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The iPhone XS Max and iPhone 6s Plus are now ‘vintage’
Apple also labels the Apple Watch 2 as obsolete
These statuses affect whether or not you can get repairs
Applehas just done some reorganizing of its vintage and obsoleteproducts list, and theiPhone XS Max(launched in 2018) andiPhone 6s Plus(launched in 2015) are now both officially labeled as ‘vintage’ gadgets.
The changes were spotted byMacRumors, andare a normal partof the lifecycle of an Apple product. A device becomes vintage when more than five years have passed since it was last sold as new by Apple.
Before that five years passes, you can always get repairs and replacement parts from Apple and authorized repair stores. Once a product is vintage though, you may or may not be able to get repairs or parts – it depends on stock levels and what the issue is.
Exact timings on vintage status can vary, and it’s worth noting that the iPhone 6s Plus with 32GB of storage is already categorized as obsolete (the next stage past vintage). Once Apple updates its lists though, it’s official as far as product status goes.
Not just vintage – obsolete
(Photo: Apple)
Another update to Apple’s list is that the aluminum and stainless steelApple Watch 2models are now obsolete. A gadget becomes obsolete when it’s been more than seven years since it was last sold as new by Apple.
Past that point, you can’t get repairs from Apple or its authorized partners, and new parts can’t be ordered. The only exception to the rule is some MacBooks, which are eligible for battery replacements for up to 10 years in certain cases.
You can certainly try and get an obsolete product repaired, but you’ll have to go somewhere other than Apple – and once you hit the seven-year mark, it’s probably worth thinking about investing in an upgrade anyway.
For now, the Apple Watch 2 with the ceramic casing clings on to its vintage status, so it’s not yet obsolete – but if you’re still wearing the smartwatch, which launched in 2016, you’d be best getting any necessary repairs sorted sooner rather than later.
New emoji proposals have been put forward for 2025
Unicode and developers will continue to refine the designs
Fresh icons include Bigfoot and a “distorted face”
Yes, there is an official organization in charge of emojis, called the Unicode Consortium – and it’s just put forward its annual proposal for the new graphics we might be seeing on thebest iPhonesandbest Android phones in the next year or two.
There are plenty of interesting additionsin the list(viaEmojipedia). We’ve got a bulging, slightly overwhelmed smiley (“distorted face”, above) that we can imagine getting used a lot on social media; there’s also a Bigfoot-inspired one called “hairy creature” (above right).
For the times when your friends or family are scrapping in a digital space – perfect for group chats, then – we have “fight cloud” (above left), which looks like the usual cartoon depiction of a brawl, with everything hidden with smoke and stars.
On the fighting theme, another proposed emoji features two people wrestling (see below). For nature lovers, a new emoji called “orca” would add to the number of marine-themed emojis you’ve got to pick from.
Emoji approval
（Above: Unicode’s sample images for a selection of the emojis proposed for Emoji 17.0, due to approval in September 2025.
Image from: Emojipedia）
（Above: how single skin tone support for the various 👯 People With Bunny Ears and 🤼 People Wrestling emojis appears within Samsung’s One UI 6.1.1.Image from: Emojipedia）
（Above: a selection of different 🧑🤝🧑 People Holding Hands emojis with single and multple skin tone support, shown in the Noto Color Emoji style.Image from: Emojipedia）
（Above: the NSAdaptiveImageGlyph API in iOS 18 allows emoji sticker images to be placed alongside one another as if they were Unicode-recommended emoji characters.Image from: Emojipedia）
Rounding out the Unicode 17.0 proposals we’ve got anapplecore, a trombone, a treasure chest, and a depiction of a landslide – so if you’re about to be hit by falling rocks and don’t have time to type out a full message, you can send an emoji instead.
There are actually 164 new emojis in the proposal, but we’ve covered the main icons – all of the others are skin tone variations on the ones mentioned above (in case you want wrestlers with two different skin tones, for example).
The procedure this year is the same as it is every year: the Unicode Consortium will continue to consult on these graphics and tweak their designs, before final approval on the official new emojis is given in September 2025.
After that, it’s down to Apple,Google, and everyone else (fromMicrosoftto Meta) to do their own takes on these emojis and add them to their various software platforms. In the meantime, you’ll need to rely on a sticker or GIF for “distorted face”.
The Eye Tracking accessibility feature follows the movement of your eyes as you gaze at the screen, select items, and activate controls.
Most people navigate their iPhone or iPad with their fingers, but Apple recently added eye tracking to its suite of accessibility features, which also supporthead-andvoice-based gestures.
Known as Eye Tracking, this new accessibility option is available iniOS 18andiPadOS 18on iPhone 12 and up and follows the movement of your eyes as you look at the screen, select items, and activate controls. An onscreen pointer shows where your eyes are looking, and a dwell control lets you perform a specific action by holding your gaze on an item for a few seconds.
Eye Tracking is designed for people with physical disabilities, but anyone can use it. It doesn’t require any extra hardware or accessories to activate physical buttons, swipes, and other gestures across all your apps.
