5 causes to choose the iPhone 16 Professional over the iPhone 16

This would possibly shock some individuals, even shut family and friends, however I’ve by no means been the kind to snap up a smartphone on day one, a lot much less a top-of-the-line mannequin just like the iPhone 16 Pro. I purchase telephones by myself dime, and sometimes do not want that many options. I additionally detest to cope with the early wake-up name for on-line pre-orders or getting in line at an Apple Retailer. For sanity’s sake, it is typically simpler to attend a number of weeks for shops to restock.

This yr, although, I occurred to have each the revenue to afford an iPhone 16 Professional and the explanations to justify getting one as quickly as attainable. Most individuals should not purchase a Professional — it is overkill in the event you’re principally answering messages and posting on Instagram — however in my case, circumstances have aligned.

1 A 5x telephoto lens

Doing images and movies justice

Apple

My outgoing telephone is an iPhone 13, and the absence of a telephoto lens on it has been irritating. I come from a professional images background, so I am used to having the ability to fill the body with a topic — even when it is on the opposite aspect of a room. Even when I weren’t frightened about excellent composition, I am unable to depend the variety of occasions I have been touring, at an occasion, or taking product pictures and wished my telephone might convey issues slightly nearer.

I’ve a six-year-old son as effectively, and I do know I would remorse cheaping out if it meant not having the ability to seize an essential reminiscence of him. It is truly maddening to me that the secondary cameras on most finances and mid-range telephones are ultra-wide — I feel most individuals would select a telephoto any day.

2 Battery life

A busy life calls for an enormous battery

The ability capability on my iPhone 13 is right down to 86%, and to be clear, that is loads usable for the common individual. I am not common, nonetheless — on prime of being a tech journalist testing iPhone-connected apps and equipment, I am an avid weightlifter and make cross-continental flights to see family and friends no less than as soon as per yr. After I’m racing throughout an airport terminal to make a connection, I could not have time to plug in, and my MagSafe battery is not all the time sufficient.

As a body of reference, my previous iPhone is rated for 15 to 19 hours of video at greatest, whereas the 16 Professional can theoretically deal with 27. That is a significant distinction. The 16 Professional’s show additional helps dynamic refresh charges, so it isn’t caught working apps at 60Hz when it is pointless.

3 StandBy

A wise show anyplace you go

I’ve needed to make use of StandBy each day because it was first introduced — I’ve a number of devoted smart displays round my residence, and I like the concept of creating that ambient data transportable, particularly for resort stays. It ought to flip my iPhone right into a Nest Hub I can slot in my pocket.

Technically, my iPhone 13 already has entry to StandBy, however not in any sensible type. The telephone predates Apple’s always-on show tech, which might solely be on Professional fashions anyway, so its display screen goes black a number of seconds after StandBy begins.

4 Focus and publicity lock

One step nearer to a professional digital camera alternative

Apple

The saying goes that it’s best to solely purchase a product for the options it has at launch, however one thing I am wanting ahead to is a Digital camera Management replace that may add a two-stage shutter for automated focus and publicity lock. To date, it is solely been confirmed for the iPhone 16 Professional and Professional Max.

Why is it an enormous deal? Professional and hobbyist shooters know that whenever you’re monitoring a shifting topic, it is cumbersome to manually alter focus, by no means thoughts tweak publicity to maintain it constant. It may be outright unattainable to do these issues when coping with sports activities or shifting automobiles, so for a few of us, enhanced shutter controls will open up new picture and video potentialities.

5 At all times-on notifications and wallpaper

No extra clean bricks on my desk

iPhone 15 Professional residence display screen

I need my iPhone to indicate some sense of persona, and shifting to a Professional will enable me to show wallpaper 24/7. Sure, it is finally trivial — I might slap some stickers on the again of a case — however it’s inherently pleasing to stare at handpicked pictures I can change out on the fly.

Extra virtually, as somebody who’s perpetually on-line and receiving every day bundle and grocery deliveries, I would like a relentless view of my notifications. It is simple to overlook a short tone or display screen flash whenever you’re neck-deep in writing an article or making an attempt to get your child prepared for mattress.