iPhone 16 Pro Design Review: What’s New, What’s Missing & Why It Matters
iPhone 16 Pro Design Review: What's New, What's Not, and Why It Matters
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro brings a familiar feel to its design, echoing the look of the iPhone 15 Pro, but it introduces a few subtle yet noticeable changes. While not a complete redesign, the iPhone 16pro manages to make an impression with its refined details and slight size adjustments. Let’s explore the new 16pro iPhone and break down what has changed—and what hasn’t.
Size Comparison: iPhone 16 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro
At first glance, the iPhone 16 Pro Apple looks almost identical to the iPhone 15 Pro, but a closer look reveals minor changes in dimensions and weight.
iPhone 15 Pro:
- Length: 5.77 inches
- Width: 2.78 inches
- Thickness: 8.25 mm (0.32 inches)
- Weight: 187 grams
iPhone 16 Pro:
- Length: 5.89 inches
- Width: 2.81 inches
- Thickness: 8.25 mm (0.32 inches)
- Weight: 199 grams
So while the iPhone16 pro has the same thickness, it is slightly taller and wider. It also weighs more—199 grams versus 187 grams—which may not sound like much, but can be felt during extended use. A more ideal weight would have been around 180–190 grams. However, this increase comes from the use of Ceramic Shield Glass, which, while heavier than Gorilla Glass Victus, is significantly more durable and offers excellent drop protection.
Design Evolution—or Lack Thereof
The design of the iPhone 16pro follows a path Apple has been on for the last few years. Since the iPhone 14 Pro, not much has changed visually in Apple’s flagship lineup. The camera layout, form factor, and materials feel largely recycled.
From the iPhone 14 Pro to iPhone 15 Pro, and now the iPhone 16pro, Apple has retained the same design language. The last notable design innovation came with the 14 Pro, introducing the Dynamic Island and a larger rear camera module. Since then, updates have been minimal and mostly material-based.
While Apple’s design is known for its premium and flagship aesthetic, this stagnation has drawn criticism. In fact, this year:
- 50% of user feedback was negative about the design
- Only 18–20% was positive, with the rest being neutral
- Sales of the iPhone 16 Pro dropped by 27% in Q1 compared to the iPhone 15 Pro
Clearly, consumers were expecting more innovation. However, some still believe Apple’s consistency in design is part of its identity. Historically though, Apple has made bold changes—just think of the differences between the iPhone 6S Plus, 7 Plus, 8 Plus, XS, 11 Pro, and 12 Pro. But since then, each iPhone Pro model has looked almost identical.
[Comparison Image: iPhone 16 Pro (1), iPhone 15 Pro (2), iPhone 14 Pro (3)]
Success of the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus: A Contrast
In contrast, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus received significant design upgrades. The results? Their Q1 sales jumped:
- iPhone 16: +10%
- iPhone 16 Plus: +48%
Clearly, design updates have a direct impact on consumer interest.
iPhone 16 Pro Build and Materials
Now, coming back to the i 16 pro, you get the same triple-camera setup and updated Ceramic Shield Glass on the front and back. There are four color variants:
- Black Titanium
- Desert Titanium (new addition)
- Natural Titanium
- White Titanium (new addition)
The iPhone 16 Pro Apple retains an IP68 dust and water resistance rating (up to 6 meters for 30 minutes). The outer frame is made from Grade 5 titanium, while the internal structure uses recycled aluminum—keeping it strong yet lightweight.
Button Layout: The New Camera Button
Here’s a breakdown of the button configuration on the 16pro iPhone:
Right side:
- Power button
- New Camera button
Left side:
- Action button
- Volume up
- Volume down
The new camera button received mixed feedback. About 50% of users liked it, saying it gives a DSLR-like experience. Others found it awkward—complaining that shaky hands lead to blurred shots, or the haptic feedback is inconsistent. It ultimately depends on personal preference.
This brings the total number of buttons to five, which is ironic considering Steve Jobs once envisioned removing buttons altogether in favor of screen-based controls. What Apple’s current CEO Tim Cook plans with this hardware direction remains to be seen.