Tapping into artificial intelligence, Eye Tracking uses the front-facing camera to track your eye movements. You can set up and calibrate the feature relatively quickly. Any data used to set up and control Eye Tracking is processed through machine learning and secured on the device and isn’t shared with Apple. Now, here’s how this works.
First, you’ll need to update your iPhone to iOS 18 and your iPad to iPadOS 18, if you haven’t already. Head toSettings > General > Software Updateand install the new OS. To enable Eye Tracking, go toSettings > Accessibility > Eye Trackingand enableEye Tracking.
You’ll be prompted to calibrate the tracking by following a dot around the screen. For best results, make sure your face is well lit and the phone’s camera has a clear view. The phone should also be on a stable surface about a foot and a half away from your face.
Follow the dot with the gaze of your eyes. When you’re done, a checkmark appears on the screen, indicating that you’ve successfully completed the setup. Whenever you turn off Eye Tracking and then turn it back on, you’ll need to go through the calibration again.
You’re then returned to the Eye Tracking settings screen, where you can get a feel for eye tracking. Move your gaze slowly up and then back down. You’ll see an outline around each icon, setting, or other item as you adjust your gaze.
To rest on a certain control, keep your gaze on that area as outlined by the cursor. A circular icon will then appear. Rest your gaze on the control you wish to activate or change. When that icon is fully circled, then the control will activate or deactivate.
Change Eye Tracking Settings
At the Eye Tracking settings screen, you can tweak its behavior. The Smoothing option controls the movement of the pointer. Move the slider to the right to make the movement smoother. Note that moving it too far to the right could decrease its responsiveness.
Snap to Item automatically snaps the pointer to the nearest item as you gaze around the screen. The Zoom on Keyboard Keys option zooms in when the pointer is resting on one of the keys on the keyboard. Turn the switch off or on for each of the options to test them.
Snap to Item automatically snaps the pointer to the nearest item as you gaze around the screen. The Zoom on Keyboard Keys option zooms in when the pointer is resting on one of the keys on the keyboard. Turn the switch off or on for each of the options to test them.
Turn on Auto-Hide to automatically hide the cursor when you look away. Tap the plus (+) and minus (–) keys to set the amount of time you need to gaze at the screen to display the cursor again. Move the slider to decrease the visibility of the pointer when you’re in Auto-Hide mode.
You can also customize the onscreen pointer to increase or decrease the size and change the color. Head to Settings > Accessibility > Pointer Control and move the slider on the Pointer Size to alter the size of the pointer. Tap Color to change the color to white, blue, red, green, yellow, or orange.
Enable and Tweak Dwell Control
EnablingDwell Controlin the Eye Tracking settings menu allows you to hold your gaze on a switch or other object to perform the designated action. For example, holding your gaze on a switch will turn it on or off. To further customize Dwell Control, tapAssistiveTouchto bring up the AssistiveTouch menu.
Choose the Dwell Control icon to turn the feature off or on, switch the default action between Tap and Pause Dwell, adjust the distance you can gaze while dwelling on an item, and set up specific actions when you dwell in any of the four corners of the screen.
How to Use Eye Tracking
Once everything is set up, you’ll want to take Eye Tracking for a spin on your iPhone. Go to the Home screen and point your gaze in different areas of the screen to see how the cursor moves. Rest your gaze on a specific icon to open the associated app.
You’ll need to use AssistiveTouch to perform more types of actions with Eye Tracking. To activate this, hold your gaze on the AssistiveTouch circle moving around the screen. After the menu appears, direct your eyes toward the icon for the action you want to perform. For example, to return to the Home screen, hold your gaze on the Home icon.
Recalibrate Eye Tracking
If the pointer isn’t responding accurately to your eye movements or gaze, try recalibrating the feature. Return toSettings > Accessibility > Eye Trackingand turn the switch off and back on.
As you go through the setup again, keep your iPhone as steady as possible and 1.5 feet away from your face. Also, don’t try to anticipate where the calibration circle is going to appear. Keep your gaze steady on the current spot and move your eyes as the circle moves to the next spot.
Want to use a monitor with your laptop but keep the lid closed? Here’s a quick guide on how to set it up.
(Image credit: Future)
If you’re not a fan of your laptop’s screen, you may prefer to connect up one of the best monitors instead. That way, you can get a more comfortable typing experience and a nicer viewing experience at the same time. Essentially, you’ll have all the advantages of a desktop computer setup, but with the option to disconnect your laptop when you need to work on the go.
There’s just one problem: you don’t want to be distracted by seeing the same thing on two separate screens. Well, actually, that’s not a problem at all. Because it’s pretty easy to set up your laptop so it carries on working even when closed. And that’s the case whether you use a Windows laptop or a MacBook (or any of our best graphic design laptops).
In this short article, we’ll explain how to do both, in turn. Be aware, though, that keeping your lid closed may lead to your laptop heating up more than usual, so you may want to invest in a cooling pad or similar solution.
How to use a monitor with a closed Windows laptop Here’s how to use a monitor with a closed Windows laptop. Firstly, connect up your laptop, keyboard and mouse to your monitor in the usual way. Then you’ll need to tweak the settings of your Windows system.
Open the Control Panel. You can find this by typing ‘control panel’ into your Windows search; the little magnifying glass at the bottom of your screen.
