The new lineup of Apple iPhone 16 smartphones is officially available from AT&T, Verizon, Best Buy and many more retailers. These new phones include the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.

The new phones are being hyped for the addition of Apple Intelligence, Apple’s artificial intelligence functionality that’s being integrated into the iOS 18 operating system this fall. There are physical upgrades to the devices as well, including a new Camera Control button on the side of the handset.

If you’re already sold on the new phone, tap the buttons below and order yours today. Otherwise, read on to learn more about this new generation of Apple smartphones, officially available starting Friday, Sept. 20, 2024.

Pro tip: In addition, Apple has released the Apple Watch Series 10 smartwatch, new Apple AirPods 4 earbuds, and updates to the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Max headphones. You can now order these devices, too.

Discover Apple’s latest iPhones

All of Apple’s iPhone 16 configurations have several things in common. They all run the iOS 18 operating system and will soon have Apple Intelligence integration. This means you’ll see some dramatic improvements in Siri and many of each phone’s other capabilities, especially when it comes to taking pictures, shooting video and editing your content. All of the new iPhone models also now support faster Wi-Fi 7 connectivity and run using Apple’s latest A18 or A18 Pro processor.

Apple iPhone 16

Display size: 6.1 inches | Display type: Super Retina XDR | Display resolution: 2,556 x 1,179 pixels (460 ppi) | Max. display brightness: 2,000 nits | Processor: Apple A18 | Storage options: 128GB, 256GB, 1TB | Housing material: Aluminum | Dimensions: 5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches | Weight: 6 ounces | Front camera: 12MP (TrueDepth) | Rear camera system: 48MP (Fusion), 12MP (ultra-wide) | Operating system: iOS 18 (or later) | Safety features: Emergency SOS via satellite, Crash detection, Roadside Assistance via satellite | Port: 1x USB Type-C | Waterproof rating: IP68 | Physical buttons: Camera Control button, volume up, volume down, Side button | Battery life: Up to 27 hours (with wireless fast charging support) | Casing color options: Ultramarine, teal, pink, white, black

• Pricing: $799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB)

The iPhone 16 offers most of the new features and functions added to the higher-end iPhone models, but packs it all into a mobile device with a 6.1-inch touchscreen display. The phone itself is just 0.31 inches thick and weighs a mere six ounces. This phone has two rear-facing cameras (instead of the three found on the higher-end models), so if you’re looking for high-end photography and videography capabilities, choose one of the iPhone 16 Pro models. 

The iPhone 16 is a well-rounded and nicely priced general-purpose iPhone. It comes in five beautiful casing colors, along with the ability to fully customize the appearance of the Lock and Home screens.

Beyond the new features and functions offered by iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence, the iPhone 16 provides easy access to the millions of optional apps available from the App Store, so you can add all sorts of advanced functionality to the phone. This new phone operates up to 30% faster than last year’s model and offers a longer battery life, too. With its new quick charge capabilities, you can go from 0% to 50% charge in around 30 minutes.

You’ll find a wide range of deals on the iPhone 16 available now. AT&T and Verizon are offering the phone for free, with an eligible trade-in and when you activate the phone with a qualifying service plan.

Pro tip: Don’t let your new Apple smartphone go unprotected. We recommend you also purchase one of these best cases for the Apple iPhone 16, even if you’ve also signed up for the AppleCare+ extended warranty.

Apple iPhone 16 Plus

Display size: 6.7 inches | Display type: Super Retina XDR | Display resolution: 2,796 x 1,290 pixels (460 ppi) | Max. display brightness: 2,000 nits | Processor: Apple A18 | Storage options: 128GB, 256GB, 1TB | Housing material: Aluminum | Dimensions: 6.33 x 3.06 x 0.31 inches | Weight: 7.03 ounces | Front camera: 12MP (TrueDepth) | Rear camera system: 48MP (Fusion), 12MP (ultra-wide) | Operating system: iOS 18 (or later) | Safety features: Emergency SOS via satellite, Crash detection, Roadside Assistance via satellite | Port: 1x USB Type-C | Waterproof rating: IP68 | Physical buttons: Camera Control button, volume up, volume down, Side button | Battery life: Up to 27 hours (with wireless fast charging support) | Casing color options: Ultramarine, teal, pink, white, black

• Pricing: $899 (128GB), $999 (256GB), $1,199 (512GB)

The iPhone 16 Plus is a souped-up version of the iPhone 16 with a slightly larger touchscreen display (6.7 inches versus 6.1 inches). Otherwise, these two phones offer the same core capabilities and camera setup. Compared to the iPhone 15 Plus, you get a larger and more responsive display, faster overall performance, and the new Apple Intelligence capabilities packed into a smartphone that’s a mere 0.31 inches thick and that weighs in at 7.03 ounces. 

