You have seen Apple keynote, read WIRED comprehensive coverageand make a decision: You are upgrading to iPhone 16. Now the question is… which of the four iPhone 16 models should you buy? There’s the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max, starting at $829 unlocked and going all the way up to $1,199.
Don’t worry, I’ll break down the differences and similarities between each model in this guide to help you find the right upgrade. All of these phones are available for pre-order now and will officially hit shelves on September 20.
Updated September 13, 2024: We’ve added carrier deals and noted that pre-orders are now live.
View Unlocked And Carrier Deals for iPhone 16
Power up with unlimited access to STRINGED. Get best in class reports that are too important to ignore just because $2.50 $1 a month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Sign up today.
Should you upgrade to the iPhone 16?
Photo: Julian Chokkattu
Ah, the age-old question. Should you buy a new iPhone? Our philosophy at WIRED is that you should only upgrade if you really demand to. Is your current phone working perfectly? If the experience is fine in most cases but your battery life may have decreased, try doing change battery First—Apple offers a battery replacement program for a modest fee—and it can breathe new life into your device. There are also many other ways to iPhone repair more than ever
But if your current phone is annoying to use, upgrade! Like iPhone 15 seriesThe entire iPhone 16 lineup has USB-C port. These new devices will also be able to take advantage of Apple Intelligence (along with the iPhone 15 Pro), though those features won’t arrive until October. If you feel like you’d benefit from Apple’s upcoming artificial intelligence capabilities—or you just want to try them out—your best bet is to upgrade.
If you’ve decided to do it, make sure you read our guide on how to sell your iphone. Make sure you First backup your iPhoneAnd restore factory settings to erase your data from your device. We also have tips on How to set up your new iPhone to get the most out of your new phone.
Which iPhone 16 model is right for you?
The iPhone 16 series include iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 ProAnd iPhone 16 Pro Max. The first two are identical in every way except for screen size and battery life, and the same goes for both Pro models. Within each iPhone lineup, you’re essentially deciding whether you want a small phone or a big phone.
Photo: Julian Chokkattu