Choose Hardware and Sound from the list that appears. Another list will appear; click on Power Options.
(Note: if you’re still using Windows 10, rather than 11, you can get to this point by clicking on the battery icon at the bottom right hand corner of your screen.)
In the new box, there’s a list of options on the left-hand side. Click on Choose what closing the lid does. Another box will appear, as shown below.
In the centre, there are three options. Next toWhen I close the lid,change the dropdowns (for both battery and plugged-in modes) from Sleep toDo nothing. Finally, click onSave changesat the bottom of the box.
The picture from your laptop should now appear on your monitor even when you close the lid. If it looks a little funny, you can adjust the display settings by going to toSettings > System > Displayand then tweaking the settings to suit. (A shortcut to this is pressing theWindows key + I).
How to use a monitor with a closed MacBook
Using one of the latest MacBooks with a monitor is easy: you don’t have to change single setting inmacOS. The only requirement is that you’ll need to plug your laptop into a power socket; otherwise, it may enter sleep mode after you close the lid.
Once you’ve done that, simply connect up your MacBook, keyboard and mouse to your monitor in the usual way. (If you’re having trouble with the first of these, read our article onHow to connect a monitor to MacBook Pro.) Then, once your MacBook’s display appears on the monitor, close the lid. All done.
However, if you have an older MacBook and this doesn’t work, then you’ll have to tweak the settings like this:
1. ChooseApplemenu > System Settings, then clickBatteryin the sidebar.
2. ClickOptions, then turn onPrevent automatic sleeping on power adapter when the display is off.
(Image credit: Future) Finally, if the picture from your MacBook looks funny on your monitor, click the Apple menu in the top-right corner of the screen, and go to System Settings or System Preferences > Displays. You’ll then be able to fiddle with the settings to get the picture right.
Apple’s AI strategy is purposely slow and deliberate, but it could backfire
Everywhere you look these days there’s the glowing animation of Siri and the name Apple Intelligence. It’s dominating all the ads for the iPhone 16 series so far.
Yup, Apple seems to be pinning all of its would-be upgraders’ hopes on Apple Intelligence, which is the company’s umbrella title for all of its AI features. Current offerings range from Writing Tools and asking Siri iPhone questions to creating Memory Movies. Plus, Apple Intelligence is available on all Macs and iPads with an M1 chip or newer.
But there’s still a lot of Apple Intelligence features not available yet — Visual Intelligence, ChatGPT integration, Genmoji and Image Playground are coming in iOS 18.2 in December. And other features are promised in future iOS 18 updates. Meanwhile, Bloomberg’s Mark German recently reported that some Apple employees believe that the company is around two years behind in artificial intelligence development.
(Image credit: Apple)
So is Apple Intelligence on the right track or in trouble?
‘Behind the competition’
(Image credit: ChatGPT vs Gemini) I can definitely understand why customers might expect all Apple Intelligence features to work from day one, and it’s clear that the likes of OpenAI, Google and Anthropic have more advanced models at this stage.
“Apple’s AI models are demonstrably behind the competition, and it is just now adding imaging editing features that Samsung and Google introduced two generations ago,” says Avi Greengart, founder and lead analyst at Techsponential. “However, I’m not convinced that this means that Apple is behind in AI overall.”
Greengart told me that having a lead in AI technology is only meaningful if it leads both to consumer benefits and a sustainable business model. Apple’s monetization model is selling premium hardware and software/ecosystem subscriptions, so for now Apple Intelligence is about getting people to upgrade to iPhones and other devices that support the platform. Any possible subscriptions would come later once Apple gets a sense for what users want.
I asked Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of worldwide marketing, about the perceived gap between Apple and the competition on AI. “This is very much the early innings of generative AI,” he told me.
A different approach to AI
(Image credit: Future)
“What we’ve done with Apple Intelligence is really look at how can we help our users do the things that they care about most, simply and easily, and really to make that as integrated and local to the experience as possible.”— Bob Borchers, Apple
For better or worse, Apple’s approach to AI is what truly sets it apart from the competition. It’s not a separate thing that’s tacked on; instead, it’s deeply integrated into the apps and tools you use everyday.
For example, Apple Intelligence will boil down your notifications into a quick summary to help you prioritize. Or if you want to remove an unwanted person or object from your photo, you’ll see the Clean Up icon there along the bottom of the screen.
“What we’ve done with Apple Intelligence is really look at how can we help our users do the things that they care about most, simply and easily, and really to make that as integrated and local to the experience as possible,” says Borchers. “And to do that, we started by building our own large language and diffusion models here at Apple, and then we specialized them for everyday tasks.”
Still, Apple’s cautious approach to AI image generation in particular seems to put them at a disadvantage when compared tools you’ll find in the latest Samsung Galaxy S24 and Pixel phones. For example, with the Pixel 9 series, you can completely reimagine what’s in the frame with a text prompt. But Apple seems to be deliberately holding back some features or simply deciding not to include them in order to avoid potentially harmful or misleading images from circulating.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Apple software chief Craig Federighi said that “It’s important to us that we help purvey accurate information, not fantasy.”
