The all-around best smartphone with A18 chip and camera control
Visit Apple →The iPhone 16 continues Apple's tradition of refined, user-friendly smartphones that just work, while adding meaningful improvements that make it the best all-around iPhone in years. Powered by the new A18 chip, the iPhone 16 delivers class-leading performance and efficiency, with Apple claiming it's the fastest smartphone chip on the market. The new Camera Control button adds a dedicated way to capture photos and videos, with haptic feedback and gesture support that feels intuitive and natural. The camera system has been enhanced with a new 48MP Fusion main camera and improved computational photography, while the Dynamic Island and always-on display (on the Pro models) offer convenient ways to stay informed. With iOS 18's new features, including enhanced AI capabilities through Apple Intelligence, and the tight integration with the Apple ecosystem, the iPhone 16 is the best choice for most smartphone buyers — especially those already invested in Apple's world of devices and services.
Apple's latest A18 chip delivers industry-leading performance with 6-core CPU, 6-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine. Faster than any Android smartphone chip, with excellent power efficiency for all-day battery life.
New dedicated Camera Control button with haptic feedback and gesture support. Tap to capture, slide to zoom, press and hold for video recording — a more intuitive way to control the camera.
Apple's personal AI system built into iOS 18. Writing tools, image generation, Siri improvements, and smart features across apps — all on-device for privacy. Available on A18 and newer chips.
The latest iOS with customizable home screens, enhanced privacy features, and deep integration with Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, and AirPods. AirDrop, Handoff, Universal Clipboard, and Continuity features work seamlessly.
Built-in malware blocker, ad blocker, and tracker protection that operates even when the VPN is disconnected. Automatically scans downloaded files for threats before they can execute.
Proprietary protocol based on WireGuard that delivers exceptional speed without compromising security. Up to 2x faster than OpenVPN in our standardized speed tests.
Create encrypted private tunnels between up to 60 devices for secure file sharing, remote access, and virtual LAN parties regardless of where the devices are physically located.
Get a personal static IP address that only you use. Ideal for accessing IP-restricted corporate networks, online banking, and avoiding constant CAPTCHA prompts.
| Display | 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, 2556x1179, 60Hz |
|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A18 Bionic (3nm) |
| Camera | 48MP main (f/1.78) + 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2) |
| Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9) |
| Battery | ~3,561 mAh, up to 22 hours video playback |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB |
| Charging | USB-C (27W wired, 15W MagSafe, 12W Qi) |
| OS | iOS 18 |
| Feature | iPhone 16 | Samsung Galaxy S25 | Google Pixel 9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $799 | $849 | $699 |
| Display | 6.1" OLED 60Hz | 6.2" OLED 120Hz | 6.3" OLED 120Hz |
| Chipset | Apple A18 | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Tensor G4 |
| Main Camera | 48MP | 50MP | 50MP |
| Battery Life | Up to 22h video | Up to 23h video | Up to 24h video |
| Software Support | 6+ years iOS | 7 years OS/security | 7 years OS/security |
| AI Features | Apple Intelligence | Galaxy AI | Gemini + Pixel AI |
| Water Resistance | IP68 (6m, 30min) | IP68 (1.5m, 30min) | IP68 (1.5m, 30min) |
If you have an iPhone 14 or older, the iPhone 16 is a significant upgrade with a much faster chip, better camera system, the new Camera Control button, Apple Intelligence support, and USB-C. From iPhone 15, it's a more incremental upgrade — the A18 chip and Camera Control are nice improvements, but if your iPhone 15 is working well, you could easily wait another year. The biggest reason to upgrade from 15 would be if you want Apple Intelligence features.
Apple Intelligence is Apple's personal AI system that integrates across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. It includes writing tools, image generation (Image Playground), improved Siri, smart reply suggestions, and more. Yes, the iPhone 16 supports Apple Intelligence because it has the A18 chip. It requires an A17 Pro or newer chip, so it works on iPhone 16, 16 Pro, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max — but not on the standard iPhone 15.
The iPhone 16 has an excellent camera system that continues to be one of the best in smartphones. Apple's computational photography is particularly strong for video recording, portrait mode, and consistent color reproduction. Android flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S25 and Google Pixel 9 have their own strengths — Samsung has more versatile zoom lenses and higher resolution sensors, while Pixel leads in computational photography and night mode. The iPhone is still the best for video quality and consistency across different lighting conditions.
This depends on your current situation. If your current phone is working fine and you're not in a hurry, waiting is always an option — the iPhone 17 will likely bring even more improvements. However, if you need a new phone now or your current phone is on its last legs, the iPhone 16 is an excellent choice. It's a polished, well-rounded smartphone that will feel fast and modern for years to come, thanks to Apple's long software support.
The iPhone 16 is the best all-around smartphone for most people in 2026. It combines industry-leading performance with an excellent camera system, the intuitive new Camera Control button, and the unbeatable Apple ecosystem integration. While the premium price and lack of some features (like high refresh rate on the base model) keep it from being perfect, the overall package is polished, reliable, and built to last. If you're in the Apple ecosystem or just want a smartphone that just works beautifully, the iPhone 16 is our top recommendation.
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