A big-screen iPhone built for Apple Intelligence

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus 128GB is a large-screen smartphone aimed at people who want the full modern iPhone experience without stepping up to the Pro range. With its 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, A18 chip and refreshed camera system, it’s clearly positioned as a premium everyday handset.

Apple leans heavily on Apple Intelligence and camera upgrades here, promising smarter tools for writing, organising and photography. The aluminium frame, colour-infused glass back and Ceramic Shield front keep it looking and feeling high-end.

Owners seem very happy with it: an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 from over 350 reviews suggests strong real‑world satisfaction with both performance and reliability.

Table of Contents

Key features

  • Write, express yourself and get things done effortlessly with Apple Intelligence
  • 4K 120 fps Dolby Vision, enabled by the 48MP Fusion camera
  • The latest-generation Photographic Styles give you greater creative flexibility
  • A18 chip enables Apple Intelligence and powers advanced photo and video features
  • iPhone 16 Plus works with the A18 chip to deliver a big boost in battery life

Who this iPhone is best for

The iPhone 16 Plus is ideal if you want a big, sharp screen for streaming, browsing and gaming, but don’t feel you need the extra camera lenses and materials of the Pro models. The 6.7-inch OLED panel with Super Retina XDR resolution gives you loads of space for apps, typing and multitasking, making it a great fit for heavy phone users.

It suits anyone who values a smooth, responsive experience over fiddling with settings. The A18 chip and 16‑core Neural Engine are built to handle Apple Intelligence features, so things like smarter text suggestions, photo searches and on‑device editing tools feel quick and natural.

If you’re already in the Apple ecosystem, it’s an easy upgrade from an older iPhone, especially if you want better battery life and 5G, plus modern touches like USB‑C charging and MagSafe. It’s also a strong option for parents buying for teens, thanks to safety features like Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via satellite.

On the other hand, if you’re on a tighter budget, don’t care about a large display, or you’re attached to wired headphones, there are simpler and cheaper phones that may make more sense.

What we like

The standout strength of the iPhone 16 Plus is its combination of a huge 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display and slim, all‑screen design. Text is crisp at 2796×1290 resolution and 460ppi, and wide colour gamut plus True Tone make films, photos and games look vibrant without feeling over‑saturated.

Performance is another big plus. The A18 chip with 6‑core CPU, 5‑core GPU and 16‑core Neural Engine delivers snappy performance in everyday use and has the headroom to power Apple Intelligence features, advanced photo processing and demanding apps for years to come.

The camera system is very capable for a non‑Pro model. A 48MP main camera, 12MP ultra‑wide and 12MP TrueDepth front camera, backed up by Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 4, Night mode and 4K Dolby Vision video, mean you can reliably capture sharp, detailed shots and smooth video in most conditions.

Practical touches are strong too. IP68 water resistance, Ceramic Shield glass and an aluminium frame give you reassuring durability. USB‑C charging, MagSafe compatibility and wireless charging keep it current and convenient, and the customisable Action Button plus Camera Control make it quicker to jump straight into what you use most.

Finally, safety and audio are impressive. Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via satellite offer peace of mind, while Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus and Spatial Audio support make it an excellent device for media on the go.

Where it could be better

At this price, 128GB of storage may feel tight for keen photographers or anyone who records a lot of 4K Dolby Vision video. You’ll need to stay on top of storage management or consider paying more for a higher‑capacity version.

There’s no headphone jack and no USB‑C power adapter or headphones in the box, just a USB‑C to USB‑C cable and documentation. If you don’t already own a compatible charger or wireless earbuds, that adds to the overall cost.

Security is Face ID only, with no fingerprint unlock option. While Face ID is fast and reliable for most people, some still prefer the flexibility of a fingerprint sensor.

The Plus size won’t suit everyone either. The 6.7-inch display is fantastic for content, but smaller hands may find one‑handed use awkward, and the larger footprint is more noticeable in pockets and small bags.

Everyday use

Day to day, the iPhone 16 Plus feels like a slick, modern flagship. The all‑screen design and slim 0.8cm profile make it surprisingly manageable for a large phone, though you’ll still mostly use it with two hands. Haptic Touch and the bright OLED panel make typing, scrolling and reading comfortable, even for long sessions.

iOS 18 adds useful touches such as more customisable Home Screen icons and a refreshed Photos app, helping you keep your content organised without going hunting in menus. Apple Intelligence, where available, makes everyday tasks like writing, summarising and searching feel more effortless, without you needing to be especially tech‑savvy.