Ports, Speakers & Audio Quality
The top of the iphone16 pro is clean and minimal. On the bottom, you’ll find:
- A hybrid stereo speaker setup (one front-facing, one bottom-firing)
- USB Type-C (3.2 Gen 2) port
- Primary microphone
Speaker quality is on par with the iPhone 15 Pro, delivering clear, rich sound in stereo.
Front: Thinner Bezels, Same Premium Quality
The iPhone 16pro now boasts thinner bezels, resulting in a higher screen-to-body ratio:
- iPhone 15 Pro: 88.2%
- iPhone 16 Pro: 90.1%
It features a 6.3-inch Ceramic Shield display with Dynamic Island, which houses the selfie camera and 3D Face ID sensors. Overall, the front display feels more immersive than ever before.
Apple has also updated the wallpaper designs to match each of the new color options.
Connectivity & SIM Support
In terms of network and connectivity, the iPhone 16 Pro Apple includes:
- No physical SIM slot in the USA (dual eSIM only)
- Dual nano-SIM support in China
- One physical + one eSIM or dual eSIMs in other markets
Connectivity Features:
- Bluetooth 5.3\
- Wi-Fi 7
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
Sensor Suite:
Face ID, Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity, Compass, Barometer, Ultra Wideband (UWB Gen 2), Emergency SOS, Messaging and Find My via satellite
Final Thoughts on the iPhone 16 Pro Design
This was a detailed look at the design of the iPhone 16 Pro—or should we say the iPhone pro 16, since Apple has only made incremental visual changes. While it still offers a premium experience, the lack of bold design innovation has left many users underwhelmed. That said, the new color, camera button, and thinner bezels give it just enough of a refresh to remain competitive—especially for fans loyal to the iPhone 16pro ecosystem. Apart from this, if you want to read about other things of iPhone 16 Pro, then the link is given below, you can read easily by clicking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the IP rating of iPhone 16 Pro?
Ans: The iPhone 16 Pro is rated IP68 for dust and water resistance. It can withstand being submerged in water up to 6 meters deep for up to 30 minutes.
2. What is the back material of iPhone 16 Pro?
Ans: The iPhone 16 Pro features a glass back made with the latest generation of Ceramic Shield, offering enhanced durability.
3. What is the frame material of iPhone 16 Pro?
Ans: The iPhone 16 Pro is built with a premium Grade 5 titanium frame, combining strength and lightweight design.
4. What is the weight of iPhone 16 Pro?
Ans: The iPhone 16 Pro weighs 199 grams, making it 12 grams heavier than its predecessor, the iPhone 15 Pro.
5. What is the thickness of iPhone 16 Pro?
Ans: The iPhone 16 Pro has a thickness of 8.5mm (0.32"), which is the same as the iPhone 15 Pro.
6. What are the color options of iPhone 16 Pro?
Ans: The iPhone 16 Pro is available in four elegant colors: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, and Desert Titanium.
7. What display protection is used in iPhone 16 Pro?
Ans: The iPhone 16 Pro is equipped with Ceramic Shield Glass (2024 edition) on the front, offering advanced screen protection.
8. What is the USB Type-C version of iPhone 16 Pro?
Ans: The iPhone 16 Pro includes a USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, capable of data transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps.
9. How many SIM cards does iPhone 16 Pro support?
Ans:
- In the USA: Dual eSIM only
- In China: Dual nano SIM with a dedicated SIM slot
- In other regions: One nano SIM and one eSIM, or dual eSIM support
10. What is the screen-to-body ratio of iPhone 16 Pro?
Ans: The iPhone 16 Pro offers a 90.2% screen-to-body ratio, giving it a nearly bezel-less display.
11. Does iPhone 16 Pro have a fingerprint scanner?
Ans: No, the iPhone 16 Pro does not feature a fingerprint scanner. However, it includes a new camera control button on the side, which resembles a side-mounted scanner but serves a different purpose.
12. What is the Bluetooth version of iPhone 16 Pro?
Ans: The iPhone 16 Pro supports Bluetooth 5.3 for faster and more stable wireless connectivity.
13. What is the Wi-Fi version of iPhone 16 Pro?
Ans: The iPhone 16 Pro is compatible with the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard, ensuring ultra-fast wireless performance.