Putting values first, features second And that brings us to one of Apple’s four key Responsible AI Principles, which focuses on taking precautions during the design, model training and feature development process to identify how Apple’s AI tools may be misused or lead to potential harm. The other three principles relate to empowering users with intelligent tools, representing Apple’s users by building personal products that avoid perpetuating stereotypes and protecting privacy.
“Our view has always been that we bring products to market when they are ready, and when we feel like we can do them in a way that is consistent with our values,” said Borchers. “That means making generative AI available in a useful way, in a responsible way, in a way that’s private.”
Private Cloud Compute is a big part of Apple’s AI strategy, which handles requests that go off-device to interact with larger models, including ChatGPT. Apple is so confident that personal user data can’t be accessed by anyone that it recently offered up to $1 million to anyone who could compromise its security.
The Right Move?
(Image credit: Future)
A gradual rollout for Apple Intelligence is the right move given how we will likely see roughness around the edges as people begin to kick the tires on features.— Neil Cybart, Above Avalon
So is Apple making the right call with its measured approach to Apple Intelligence or is it already being passed by? For example, it’s hard not to be impressed with ChatGPT Advanced voice and the ability to chat with what seems like a friend, complete with your choice of intonation on the fly.
For Neil Cybart, an AI analyst with Above Avalon, it’s important to keep in mind that Apple isn’t targeting early adopters but the masses. “A gradual rollout for Apple Intelligence is the right move given how we will likely see roughness around the edges as people begin to kick the tires on features. The average Apple user probably wasn’t going to suddenly embrace everything Apple Intelligence has to offer anyways,” says Cybart. “An Apple Intelligence launch that is spread out over the next year doesn’t concern me.”
As Cybart notes, not only is Apple Intelligence a work in progress on the iPhone, iPad and Mac, Apple hasn’t started extending Apple Intelligence to the rest of its ecosystem yet, whether it’s the Apple Watch with fitness and health, the AirPods or the Vision Pro.
So where does that leave Apple users now? According to CEO Tim Cook during Apple’s most recent earnings call, “users are adopting iOS 18.1 at twice the rate that they adopted 17.1 in the year-ago quarter.” Granted, that’s based on only three days’ worth of data, but it shows that the glow around Apple Intelligence seems to be spurring excitement.
But as Apple’s Borchers said, it’s still early innings for Apple Intelligence, and between Gemini Live rolling out, ChatGPT getting into search and new AI video generators starting to like Runway starting to appear, it remains to be seen whether Apple’s stepwise strategy will pay off or not.
If you are in the small batch of iPhone 14 Plus users with a glitchy camera, Apple says it will fix it for you. Here’s what to do if you’ve run into this glitch.
Do you own an iPhone 14 Plus with a defective camera? If so, you can now get it fixed by Apple — for free. On a new support page posted last Friday, Apple explained the issue with the camera and the requirements for getting it repaired.
A “very small percentage” of iPhone 14 Plus models exhibit no preview when you use the camera. Yep, that means you can’t see anything when you aim the camera at something, certainly a huge drawback when you’re trying to snap the right photo. The affected devices were made between April 10, 2023, and April 28, 2024.
If you’ve run into this glitch, you should check to make sure your device is eligible for the free repair service by entering your serial number on the support page. To access the page, go to Settings, select General, and tap About. The serial number should appear; tap it to copy it. When on the support page, enter or paste that number in the appropriate field and click or tap Submit.
If your phone’s serial number is one of the affected devices, here’s how to get it repaired.
Head to Apple’s Get Support page and sign in with your account. Select the problematic iPhone from the list of your devices. Choose the closest Apple Store or authorized service provider and pick a date and time to schedule a visit. If no store or service provider is near you, you can send in your phone by mail. The repair typically takes 5-10 days, so, keep in mind, that you’ll be without your phone for that long.
Before you bring in or mail your phone, make sure you run a current backup either to your computer or to iCloud. You should also disable Apple Cash and consider removing your credit or debit cards from Apple Wallet. Further, you’ll want to turn off the Find My feature.
Here are a few other items to note. If your iPhone 14 Plus was affected by this problem and you already paid to fix it, you can contact Apple to request a refund. The program covers eligible iPhone 14 Plus for three years after the first retail sale of the model. Further, the repair program doesn’t extend the standard warranty coverage of your phone.
Service Options for iPhone 14 Plus Camera Repairs Eligible iPhone 14 Plus users have several service options to choose from:
Apple Authorized Service Providers: Users can bring their device to an authorized provider for an in-person inspection and repair.
Apple Retail Stores: Users can schedule an appointment at an Apple Store for in-store repair services.
Mail-in Service: Apple Support can assist users in arranging a mail-in repair through the Apple Repair Center for added convenience.
KeyInformation About the Repair Program Here are the essential details for those considering this free repair option:
Eligibility Check: Users can verify eligibility using Apple’s serial number lookup tool.
Limited to iPhone 14 Plus: The program applies exclusively to iPhone 14 Plus models, with no other iPhone models included.
Region-Specific Repair: Repairs may be limited to the original country or region where the device was purchased.
No Warranty Extension: This repair program does not extend the device’s standard warranty.
