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| Specification | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 18 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Premiere | 2024 | 2026 |
| Dimensions | 149.6 × 71.5 × 8.25 mm | 150.0 × 71.9 × 8.75 mm |
| Weight | 199 g | 211 g |
| Housing | Titanium + glass | Aluminum unibody + Ceramic Shield 2 |
| Screen | 6.3″ OLED, 120 Hz | 6.3″ OLED, 120 Hz |
| Resolution | 2622 × 1206 | 2622 × 1206 |
| Peak brightness outdoors | 2,000 nits | 3,000 nits |
| Processor | A18 Pro | A20 Pro |
| Storage | 128 GB–1 TB | 256 GB–2 TB |
| Main Camera | Fusion 48 MP, ƒ/1.78 | Fusion 48 MP, variable aperture ƒ/1.48–ƒ/4.0 |
| Ultra-wide-angle | 48 MP | 48 MP |
| Telephoto lens | 12 MP, 5x | 48 MP, 4x |
| Front camera | 12 MP | Center Stage 18 MP |
| Video | up to 4K at 120 fps | up to 4K at 120 fps |
| Battery – video | up to 27 hours | up to 34 hours |
| Fast charging | 50% in about 30 minutes | 50% in about 15 min |
| USB-C | USB 3, up to 10 Gb/s | USB 3, up to 10 Gb/s |
| System | iOS 18 | iOS 27 |
| Specification | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 18 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 149.6 mm | 150.0 mm |
| Width | 71.5 mm | 71.9 mm |
| Thickness | 8.25 mm | 8.75 mm |
| Weight | 199 g | 211 g |
| Material | Titanium | Aluminum |
In terms of size, the difference is slight, but the iPhone 18 Pro is 12 g heavier and 0.5 mm thicker. The iPhone 16 Pro features a titanium frame and matte glass on the back, while the 18 Pro has an aluminum unibody design and Ceramic Shield 2 on both the front and back.
If you’re looking for the lightest phone possible, the 16 Pro has a practical advantage here. The 18 Pro, on the other hand, is designed to improve heat dissipation and ensure long-lasting performance. Both models have an IP68 rating according to Apple’s specifications.
| Specification | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 18 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Diagonal | 6.3″ | 6.3″ |
| Resolution | 2622 × 1206 | 2622 × 1206 |
| Refresh rate | up to 120 Hz | up to 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness outdoors | 2,000 nits | 3,000 nits |
| Always-On | Yes | Yes |
| ProMotion | Yes | Yes |
On paper, the two screens are very similar. The biggest change in the 18 Pro is brightness—up to 3,000 nits outdoors, compared to 2,000 nits in the 16 Pro. The resolution, screen size, and adaptive refresh rate of up to 120 Hz remain the same.
In practice, this means that switching from the 16 Pro to the 18 Pro won’t be a game-changer in terms of smoothness or image detail. The difference is more noticeable when using the phone in bright sunlight, where the extra brightness can improve readability.
| Specification | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 18 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | A18 Pro | A20 Pro |
| CPU | 6 cores | 6 cores |
| GPU | 6 cores | 7 cores |
| Neural Engine | 16 cores | dual 16-core system |
| Ray tracing | Yes | Yes |
| Cooling | Standard Solution | newer steam chamber |
The A20 Pro is the successor to the A18 Pro and was designed to deliver greater performance and maintain that performance better during longer, more demanding tasks. Apple has paired it with a new vapor chamber in the A18 Pro to help dissipate heat.
For the average user, however, the difference may not be noticeable when opening apps or using social media. Those who play demanding games, edit videos, or make heavy use of AI features stand to gain the most.
| Camera | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 18 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Main | 48 MP, ƒ/1.78 | 48 MP, variable aperture ƒ/1.48–ƒ/4.0 |
| Ultra-wide-angle | 48 MP | 48 MP |
| Telephoto lens | 12 MP, 5x | 48 MP, 4x |
| Front | 12 MP | 18 MP Center Stage |
| ProRAW | Yes | Yes |
| Night Mode | Yes | Yes |
The most interesting change in the 18 Pro is the variable aperture on the main camera. Users can adjust the aperture from ƒ/1.48 to ƒ/4.0, which provides greater control over the amount of light and depth of field. The new model also features a 48-megapixel telephoto lens and an 18-megapixel Center Stage front-facing camera.
