iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Pro
Same lineup, different priorities: the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Pro share a family name but not every spec. Of the 5 areas we compared, the iPhone 16 Pro wins 4. If one area explains the result, it’s display. And the price tags aren’t close: the iPhone 16 came in $200 below the iPhone 16 Pro at launch. Read on for the spec-by-spec breakdown.
At a glance
- Display iPhone 16 Pro wins
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage iPhone 16 Pro wins
- Camera iPhone 16 Pro wins
- Battery & Charging iPhone 16 Pro wins
- Price iPhone 16 wins
- Display2.6
- Memory & Storage1.8
- Camera1.7
- Battery & Charging2.7
- Display6.0
- Memory & Storage2.8
- Camera4.2
- Battery & Charging3.9
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The iPhone 16 Pro has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 120 Hz for the iPhone 16 Pro versus 60 Hz for the iPhone 16. A higher refresh rate makes scrolling, animations and games look smoother. Once you’re used to it, a lower-rate screen can feel sluggish by comparison.
-
The iPhone 16 Pro has 5 h more rated video playback
The iPhone 16 lists 22 h; the iPhone 16 Pro comes in at 27 h. That’s not a rounding error. Rated video playback is the manufacturer’s own endurance figure, so it reflects efficiency as well as battery size.
-
The iPhone 16 has a 1.02 oz lighter build
At 6 oz versus 7.02 oz, this is a decisive lead for the iPhone 16, the kind of difference you notice without looking for it. The iPhone 16 is easier on your wrist during long reading or gaming sessions.
-
The iPhone 16 Pro has an extra rear camera
If rear cameras is one of your priorities, this settles it: the iPhone 16 Pro leads clearly with 3 to the iPhone 16’s 2. More cameras help most when each covers a different view, so check the table to see what the iPhone 16 Pro’s extra lens adds.
-
The iPhone 16 Pro has a bigger top storage option
The numbers aren’t close. The iPhone 16 Pro lists 1 TB for max storage, while the iPhone 16 lists 512 GB. Most buyers are fine with a base or middle tier, so this is a niche advantage, but a real one if you need it.
-
The iPhone 16 Pro has a sharper 48 MP ultra-wide
A clear win for the iPhone 16 Pro: 48 MP against 12 MP. Few specs in this matchup are as one-sided. A sharper ultra-wide keeps more detail at the edges of landscape, architecture and group shots.
Design & Size
- iPhone 16 5.81 in × 2.82 in × 0.31 in
- iPhone 16 Pro 5.89 in × 2.81 in × 0.32 in
The iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Pro take up almost exactly the same space. The iPhone 16 weighs 1.02 oz less than the iPhone 16 Pro. Slimness goes to the iPhone 16, 0.02 in thinner overall.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.81 in | 5.89 in |
| Width | 2.82 in | 2.81 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in (winner) | 0.32 in |
| Weight | 6 oz (winner) | 7.02 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Titanium |
Display
iPhone 16 Pro leads
When it comes to display, the iPhone 16 Pro is comfortably ahead. The iPhone 16 Pro stands out with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. You notice refresh rate every time you scroll a feed or a web page, which is why the iPhone 16 Pro feels more fluid in everyday use. Bottom line for display: the iPhone 16 Pro has the edge.
Refresh rate
iPhone 16: 60 Hz iPhone 16 Pro: 120 Hz Smoother motion is one of the most visible display upgrades, and adaptive high-refresh panels can slow down on static content to save power.
Screen size
iPhone 16: 6.1 in iPhone 16 Pro: 6.3 in A bigger screen makes reading, video and maps more comfortable, while a smaller one is easier to use with one hand and slips into more pockets.
Performance
Too close to call
Both the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Pro cover performance equally well on paper. So performance is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Memory & Storage
iPhone 16 Pro leads
On memory & storage, the iPhone 16 Pro comes out slightly ahead. Point to the iPhone 16 Pro for a bigger top storage option. Heavy video shooters and people with large offline libraries benefit from the iPhone 16 Pro’s bigger maximum. For memory & storage, the iPhone 16 Pro is the one to beat.
Max storage
iPhone 16: 512 GB iPhone 16 Pro: 1 TB The top storage option only matters if you plan to buy a high-capacity version, but it caps how much you can ever keep on the phone.
Camera
iPhone 16 Pro leads
Few areas are as clear-cut as this one: the iPhone 16 Pro leads the camera section with room to spare. The iPhone 16 Pro scores with an extra rear camera. The count alone doesn’t guarantee quality, but the iPhone 16 Pro gives you more lenses to choose from. The camera verdict goes to the iPhone 16 Pro.