However, if a user previously paid for a rear camera repair
due to this specific issue, they may be eligible for a refund by contacting Apple Support.
Why This Program is lmportant Apple’s free repair initiative underscores the company’s commitment to quality and customer service. By addressing this manufacturing defect through free repairs Apple not only ensures device reliability but also builds trust with users who miaht otherwise be left with an unusable feature. This service program reinforces Apple’s dedication to product support while also providing users a clear path to address technical issues effectively, helping ensure the iPhone 14 Plus functions as intended for its users.
(Image credit: Front Page Tech) In recent years, Apple has been narrowing the gap between Pro and regular iPhones. With the iPhone 16, the difference between the models was the smallest it has ever been, with a number of impressive upgrades making the entry-level NZ$1,599 iPhone a very good buy indeed.
Now a new report from South Korea’s ETNews suggests that next year’s iPhone 17 could inherit one of the Pro’s few remaining advantages: a ProMotion, 120Hz display. The report claims that all four flavors of 2025 iPhone will feature low-power LTPO (low-temperature polycrystalline oxide) panels, supplied by Samsung and LG.
Crucially, it’s not the first time we’ve heard this rumor. The display analyst Ross Young wrote a post on X saying that the non-Pro iPhones would get 120Hz panels for the first time with the 17 series.
120Hz screens have only been a part of Apple’s smartphone lineup since 2021’s iPhone 13 Pro. Branded as “ProMotion,” the screens refresh up to 120 times a second, rather than the previous 60, not only looking visibly smoother, but opening the door to 120fps apps. The following year, Apple improved on this with LTPO tech that allowed the iPhone 14 Pro to drop as low as 1Hz for a low-power, always-on display.
It’s not clear whether the basic iPhone 17 and rumored iPhone 17 Slim (or maybe “Air”) will go that low for the always-on display, but nonetheless, it’s a serious upgrade that makes the basic models all the more appealing.
After 13 years of Android, I switched back to an iPhone in 2022. I’m so happy with my iPhone 14 Pro that I don’t plan on buying a new one until it slows down – and so far, it’s showing no signs of slowing down.
But when it does, and assuming I’ve not been tempted back to Android in the intervening months, I’m not sure I’d feel the need to go Pro again. I’m not really a power user, with 90% of my phone time spent on WhatsApp, Safari, Instagram, Reddit and, uh, Coffee Golf.
But the one thing I absolutely wouldn’t go back to is a 60Hz display. No doubt I’d get used to it eventually, but whenever I have a long day away from a charger, I always switch my iPhone to Low Power Mode, which disables ProMotion and reverts to 60Hz — and I really hate it! Everything seems so much less fluid and is uncomfortable to look at, and it’s always a relief to return to full power when I’m safely in range of a charger.
When I bought the Pro model in 2022, I assumed I was doing so for the camera rather than the screen, with the 3x telephoto lens making all the difference (and it’s now up to 5x with the iPhone 16 Pro). But very few of my photographs require that kind of distance (the cats don’t go far away!), and aesthetically, I think phones look far better with fewer lenses than having three to five eyes staring back at you when you flip the handset over. Plus, since I bought it, Apple has been doing clever things with pixel binning on the regular handsets providing a good proxy of a 2x lens, which should work just fine for me.
(Image credit: Front Page Tech) With this in mind, the iPhone 17 Slim is something I’ll be watching very closely — a big-screen, skinny iPhone with a 120Hz display and just one camera lens? Sounds like it’ll be perfect for me, assuming that rumored sky-high price is just hearsay.
I doubt I’ll be ready to switch phones by September 2025, but if 120Hz screens are here to stay, then I may just be ready for that downgrade when the time inevitably comes.
Apple announces its first iPhone service program since 2021
(Image credit: Future) The iPhone 14 Plus, Apple’s first attempt at a big-screen non-Pro handset, has been available for just over two years, but it turns out devices manufactured for half of that time are susceptible to a camera issue.
According to Apple, a “very small percentage” of handsets manufactured between April 10 2023 and April 28 of this year have an issue where users don’t see a preview of what they’re looking at when using the rear camera — which is quite a big issue for keen photographers.
It’s been a while since Apple has issued a service program for one of its handsets, with the last one arriving in 2021 for an issue with select iPhone 12 speakers. Before that, Apple offered free repairs for screen problems with the iPhone 11, freezing issues with the iPhone 8, a ‘No Service’ error on the iPhone 7, and the iPhone 6s refusing to turn on.
You’ll know if you have this particular camera problem, but to ensure your handset is covered, Apple has built a serial number checker. Just pop your iPhone 14 Plus’ serial number in there, and the site will tell you whether or not you’re eligible. You can find the serial number by opening the Settings app, tapping ‘General’ and then ‘About’.
If your device is indeed eligible, you can drop it in at an Apple Authorized Service Provider, get an appointment at an Apple Retail Store or contact the company directly to mail it into the Apple Repair Center.
While Apple is clear that this program doesn’t extend the standard warranty of the handset, the company does say you can contact it for a refund if you’ve previously paid to have the camera preview bug fixed. The program will stay open for “three years after the first retail sale of the unit.”