The iPhone 16 Plus is a mid-priced iPhone. If you’re a moderate to heavy iPhone user and often use the phone to take pictures or record and share video content, our in-house smartphone experts recommend spending a bit more to get the iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max. You’ll wind up with a better camera system and enhanced overall performance — especially when it comes to using the latest AI tools and features, like the ability to record audio and have it transcribed and summarized.

Many deals are being offered in conjunction with the iPhone 16 Plus. AT&T is offering up to $830 off with an eligible trade-in and when you activate the phone with a qualifying service plan. You can also finance the phone for as little as $2.78 per month for 36 months with eligible trade-in.

Discover iPhone 16 Pro smartphones

For even more processing power, a larger display and better overall performance, it’s the Apple iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max you want in your hands. They’re made with a titanium casing and provide some of the most advanced capabilities Apple has unleashed in any iPhone. 

Beyond the advanced AI functions being integrated into the new iPhones this fall, one notable feature of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max is its ability to shoot 4K resolution video at up to 120fps using Dolby Vision. You also get advanced capabilities when capturing audio in conjunction with your video content. These phones are great for everyday users, as well as for content creators, students and business people alike.

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Display size: 6.3 inches | Display type: Super Retina XDR | Display resolution: 2,622 x 1,206 pixels (460 ppi) | Max. display brightness: 2,000 nits | Processor: Apple A18 Pro | Storage options: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Housing material: Titanium | Dimensions: 5.89 x 2.81 x 0.32 inches | Weight: 7.03 ounces | Front camera: 12MP (TrueDepth) | Rear camera system: 48MP (Fusion), 48MP (ultra-wide), 12MP (telephoto) | Operating system: iOS 18 (or later) | Safety features: Emergency SOS via satellite, Crash detection, Roadside Assistance via satellite | Port: 1x USB Type-C | Waterproof rating: IP68 | Physical buttons: Camera Control button, volume up, volume down, Side button | Battery life: Up to 33 hours (with wireless fast charging support) | Casing color options: Desert titanium, natural titanium, white titanium, black titanium

• Pricing: $999 (128GB), $1,099 (256GB), $1,299 (512GB), $1,499 (1TB)

The iPhone 16 Pro uses Apple’s new A18 Pro silicon series chip which offers a 16-core Neural Engine to accommodate the new artificial intelligence functions. This is in conjunction with a 6-core CPU and 6-core GPU, which work together to offer 15% to 20% faster performance compared to the iPhone 15 Pro. This new processor also doubles the phone’s ray tracing capabilities compared to last year’s model, so gaming has been taken up a notch with more fluid graphics and more realistic lighting, not to mention improved responsiveness.

The iPhone 16 Pro offers a longer-lasting battery and faster wireless recharging, plus hundreds of new features and existing feature updates that have been incorporated into iOS 18 and that work particularly well with the A18 Pro processor. This includes both text messaging via satellite and roadside assistance via satellite that’ll work in areas where there’s no cellular service. Other new features include the ability for the phone to use eye tracking as yet another way to interact with certain apps.

One compelling reason to choose either the iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max is for the enhanced camera system, which includes three rear-facing cameras with up to 25x digital zoom and extreme macro photography capabilities, new photographic styles, enhanced sound when shooting video and the ability to capture 4K resolution video at up to 120 fps. 

Right now, when you order the phone from AT&T, you could wind up getting this phone for free with an eligible trade in and when you activate the phone with a qualifying service plan. At Verizon, you can finance the phone for as little as $10 per month for 36 months with an eligible trade in and when you activate the phone with an Unlimited Ultimate service plan.

