Apple iPhone 16 vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro
Smartphones comparison: specs, VersusAnything Score, key differences and a clear recommendation.
Choosing between Apple iPhone 16 and Apple iPhone 16 Pro comes up constantly, so we ran both through the same 15-row comparison and our category scoring. The iPhone 16 is Apple's mainstream 2024 flagship with the A18 chip, a new Camera Control button and Apple Intelligence support. The iPhone 16 Pro adds a 120 Hz ProMotion display, titanium frame, 5x telephoto lens and the faster A18 Pro chip over the standard model.
Quick verdict
iPhone 16 Pro scores 36 to iPhone 16's 26 on our category weighting, making it the stronger overall pick for users who shoot a lot of photos and video and want the smoothest iPhone display. iPhone 16 remains the right call for people who want the current iPhone experience without paying Pro prices.
VersusAnything Score
Scores are calculated from measurable specifications normalised within the smartphones category and weighted by the factors above. Text-only rows (such as chipset or operating system) are explained but not scored. How the score works.
Side-by-side overview
Apple iPhone 16
The iPhone 16 is Apple's mainstream 2024 flagship with the A18 chip, a new Camera Control button and Apple Intelligence support.
Best for people who want the current iPhone experience without paying Pro prices
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
The iPhone 16 Pro adds a 120 Hz ProMotion display, titanium frame, 5x telephoto lens and the faster A18 Pro chip over the standard model.
Best for users who shoot a lot of photos and video and want the smoothest iPhone display
Key differences
- Display type: iPhone 16 OLED (Super Retina XDR) vs iPhone 16 Pro OLED (ProMotion LTPO) — a preference, not a scored win
- Screen size: iPhone 16 6.1" vs iPhone 16 Pro 6.3" — a preference, not a scored win
- Chipset: iPhone 16 Apple A18 vs iPhone 16 Pro Apple A18 Pro — a preference, not a scored win
- Rear cameras: iPhone 16 Dual (wide + ultrawide) vs iPhone 16 Pro Triple (wide + ultrawide + 5x telephoto) — a preference, not a scored win
- Refresh rate: iPhone 16 60 Hz vs iPhone 16 Pro 120 Hz — iPhone 16 Pro is better here
Specification comparison table
| Specification | iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | OLED (Super Retina XDR) | OLED (ProMotion LTPO) |
| Screen size | 6.1" | 6.3" |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Chipset | Apple A18 | Apple A18 Pro |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 48 MP |
| Rear cameras | Dual (wide + ultrawide) | Triple (wide + ultrawide + 5x telephoto) |
| Battery | 3,561 mAh | 3,582 mAh |
| Wired charging | 20 W | 20 W |
| Weight | 170 g | 199 g |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Operating system | iOS | iOS |
| Promised OS updates | 6 years | 6 years |
| Launch price (USD) | $799 | $999 |
Display: iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Pro Score: iPhone 16 2 · iPhone 16 Pro 52
iPhone 16: OLED (Super Retina XDR). iPhone 16 Pro: OLED (ProMotion LTPO). Neither is scored, but panel technology affects contrast, outdoor visibility and power draw. For screen size, iPhone 16 uses 6.1" whereas iPhone 16 Pro goes with 6.3". This is a preference rather than a scored win: a larger screen is easier for video and multitasking but harder to use one-handed.
The refresh rate row goes to iPhone 16 Pro: 120 Hz against 60 Hz. A higher refresh rate makes scrolling and animations look smoother.
Performance: iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Pro Score: iPhone 16 12 · iPhone 16 Pro 12
For chipset, iPhone 16 uses Apple A18 whereas iPhone 16 Pro goes with Apple A18 Pro. This is a preference rather than a scored win: the chipset sets the ceiling for gaming, AI features and long-term speed. On RAM the two match exactly (8 GB).
Base storage is identical at 128 GB.
Camera: iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Pro Score: iPhone 16 14 · iPhone 16 Pro 54
Both list 48 MP for main camera, so nothing separates them here.
