professional Max have a 120Hz ProMotion show.
In recent times, many Android telephones, even the bottom fashions or budget-friendly choices that solely value a couple of hundred {dollars}, have featured 120Hz or 90Hz refresh charges. However for Apple to cost at the very least $799 for a cellphone that also solely has 60Hz within the yr 2024? It’s insulting.
Maybe most individuals who find yourself getting the iPhone 16 don’t care. I admit it may be a bit of troublesome to see the variations between 60Hz and 120Hz except you’re looking at them facet by facet. However when you’ve been utilizing a tool with 120Hz, particularly for a couple of years, it may be fairly arduous to return to something much less.
Consider it like when Apple launched the Retina show on the iPhone 4. When that show know-how debuted, you might now not see the person little pixels on the display in case you regarded intently. Once more, refresh charges aren’t fairly as apparent to some folks, however it’s arduous to downgrade when you discover.
I severely hope that Apple considers elevating the refresh price to at the very least 90Hz, if not 120Hz, with the iPhone 17. In 2025, 60Hz must be out of date.
No vital telephoto digicam upgrades
OK, I do know, I do know. The iPhone 16 Professional lastly acquired the improved periscope digicam with 5x optical zoom that debuted final yr with the iPhone 15 Professional Max. I’ve been demanding this for the previous yr after the iPhone 15 Professional was caught with simply 3x optical zoom. Besides, I’m nonetheless not glad.
I’m actually stunned that Apple didn’t enhance the megapixel depend on the telephoto lens this yr for both the small Professional or the bigger Professional Max. The ultrawide digicam jumped considerably to 48MP from the earlier 12MP, so why didn’t the telephoto digicam get this remedy, too?
For context, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely has two telephoto lenses, 10MP and 50MP, which might do 3x and 5x optical zoom, respectively. The Google Pixel 9 Professional, which simply got here out a month in the past, has a 48MP ultrawide lens and a 48MP telephoto digicam. Apple growing the spec on simply the ultrawide lens and never the telephoto feels a bit of, effectively, lazy.
Apple might have additionally elevated the digital zoom previous 15x. The Pixel can do as much as 30x proper now, and the Galaxy S24 Extremely can do 100x. Apple nonetheless doesn’t allow you to go previous 15x, which is a disgrace.
The entire Professional colours are dangerous
However the iPhone 16 Professional fashions? Might the colours be any extra boring this yr? It’s the worst coloration lineup by far — there’s not even a blue, for crying out loud. Some folks could like that Desert Titanium coloration, however I’m not a fan, and I sometimes get the “new” coloration yearly. However this yr, it seems like I’ll find yourself going for white titanium as a substitute, although I’m actually not a fan of any of them; that’s simply the least dangerous of the bunch.
Critically, why can’t Apple hear and provides us an precise enjoyable coloration for the Professional fashions? I like that Google gave us a Rose Quartz Pixel 9 Professional this yr, and I actually hope that Apple can take a touch. Folks desire a colourful iPhone Professional, not 4 completely different shades of grey.
Nonetheless no return of Contact ID
The iPhone 16 sequence provides a brand new {hardware} characteristic: Digital camera Management. This new button on the suitable fringe of the body launches the Digital camera app, acts as a shutter button, and makes use of haptics to detect sliding motion and regulate settings when utilizing the digicam.
The Digital camera Management is likely one of the greatest adjustments to the iPhone in a very long time, however some folks could also be left questioning why didn’t Apple deliver again Contact ID to that button (and even on the ability button)?
Although many Android telephones today have each face unlock and an under-display fingerprint sensor, we could by no means see that come to an iPhone. Apple’s personal iPad fashions, other than the iPad Professional, nonetheless use Contact ID with a fingerprint sensor housed within the sleep/wake button. With Apple including extra buttons to the iPhone line in recent times, one would assume Contact ID might return in some unspecified time in the future.
Why have Contact ID and Face ID? I believe having a couple of biometric safety measure on a smartphone is a brilliant transfer, only for that further layer of safety. I’d have liked to see Apple deliver again Contact ID with the Digital camera Management and even the sleep/wake button.
Maybe sooner or later, we will get two types of biometric safety on an iPhone.
Strive once more subsequent yr
Don’t get me fallacious — the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Professional are thrilling updates. I’m keen to take a look at the Digital camera Management since pictures is a giant a part of how I take advantage of my cellphone. And I completely love these iPhone 16 colours!
Nonetheless, it’s disappointing to see among the missteps made this yr. No smartphone is ideal, and we must always by no means count on one to be, however a few of these issues are so irritating. A 60Hz display? No telephoto upgrades? Come on, Apple.
Hopefully, Apple can tackle these complaints sooner or later. A base mannequin iPhone with a 120Hz display, a Professional iPhone with enjoyable colours, vital telephoto digicam enhancements, and an iPhone with Contact ID and Face ID? It doesn’t damage to dream.
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