ICYMI: Apple launched the brand new iPhone 16 lineup on Monday, together with several other new products and software developments, together with AirPods 4, the Apple Watch Series 10, and new upgrades to the AirPods Professional 2 mannequin to create clinical-grade hearing aids.
And when you’re in all probability anticipating ZDNET’s workforce of tech consultants to say that we’re all hopping on the iPhone 16 bandwagon because of flashy guarantees of Apple Intelligence, a brand new camera control button, and an upgraded design, you would be incorrect. Regardless of many people extensively protecting the event of flagship tech (particularly smartphones) over time with a fervent ardour and curiosity, outdoors of our work, we’re in all probability so much such as you.
Additionally: 4 ways I reuse my old iPhones instead of trading them in – including with robots
We’re all the time in search of deals on prime merchandise, weighing the professionals and cons earlier than upgrading or shopping for new ones, and in search of the most effective long-term worth in our tech. So perhaps you are shocked to be taught that regardless of protecting the newest cellphone launches, from the iPhone 16 to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, a few of us are nonetheless comfortably utilizing our iPhone 12s, 13s, and 14s — and are not essentially all in on shopping for a brand new mannequin.
Listed here are the highest the explanation why we’re (or aren’t) upgrading to the iPhone 16 within the coming months, together with issues of Apple Intelligence, digicam options, and preorder or trade-in affords which are simply too good to cross up.
Here is why ZDNET editors can be upgrading to the iPhone 16
1. The digicam
Maybe some of the vital options of any smartphone as of late is the digicam, so it’s no shock that digicam high quality is an enormous consideration for ZDNET editors. It in all probability is for you, too. The iPhone 16 lineup features a new Camera Control function that works in panorama or portrait mode with a button on the facet of the iPhone. As well as, you possibly can evenly press the button to indicate digicam features you possibly can select from, akin to zoom, publicity, or focal lengths, by swiping between the choices.
Additionally: Why the iPhone 16 Pro is Apple’s biggest Pro upgrade in years, and I can’t wait to buy one
The Digital camera Management makes use of Apple’s Visual Intelligence to allow you to seize a photograph of issues round you, like a poster or a restaurant, then makes use of iPhone’s AI functionality to seek for it to provide you extra info — much like the Google Lens function discovered on Android telephones. In contrast to final 12 months, the iPhone 16 Professional and iPhone 16 Professional Max each comprise the identical digicam, it is most spectacular but. These fashions have a brand new 48MP fusion digicam, an up to date 48MP ultrawide digicam, and the identical 5x optical zoom succesful 12MP telephoto digicam. Customers can snap 48MP macro photographs and shoot 4K Dolby Imaginative and prescient movies at as much as 120fps (together with slow-mo movies), making these telephones nice for creators and photographers. A number of ZDNET editors are able to improve due to this digicam alone, particularly ZDNET’s Sabrina Ortiz, who has an excellent disdain for the digicam on her iPhone 14 Professional.
Additionally: I want to be excited about the iPhone 16’s new camera button, but can’t (for now)
“I’ve the most important one-sided beef on the planet with the iPhone 14. I may give you materials for years. Primarily as a result of the digicam is the worst factor I ever skilled on an iPhone. Even the bottom iPhone 16 mannequin seems to be means higher,” Ortiz says.
2. Commerce-in offers and provider affords
I instructed you we’re actually all identical to you. Some ZDNET tech consultants are prepared to leap to the brand new iPhone 16 because of nice provider and trade-in affords on the fashions and are much more enthusiastic in the event that they’re prepared for an improve.
ZDNET contributor Ed Bott is planning to improve his iPhone 12 Professional Max for a brand new iPhone for his spouse. “I’m planning to improve as a result of it’s value $800 as a trade-in at T-Cell. I’ll give the brand new cellphone to my spouse and can use her iPhone 14 Professional Max, which is a secondary cellphone for me. The iPhone 12 Professional Max nonetheless works nice, however the trade-in worth is just too good to cross up,” Bott says. Equally, workers author Allison Murray is prepared for an improve from her iPhone 12 Professional and is content material with the brand new base iPhone 16’s choices to make the flip.
Additionally: iPhone 16 Pro vs. iPhone 13 Pro: Should you upgrade to Apple’s latest model?
And for those who’re seeking to change carriers, like managing editor Alison DeNisco Rayome, among the trade-in affords make it exhausting to withstand. “I nonetheless have the 13, and the trade-in offers are making it value it for me to improve to the 16 (plus we need to swap carriers, so even higher),” she says.
Verizon and T-Cell have similar offers proper now, and so they’re fairly candy. At T-Cell, new and current prospects can get a free iPhone 16 Professional with a trade-in on the Go5G Subsequent plan, or as much as $1,000 off on any iPhone 16 mannequin.
3. For work
Okay, this one comes as no shock. There was certain to be a few of us upgrading as a result of nicely, we do work in tech in spite of everything, and what higher option to cowl Apple’s iPhones than really proudly owning the brand new mannequin your self? So whereas this is probably not an relevant purpose for some, for these in tech it’s generally justifiable.
