iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Pro: What’s the real difference

Which iPhone 16 model should I buy? Whether you are upgrading to the iPhone 16 lineup or are a first-time iPhone buyer, this question torments every type of customer. In the past, Apple has not made it easy by differentiating between the Pro and Pro Max models. However, things have changed, and this year, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are different only in terms of display and battery life, while the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max also differ in terms of display and battery life. 

With the iPhone 16 lineup also being the first from Cupertino to be designed with Apple Intelligence in mind, you might be wondering which one to get. Should you go with the standard iPhone 16 or splurge on the iPhone 16 Pro? Here’s a look at the real difference in the battle of iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Pro.

iPhone 16 vs 16 Pro: Design and build

At first glance, both iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro build on the minimalist design language that Apple has tried to champion in the past few years. However, they are both set apart by the materials and subtle design elements. The iPhone 16 features an aluminium frame with a colour-infused glass back, whereas the iPhone 16 Pro uses titanium with a textured matt glass back.

The iPhone 16 comes in playful colours such as ultramarine, teal, pink, white, and black. With the iPhone 16 Pro, you are looking at a subdued, professional-looking device available in desert titanium, natural titanium, white titanium, and black titanium. The iPhone 16 measures 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8mm in dimensions and weighs 170 grams, while the 16 Pro measures 149.6 x 71.5 x 8.25mm and weighs 199 grams. With the iPhone 16 Pro, you are getting a more durable device, while the 16 is lighter and comes in playful hues.

ALSO READ: Apple iPhone 16 review roundup

iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Pro: Display

The biggest and most meaningful difference between the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Pro comes down to its display. The iPhone 16 features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with a dynamic island, max brightness of 1,000 nits, and peak brightness of 1,600 nits. The 16 Pro, on the other hand, takes the display game up a notch.

With the iPhone 16 Pro, you are getting a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology, enabling adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz. There is also support for always-on display, max brightness of 1,000 nits, and peak brightness of 1,600 nits. While the standard iPhone 16 remains at 60Hz, ProMotion on the iPhone 16 Pro makes all the difference whether you are gaming, scrolling, and with iOS 26 bringing Liquid Glass UI, the higher refresh rate display might make animations look ultra-smooth.

iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Pro: Performance and battery life

For the first time in a long time, Apple didn’t treat the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models as second-class citizens by giving them chips from the previous year’s Pro model. The iPhone 16 is equipped with an A18 chip, while the 16 Pro gets an A18 Pro chip. They are both built on a second-generation 3nm process and feature a 6-core CPU with 2 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores and a 16-core Neural Engine. The A18 chip has a 5-core GPU, while the A18 Pro gets a 6-core GPU.

In a nutshell, they are both plenty powerful chipsets offering excellent CPU and GPU performance. However, Apple has designed both chips with AI (Apple Intelligence) in mind, meaning they are powerful enough to support AI experiences, such as image or video generation, with a simple prompt. If you are an average user, then the difference between the two chips won’t be apparent, but power users will feel the difference.

The iPhone 16 Pro also takes the edge over the iPhone 16 with its battery performance. The 16 Pro is rated for up to 27 hours of video playback, while the iPhone 16 is rated for up to 22 hours. They both support MagSafe, Qi2, and Qi wireless charging, and with a compatible 20W adapter, they support fast-charge up to 50 per cent in 30 minutes.

iPhone 16 vs 16 Pro: Camera(s)

If the display is one of the strengths of the iPhone 16 Pro, then the camera is another. In the past, Apple has differentiated between the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models with build quality, performance, and cameras, and it remains the case in 2025. Apple has equipped the iPhone 16 with a dual camera system, featuring a 48MP main fusion camera and a 12MP ultrawide camera.

The iPhone 16 Pro has a triple rear camera system with a 48MP main camera, a 48MP ultrawide, and a 12MP telephoto camera. If you are interested in zoom and macro photography, then the iPhone 16 Pro is the way to go. The new 48MP ultrawide camera on the Pro model makes a world of difference in photography, while the telephoto allows up to 5x optical zoom. The iPhone 16, on the other hand, is limited to 2x optical zoom, and even that is a crop of the main sensor readout.

ALSO READ: iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro: What to know before an upgrade

Another photography difference between the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Pro is in night mode portraits and AppleProRAW. When it comes to video recording, both support 4K Dolby Vision video recording at 24fps, 25fps, 30fps, or 60fps, but the Pro supports 100fps or 120fps. The iPhone 16 Pro is also a better camera phone for creators, thanks to its support for ProRes video recording up to 4K at 120fps with external recording. The iPhone has always offered the best camera for video recording, and with iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro, Apple is flexing its muscles.

iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Pro: Which one is for you

Both the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Pro feature the same 12-megapixel FaceTime camera at the front, but only the iPhone 16 Pro supports faster data transfers via USB-C 3.0, while the iPhone 16 is capped at USB 2.0 data speed. In the iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Pro debate, the choice boils down to how you plan to use the phone.

ALSO READ: iPhone 16 Pro Max long-term review

For the everyday iPhone user, the iPhone 16 is a better smartphone than most other smartphones on the market. It is an iPhone that does everything well, and its playful colours will make even Pro users jealous. However, if you are looking for a pro-grade display, pro-level camera, and pro-level performance, then iPhone 16 Pro justifies the extra spend. Choose the right device based on your priority and how far you are willing to stretch your pocket.