The free repair will be welcomed by fans of the big-screen device, but the longer-term future of the line looks uncertain. Originally brought in by Apple to replace the poorly selling iPhone mini range, early reports suggested the Plus handset was doing no better. While it’s outlived the mini with a third generation, it may be the last of the line. The iPhone 17 may not get a ‘Plus’ version, which reports indicating Apple is mulling up an iPhone 17 Slim to replace it. As the name suggests, it’ll apparently be on the svelte side with a slightly smaller 6.6-inch display, but worryingly with a much larger MSRP.
DxOMark’s display analysis for the iPhone 16 Pro is now available, and the results leave much to be desired. Both the S24 Ultra and Pixel 9 Pro pulled ahead of the iPhone 16 Pro, and not by a small margin.
iPhone 16 Pro is outpaced by both its arch rivals – the S24 Ultra and the Pixel 9 Pro XL in DxOMark’s display rating. (Image source: Apple)
DxOMark’s analysis of the iPhone 16 Pro’s display is now online, and, oh dear, Apple fans might want to brace themselves. Similar to the standard iPhone 16, the results are rather disappointing, with the iPhone 16 Pro not only losing to Samsung’s S24 and Google’s Pixel 9 Pro lineup but also to its predecessor, the iPhone 15 Pro.
With a score of just 150 points, the iPhone 16 Pro snags the 17th place in DxOMark’s global ranking and lags well behind the chart-topping 158 points scored by the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The Samsung S24 Ultra rakes in 155 points, while last year’s iPhone 15 Pro managed 151 points in the same test.
It’s not all bad news, however. The iPhone 16 Pro’s display is plenty admirably for a flagship smartphone, and as DxOMark notes, boasts pleasant as well as accurate colors both indoors and outdoors, thereby delivering a visually delightful experience.
That said, there is plenty to chew on in DxOMark’s criticisms. For starters, the luminance and contrast figures of the display are relatively low in certain conditions, which adversely affects the display’s readability. Moreover, the average brightness values for HDR 10 as well as SDR videos were also rather inconsistent.
One of the notable improvements specific to the iPhone 16 Pro lineup was the reduction of the bezel thickness, which seems to have backfired. DxOMark states that the thinner bezels lead to frequent accidental touches, negatively affecting the user experience.
Despite its flaws, however, the iPhone 16 Pro continues to be a robust candidate in the flagship category, as indicated by DxOMark, who, in summary, termed the iPhone 16 Pro’s display as ‘impressive’. However, it is hard to argue that the Pixel 9 Pro XL as well as the S24 Ultra being so far ahead in this category might be a little hard to digest for those who were expecting a better show from this year’s iPhone lineup.
New edition. A bigger battery, more RAM, a new camera button, more vivid colors, and even more power: By Apple’s standards, the iPhone 16 packs an above-average number of new features, making it one of the best compact smartphones on the market. Our review reveals whether it’s worth purchasing or upgrading.
Verdict – Still strict separation between the Pro and non-Pro models With the iPhone 16, Apple might not be reinventing the wheel. Still, it has crammed the newest edition of its smartphone with a comparably large number of updates compared to the previous generation. What remains are plus points such as very premium build quality, powerful cameras, a bright OLED panel, and a long update period.
The Apple A18 makes the iPhone 16 significantly more powerful than the iPhone 15, and users will benefit from the RAM upgrade to 8 GB even though it has nothing to do with the much-heralded AI features. WiFi 7 has now also made its way onto the “base” iPhone, although, like the Pro models, it is limited to a 160 MHz bandwidth. In everyday situations, the 6 percent larger battery ensures slightly better battery life.
With the Action button, the iPhone 16 has not only inherited a feature that used to be reserved for the Pro models but one that also replaces the classic rocker. Another innovation is the haptic camera button that controls the camera. Whether or not it’s actually useful is another question.
One feature criticized on the iPhone 15 has been carried over to the iPhone 16, causing it to also be one of our main points of criticism. Although the smartphone almost has a four-figure price tag, the OLED screen continues to run at a no longer up-to-date 60 Hz. Plus, you will still have to make do without an always-on display. Additionally, you only get a 12-month warranty, it still has the slow USB-C 2.0 and the charging speed is not particularly fast.
One alternative to the iPhone 16 is, for example, the iPhone 15, which is now significantly cheaper and has a very similar feature set. One recommendation on the Android side is the 6.2-inch Samsung Galaxy S24 and, at 6.36 inches, the similarly compact Xiaomi 14.
Processor:Apple A18 6 x – 3.8 GHz Graphics adapter:Apple A18 GPU Memory:8 GB Display:6.10 inch 19.5:9, 2556 x 1179 pixel 460 PPI, capacitive touchscreen, Super Retina XDR OLED, 1600/2000 nits max. brightness (HDR/outdoor), 1 nit min. brightness, glossy: yes, HDR, 60 Hz Storage:Apple 512GB NVMe, 512 GB, 496 GB free Weight:170 g ( = 6 oz / 0.37 pounds) ( = 0 oz / 0 pounds) Price:1329 Euro Note: The manufacturer may use components from different suppliers including display panels, drives or memory sticks with similar specifications.