The two differ on rear cameras (Dual (wide + ultrawide) against Triple (wide + ultrawide + 5x telephoto)), and extra lenses add telephoto reach or ultrawide flexibility.
Battery: iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Pro Score: iPhone 16 5 · iPhone 16 Pro 7
iPhone 16 Pro offers 3,582 mAh of battery while iPhone 16 stops at 3,561 mAh; the 21 mAh gap matters because more capacity generally means more screen-on time between charges.
Wired charging is identical at 20 W.
Design: iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Pro Score: iPhone 16 85 · iPhone 16 Pro 57
iPhone 16 is better on weight at 170 g against 199 g, a 29 g difference; lower is better because a lighter phone is more comfortable for long sessions and in a pocket.
Water resistance is identical at IP68.
Software: iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Pro Score: iPhone 16 24 · iPhone 16 Pro 24
Both list iOS for operating system, so nothing separates them here.
Both list 6 years for promised OS updates, so nothing separates them here.
Value: iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Pro Score: iPhone 16 85 · iPhone 16 Pro 56
iPhone 16 is better on launch price (USD) at $799 against $999, a $200 difference; lower is better because the launch price is the fairest baseline because street prices vary by region.
Pros and cons
iPhone 16
Pros
- A18 chip with Apple Intelligence
- Camera Control button
- Compact 6.1-inch size
- Better weight (170 g)
- Better launch price (USD) ($799)
Cons
- Weaker refresh rate (60 Hz)
- Weaker battery (3,561 mAh)
iPhone 16 Pro
Pros
- 120 Hz ProMotion display
- 5x telephoto camera
- Titanium build
- Better weight (199 g)
- Better launch price (USD) ($999)
Cons
- Weaker refresh rate (120 Hz)
- Weaker battery (3,582 mAh)
Which one should you buy?
Choose Apple iPhone 16 for…
People who want the current iPhone experience without paying Pro prices. It stands out for a18 chip with apple intelligence, camera control button, compact 6.1-inch size.
Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro for…
Users who shoot a lot of photos and video and want the smoothest iPhone display. It stands out for 120 hz promotion display, 5x telephoto camera, titanium build.
Final verdict
On the VersusAnything Score, Apple iPhone 16 Pro finishes ahead, 36 to 26. It is the better buy for users who shoot a lot of photos and video and want the smoothest iPhone display; for people who want the current iPhone experience without paying Pro prices, iPhone 16 still makes more sense. The VersusAnything Score is a transparent starting point, not a command; weight the rows you care about and the right answer for you may differ.
Compare with another phone
Frequently asked questions
Is iPhone 16 better than iPhone 16 Pro?
On the VersusAnything Score, iPhone 16 Pro finishes ahead 36 to 26. That makes iPhone 16 Pro the better overall pick for users who shoot a lot of photos and video and want the smoothest iPhone display, while iPhone 16 is still the right choice for people who want the current iPhone experience without paying Pro prices.
What is the biggest difference between iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro?
The largest gap is display type: iPhone 16 lists OLED (Super Retina XDR) while iPhone 16 Pro lists OLED (ProMotion LTPO). Panel technology affects contrast, outdoor visibility and power draw.
Which is cheaper, iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro?
iPhone 16 is cheaper on launch price (USD): $799 against $999 for iPhone 16 Pro. Street prices vary by country and retailer, so check current offers.
Who should choose iPhone 16 Pro over iPhone 16?
iPhone 16 Pro is the better fit for users who shoot a lot of photos and video and want the smoothest iPhone display. Its strongest points are 120 hz promotion display, 5x telephoto camera, titanium build.
Sources
- iPhone 16: Apple product page (manufacturer)
- iPhone 16 Pro: Apple product page (manufacturer)
Specifications last verified: 2026-10-01. Prices are launch or official list prices in US dollars unless stated. See our sources and data policy.