iPhone 16 Display: What is the Difference and All You Need to Know
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max have been upgraded this year with larger displays, giving users more screen real estate. The iPhone 16 Pro now sports a 6.3-inch display, up from the previous 6.1 inches, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch display, an increase from 6.7 inches.
iPhone 16 Displays: Thinner Bezels and Slightly Larger Build
Apple has made the iPhone 16 Pro models’ borders thinner than ever before, thanks to a significant reduction in bezel size. This change contributes to the larger display sizes without making the devices significantly bulkier. However, the iPhone 16 Pro models are slightly taller and marginally wider than their predecessors. Here’s a quick breakdown of their dimensions:
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: 6.42 inches tall, 3.06 inches wide, 8.25mm thick, 227 grams.
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: 6.29 inches tall, 3.02 inches wide, 8.25mm thick, 221 grams.
- iPhone 16 Pro: 5.89 inches tall, 2.81 inches wide, 8.5mm thick, 199 grams.
- iPhone 15 Pro: 5.77 inches tall, 2.78 inches wide, 8.5mm thick, 187 grams.
iPhone 16 Displays: Same Display Technology, New Minimum Brightness
While the screen sizes have grown, the display technology largely remains the same. The iPhone 16 Pro models still feature the Super Retina XDR Display with ProMotion, providing smooth scrolling and responsive touch with a 120Hz refresh rate. The brightness settings also remain unchanged with a max brightness of 1000 nits, 1600 nits peak HDR brightness, and 2000 nits peak outdoor brightness.
Resolution upgrades are minimal:
- iPhone 16 Pro: 2622×1206 resolution at 460 ppi.
- iPhone 15 Pro: 2556×1179 resolution at 460 ppi.
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: 2868×1220 resolution at 460 ppi.
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: 2796×1290 resolution at 460 ppi.
One notable new feature is the 1 nit minimum brightness, which Apple has also introduced on the Apple Watch. This ultra-low brightness setting allows for a more frequently updated always-on display, potentially contributing to improved battery life.
iPhone 16 Displays: Improved Durability with New Ceramic Shield
Both the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are equipped with a new second-generation Ceramic Shield coating, which Apple claims is 50% tougher than the Ceramic Shield used in the iPhone 15 models. This enhancement provides added durability and better protection against drops and scratches, making the new models more resilient than ever.
iPhone 16 Displays: Key Differences with the Regular iPhone 16 Model
While the iPhone 16 series supports the new 1 nit minimum brightness, the regular models do not feature an always-on display or ProMotion support. These features remain exclusive to the Pro models, continuing to differentiate the Pro lineup from the standard versions.
Overall, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max bring subtle yet meaningful upgrades to the table, combining larger screens, thinner bezels, improved durability, and slight enhancements to display technology. While the core display technology remains familiar, these refinements add up to deliver a more polished user experience.
