The iPhone 16 is a terrible iPhone.

Summary

The iPhone 16 is praised for its sleek design, lighter weight, and improved color options. Despite the lack of Pro features like ProMotion and the always-on display, the base model offers a compelling experience without compromise. However, the script criticizes iOS 18 for feeling rushed and incomplete, with promised features like Apple Intelligence not yet available. The hardware is near perfect, but concerns are raised about Apple's focus on software quality, which is crucial to the iPhone experience.

Takeaways

• 📱 The iPhone 16 is praised for its compelling hardware and design, making it a solid choice for users.
• 🔄 The reviewer suggests that this year's iPhone 16 is a return to basics with a lighter, better-looking, and more comfortable form factor.
• 🎨 The color options on the iPhone 16 are highlighted as being particularly appealing and personal.
• 📹 The iPhone 16 Pro is acknowledged for its advanced features, but these are considered too specific for the average user.
• 🚫 The reviewer points out that the gap between the Pro models and the base models has never been smaller, suggesting that the base iPhone 16 offers a great experience without the need for Pro features.
• 📸 Despite the base iPhone 16 missing a lens compared to the Pro, the camera is still considered to be of high quality and sufficient for most users.
• 🔗 The integration of photographic styles in the iPhone 16 is appreciated for allowing users to add a personal touch to their photos.
• 🎧 The audio mix feature is described as 'witchcraft', indicating that it can significantly enhance audio quality for users.
• 🔄 The camera control button is criticized for its poor implementation, being redundant and not well-integrated into the camera app.
• 💻 The reviewer expresses frustration with iOS 18, feeling that it is bloated, unfinished, and rushed, with many promised features not being available.
• 📉 The script concludes with a concern that Apple is losing its focus on software quality, which could impact the iPhone's reputation as a well-integrated hardware and software product.

Q & A

What is the main reason the speaker chooses the iPhone 16 over the Pro model?

The speaker chooses the iPhone 16 over the Pro model because it is compelling, has a perfect form factor, design, and color, and they feel it is everything iPhone hardware should be without any fatal flaws.

How does the iPhone 16 feel compared to the previous model according to the speaker?

The iPhone 16 feels much lighter, looks better, and has a comfortable soft feel in the hand due to its edges.

What is the speaker's opinion on the color options for the iPhone 16?

The speaker finds the color options on the iPhone 16 to be the best ever on an iPhone, with the color being infused into the glass itself.

Why does the speaker believe the iPhone 16 Pro might not be necessary for them?

The speaker thinks the iPhone 16 Pro might not be necessary because many of its features are starting to encroach into professional territory, which the speaker does not need for their everyday use.

What is the standout hardware change for both iPhone 16 and 16 Pro according to the speaker?

The standout hardware change is the new camera control button.

What is the speaker's main criticism of the camera control button?

The speaker criticizes the camera control button for its poor implementation, stating it is redundant and not well-integrated into the camera app.

How does the speaker feel about the performance of the A18 chip in the iPhone 16?

The speaker feels the A18 chip is already faster and more capable than they could ever need.

What is the speaker's view on the camera quality of the iPhone 16 compared to the Pro model?

The speaker believes the camera quality of the iPhone 16 is 'crazy good' despite technically being a downgrade from the Pro model, as the sensor provides more than enough headroom to work with.

What feature does the speaker wish was better implemented in iOS 18?

The speaker wishes the camera control button was better implemented in iOS 18, as it feels redundant and breaks the convenience of capturing moments.

What is the main issue the speaker has with iOS 18?

The main issue the speaker has with iOS 18 is that it feels redundant, heavy, messy, incomplete, and rushed, with many features not being ready or available.

What does the speaker believe Apple is losing sight of in their current approach?

The speaker believes Apple is losing sight of what made them Apple by focusing too much on hardware and neglecting the software experience, which is central to their identity as a company.