The Apple iPhone 16 Plus arrives as the big-screen, big-battery member of the standard iPhone 16 line, announced in September 2024 and built around Apple’s 3 nm A18 chip. It pairs a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel with a dual 48 MP camera system, a roomy 4674 mAh battery, and Apple Intelligence-ready hardware, all wrapped in an aluminum frame with the latest Ceramic Shield glass.
Positioned between the compact iPhone 16 and the Pro models, the 16 Plus is for buyers who want maximum endurance and screen real estate without paying Pro Max money. This article looks at where it delivers real value, how it handles everyday performance and photography, and which type of user will get the most out of it.
Full Specifications
Network
| Technology: | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| 2G bands: | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| CDMA 800 / 1900 | |
| 3G bands: | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| 4G bands: | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66 – A3290 |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66, 71 – A3082 | |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66, 71 – A3289 | |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66 – A3291 | |
| 5G bands: | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 – A3290 |
| 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave – A3082 | |
| 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 – A3289 | |
| 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 – A3291 | |
| Speed: | HSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
Launch
| Announced: | 2024, September 09 |
| Status: | Available. Released 2024, September 20 |
Body
| Dimensions: | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm (6.33 x 3.06 x 0.31 in) |
| Weight: | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| Build: | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| SIM: | Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International)eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA)Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China) |
| IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 6m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified) |
Display
| Type: | Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM) |
| Size: | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~88.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution: | 1290 x 2796 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) |
| Protection: | Ceramic Shield glass (2024 gen), Mohs level 4 |
Platform
| OS: | iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 18.6 |
| Chipset: | Apple A18 (3 nm) |
| CPU: | Hexa-core (2×4.04 GHz + 4×2.20 GHz) |
| GPU: | Apple GPU (5-core graphics) |
Memory
| Card slot: | No |
| Internal: | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM |
| NVMe |
Main Camera
| Dual: | 48 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.56″, 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Features: | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) |
| Video: | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), stereo sound rec. |
Selfie camera
| Single: | 12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6″, 1.0µm, PDAF SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) |
| Features: | HDR, Dolby Vision HDR, 3D (spatial) audio, stereo sound rec. |
| Video: | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
Sound
| Loudspeaker: | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 3.5mm jack: | No |
Comms
| WLAN: | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, tri-band, hotspot |
| Bluetooth: | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Positioning: | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| NFC: | Yes |
| Radio: | No |
| USB: | USB Type-C 2.0, DisplayPort |
Features
| Sensors: | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Ultra Wideband (UWB) support (gen2 chip) Emergency SOS, Messages and Find My via satellite |
Battery
| Type: | Li-Ion 4674 mAh |
| Charging: | Wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 25W wireless (MagSafe), 15W wireless (China only) 15W wireless (Qi2) 4.5W reverse wired |
Misc
| Colors: | Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine |
| Models: | A3290, A3082, A3289, A3291, iPhone17,4 |
| SAR: | 1.13 W/kg (head) 1.16 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU: | 1.24 W/kg (head) 1.33 W/kg (body) |
| Price: | € 795.69 / $ 590.69 / £ 650.00 / ₹ 81,900 |
Our Tests
| Performance: | AnTuTu: 1727276 (v10) GeekBench: 7927 (v6) 3DMark: 4324 (Wild Life Extreme) |
| Display: | 1823 nits max brightness (measured) |
| Loudspeaker: | -25.2 LUFS (Very good) |
| Battery: | Active use score 18:49h |
EU LABEL
| Energy: | Class B |
| Battery: | 48:00h endurance, 1000 cycles |
| Free fall: | Class C (90 falls) |
| Repairability: | Class C |
Price and Availability
The Apple iPhone 16 Plus offers a compelling combination of features and performance. While the base price is around €796, the actual cost may vary depending on your location and retailer. Below, you’ll find the approximate price of the Apple iPhone 16 Plus converted into various currencies. Please note that these are estimates based on recent exchange rates as of June 21, 2026 and may not reflect the exact price you’ll find at a retailer.
- United States: $913
- Japan: ¥147,148
- United Kingdom: £690
- Australia: A$1,301
- Canada: C$1,291
- Taiwan: NT$28,864
- Denmark: kr5.937
- Saudi Arabia: ﷼3,422
- South Korea: ₩1,397,471
- Germany: €796
- Brazil: R$4.704
- Vietnam: ₫23.991.942
- Kenya: KSh 118,275
- India: ₹86,082
- Indonesia: Rp 16.217.736
- Nigeria: ₦1,230,053
- Pakistan: ₨254,135
- Philippines: ₱55,400
- Bangladesh: ৳১,১২,১০৫
Why Should You Buy the iPhone 16 Plus?
