IPHONE MODEL ARCHIVE · 2024
The iPhone 16 range added a dedicated Camera Control and brought the Action button into the standard branch. The useful comparison is how the phone handles your own shooting and daily routines.
The generation at a glance
Apple announced the generation on 9 September 2024. The 16 and Plus used A18, a 48 MP Fusion camera and 6.1-inch or 6.7-inch displays. The Pro pair used A18 Pro and larger 6.3-inch or 6.9-inch displays. Camera Control was part of the family.
A camera control should earn its place in your routine
A new control is valuable when it helps capture a shot you would otherwise miss or makes a repeated action easier. Try it with the way you hold a phone rather than judging it from a product photograph. People who take quick family pictures and people who plan video sequences may value different things. The same applies to display size: more viewing space must be weighed against the object you carry.
Which version is which?
Standard 16 and Plus form one branch, while Pro and Pro Max form another. Unlike some previous families, the Pro screen sizes differ from the standard pair. The 16e is a separate model introduced later, so it belongs in its own comparison. Do not assume every product sharing the number 16 has the same controls or cameras.
What to check before choosing one
Try Camera Control and the Action button in the tasks you expect to use. If Apple Intelligence is part of the purchase decision, verify current language, region and feature availability with Apple; the launch announcement is not a promise that every capability is available everywhere. Compare the actual storage, condition and warranty of the devices offered.
For a used handset, inspect the exact device rather than relying on stock photographs. Ask to see the cameras, charging and controls working. Check storage, battery condition and whether the previous owner has removed their account. Compare any repair quotation with the total purchase price. For daily use, verify the software and services you need on that model before buying.
Official Apple references
Original Apple announcement · iPhone 16 specifications · iPhone 16 Plus specifications · iPhone 16 Pro specifications · iPhone 16 Pro Max specifications