ZDNET contributor Lance Whitney says he often upgrades each two years however can be upgrading to the iPhone 16 Professional from a 14 Professional largely as a result of bigger display, digicam, and AI options, but in addition due to the work he makes a speciality of. “As a author, I all the time hope to have the ability to write concerning the new iPhone I purchase to assist justify the price,” Whitney says. Equally, ZDNET’s David Gewirtz is making the soar totally on account of working in tech.
“I will in all probability order someday this month. [I’m] under no circumstances enthused by the 16. If it weren’t for this gig, I might in all probability wait to improve till new iOS updates will not set up anymore,” Gewirtz says.
Additionally: iPhone 16 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro: Should you upgrade to the latest model?
ZDNET’s Jason Perlow is bumping up for related causes. “I’m upgrading from my 15 Professional Max to a 16 Professional Max as a result of I’m on the iPhone Improve Program, and as I cowl developments with Apple, it’s a enterprise expense and [ultimately] it is buying and selling one mortgage cost for an additional. No different purpose, though the digicam enhancements appear good. I debated skipping, however there wasn’t a lot of a draw back,” he says.
Here is why ZDNET editors will not be upgrading to the iPhone 16
1. The Apple Intelligence options aren’t good
Apple’s largest flexes over the previous few months have been their Apple Intelligence and AI options, which the iPhone 16 is the guinea pig for. Whereas a few of these new AI options are undeniably cool, like the brand new Digital camera Management, enhanced Siri options, and extra, the options are nonetheless restricted to the iPhone 15 Professional and above and rolling out solely in beta over the subsequent few weeks.
Basically, that is Apple’s first iPhone marketed with an AI push, and like the whole lot in tech, there’s certain to be some kinks that should be labored out. ZDNET’s Kyle Kucharski simply is not on board with paying to improve for unpolished AI options. “The trade-in offers are tempting however as many writers have acknowledged, the [iPhone 16] finally seems like a stepping stone. I am betting that ready yet one more 12 months (which will not be exhausting given the truth that my 12 nonetheless works nicely) can be extra impactful,” he says.
Additionally: iOS 18 update: Every iPhone model that will support Apple’s new AI features (for now)
Jason Perlow is on the identical web page. “Let’s not diminish the product for what it’s: the iPhone 16 is undeniably nice {hardware}. However until you are utilizing a previous cellphone — like my colleague David Gewirtz’s iPhone 12, which is 4 generations behind — it is best to strongly think about skipping this era. Why? As a result of Apple Intelligence, whereas promising, continues to be in its infancy,” Perlow wrote in one in every of his recent pieces.
2. Not compelled sufficient to improve
As evaluations editor Kyle Kucharski says, it is by no means a good suggestion to blindly replace your cellular tech yearly with out pondering. You have to have at the least one good purpose to payout for a brand new mannequin when the one you may have is working completely advantageous.
Additionally: The 7 best iOS 18 features that will make updating your iPhone worthwhile
Employees author Maria Diaz thinks the identical. “I’ve the iPhone 14 Professional Max and am nonetheless pleased with it. It performs simply in addition to after I acquired it. I want the digicam had been higher (however the BlackMagic app helps so much with this) and I would really like the comfort of a USB-C port, however it’s nonetheless working nicely sufficient that I do not really feel compelled in any respect to get an iPhone 16. I am holding out for subsequent 12 months, at the least,” Diaz says. Kucharski is on the identical web page. “I nonetheless have the 12, and the underside line: it nonetheless works advantageous,” he says.
3. Expense and trouble
Typically it is the obvious elements that affect our decisions. The expense and trouble of coordinating a brand new cellphone is probably not in some folks’s budgets simply but (actually and figuratively). I am on this division. It could be actually cool to have that shiny, stunning, and gloriously pink iPhone 16, however my iPhone 14 Professional works fully advantageous (regardless that its battery grinds my gears), and I’ve no good purpose to improve past wanting a pink cellphone. It could be an added expense on each my pockets and my time (organising a brand new cellphone shouldn’t be a one-day course of; change my thoughts). Plus, I often maintain my telephones till they crap out anyway, so an improve proper now’s simply not within the playing cards.
ZDNET’s Adrian Kingsley-Hughes continues to be on the fence, however we agree on one factor. “It is a ton of cash,” he says.
Learn how to preorder the iPhone 16
In case you resolve to improve to Apple’s newest iPhone mannequin, there are some things to know. Preorders for the iPhone 16 begin at 5:00 a.m. PDT on Friday, September 16 at Apple and mobile carriers. The telephones can be launched to the general public on September 20.
Additionally: The 5 best iPhone 16 Pro features that enthusiasts will care about
The iPhone 16 will begin at $799, and the iPhone 16 Plus will begin at $899. Relying in your cellphone provider, you possibly can stand up to $800 off while you commerce in an iPhone 12 or newer.
The iPhone 16 Pro will begin at $999 and the iPhone 16 Pro Max will begin at $1,199. You possibly can stand up to $650 off with an eligible trade-in.