iPhone 16 Plus Review: Bigger Battery, Better Value?

The iPhone 16 Plus arrives with a familiar design but a noticeably improved experience, focusing on bigger battery life, better performance, enhanced cameras, and several smart upgrades that make it more appealing than last year’s model. While Apple didn’t reinvent the wheel, the 16 Plus delivers meaningful improvements in all the right areas, especially for users who want a large display without paying Pro Max prices.

But is the iPhone 16 Plus truly better value? Does it offer enough upgrades to justify choosing it over the iPhone 15 Plus or the standard iPhone 16? This detailed review breaks down every major aspect of the device to help you decide.

Design and Build Quality

The design of the iPhone 16 Plus remains close to Apple’s recent aesthetic. It keeps the flat aluminum frame, the ceramic shield on the front, and a glass back with a refined matte finish that feels smooth and less slippery. Apple didn’t drastically change the look, but subtle improvements give it a more premium touch.

The phone is large, but Apple has worked on better weight distribution, making it feel more balanced in the hand. The new capture button on the side is one of the most interesting additions. It acts like a dedicated camera control, allowing users to capture photos and videos more easily. This small feature alone makes the device feel more photography focused.

Durability remains high, with IP68 water and dust resistance and a stronger frame. It still feels every bit like a premium device built to last.

Display Experience

The iPhone 16 Plus features a beautiful Super Retina XDR display that remains one of the best in its class. The screen is bright, sharp, and colorful, offering excellent outdoor visibility. Apple increased the peak brightness, making HDR content pop even more.

The large 6.7-inch size provides an immersive viewing experience, perfect for streaming movies, reading, gaming, and daily use. The only limitation is the absence of a high refresh rate. While many Android competitors offer 120Hz or even higher refresh rates at this price, the 60Hz limitation is still noticeable to some users.

However, Apple’s smooth animations and optimized software help compensate for this, and many casual users may not even miss the higher refresh rate.

Performance and Speed

Powered by Apple’s latest A18 chip, the iPhone 16 Plus is extremely fast and efficient. Everyday tasks feel effortless, and apps open instantly. Whether you’re editing photos, running multiple apps, or playing demanding games, the device handles everything smoothly.

Thermal performance has also improved. The phone stays cooler during prolonged gaming or video recording sessions compared to earlier models. Apple has clearly paid attention to heat management, which enhances long-term performance.

The A18 chip also brings better machine learning capabilities, enabling the new Apple Intelligence features.

Apple Intelligence: Smart New Features

One of the highlights of the iPhone 16 Plus is Apple Intelligence, a suite of AI-powered tools and enhancements that improve everyday usability. These tools run mostly on-device, which helps with speed and privacy.

Key improvements include:

Better writing tools for emails and messages
Smarter notifications
Image editing assistance
Improved voice control and Siri responsiveness

These features make the phone feel modern and more helpful in daily tasks, bridging the gap between simple functionality and smart assistance.

Camera Performance

The iPhone 16 Plus improves camera quality across the board, bringing enhanced sensors and smarter processing. The main camera captures sharp, balanced, and natural-looking images in almost any lighting condition.

Colors look accurate rather than overly saturated, and Apple’s processing maintains excellent detail. Low-light performance is significantly improved with less noise and sharper textures.

The ultrawide camera also receives upgrades, producing cleaner images with better dynamic range. While it’s not as advanced as the telephoto lenses found in the Pro models, the camera system on the 16 Plus is strong for its category.

Video recording remains industry-leading, with unmatched stabilization, color accuracy, and low-light performance. Cinematic and action modes continue to elevate the experience.

The Capture Button

A standout feature this year is the dedicated capture button. It behaves like a camera shutter, responding to pressure and swipes. You can half-press for focus or swipe to zoom before taking the shot. This makes photo taking more natural and more enjoyable, especially for users who love mobile photography.

It is a small addition, but one of the most useful ones Apple has added to the non Pro models in years.

Battery Life: The Big Upgrade

The biggest improvement on the iPhone 16 Plus is the battery. Apple increased the battery capacity and paired it with the more efficient A18 chip, resulting in exceptional endurance.

This model easily lasts a full day of heavy use and can stretch into a second day with moderate usage. Whether you’re streaming, gaming, browsing, or shooting videos, the battery backup remains impressive.

The 16 Plus once again becomes the battery king in Apple’s lineup.

Charging speeds remain unchanged. While not as fast as some Android devices, it still charges at a reasonable pace, especially with a good USB C charger.

Software Experience

Running iOS 18 out of the box, the iPhone 16 Plus delivers a clean, smooth, and stable software experience. Apple’s commitment to long-term updates ensures the device will stay relevant for many years.

The interface is refined, and new customization options allow users to personalize their home screens more than before. Combined with Apple Intelligence, the software feels fresh and more powerful.

Gaming and Multimedia

The large display and strong performance make the iPhone 16 Plus a great entertainment device. Games run smoothly, and the improved heat management allows for longer gaming sessions without discomfort.

The stereo speakers produce loud, clear, and well-balanced audio, enhancing movies, music, and gaming. For users who consume a lot of content on their phones, this device delivers a truly enjoyable experience.

Should You Upgrade?

The iPhone 16 Plus is a great choice for several types of users.

It is worth upgrading if:

You want the best battery life
You use your phone primarily for media
You want a big screen but don’t need Pro features
You want Apple Intelligence features
You are coming from an older iPhone such as the 12, 13, or 14

It may not be worth upgrading if:

You already own the iPhone 15 Plus
You want a telephoto camera
You need a high refresh rate display
You prefer smaller phones

Price and Value

The iPhone 16 Plus offers remarkable value compared to the Pro models while still delivering premium performance, excellent cameras, and top tier battery life. It strikes a good balance between performance, simplicity, and affordability.

For users who want a big iPhone without spending on the Pro Max, this is the best value option available in 2025.

Final Verdict: Bigger Battery, Better Value?

Yes, the iPhone 16 Plus lives up to that promise. Apple focused on meaningful upgrades rather than flashy changes, resulting in a device that excels in the areas that matter most: battery life, performance, and everyday usability.

The improved camera system, new capture button, Apple Intelligence features, and refined design all come together to create a compelling, reliable smartphone that delivers strong value for its price.

If you want a large screen, long battery life, and a premium iPhone experience without the higher Pro Max cost, the iPhone 16 Plus is one of the smartest purchases you can make this year.