The iPhone 16 Pro Max Beard Blog Review. It’s been another year, and I have another iPhone.
The 18th-generation iPhone is called the iPhone 16, continuing Apple’s tradition of incrementing model numbers in ways that defy logic.
This year, Apple is heavily promoting its latest buzzword: Apple Intelligence, their take on artificial intelligence. However, as of now, it’s more artificial than actual — none of the features have shipped yet. Despite billboards, TV ads, and prominent placement on Apple’s website, the only way to experience Apple Intelligence is through a public beta. We’re still weeks away from the first iOS 18 update that will roll out a small slice of the promised features.
In terms of design, both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max have grown slightly in both height and width, although the bezels have slimmed down. In hand, the phone doesn’t feel significantly larger, but the increased width is noticeable when typing on the virtual keyboard. For me, this added width feels more ergonomic, reducing accidental touches. Side by side, the difference between the 15 Pro Max and the 16 Pro Max is subtle, but the size bump allows for a bigger battery and better battery life.
Some users might lament the constant growth in phone sizes, but as someone with larger hands, I appreciate the change. That said, with the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s 6.9″ diagonal display, I may be nearing the upper limit of comfortable one-handed use. I’m curious to see if Apple will push the size envelope any further in future models.
The standout hardware change in the iPhone 16 this year is the new Camera Control button. It’s yet another dedicated hardware button, but this one is all about camera functionality. It’s a flush, touch-sensitive button that allows you to “half-press” to adjust settings and fully press to snap a photo. Additionally, you can scroll on its tiny surface for deeper control options.
While the concept is promising, the execution falls short. The “half-press” and scrolling features, while intended to enhance control, often lead to accidental inputs. The dedicated camera launch and shutter button is something I’ve long wanted, but the added functions—like zoom control via touch or scroll—frequently cause me to unintentionally zoom or change settings when I just want to take a picture.
Overall, the Camera Control button is a decent idea, but the user experience feels lacking. Much of this could be improved with software tweaks, though we may not see those refinements until next year’s hardware update.
A new software feature exclusive to the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max is an upgraded version of Apple’s Photographic Styles. This allows you to apply a custom style to every photo you take. In previous versions, the style was permanently embedded in the image, leaving no option to adjust it afterward. With the iPhone 16 Pro line, however, you can now set the style before capturing the photo and adjust it afterward as well.
Apple achieves this by storing the style data in the image’s metadata, rather than hardcoding it into the photo. This makes it a more flexible and advanced way to edit your photos, both before and after shooting. You can tweak tones, shadows, and colors using a touchpad-style interface, without needing a deep understanding of things like tone mapping, channels, or levels.
For non-serious photo editors, this is a convenient entry point into photo editing, especially considering Apple’s tendency to over-process base photos. Photographic Styles offers a way to restore contrast and shadow detail, counteracting Apple’s default brightening and flattening of images. While this feature is currently limited to the iPhone 16 Pro models, I can easily see it making its way to lower-end models in the future.
Apple Intelligence, the flagship feature of the iPhone 16 lineup (though not yet fully available), has potential and is notably more secure than other AI implementations. One standout feature is email summarization in the Apple Mail app. Instead of opening each email, you get a concise summary in the preview, which is often accurate enough to decide whether to open or delete it. However, it occasionally “hallucinates” and adds details that aren’t actually in the email, a flaw that should improve with future updates.
What sets Apple’s AI apart is its on-device processing, meaning your data stays on your phone rather than being sent to cloud services. This requires more powerful hardware, and Apple has designed these new iPhones to handle it. On-device AI also means faster results, without relying on an internet connection that can slow down responses.
While I’m optimistic that Apple Intelligence will become a useful tool, I don’t see it as the kind of revolutionary feature that will spark an iPhone boom. It’s more of an evolution than a game-changer.
The 2024 iPhone Pro line feels like one of the most incremental updates Apple has released in a while. Aside from the new Camera Control button and a slight size increase, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is nearly identical to the 15 Pro Max in terms of functionality. This year, Apple seems to have focused more on software, particularly Apple Intelligence, as they try to catch up to companies like Google and Microsoft in the AI race.
I’m hopeful that next year will bring a significant leap in both design and hardware, but recent trends suggest Apple is content with making small, steady upgrades—just enough to keep buyers like me coming back year after year.
The Good
- Larger screens and slimmer bezels
- Lightweight titanium frame remains the same
- Bigger, longer-lasting battery
Missed Opportunities
- Camera Control feels unfinished
- Apple Intelligence features delayed at launch
- No significant camera upgrades
The Bad
- Dull, uninspired color options compared to the non-Pro models
- Main camera still suffers from focus distance issues for the third year in a row
- Ultra-wide and telephoto cameras remain mediocre, with no noticeable improvement over last year
How can the iPhone 16 Pro Max get to 10/10?
- Significant Camera Upgrades: Focus distance issues need to be addressed, along with overall camera improvements.
- A Bold Redesign: It’s time for a fresh look to reinvigorate the lineup.
- Vibrant Colors: Apple should bring back truly vibrant, eye-catching color options.
- Explore a Foldable: With competitors advancing in foldable technology, it might be time for Apple to introduce its own foldable iPhone.
- Improved Battery Technology: While battery life has increased, Apple should focus on breakthrough battery technology that delivers even longer usage without compromising design or weight.
Should you upgrade?
If you already own an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max, there’s no compelling reason to upgrade. Your current phone is fully capable of running Apple Intelligence, and the slight size increase and Camera Control aren’t significant enough to justify a new purchase.
However, if you’re using an older model, the iPhone 16 is worth considering, especially if you’re interested in Apple Intelligence. It’s a solid phone this year, with vibrant, interesting color options. That said, unless you specifically need the third telephoto camera or the 120Hz always-on display, the Pro models may not be worth the extra cost this time around.