Tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee, popularly known as MKBHD, has reviewed the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models launched by Apple Inc. AAPL earlier this month. He also announced the launch of his new app, Panels.
What Happened: In a video posted on Tuesday, Brownlee shared his insights on the new iPhone models and introduced his new app, Panels.
Brownlee said that he has been testing the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro for about two weeks and said, “This is the most unfinished I’ve ever seen a new iPhone launch.”
Here are the highlights from his review:
Design Changes: Aesthetically, the iPhone 16 introduces new colors and slightly larger camera protrusions. The overall shape remains familiar, but it includes new buttons: an Action Button and a Camera Control button.
Battery Capacity: While Apple claims improved battery life, actual measurements show only a slight increase in capacity (approximately 6% larger across the board). Brownlee reports that battery performance feels similar to last year, lasting a full day under heavy use.
Charging Speed: The new lineup supports up to 45W wired charging and improved MagSafe wireless charging at 25W, which Brownlee finds beneficial despite the lack of a fast charging brick included in the box.
Processor and RAM: The iPhone 16 models are equipped with A18 and A18 Pro chips, providing significant performance improvements for demanding tasks. Notably, both the Pro and non-Pro models now feature 8GB of RAM, likely in preparation for future AI capabilities.
Camera Control Button: This new feature allows users more control over camera settings, such as exposure compensation and zoom. Brownlee highlighted that while the default photos may still carry an “iPhoney” look—overly brightened shadows—the new button gives users control over photography settings.
Regarding Apple Intelligence, Brownlee noted that Apple is introducing a suite of AI features branded as “Apple Intelligence” with the iPhone 16.
However, he criticized the rollout, stating that much of the marketing focuses on these AI capabilities, which were not fully available at launch. He described the phone as feeling “unfinished” due to the absence of these promised features, despite Apple heavily promoting them during their launch events
The YouTuber also announced the launch of his new app, Panels, which is now live in the app store on iOS and Android. The app is a collection of wallpapers that have been featured in his videos over the years.
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Why It Matters: The iPhone 16’s launch has been met with mixed reactions. Despite analysts predicting strong demand for the new model, lead times have been shorter than the iPhone 15, raising concerns about weaker demand.
On the other hand, T-Mobile US Inc. CEO Mike Sievert has stated that the iPhone 16 is selling at a faster pace compared to last year’s model.
Moreover, competition from Huawei’s new tri-fold phone could pose a threat to Apple’s dominance in the smartphone market.
Earlier it was reported that the iPhone 16 series failed to impress some Chinese buyers who cited the lack of AI features as the primary reason behind their discontent.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Apple
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