After holding onto my iPhone 12 Pro for years, I finally decided to upgrade to the new iPhone 16 Pro during this year’s Black Friday sale. While the iPhone 12 Pro was a reliable device, it was starting to show signs of age, and I was more than ready to embrace the advancements that the iPhone 16 Pro has to offer.
From its improved performance to some intriguing new features, the iPhone 16 Pro is undeniably a massive upgrade. However, there are also a few aspects that left me a little disappointed. Below, I’ll share the five things I absolutely love about my new iPhone 16 Pro, as well as three features that have fallen short of expectations. Whether you’re considering an upgrade or just curious about the latest iPhone, read on for my full thoughts.
5 Things I Love About the iPhone 16 Pro
1. Smooth Performance and 120Hz Display
When I made the switch from the iPhone 12 Pro to the iPhone 16 Pro, one of the first things I noticed was how incredibly smooth the phone is to use. I’m not just talking about the speed at which apps load or how quickly the device reacts to touch. What truly blew me away were the animations and overall fluidity of the system.
The iPhone 12 Pro was limited to a 60Hz display, and while I never really thought much of it, moving to the iPhone 16 Pro’s 120Hz display was an eye-opening experience. Whether I’m swiping between apps or scrolling through web pages, everything feels buttery smooth and responsive. Once you experience a 120Hz display, you’ll never want to go back to 60Hz. The visual difference is so noticeable that I can’t help but marvel at how fluid every interaction feels. It’s one of those things that, once you experience it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
2. Dynamic Island: A Useful Upgrade
When the Dynamic Island feature was first introduced on the iPhone 14 Pro, it received mixed reviews. Some users were intrigued, while others felt it didn’t live up to the hype. As someone who previously had the standard notch on my iPhone 12 Pro, I can confidently say that the Dynamic Island is a huge upgrade.
On the iPhone 12 Pro, the notch was essentially just a dead zone, taking up valuable screen real estate without providing much functionality. It was there for Face ID and camera sensors, but it didn’t add anything to the user experience. The Dynamic Island, on the other hand, actually serves a purpose beyond just housing the sensors. It is an interactive area that can display information from apps and notifications in a way that doesn’t interrupt your current task.
For example, I can check the progress of my timer or see the status of ongoing calls without opening the associated app. This makes it incredibly convenient, especially when I’m multitasking or need quick access to essential information. While it may not be a revolutionary feature, it’s a much better use of the space that the notch used to occupy, and it has quickly become one of my favorite features on the iPhone 16 Pro.
3. More Screen Real Estate for Better Viewing
While the iPhone 12 Pro had a solid display, the iPhone 16 Pro’s screen is significantly more immersive. One of the reasons is the much slimmer bezels, which help make the display feel larger without increasing the overall size of the device. The reduction in bezels means more space for content, which is great when watching videos, browsing photos, or reading.
This added screen space, combined with the smooth 120Hz refresh rate, makes consuming media on the iPhone 16 Pro a pleasure. Whether it’s scrolling through social media, reading news articles, or streaming videos, everything feels more expansive and engaging. Though the difference may seem small on paper, it has a noticeable impact on day-to-day usage.
I’m also using the phone without a case right now, which makes the screen feel even more expansive. The added space without the bulk of a case allows for a cleaner, more streamlined experience. However, this is a temporary situation, and I’ll be picking up a case soon, but for now, it’s been a joy to have that extra screen space.
4. Improved Macro Photography
As someone who loves photography, I’ve always relied on my iPhone for quick snaps and capturing moments on the go. However, one area that always bothered me on the iPhone 12 Pro was its lackluster macro photography. While it could take good pictures, it never quite had the ability to capture close-up shots with the clarity and detail I wanted.
That all changed with the iPhone 16 Pro. The addition of macro photography has taken my photography to a whole new level. I can now get much closer to subjects and capture stunning detail, something that was not possible on my old iPhone. Coupled with the 5x optical zoom, the iPhone 16 Pro has become my go-to camera for all things macro.
I’ve been able to take photos of small objects, insects, and textures with such precision that I almost don’t need my DSLR anymore. The iPhone 16 Pro has made it clear that smartphone cameras have come a long way, and now I feel confident in using my phone as a serious photography tool.
5. Genmoji: AI-Powered Emojis That Fit the Moment
Apple Intelligence, the brand’s AI-powered features, was one of the selling points of the iPhone 16 Pro. One feature I’ve grown particularly fond of is Genmoji, which allows you to create custom emojis on the fly. Whether you’re texting or using social media apps, you can type a description of the emoji you want, and Apple’s AI will generate one for you.
The ability to create personalized emojis based on specific moods or moments has been a fun and practical addition. For example, I’ve created emojis based on photos of friends and family, or even some playful designs that capture my current state of mind. While the feature is not flawless and sometimes requires a few tries to get the result I want, the overall experience has been enjoyable, and I’m excited to see how it evolves over time.
3 Disappointments with the iPhone 16 Pro
Despite the many improvements, not everything about the iPhone 16 Pro has been perfect. Here are a few aspects that have left me a bit disappointed.
1. Always-On Display: A Feature I Didn’t Need
One of the most talked-about features of the iPhone 16 Pro is the always-on display. On paper, it sounds like a great idea—having the time, notifications, and other information constantly visible without unlocking your phone. However, I found myself instantly disabling the always-on display once I set up my new device.
There are several reasons for this. First, I didn’t feel it was necessary. I own an Apple Watch Series 10, which has an always-on display that is much more useful since it’s always within my line of sight. My iPhone, on the other hand, is usually in my pocket or on my desk, so I don’t really need to see the time or notifications without unlocking the device.
Second, I’ve read enough horror stories about always-on displays draining battery life faster than expected. I didn’t want to risk this feature potentially impacting my battery’s health in the long term, so I turned it off from day one.
2. Slippery Design: Handle with Care
While the iPhone 16 Pro’s design is sleek and premium, it’s also dangerously slippery. I’ve been using my phone without a case for now, and I’ve had a few close calls with it almost slipping out of my hands. The phone’s glossy finish and smooth edges make it feel almost too slippery, and there have been several instances where I’ve been worried about dropping it.
With my iPhone 12 Pro, I had a case on almost immediately to prevent such issues, and I was hoping that Apple would have made the design more grippy. The Ceramic Shield is nice, but it’s not a substitute for better grip. I’ll be getting a case soon to solve this issue, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re planning to go caseless.
3. The Bulging Camera Bump
The iPhone 16 Pro’s camera bump is significantly larger than that of the iPhone 12 Pro. While it’s understandable that the camera system has been improved with larger sensors and more advanced lenses, the size of the bump can be a bit annoying. When I place the phone flat on a surface, the camera bump causes the phone to wobble and feel unstable.
Additionally, I worry about the potential damage to the camera lenses if the bump comes into direct contact with surfaces too often. While a case should mitigate this issue, it’s an unfortunate side effect of the growing camera capabilities.
Conclusion
Overall, the iPhone 16 Pro has been a fantastic upgrade from the iPhone 12 Pro. The smooth performance, improved camera system, and new features like Dynamic Island and Genmoji have enhanced my user experience in ways I didn’t expect. However, there are still a few minor issues, such as the slippery design and oversized camera bump, that could be better.
Despite these disappointments, I’m thrilled with my decision to upgrade, and I’m confident that the iPhone 16 Pro will continue to serve me well for years to come. If you’re thinking about upgrading from an older iPhone model, the iPhone 16 Pro offers a lot to love and makes the transition into the modern iPhone era well worth it.