The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus have officially launched in global markets, including India, bringing Apple's most significant mainstream upgrade in years. Powered by the all-new A18 chip and running iOS 18 with built-in Apple Intelligence, these two models represent a major step forward for Apple's standard iPhone lineup. Read on for the full iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus price, specs, and everything you need to know.
- The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are powered by the new A18 chip, bringing Apple Intelligence (AI) to the standard lineup for the first time.
- Both models feature a new Capture button, an Action button, a triple rear camera Fusion Camera System, and IP68-rated water resistance.
- iPhone 16 starts at $799 (approx. Rs 67,000) for 128GB; iPhone 16 Plus starts at $899 (approx. Rs 75,500) for 128GB.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus: Price and Availability
Apple has priced the iPhone 16 starting at $799 (approximately Rs 67,000) for the base 128GB model. It is also available in 256GB and 512GB storage variants. The iPhone 16 Plus starts at $899 (approximately Rs 75,500) for the 128GB configuration, with storage options going up to 512GB as well.
Pre-orders for both models opened on Friday, September 13, with the general sale kicking off on September 20. For more details on Apple's full product range, visit the Apple brand page.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus: Full Specifications
Both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus run iOS 18 out of the box and are built around the brand-new octa-core A18 chipset — the same class of silicon previously reserved for Pro models. This chip enables Apple Intelligence, Apple's on-device AI system, which brings a suite of intelligent features to everyday tasks.
Display and Design
The iPhone 16 sports a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with Dynamic Island, Ceramic Shield protection, and up to 2,000 nits peak brightness. The iPhone 16 Plus steps up to a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with identical panel specs. Both phones carry an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance and connect via a USB Type-C port.
Camera: The Fusion Camera System
Unlike previous standard iPhone models, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus now feature a triple rear camera setup — a first for the standard lineup. This includes:
- A 48MP wide-angle camera with f/1.6 aperture and 2x in-sensor zoom
- A 12MP depth sensor with f/1.6 aperture and 2x telephoto capability
- A 12MP ultrawide lens mounted in the lower ring of the Dynamic Island camera module
Apple calls this arrangement the Fusion Camera System. Both models also benefit from machine learning-powered audio improvements that reduce wind noise and background noise during recording. A 12MP TrueDepth front camera handles selfies and video calls.
New Controls: Capture Button and Action Button
Two new hardware controls debut on the iPhone 16 lineup. The Capture button launches the Camera app with a single press; a short press captures a photo, while a long press begins video recording — making it faster than ever to grab a moment. The Action button, previously exclusive to the Pro models, also makes its way to both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, letting users assign a custom shortcut to a single press.
Connectivity and Gaming
Connectivity on both models includes 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth, GPS, and NFC. Apple has also expanded AAA game compatibility: titles such as Assassin's Creed Mirage and Resident Evil, previously limited to the iPhone 15 Pro, are now supported on the standard iPhone 16 models thanks to the A18 chip's enhanced GPU. Storage options across the lineup go up to 1TB. As is customary with Apple, official RAM and battery capacity figures were not disclosed at launch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus?
The primary difference is screen size. The iPhone 16 features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, while the iPhone 16 Plus has a larger 6.7-inch panel. All other specifications — including the A18 chip, camera system, Action button, Capture button, and IP68 rating — are identical across both models.
Does the iPhone 16 support Apple Intelligence?
Yes. Both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are powered by the A18 chip, which is required to run Apple Intelligence, Apple's on-device AI system introduced with iOS 18. This brings the AI features previously associated with Pro hardware to the standard lineup for the first time.
When did the iPhone 16 go on sale?
Pre-orders for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus opened on September 13, with general availability beginning on September 20 in markets including India.
