Apple iPhone 16

The iPhone 16 strikes a good balance between screen size and comfort. At 170g, it should not feel as heavy or awkward as Apple's largest phones. The 6.1-inch screen is bright and clear enough for maps, messages and watching video outdoors. The main compromise is how smoothly it moves. This does not make the phone slow, but scrolling does not look as fluid as it does on a Pro iPhone or many similarly priced Android phones.

The main camera is well suited to family photos, holidays, pets and social media. You can point, shoot and usually expect a good result. There is a closer 2x view, but it is not the same as having a dedicated zoom lens. Video is a stronger reason to buy, with independent testing praising its colour, stabilisation and straightforward high-quality recording.

Expect a normal day of use rather than two days away from the charger. Apple's claim of up to 22 hours of stored video playback comes from a controlled test, so it is not a promise of 22 hours of mixed everyday use. With a suitable adapter, the battery can reach roughly 50% in around 30 minutes. A USB-C cable is included, but the charging plug is not.

The phone has plenty of speed for everyday apps and should remain fast for years. The 128GB model will be enough if you stream most media and keep photos in cloud storage. I would consider 256GB if you record lots of video or plan to keep the phone for four or five years. You cannot add a memory card later.