Case – Bold colors for the iPhone 16 Apart from the arrangement of the rear camera, Apple has adopted the iPhone 15’s design, more or less 1:1, for its iPhone 16. However, unlike the predecessor, considerably bolder colors are available on day one. Our review device is Teal, with the other colors being Ultramarine, Pink, White and Black.
The iPhone 16 also possesses a stylish unibody case, is excellently crafted, feels very premium, and, in our tests, it proved itself to be exceptionally resistant to any of our attempts to dent or twist it. The chassis is dust and waterproof according to IP68.
The iPhone 16 has an aluminum frame, and the rear is made from matte, solid-colored glass, which hardly attracts fingerprints apart from the Apple logo in the middle. On the front, once again, the Ceramic Shield screen protection has been used. However, this is claimed to 50 percent more robust than the type found in the iPhone 15.
While the predecessor’s main and ultra-wide-angle cameras were offset to the side, they are now located directly on top of one another, the same as the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. This also means that both devices can now shoot three-dimensional videos. This was not possible with either the iPhone or the iPhone 15 Plus due to the diagonal positioning of both cameras.
Nothing has changed concerning the dimensions. The iPhone 16 is exactly the same size as the iPhone 15 and weighs 1 gram less. This is not likely to be noticeable in everyday use.
Features – The Apple iPhone 16 has 8 GB of RAM To ensure that Apple’s new AI features also run on the “smallest” new iPhone, the iPhone 16 has 8 GB of RAM (iPhone 15: 6 GB). However, price-wise, nothing has changed compared to the iPhone 15. The available storage is also the same:
128 GB mass storage: $799
256 GB mass storage: $899
512 GB mass storage: $1,099
Unlike the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, the iPhone 16’s USB-C port is connected internally using the USB 2.0 speed rather than USB 3.2. This makes data transfer much slower, and this was confirmed by the copy test with our test SSD, the Samsung 980 Pro (38.9 MB/s).
The USB-C port supports the DisplayPort protocol, meaning you can mirror the iPhone’s screen on a monitor. To achieve this, you will also need a USB-C cable (USB 3.1 or higher) as well as a suitable external display.
In addition to Bluetooth 5.3 and an NFC chip (which is only available in read mode), the iPhone 16 also possesses an ultra-wideband chip. One new addition is support for the smart home wireless standard, Thread.
In Europe, Apple continues to offer the iPhone 16 with a nano-SIM slot. Together with an eSIM, dual-SIM operation is possible. Alternatively, 2 eSIMs also work.
Software – The Apple iPhone 16 with iOS 18 and initially without AI The iPhone 16 runs the new iOS 18. In addition to small changes such as the newly-designed photo app, a significantly more customizable control center and a move away from the rigid app grid. Apps can now be placed anywhere on the home screen. However, above all else, it’s the AI functions that set the new operating system apart from iOS 17.
We already presented the AI functions – otherwise known as Apple Intelligence – in our iPhone 16 Plus review. They include AI-generated emojis, photo editing, voice message transcription, websites and other text-based content as well as a smarter Siri voice assistant.
However, due to the Digital Markets Act (DMA) data protection, Apple Intelligence for iPhones won’t initially be available in the EU. Apple wants to play catch-up as soon as an agreement has been reached with the European Commission, something that probably won’t happen before 2025.
Apple hasn’t provided any information on how long the iPhone 16 will receive updates. However, experience shows that you can bank on a 5-year update period. On top of this, older devices still receive updates, if critical security gaps need to be closed.
Sustainability According to Apple, more than 30 percent of the iPhone 16 consists of recycled material. When it comes to gold, cobalt, lithium and rare earth, the recycling quota even manages to hit 100 percent.
The packaging doesn’t contain any plastics and consists 100 percent of wood fibers, which have also either been recycled or sourced from responsibly farmed forests. Apple has provided precise information in this report.
In the past, iPhones weren’t exactly famous for being easy to repair. However, in the meantime, that has changed significantly, since the current iPhones have a modular internal design and can be opened from both sides. Additionally, the iOS-integrated repair assistant helps to avoid software errors after replacing components.
Experienced users can repair their iPhones themselves. Although special tools are required to do this, Apple also provides support with detailed repair manuals.
Telephone functions and voice quaility The iPhone 16 supports both VoLTE and WiFi calls. In addition to a physical SIM, you can also activate an eSIM. Alternatively, you can also have two eSIMs if you wish to do without a SIM card.
In our test, the iPhone 16 delivered good voice quality. Using the mobile and landline, we could hear our counterparts perfectly, and the same level of intelligibility was reported on the receiving end. In hands-free mode, that essentially didn’t change, we just sounded a touch quieter.
If a mobile network or Wi-Fi is not at hand, the iPhone can also make emergency calls via a satellite connection. Once activated, the service is free for the next two years. However, it will presumably remain permanently free of charge. Apple would be put in a very bad light if the life-saving function had to be activated in an emergency due to the lack of an active subscription.