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Display size: 6.9-inches | Display type: Super Retina XDR | Display resolution: 2,868 x 1,320 pixels (460 ppi) | Max. display brightness: 2,000 nits | Processor: Apple A18 Pro | Storage options: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Housing material: Titanium | Dimensions: 6.42 x 3.06 x 0.32 inches | Weight: 7.99 ounces | Front camera: 12MP (TrueDepth) | Rear camera system: 48MP (Fusion), 48MP (ultra-wide), 12MP (telephoto) | Operating system: iOS 18 (or later) | Safety features: Emergency SOS via satellite, Crash detection, Roadside Assistance via satellite | Port: 1x USB Type-C | Waterproof rating: IP68 | Physical buttons: Camera Control button, volume up, volume down, Side button | Battery life: Up to 33 hours (with wireless fast charging support) | Casing color options: Desert titanium, natural titanium, white titanium, black titanium

• Pricing: $1,199 (256GB), $1,399 (512GB), $1,599 (1TB)

If you want the absolutely fastest and most powerful iPhone — the one with the largest and most responsive touchscreen display and the longest battery life — it’s the iPhone 16 Pro Max you should choose. It runs using the A18 Pro processor and will easily handle all of the new Apple Intelligence features the are being released this fall. 

You also get the most robust rear camera setup ever incorporated into an iPhone, including a 48MP Fusion camera and 28MP ultra-wide camera. But it’s not just the camera hardware that sets this phone apart. You now get a pro-level still image or video shooting capabilities at your fingertips via the Camera app, that are surprisingly easy to use thanks to the AI enhancements.

This is the phone we recommend to power iPhone users and people who want to get the most out of what an iPhone has to offer — especially when it comes to picture taking and videography, as well as utilizing the new AI features. 

If you order the phone from AT&T or Verizon, you can get up to $1,000 off with an eligible trade-in and when you activate the phone with a qualifying service plan. Financing through Verizon is available for as little as $5.55 per month for 36 months if you’re a new customer, with an eligible trade-in and activation with an Unlimited Ultimate plan.

Who should upgrade to a new iPhone 16?

If you’re already an iPhone user and looking for the latest and greatest that Apple has to offer, you’ll want to get your hands on one of the new iPhone 16 models. Which model will depend on the screen size you want.

Plus, if you’ve been thinking about switching from an Android smartphone to an iPhone, now’s the ideal time. If you’re looking for a smartphone with a folding display — like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 — you’ll need to stick with an Android mobile device, at least for now.

Are the iPhone 16 smartphones worth it?

Upgrading to an Apple iPhone 16 is a personal decision, based on your budget and the intensity of your desire to have the best iPhone model available (compared to an older model that runs the same version of the iOS 18 operating system and the same collection of preinstalled apps). As always, you can expect faster performance, a better display and a longer battery life from Apple’s very latest iPhones.

You can purchase one of the new iPhone 16 models outright, or take advantage of trade-in and financing deals currently available from AT&T, Verizon and Best Buy. These deals could save you money, or at least allow you to spread out payment of the new phone over an extended period.

How much internal storage should I get on my iPhone?

Our smartphone experts recommend that average users choose the middle option, so for the iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Plus, choose 256GB. For the iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max, we suggest either 256GB or 512GB.

Power users will likely want more storage. Lighter users can likely get away with less storage, especially if you use iCloud for cloud storage of data, documents, files and photos.

Save big on the iPhone 15 smartphones, too

Now that the iPhone 16 smartphones have been released, last year’s models — the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max — are currently being discounted. 

At AT&T, you can finance the iPhone 15 Pro Max for as little as $5.56 per month for 36 months (with eligible trade-in). There’s also a deal that gets you $1,000 off this phone. The iPhone 15 Plus can be financed for as little as $6.39 per month for 36 months (with eligible trade-in), while you can get the iPhone 15 for as little as $3.62 per month for 36 months (with eligible trade-in). The iPhone 15 Pro is currently being offered for free with an eligible trade-in. Of course, restrictions apply on all of these deals.

Read our in-depth review of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which can now be upgraded with the latest version of iOS 18 for free. You can also find discounted “renewed” and “renewed premium” iPhone 15 models for sale on Amazon.

Here’s what new in iOS 18

While iOS 18 works in all iPhone models released in the past five years or so, to get the best performance from this latest version of the operating system, you’ll want the faster and more powerful performance of an Apple iPhone 16 smartphone.

iOS 18 offers enhancements to the operating system itself, as well as impressive improvements to virtually all of the apps that come preinstalled with the operating system. This includes new ways to customize your phone, fun new ways to stay connected with friends and family, and enhanced tools for capturing and sharing memories. And for the first time, you can experience Apple Intelligence (AI) on your phone starting this fall.