The iPhone 16 Plus exists to answer one question: what if you want the largest, longest-lasting iPhone but don’t need the telephoto lens, ProMotion display, or titanium frame of the Pro Max? It keeps the flagship A18 chip and a generous 6.7-inch screen while trimming the extras that push the price higher. For mainstream users who prioritize battery life and a big canvas over pro-grade photography, it hits a practical sweet spot.
Design and Build Quality
At 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm and 199 g, the 16 Plus is a substantial but well-balanced phone. The glass front, glass back, and aluminum frame feel premium, and IP68 rating means it survives immersion up to 6 m for 30 minutes. The 2024-generation Ceramic Shield glass (rated Mohs level 4) improves scratch resistance, and the new colors—Black, White, Pink, Teal, and Ultramarine—lean playful rather than understated. The Action button and the new capacitive Camera Control add tactile shortcuts that the older Plus models lacked.
Display Experience
The Super Retina XDR OLED measures 6.7 inches at 1290 x 2796 pixels (~460 ppi), with HDR10 and Dolby Vision support. Apple quotes 1000 nits typical and 2000 nits peak brightness, and independent testing measured around 1823 nits—bright enough for confident outdoor visibility. The main compromise versus the Pro line is the fixed 60 Hz refresh rate; scrolling and animations won’t feel as fluid as a 120 Hz panel, which is the one area where the price gap with the Pro Max shows clearly.
Performance and Software
The A18 (3 nm) chip with a hexa-core CPU and 5-core GPU delivers flagship-class speed, backed by 8 GB of RAM across the 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB storage tiers. Benchmark results—AnTuTu around 1,727,276, GeekBench 6 near 7927, and a 3DMark Wild Life Extreme score of 4324—confirm it handles demanding games and multitasking with ease. It ships on iOS 18 (upgradable to iOS 18.6) and is built to support Apple Intelligence features, with Apple’s long track record of multi-year software updates adding to its longevity.
Camera Capabilities
The dual rear setup combines a 48 MP wide sensor (f/1.6, sensor-shift OIS, dual pixel PDAF) with a 12 MP ultrawide (f/2.2, 120˚) that also enables macro shots. Video is a strong suit, with 4K up to 60fps, Dolby Vision HDR, and stereo audio recording. The 12 MP front camera supports 4K video and Face ID biometrics. There’s no dedicated telephoto, so zoom relies on the 48 MP sensor’s 2x crop, but for everyday photography and video the results are reliably excellent.
Battery Life and Charging
Endurance is the headline feature. The 4674 mAh battery posted an Active Use score of 18:49 hours, and the phone supports wired PD charging (50% in roughly 30 minutes), 25W MagSafe wireless, 15W Qi2, and 4.5W reverse wired charging. The EU energy label rates it Class B for efficiency with a 1000-cycle battery rating, underscoring that this is a phone you can comfortably push through a long day and beyond.
Connectivity
The 16 Plus is thoroughly modern: 5G with Sub6 and mmWave on US variants, Wi-Fi 7 (tri-band), Bluetooth 5.3, and second-generation Ultra Wideband. USB-C arrives here at USB 2.0 speeds with DisplayPort output, and NFC enables Apple Pay. Satellite connectivity adds Emergency SOS, Messages, and Find My when off-grid, while dual eSIM support suits frequent travelers.
Who Should Buy It?
This is the iPhone for users who want the biggest screen and longest battery in the standard line without stepping up to the Pro Max. It’s ideal for media watchers, heavy daily users, and anyone upgrading from an older Plus or non-Pro iPhone. Photography enthusiasts who want optical telephoto zoom or gamers who crave a 120 Hz display should weigh the Pro Max instead.
Conclusion
The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is a confident big-screen flagship that leads with endurance, a bright OLED display, and the powerful A18 chip, all at a price below the Pro tier. Its only notable trade-offs are the 60 Hz refresh rate and the absence of a telephoto lens. If you want maximum battery life and screen size in a clean, future-proof iPhone—and don’t need Pro-exclusive extras—the 16 Plus is an easy recommendation.
