Apple iPhone 16 Launched in India at Rs 79,900 with Dedicated Camera Button, New Design and Colours
The standard iPhone 16 models start at Rs 79,900, while the iPhone 16 Pro models are priced from Rs 1.20 lakh. Here's a detailed look at what each model offers in terms of optics, features, battery, and more.
By Kanika Sachdeva
At its recently held 'It's Glowtime' event, Cupertino-based Apple Inc. launched the next-generation iPhone 16, as well as the latest Apple Watches and AirPods 4 for the Indian market. The iPhone 16 lineup, consisting of the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max, is priced from Rs 79,999 to Rs 1.45 lakh. In this article, we take a look at what the new iPhone 16 series offers in terms of optics, features, battery, and more.
The iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Plus look almost identical to the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Plus, albeit with some design changes and new features. The Apple iPhone 16 models are said to be 'built from the ground up' for Apple Intelligence (AI). They come with a capacitive button, which Apple calls the Camera Control. Situated on the right side below the power button, the Camera Control button is protected by sapphire glass and lets you control various functions inside the Camera app by pressing or sliding your finger along it. The button adds 'force sensor functionality', enabling it to respond to varying levels of pressure: a light press sets the focus for a subject, while a firmer press captures the photo. Also, the button supports swipe gestures for zooming in or out.
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In addition, the smartphones feature the customisable Action button that was earlier limited to the iPhone 15 Pro smartphones. With this update, the Action button is no longer a Pro-exclusive feature and is now offered on all iPhone 16 models. The Action button is a feature introduced last year with the iPhone 15 Pro and provides options to choose between opening the camera, turning on the flashlight, recording voice memos, activating a Focus mode, and more. With the Action button, you can even lock or unlock a car through the FordPass app.
In terms of optics, the phones have a vertical camera layout, instead of a diagonal camera arrangement. On the back, there is a dual-lens system, comprising a 48-megapixel 'fusion camera' and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide snapper with a faster aperture. The camera system is capable of shooting spatial videos/photos, Macro shots, and more. You can also shoot 4K60 video using Dolby Vision HDR. The display is an OLED panel, with the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Plus retaining 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch sizes, respectively. The OLED panel comes with micro-lens technology, offering reduced power consumption and improved brightness.
Underneath the surface, the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Plus are equipped with an upgraded A-series chip (A18) built on TSMC's 3-nanometer process. Apple offers this chip with fewer GPU cores for the iPhone 16 models. The battery is said to offer a longer life, thanks to the new internal design and advanced power management of iOS 18. Colour options are as follows: Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, White, and Black. In India, the iPhone 16 is priced at Rs 79,999, while the iPhone 16 Plus costs Rs 89,900.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max: Specifications
The iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max get the Action button and the Camera Control button as well. While the main camera is the same as the iPhone 16 models, Pro models additionally get a 12-megapixel 5x Telephoto lens and a 48-megapixel ultra-wide camera. The models also offer four studio-quality microphones with reduced background noise as well as support 4K120 video recording.
Apple has also bumped up the display size of the iPhone 16 Pro from 6.1 to 6.3 inches, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch display, up by 0.2 inches. The design remains the same, but the bezels are slimmer. Like the iPhone 16 models, the OLED display is more power efficient. The devices use an A18 Pro chip, offering enhancements over the A18 chip. Built on a second-gen 3nm process, the A18 Pro comes with a 16-core Neural Engine, giving access to enhanced AI features. Apple says AI works 15 per cent faster than the iPhone 15 Pro.
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Other notable bits include ProRes video recording, better USB 3 transfer speeds, an 'advanced cooling chamber' for heat dissipation, and a new MagSafe charger for faster charging. The pricing starts at Rs 1.20 lakh for the Pro and goes up to Rs 1.45 lakh for the Pro Max.