Apple Intelligence can help you compose text from scratch, edit content you’ve already written, translate information between languages, help you create images from scratch based on text prompts, and so much more. It’s Apple’s answer to Google Gemini (now on Android phones), Galaxy AI (now on Samsung Galaxy phones), and CoPilot (now on the latest Windows laptops). 

Keep in mind, many of the new features Apple has promised are coming later this year or next year through iOS updates. Thus, features like Apple Intelligence are not yet being offered on any of the iPhones.

New feature highlights of iOS 18

• New ways to personalize the appearance of your phone’s Home and Lock screens.
• The ability to hide apps and content stored on your phone (that can only be unlocked using FaceID).
• Updates to the iPhone’s Control Center and how it can be personalized.
• The ability to add custom controls to your Lock screen.
• New ways to organize and find photos stored in the Photos app.
• Enhanced image and video editing tools in the Photos app.
• Being able to use bold, italic, underlined and strikethrough text, plus animated effects in Messages.
• You can create your own emojis using AI that work with the Messages app.
• The ability to send and receive text messages via satellite when off the grid.
• Support for RCS messages, allowing you to communicate better with people who don’t have an iPhone.
• New ways to sort incoming email messages and organize your inbox.
• A smoother and more robust web surfing experience using Safari.
• Improved control over Apple AirPods when using them with an iPhone.
• Audio transcription and summarization of recordings via the Notes app.
• The ability to perform mathematical calculations in the Notes app.
• S.O.S. Emergency with live video.
• When used with an Apple Watch, the iPhone can now identify sleep apnea.
• In conjunction with the latest AirPods Pro 2, this equipment combo will soon be able to serve as over-the-counter hearing aids.
• Better privacy and security options.

You’ll discover enhancements, redesigns and new features added to each of the apps that come preinstalled with iOS 18, plus improvements in overall performance, whether you’re using this operating system on an older iPhone model or one of the new iPhone 16 models.

Don’t forget a case for your new iPhone 16

All of the new iPhone 16 models are more durable than previous models, but they’re not indestructible — far from it. To protect your new phone investment, we recommend buying a case designed for the specific iPhone model you’ve purchased. Our phone experts have compiled a roundup of popular iPhone 16 cases, but here are a few of our top picks:

• Mujjo iPhone 16 cases – For several years now, our top iPhone phone case picks have come from Mujjo. These are elegant leather cases that are designed to look fantastic, but do a great job protecting your phone, too. Pricing for these cases ranges from $59 to $64. They come in a variety of colors and styles, including several that support MagSafe wireless charging and MagSafe accessories.
• Pitaka iPhone 16 cases – Available in a variety of colors and patterns (for each iPhone 16 model), these cases are ultra-slim. They’re made using a lightweight, but very strong aramid fiber with a special 3D coating. As a result, the case remains sleek while delivering an exceptionally smooth feel. Pricing ranges between $50 and $60, depending on the color and style.
• Rimowa iPhone 16 cases – Made from grooved polycarbonate or aluminum, these protective cases offer a minimalistic design. Some styles are MagSafe compatible. Pricing for these premium cases ranges from $150 to $180. A variety of color options are available. With an iPhone inserted in the case, each is about 0.6 inches thick. All come with a two-year warranty.
• Moft Creator Kit – The folks at Moft have designed several impressive iPhone 16 case styles, but the one we’re excited about is what comes with the Creator Kit ($198). You get a Snap iPhone Case, phone lanyard, snap-on stand and wallet, an invisible tripod for the iPhone and a Snap Notepad Stand — packaged as a bundle. However, each product is also sold separately. The Movas Snap Case ($50) nicely protects the phone, while the Movas Snap Phone Tripod Wallet ($50) is a magnetic wallet that attaches to the back of the iPhone (or one of the company’s MagSafe-compatible cases). It can hold several credit cards, but unfold to become an 8-inch tall, adjustable tabletop tripod for the phone.

Your new phone’s screen needs protecting, as well. Check out our roundup of the best screen protectors for the Apple iPhone 16.

For more information on the latest smartphones, check out our reviews of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6, Google Pixel 9, Google Pixel 9 Pro and Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. Plus, discover details on all of the latest folding phones, best Android phones for 2024, best smartphones with AI and best phones for seniors.

Jason R. Rich

Jason R. Rich (www.JasonRich.com) is an internationally recognized consumer technology expert with more than 30 years’ writing experience. He’s also an accomplished author and photographer. Two of his most recently published books, “iPhone 16 Pro Max Digital Photography” ($19.99) and
The Remote Worker’s Handbook: How to Effectively Work From Anywhere” ($24.99, Entrepreneur Books) are now available from Amazon and wherever books are sold.

