People aren't buying phones like they used to, so Apple tries to pressure them into buying its premium iPhone models with each launch. But this year could be different.
In recent years, users have tended to choose the iPhone Pro over the regular models. This is because Apple has kept more and more exclusive features on the Pro version before trickling them down to the regular models. However, it is time for users on a budget to stop being treated unfairly.
Visual Intelligence helps find information based on what the camera sees.
As mentioned, for the past few cycles, only the “Pro” models have been equipped with the latest chips. That not only means the Pro models are more powerful, but it also means that regular iPhones are not eligible for the same feature updates as the Pro models in future years. The most notable example is that the iPhone 15 Pro models are eligible for Apple Intelligence, while the regular models are not.
However, the arrival of the iPhone 16 with the A18 chip will make the gap smaller, even if the Pro version comes with the more powerful A18 Pro chip but uses the same 3nm process. As a result, all iPhone 16 models will run Apple Intelligence - a feature that Apple hopes will be the foundation to attract users to upgrade.
Not only that, the iPhone 16 also comes with new buttons. In addition to the Action button introduced on last year's Pro models, the Camera Control button is especially convenient for people to launch the camera app and take photos like a pro.
Camera Control helps users quickly launch the camera app on iPhone 16.
All things considered, the regular iPhone has actually caught up to the Pro. Of course, it’s still a bit frustrating that Apple is still limiting a $799 phone to a 60Hz display. It looks pretty bad when you look at Android competitors, even at the low end of the price spectrum, with 120Hz displays.
With a little more balance between the iPhone 16 lineup, it’s time for users to no longer feel forced to upgrade to the Pro models to get essential features. As long as they’re okay with what’s considered adequate, the regular iPhone is the best bargain in recent years.