Rear cameras
iPhone 16: 2 iPhone 16 Pro: 3 An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing.
Ultra-wide camera
iPhone 16: 12 MP iPhone 16 Pro: 48 MP If you rarely switch to the wide view, this won’t matter much; if you use it often, it will.
Battery & Charging
iPhone 16 Pro leads
The iPhone 16 Pro clearly takes the battery & charging round. The iPhone 16 Pro pulls ahead with 5 h more rated video playback. More rated playback suggests the iPhone 16 Pro lasts longer on a long flight or an evening of streaming. Prioritize battery & charging, and the iPhone 16 Pro is where you should land.
Rated video playback
iPhone 16: 22 h iPhone 16 Pro: 27 h Lab ratings rarely match real life exactly, but comparing them between two phones is still a useful endurance hint.
Software & Updates
On software & updates, the useful details are the names in the table: what each one uses, not a figure we can rank.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1 in | 6.3 in |
| Panel type | OLED (Super Retina XDR) | OLED, ProMotion 120 Hz (Super Retina XDR) |
| Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 2622 x 1206 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz (winner) |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits | 2,000 nits |
| Always-on display | No | Yes (winner) |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A18 | A18 Pro |
| CPU cores | 6 | 6 |
| Process node | 3 nm | 3 nm |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 512 GB | 1 TB (winner) |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP | 48 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 48 MP (winner) |
| Telephoto camera | N/A (not specified) | 12 MP |
| Optical zoom | N/A (not specified) | 5× |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 3 (winner) |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K60 Dolby Vision | 4K120 Dolby Vision |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 22 h | 27 h (winner) |
| Wireless charging | 25 W | 25 W |
| Port | USB-C (USB 2) | USB-C (USB 3, 10 Gb/s) |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 18 | iOS 18 |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.81 in | 5.89 in |
| Width | 2.82 in | 2.81 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in (winner) | 0.32 in |
| Weight | 6 oz (winner) | 7.02 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Titanium |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $799 (winner) | $999 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Compare the launch prices and they sit 25% apart, or $200 in real money. The extra $200 for the iPhone 16 Pro buys a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 5 h more rated video playback.
These are US launch prices, recorded September 2024; what you pay today may be higher or lower.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 16 if…
- you want the lighter phone (6 oz vs 7.02 oz)
- you care about a thin profile in your pocket (0.31 in vs 0.32 in)
- you’d rather keep $200 in your pocket
Choose the iPhone 16 Pro if…
- you game or scroll a lot and like motion to look fluid (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you want the longer rated endurance (27 h vs 22 h)
- you want more lenses to choose from (3 vs 2 rear cameras)
- you plan to buy a high-capacity version (1 TB vs 512 GB maximum)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the iPhone 16 or the iPhone 16 Pro?
The iPhone 16 Pro makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if what you want most is a 1.02 oz lighter build.
Which has better battery life, the iPhone 16 or the iPhone 16 Pro?
The iPhone 16 Pro comes out ahead on rated video playback, with 27 h compared with 22 h on the iPhone 16.
Which is larger, the iPhone 16 or the iPhone 16 Pro?
The iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Pro are so close in size that you’d struggle to tell them apart on dimensions alone.
Does the iPhone 16 have a stronger camera setup than the iPhone 16 Pro?
The iPhone 16 Pro has the edge for photography, offering an extra rear camera and a sharper 48 MP ultra-wide.
Is the iPhone 16’s display better than the iPhone 16 Pro’s?
On display specs, the iPhone 16 Pro leads thanks to a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and an always-on display.
Is the iPhone 16 cheaper than the iPhone 16 Pro?
At launch, the iPhone 16 undercut the iPhone 16 Pro by $200. These figures are as of September 2024, and street prices can change.
Which weighs less, the iPhone 16 or the iPhone 16 Pro?
The iPhone 16 Pro is the heavier of the two; the iPhone 16 saves 1.02 oz.
Executive Summary
Let’s talk about the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Pro. Same family, but I don’t think they’re made for exactly the same person. Here’s what matters most to me: the iPhone 16 Pro offers a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. Stack 5 h more rated video playback on top of that, and the iPhone 16 Pro’s lead grows. The iPhone 16 does have a strong card to play: a 1.02 oz lighter build.
Put simply, the iPhone 16 suits people who care about portability, while the iPhone 16 Pro suits people who put display first.
My pick: the iPhone 16 Pro, though I’d happily point you to the iPhone 16 if you need a 1.02 oz lighter build, which only the iPhone 16 offers.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.