You preordered your favorite iPhone 16 model. Then you ordered an iPhone 16 case to protect it. But now that it’s in your hands, your new phone is still looking a little vulnerable. What’s missing? A screen protector.

Accidents can and do happen. Your smartphone, strong as its frame and its build can be, is still a piece of fragile tech. And even with a solid case, the wrong kind of drop in the wrong place can still crack or shatter your screen. That’s where a screen protector comes in: They break so your screen doesn’t.

You’ll get smudges and scratches on the glass protector, but beneath that, your phone will look brand new. If you’re looking for your new iPhone to stay that way for as long as possible, see our favorite picks for the best iPhone 16 screen protectors below. 

The best Apple iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro screen protectors

Screen protectors for your phone typically range between $10 and $50, depending on the level of protection and added features you want. Some options just protect your screen physically, while others add privacy protection, blue-light protection or camera lens protection.

Best iPhone 16 screen protector: Zagg Glass Elite Screen Protector

Zagg is a major name in the screen protector space, and for good reason. The brand makes durable screen protectors that not only offer fantastic drop protection but also advanced scratch and smudge resistance. Zagg screen protectors come with a limited lifetime warranty, so you can get a free replacement for as long as you own your phone.

The Zagg Glass Elite glass screen protector is made with 30% recycled materials. Its packaging is made with recycled materials as well. The package includes a special tray to apply your screen protector to avoid dust and bubbles, making for a quick and easy installation. 

Best tempered glass iPhone 16 screen protector: Belkin UltraGlass 2 screen protector

There’s a reason why Apple endorses this screen protector and sells it in its store. It’s a tough protector that offers stronger tempered glass than what you’d typically get from other manufacturers, boasting 2.7x stronger materials that make it perfect for random drops and spills.

It’s also just 0.29mm thick, so it won’t affect the phone’s touch sensor. It’s resistant against fingerprints and smudges, and comes with an easy align tray that makes it simple to apply.

Like many other screen protector brands, the Belkin UltraGlass 2 comes with a lifetime warranty, so you can get a replacement if this one doesn’t hold up.

Best iPhone 16 screen and lens protector bundle: Smartish iPhone 16 screen protector (2 pack)

The front face of your phone isn’t the only part that’s vulnerable to scratches and drops — your camera lenses need protection, as well. That’s why we like this Amazon screen protector bundle that comes with two screen protectors and two lens protectors.

They’re available for each model of the new phone. You get two great sheets of tempered, scratch-resistant glass. They’re nice and clear, simple to install thanks to their included installation frame, and versatile enough to apply to your phone even if your chosen case has a front lip.

Another thing to love about this two-pack: It’s just $25 at Amazon. Sure, these protectors don’t have all the bells and whistles you get from screen protectors that sell for double or triple the price. But considering what you get, this is an incredibly cost-effective option, especially if you have more than one new phone owner in your household.

Best blue light-reducing iPhone 16 screen protector: OtterBox Premium Pro Glass Blue Light Guard

This screen protector not only helps to defend your device from scratches and drops up to 6 feet, but it also shields your eyes from potentially harmful blue light waves. This added bonus makes the OtterBox screen protector more advanced than the others on this list.

If you want that protection and more, you can get it here: The OtterBox Premium Pro Glass Blue Light Guard screen protector features fingerprint and smudge resistance, 9H durability and a privacy screen effect that will keep others from seeing what you’re doing on your phone when it’s in viewing range.

It’ll keep its transparency for a long while, and it’s super easy to install. Though it’s an expensive option, it’s worth considering, especially if you’re on your phone a lot.

Best rugged iPhone 16 screen protection: ESR Armorite screen protector

If want to ensure your new iPhone stays as clean and nice as possible even in rough conditions, you want something heavy-duty. The ESR Armorite screen protector’s 9H+ is just what you need. It can take up to 110 pounds of impact, which can keep your phone protected at the gym or anywhere else you’re near heavy items that may drop on your phone.

You get two in a pack, and it’s super simple to apply to your phone, too. Plus, it uses a special adhesive to make sure when you do apply your new screen protector, you don’t have to contend with annoying bubbles. 

Brittany Vincent

Brittany Vincent has been covering gaming, tech, and all things entertainment for 16 years for a variety of online and print publications. She’s been covering the commerce space for nearly a decade.