Cameras – A 48 MP camera with 2x zoom
The iPhone 16’s selfie camera still has a 12 MP resolution and takes good shots with a nice bokeh effect. Like the main camera, it can record videos at 4K and up to 60 frames per second, delivering very good image quality in the process.
Apple also has nothing new to report regarding the iPhone’s main camera. It continues to use a 48 MP resolution image sensor and allows you to capture photos at either 12 or 24 MP. You can use the full 48 MP as long as you activate Resolution control in the settings.
The Sony image sensor also allows the iPhone’s main camera to capture telephoto shots at 12 MP, which represents 2x zoom. Photos captured with the main camera also impress in difficult lighting conditions with high image sharpness and balanced color reproduction. When you magnify the images using the 2x zoom, many details are still visible, however, at higher zoom levels – the digital zoom goes up to 10x – things quickly get blurry.
The main camera records videos at a maximum of 4K and 60 frames per second and possesses the same impressive image quality as the photos. The videos are very sharp, and the autofocus responds precisely, easily switching between bright and dark subjects. If you use the cinema mode, the camera automatically focuses on faces and saves additional depth information so that the focus can be adjusted later for blurry effects.
The 12 MP resolution ultra-wide-angle camera uses a new sensor that has a slightly wider f/2.2 aperture (iPhone 15: f/2.4). It does its job well within the limits of its capabilities. You get solid and largely distortion-free shots which don’t show many details.
Accessories and warranty – The Apple iPhone 16 comes with a 12-month warranty
Optional accesories, from left to right: 30-watt charger, MagSafe charger, silicone case With its iPhone 16, Apple has included a USB-C cable (USB 2.0) as well as a SIM tool. Inside the slim packaging, there are also a few booklets with info material. The Apple stickers which came with the previous iPhone models are no longer included.
Apple offers plenty of additional accessories for its smartphone and these include a 30-watt charger ($39), a MagSafe adapter ($39) and silicone cases with MagSafe functionality ($49).
The iPhone 16 comes with a 12-month warranty. Via AppleCare+ and for additional surcharges, this can be extended, starting at $9.99 a month or a one-off payment of $199 for 2 years. If you also wish to provide cover for theft and loss, the prices increase to $11.49 a month or a one-off payment of $219.
Apple iPhone 16: Battery
Like the iPhone 15, the iPhone 16 delivers all-day battery life
Support for faster wired and wireless charging is a welcome addition
Just like with iPhone 15, and every iPhone before that, Apple does not publicly share the battery size for any of its phones – or most of its products. We’ll wait until somebody else tears one apart to get the answer in mAh. Rather, Apple says the iPhone 16 should last for up to 22 hours of local video playback, up to 18 hours of video playback if streamed, and up to 80 hours of audio playback. That’s an additional 2 hours of video playback over the iPhone 15.
Considering those are specific use cases, I’m here to tell you that the iPhone 16 can get you through a full day, from morning to evening, even under more intensive use. After a few days of use I’d estimate 15 to 16 hours of screen time before I needed to recharge my iPhone 16.
You can, of course, engage low power mode to stretch it a bit more and stop it from constantly refreshing in the background. On Future Lab’s battery rundown test, the iPhone 16 lasted for 12 hours and 43 minutes, which is a decent amount of time, but not the best I’ve seen.
On a particularly busy day at a festival filled with a lot of photo capture and video recording, I did need to recharge my iPhone 16 after about 8 hours of use. So, more intense tasks will eat the battery faster. Luckily, it still comes with a braided USB-C to USB-C cable in the box, and you can fast-charge the iPhone 16. I was able to get it from 0% to 48% in about 30 minutes with a standard 20-watt adapter, but plugging it into a 35-watt charger did get to 51% in 30 minutes.
The iPhone 16 also has some new wireless charging tech with support for the new MagSafe charger and the Qi2 standard – you can get up to 25W with MagSafe and up to 15W with Qi2. You’ll also want to pair either of those with at least a 30-watt adapter. I did notice with either wireless charging platform, the iPhone 16 did get a bit warmer than with a wired charge.
Apple iPhone 16: Should You Buy?
The Apple iPhone 16 is a very good smartphone with powerful features and a compact 6.1-inch format that still only continues to rely on a 60 Hz screen.
Buy it if.. You want an affordable, smaller iPhone
At $799 and with a 6.1-inch display, the iPhone 16 is an excellent option for those who don’t want to use two hands or spend a ton. It offers some really nice features and will support Apple Intelligence.
You want more control for taking photos
Camera Control isn’t just a buzzword, but what makes shooting photos and adjusting on the fly a bit easier. If you love taking photos with your iPhone or recording videos, it is an excellent upgrade.
Don’t buy it if… You’re happy with an iPhone 15
If you aren’t desperate for a new button to take photos and Apple Intelligence isn’t calling your name, you don’t need to upgrade to the iPhone 16.
You want a bigger screen
If you want a larger display, consider the iPhone 16 Plus, which boasts a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display.
You want a true zoom lens
The iPhone 16 tops out at 2x telephoto or 10x digital zoom, so if you want to zoom in farther with more clarity, look at the iPhone 16 Pro, Galaxy S24 Ultra, or the Pixel 9 Pro.
(Image credit: Future)
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