The 16 Pro still boasts a very powerful camera setup: a 48 MP main camera, a 48 MP ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 5x telephoto lens. If you mainly shoot in automatic mode, the difference between generations may be smaller than the specs alone suggest. For those who want to manually control their photography, the 18 Pro offers significantly more options.
| Feature | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 18 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 4K Dolby Vision | Yes | Yes |
| 4K 120 fps | Yes | Yes |
| ProRes | Yes | Yes |
| Log | Yes | Yes |
| Action Mode | Yes | Yes |
| ProRes RAW | No | Yes |
| Apple Log 2 | No | Yes |
| Genlock | No | Yes |
Both phones can record 4K at 120 fps, which was already a standout feature on the 16 Pro. The 18 Pro expands professional recording capabilities with ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2, genlock, and additional image parameter controls.
If you plan to use your phone for short videos, TikTok, YouTube, or family videos, the 16 Pro still has a lot to offer. The 18 Pro makes more sense for people who will actually take advantage of advanced formats and settings when producing videos.
| Specification | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 18 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Video playback | up to 27 hours | up to 34 hours |
| Video streaming | up to 22 hours | up to 31 hours |
| Fast charging | 50% / approx. 30 min | 50% / approx. 15 min |
| USB | USB 3, up to 10 Gb/s | USB 3, up to 10 Gb/s |
| MagSafe | up to 25 W | up to 25 W |
Here, the difference is more significant. Apple claims up to 34 hours of video playback for the 18 Pro, while the 16 Pro offers up to 27 hours. The newer model can also be charged to 50% in about 15 minutes using a compatible 60 W power adapter or higher, while the 16 Pro takes about 30 minutes.
If you use your phone frequently throughout the day, record a lot of content, or travel without access to a charger, the extra hours of battery life may be more noticeable than the difference in processor performance.
| Capacity | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 18 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 128 GB | Yes | No |
| 256 GB | Yes | Yes |
| 512 GB | Yes | Yes |
| 1 TB | Yes | Yes |
| 2 TB | No | Yes |
The iPhone 18 Pro starts at 256 GB, and the maximum storage capacity has increased to 2 TB. With the iPhone 16 Pro, you could also choose a 128 GB model, which may be sufficient if you mainly use streaming and cloud services.
If you shoot a lot of 4K videos, more storage space quickly stops being a luxury. On the other hand, people who mainly use messaging apps, the internet, and photos can easily opt for 256 GB instead of paying extra for the highest-end models.
Choose the iPhone 18 Pro if:
Choose the iPhone 16 Pro if:
The launch of the new generation of iPhones might be a good time to take a look at older models in the Pro series. The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max still offer high performance, great cameras, and a ProMotion display, and the refurbished version lets you buy one at a lower price than a brand-new model. This is a good option for people who don’t need every new feature but still want a high-end phone.
A refurbished smartphone undergoes a thorough, 44-step testing process that checks its most important components and features. After passing these checks, the device is fully functional and ready for continued use, so buying a refurbished phone doesn’t mean sacrificing quality or functionality. It’s a way to continue using reliable equipment for years to come instead of replacing your phone just because a new generation has hit the market.
Choosing a refurbished iPhone also has an environmental aspect. Reusing a working device extends its life cycle and reduces the need to manufacture another smartphone—and, along with it, the consumption of raw materials, energy, and resources required to produce new electronics. By purchasing a refurbished model, you can therefore combine a lower purchase price with a more responsible approach to electronics.
Yes, the 18 Pro introduces, among other things, a variable aperture on the 48 MP main camera, a 48-megapixel telephoto lens, and an 18 MP Center Stage front-facing camera. The iPhone 16 Pro still offers a very comprehensive camera system with a 48 MP main camera, a 48 MP ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 5x telephoto lens.
Yes. It has a 120 Hz ProMotion OLED display, an A18 Pro chip, a 48 MP camera, and the ability to record 4K video at 120 fps, so it still offers a wide range of features.
According to Apple, yes: the 18 Pro offers up to 34 hours of video playback, and the 16 Pro up to 27 hours. The newer model also supports faster charging—up to 50% in about 15 minutes with the appropriate power adapter.
This could be an interesting option for someone who doesn’t need the latest features but wants a good iPhone at a lower price.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I’m passionate about refurbished electronics – I show that you can have great equipment without overpaying and without adding more electronics junk. On the blog, I share my knowledge and experience to inspire smarter and more informed technology choices.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I’m passionate about refurbished electronics – I show that you can have great equipment without overpaying and without adding more electronics junk. On the blog, I share my knowledge and experience to inspire smarter and more informed technology choices.
