iPhone 16 Series Review: Limited Upgrades, Will You Still Buy?

iPhone 16 Series Review: Limited Upgrades, Will You Still Buy?The iPhone 16 series review embargo has lifted, and the market is flooded with various reviews. For consumers looking to upgrade, this undoubtedly presents an information overload

iPhone 16 Series Review: Limited Upgrades, Will You Still Buy?

The iPhone 16 series review embargo has lifted, and the market is flooded with various reviews. For consumers looking to upgrade, this undoubtedly presents an information overload. With the official release date fast approaching, many Apple fans are eager to know if the new phones are worth buying. The released review data can help users make informed decisions when choosing their new phone, clearly highlighting its strengths and weaknesses. However, after reading numerous reviews, I found myself with a diminished desire to upgrade.

Many of my friends have been using iPhones for years, from the iPhone 5 to the iPhone 15 series. However, after reading the iPhone 16 reviews, they started complaining that Apple is becoming increasingly uninspired. When I asked what they valued most when upgrading, most of them said it needs to be "Apple-like." This led me to ponder, while phone manufacturers might not deliberately imitate Apple, users truly have this need. After switching brands, users want a seamless experience, and the more "Apple-like" it is, the more comfortable they feel switching. This is one of the key factors for Chinese manufacturers to snatch market share from Apple.

Based on the review information, the iPhone 16 series does have improvements in some areas. For instance, the new desert gold color is not as dark as expected, it's more like a lighter shade, resembling a woman's foundation, making it more acceptable. The bezels are extremely narrow, even on the Pro models, which is quite impressive. They're even suitable for using the phone naked, offering a strong visual impact. Performance and battery life have also improved, with reduced heat generation while filming or charging - the result of Apple's optimization. Additionally, the selfie sharpening has been significantly reduced, and the 4K 120fps footage looks incredibly smooth when switching from wide angle to 15x zoom, highlighting its strengths.

However, some drawbacks exist. The new physical buttons have a steep learning curve, and their efficiency can't compete with the ease of direct touch screen interaction. They only have a practical use in capturing quick shots. Although the iPhone 16 Pro adds a periscope telephoto lens and anti-glare coating, the "ghosting" phenomenon remains unresolved. Only a complete replacement of the lens sensor can completely solve this issue, which means its night photography capabilities will face significant pressure. It's worth noting that the full Apple AI functionality won't be available until next year, and the biggest features and updates of iOS 18 are not yet accessible.

Furthermore, the charging speed tests are out. The iPhone 16 Pro Max can charge up to around 38W, but it doesn't achieve 45W wired fast charging. Crucially, under extreme conditions (low battery, high output + back clip cooling), it can maintain 33W for a short time (10 minutes), with instantaneous power reaching 38-39W. However, as the phone heats up, the charging speed significantly decreases, reaching as low as 8W.

Another concerning issue is signal strength. Previous reports indicated that the iPhone 16 series won't see significant signal improvements, and numerous reviews haven't mentioned it either. I speculate that the iPhone 16 series' signal strength hasn't improved considerably, otherwise, it wouldn't be left out of the marketing hype in various reviews. For now, it remains silent on signal strength, and perhaps we can only hope for improvements with Apple's self-developed 5G baseband next year. This generation of new phones haven't brought any changes in this regard.

In conclusion, the iPhone 16 series has improvements in color design, bezel craftsmanship, performance enhancements, photographic experience, video recording, and color management. However, are these improvements enough to inspire users to buy it? For Apple fans looking to upgrade, they need to think carefully. With limited upgrades, will you still pay for it?

Here are some discussion points users may be interested in:

• Do the upgrades of the iPhone 16 series meet your expectations?

• What do you think are the main highlights or shortcomings?

• Would you consider buying the iPhone 16 series? Why or why not?

• What changes do you anticipate in the iPhone 17 series?

Feel free to leave your comments and join the discussion.