Our verdict
The iPhone 16 is still a very good everyday phone. It has a 6.1-inch OLED screen that Apple calls Super Retina XDR, rated at up to 1,000 nits typical brightness and up to 2,000 nits at its outdoor peak, so it stays clear in sunshine. The A18 chip should keep it quick for years. The 48MP Fusion main camera and 12MP ultrawide cover family photos, groups and scenery. At 170g it is easy to carry. The difficulty is price: Apple places it only one step below the iPhone 17, so a retailer needs to offer a worthwhile saving.
Buy it if
- You want a phone that should stay fast for years, thanks to the A18 chip
- You want a manageable phone with a reliable camera
- The complete deal is substantially cheaper than an iPhone 17
Skip it if
- You need expandable storage, as there is no memory card slot
- You want a very smooth-scrolling screen or strong camera zoom
- The total contract cost is close to the newer iPhone 17
Featured in
How it would fit your home
A manageable everyday phone
At 170g with a 6.1-inch screen, it is large enough for maps, messages and video without feeling oversized, and the A18 chip should keep it quick for years.
Family and everyday photography
The 48MP main camera favours dependable results over complicated controls, which suits people who want to point, shoot and trust that faces, pets and video will look good.
Buying on contract
Compare the full amount payable, including upfront cost and every scheduled price increase. A small-looking monthly difference can remove the saving over the full term.
The details, in plain English
Screen and everyday use
At 170g with a 6.1-inch screen, the iPhone 16 is large enough for maps, messages and video without feeling oversized. Apple lists the OLED screen (each pixel makes its own light, so blacks look deep) at 2556 x 1179 pixels, with 1,000 nits typical brightness and up to 1,600 nits peak for HDR video. The screen is not especially smooth: it does not make the phone slow, but scrolling looks less fluid than on a Pro iPhone or many Android rivals.
Camera
The 48MP Fusion main camera is dependable for family photographs, holidays and social media, while the 12MP ultrawide camera helps with groups and scenery. A useful 2x view is produced from the main sensor, but there is no dedicated zoom camera for distant subjects. Video remains a major strength, with consistent colour, strong stabilisation and simple high-detail recording.
Battery and charging
Most people should expect a normal day rather than two. Apple quotes up to 22 hours of video playback, which is a controlled test and not a promise of 22 hours of mixed use. Fast charging can reach around 50% in roughly 30 minutes with a suitable adapter, but the box contains a USB-C cable and no charging plug. Wireless charging works with MagSafe and Qi2 chargers.
Storage and longevity
The A18 chip has a 6-core processor and a 5-core graphics chip, and should stay fast for years. The 128GB model suits people who stream media and use cloud photo storage; 256GB is safer for anyone recording lots of video or keeping the phone for four or five years. Apple sells the phone with 128GB, 256GB or 512GB, and you cannot add a memory card later.
Strengths and drawbacks
What it does well
- 6.1-inch size: easier to manage than the Plus and Pro Max phones
- 48MP Fusion main camera and 12MP ultrawide: dependable photos of people, holidays and groups, plus excellent video
- A18 chip: fast, with plenty of room for future software
- USB-C connector, plus MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging at up to 25W (Apple's figure)
- IP68 dust and water resistance, rated by Apple to 6 metres for 30 minutes
What to watch out for
- The screen looks less fluid when scrolling than many similarly priced Android phones
- No dedicated long-distance zoom camera: the 2x view is produced from the main sensor
- 128GB can become restrictive if you record lots of high-detail video, and cannot be expanded with a memory card
- The box holds only a USB-C cable: Apple does not include a charging plug
The iPhone 16 remains widely available through UK retailers and mobile networks. Its continuing presence makes it relevant, but availability is not proof that every deal is good value. Compare it with the iPhone 17 and similarly priced Android phones before committing.
Make the Apple iPhone 16 easier to live with
Add-ons that answer a drawback we named above. Check compatibility with your exact model before buying.
Solves: the box holds only a USB-C cable: Apple does not include a charging plug
Belkin BoostCharge WCA005myWH, 30W USB-C PD 3.0 PPS, UK white version Not yet reviewed by us
Provides a suitable USB-C wall-power where charging equipment or modest charging is named. It does not make the phone charge above its own limit.
Check first: Supplies USB-C power; it cannot exceed the phone’s charging limit.
Alternatives we have reviewed
| Product | Our verdict | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Apple iPhone 16 (this one) | An excellent everyday iPhone for anyone who wants a manageable 6.1-inch phone with a dependable camera, when the price is properly below the iPhone 17. | £799RRP · 128GB storage, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Apple iPhone 15 | Still a good iPhone, but only when its 128GB price is clearly below the iPhone 16's. | £799RRP · 128GB storage, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Apple iPhone 17 | The easiest current iPhone to recommend if you want a smooth 120Hz screen, dependable cameras and 256GB of storage without paying for a Pro model. | £899RRP · 256GB, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Apple iPhone 17e | The easiest route into a current iPhone, with generous storage, provided you accept a single rear camera and a screen that scrolls less smoothly than many Android phones. | £699RRP · 256GB storage, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
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Where our findings come from
Research-based review, compiled from Apple's technical specifications, current UK retailer listings, and hands-on testing published by Tom's Guide and TechRadar. UKTechExpert has not tested this handset directly. Prices and availability were checked on 29 July 2026 and can change.