The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is the larger non-Pro flagship in Apple’s 2024 lineup, pairing a roomy 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen with the 3 nm Apple A18 chipset. Announced on September 9, 2024 and released on September 20, it slots between the standard iPhone 16 and the Pro models, aiming squarely at buyers who want a big-screen iPhone and long battery life without paying the Pro premium.
This article looks beyond the raw spec sheet to explain what the iPhone 16 Plus actually delivers in everyday use. We cover its value proposition, design and durability, display quality, A18 performance, the upgraded 48 MP dual camera, battery endurance, iOS 18 software, and connectivity, so you can judge whether this is the right large-screen phone for you.
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 12, 2026 and may not reflect the exact price you’ll find at a retailer.
- United States: $919
- Japan: ¥147,343
- United Kingdom: £687
- Australia: A$1,310
- Canada: C$1,285
- Taiwan: NT$29,065
- Denmark: kr5.939
- Saudi Arabia: ﷼3,447
- South Korea: ₩1,403,408
- Germany: €796
- Brazil: R$4.734
- Vietnam: ₫24.126.541
- Kenya: KSh 118,951
- India: ₹87,858
- Indonesia: Rp 16.506.510
- Nigeria: ₦1,241,086
- Pakistan: ₨256,008
- Philippines: ₱56,307
- Bangladesh: ৳১,১৩,০৭০
Why the iPhone 16 Plus Makes Sense in 2024
The iPhone 16 Plus targets a clear niche: people who want the largest possible iPhone screen and the best battery stamina, but who do not need the telephoto camera, ProMotion display, or titanium frame of the Pro Max. With its A18 chip, the new Action button and Camera Control, and a stronger camera system than its predecessor, it brings most of the 2024 generation’s headline features to a more accessible tier. For media-heavy users and heavy multitaskers, the extra screen real estate and endurance are the main draw.
Design, Build and Durability
Measuring 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm and weighing 199 g, the iPhone 16 Plus uses a glass front, glass back, and aluminum frame, a combination that feels premium while keeping weight reasonable for a large phone. The back glass enables MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging. IP68 dust and water resistance, rated for immersion up to 6 m for 30 minutes, adds peace of mind against rain and accidental spills. It ships in five colors: Black, White, Pink, Teal, and Ultramarine, with the latter shades giving the Plus a more playful identity than the muted Pro range.
A Big, Bright Super Retina XDR Display
The 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel runs at 1290 x 2796 pixels (around 460 ppi) with HDR10 and Dolby Vision support. Apple quotes 1000 nits typical brightness and 2000 nits peak in high-brightness mode, and our measured result of 1823 nits confirms it stays readable in direct sunlight. The screen is protected by the latest Ceramic Shield glass (2024 generation, Mohs level 4) for improved scratch and drop resistance. The main caveat is the fixed 60 Hz refresh rate; ProMotion remains exclusive to the Pro models, so scrolling is not as fluid as on higher-tier rivals.
A18 Performance and Storage
At the core sits the Apple A18, built on a 3 nm process with a hexa-core CPU (2×4.04 GHz plus 4×2.20 GHz) and a 5-core GPU. Backed by 8GB of RAM, it posted an AnTuTu score of 1,727,276 (v10), a GeekBench 6 score of 7,927, and 4,324 in 3DMark Wild Life Extreme in our tests, placing it among the fastest phones in its class. The 8GB of memory is also notable because it is the baseline requirement for Apple Intelligence features. Storage comes in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB NVMe options, with no microSD expansion, so picking the right capacity up front matters.
Dual Camera System
The iPhone 16 Plus carries a dual rear camera: a 48 MP wide sensor (f/1.6, 26mm, 1/1.56″, sensor-shift OIS, dual pixel PDAF) joined by a 12 MP ultrawide (f/2.2, 120 degrees) that also enables macro. The 48 MP sensor supports high-resolution captures and a 2x in-sensor crop that behaves like a dedicated telephoto for everyday framing. Video is a strong suit, with 4K recording up to 60fps, Dolby Vision HDR, and stereo sound capture, while the 12 MP front camera handles 4K selfies and Face ID biometrics. The trade-off versus the Pro line is the absence of a true optical telephoto lens.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery endurance is a defining strength here. The 4674 mAh Li-Ion cell delivered an Active Use Score of 18:49h in testing, and the phone supports wired PD2.0 charging that reaches 50% in about 30 minutes, plus 25W MagSafe and 15W Qi2 wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wired charging. The EU energy label rates it Class B for energy efficiency, with a quoted 48-hour endurance figure and a 1000-cycle battery rating, signalling solid long-term longevity for buyers who keep phones for several years.
iOS 18 Software and Longevity
The iPhone 16 Plus ships with iOS 18 (upgradable to iOS 18.6) and is positioned to receive many years of major updates, one of the strongest reasons to buy an iPhone over most Android rivals. iOS 18 introduces deeper home-screen customization, a redesigned Control Center, and the foundation for Apple Intelligence on supported hardware. Long software support also helps resale value and security over the device’s lifespan.
Connectivity and Extras
Connectivity is up to date: Wi-Fi 7 with tri-band support, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and a USB Type-C 2.0 port with DisplayPort output, finally standardizing charging and accessories around USB-C. The phone supports extensive 5G bands (Sub6 globally, with mmWave on U.S. models), second-generation Ultra Wideband, and satellite-based Emergency SOS, Messages, and Find My. SIM configurations vary by region, from dual eSIM in the U.S. to Nano-SIM plus eSIM internationally and dual Nano-SIM in China.
Who Should Buy the iPhone 16 Plus
This is the iPhone for people who prioritize a large screen and all-day-plus battery life over a telephoto camera and a 120 Hz display. It suits streaming fans, frequent travelers, and anyone upgrading from an older big iPhone who wants modern performance, USB-C, and future-proof software. Power users who need ProMotion, a periscope zoom, or the most advanced video tools should look at the Pro Max instead.
Conclusion
The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is a confident large-screen flagship that nails the fundamentals: a bright 6.7-inch OLED, the fast and efficient A18 chip, a capable 48 MP dual camera, and class-leading battery endurance, all wrapped in a durable IP68 body with USB-C and Wi-Fi 7. Its main compromises, a 60 Hz refresh rate and no optical telephoto, are reasonable for its tier. If you want the biggest standard iPhone with excellent stamina and long software support, and you do not need Pro-only extras, the iPhone 16 Plus is an easy recommendation; spec-focused buyers who crave ProMotion and zoom should step up to a Pro model.
Official references
- Apple iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus Technical Specifications – Primary manufacturer specs for iPhone 16 Plus dimensions, display, chip, cameras, battery, connectivity, SIM, charging, sensors, and operating system details.
- Apple Support iPhone 16 Tech Specs – Official Apple support specification page with detailed technical data and footnotes useful for fact-checking specs.
- Apple Support Identify Your iPhone Model – Official model identification reference for iPhone 16 Plus model numbers, colors, capacity options, and regional SIM tray differences.
- Apple iPhone Supported 5G and LTE Networks – Official Apple cellular compatibility reference for supported 5G and LTE bands by iPhone model and region.
- Apple iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus Product Environmental Report – Official Apple environmental report with launch date, materials, energy, packaging, durability, and environmental claims for iPhone 16 Plus.