The customisable Action Button and Camera Control help you get things done faster. You can set the Action Button to jump straight into the camera, notes, voice memos or accessibility features, while dedicated camera controls make it easier to quickly capture moments when they happen.

Charging and accessories are straightforward. USB‑C means you can often share chargers with laptops, tablets and other modern gear, while MagSafe lets you snap on magnetic chargers, stands and wallets. With wireless and fast charging supported, topping up the battery is quick and flexible.

Sound quality is strong for a phone, with support for Spatial Audio and various Dolby formats making films and music more immersive through compatible headphones or speakers. Video calls via FaceTime are crisp, and features like Voice Isolation help keep you clearly heard in noisier environments.

Performance and features

Under the hood, the A18 chip is the main reason the iPhone 16 Plus feels so responsive. Its 6‑core CPU and 5‑core GPU comfortably handle multitasking, modern games and heavy camera processing, while the 16‑core Neural Engine is tuned for Apple Intelligence workloads, from smarter Siri requests to more powerful on‑device photo and text tools.

The camera system is a major selling point. The 48MP main sensor captures detailed shots with accurate colours, helped along by Deep Fusion and Smart HDR 4 for tricky lighting. The 12MP ultra‑wide lens broadens your options for landscapes and group shots, and the 12MP TrueDepth front camera keeps selfies sharp. Portrait modes, Photographic Styles, Cinematic Mode and 4K Dolby Vision recording give you the tools to create polished content without needing a separate camera.

On the display front, the 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel offers high resolution, deep blacks and wide colour support. True Tone adjusts the white balance to your surroundings, while Haptic Touch ensures interactions feel precise. Whether you’re reading, gaming or editing photos, the screen quality makes everything look refined.

Smart and safety features round things out. 5G, Wi‑Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 mean fast, future‑ready connectivity, while NFC supports easy contactless payments. Crash Detection, Emergency SOS via satellite and Roadside Assistance via satellite add reassuring layers of protection if something goes wrong when you’re away from home.

The phone also supports MagSafe accessories, wireless charging and fast charging over USB‑C, keeping it on par with other premium smartphones for convenience. Spatial Photos, Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos support give you a taste of Apple’s more immersive media experiences if you pair it with the right accessories.

Value for money

With a price tag firmly in premium territory, the iPhone 16 Plus 128GB isn’t a budget buy, but the spec sheet backs up the cost. You’re paying for a large, high‑quality OLED display, Apple’s latest A18 processor, and a camera system that comfortably handles everyday photography and serious 4K video work.

Apple’s long software support and strong resale values also play into the value equation. You can reasonably expect several major iOS updates and ongoing access to new Apple Intelligence features as they roll out, which helps the phone stay fast and secure for longer than many cheaper rivals.

The 4.8/5 user rating from hundreds of reviews suggests most buyers feel they’ve got what they paid for, especially in terms of performance, build and reliability. The main compromises on value are the base 128GB storage and the lack of a power adapter and headphones in the box, which effectively nudges the total cost up if you need to buy extras.

If you want a large-screen iPhone with modern features and strong longevity, the iPhone 16 Plus offers solid value within the premium bracket. If keeping spend down is your top priority, however, a smaller model or an older generation may stretch your money further.

Our verdict

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus 128GB in Black is a confident, well‑rounded big‑screen smartphone that leans on Apple’s strengths: slick performance, excellent software support and a camera system that makes it easy to get great results. The A18 chip and Apple Intelligence integration help it feel fast now and well‑prepared for features still to come.

It’s best suited to people who really appreciate the 6.7-inch display for media, gaming and productivity, and who want a phone that should comfortably last several years with updates. Safety extras like Crash Detection and satellite‑based SOS services, plus modern connectivity like 5G and Wi‑Fi 7, make it a dependable everyday companion.

You do pay a premium, and 128GB of storage plus the absence of a charger and headphones mean you’ll want to budget for accessories or be disciplined with your files. But judged on its display, performance, camera quality and owner satisfaction, the iPhone 16 Plus stands out as one of the strongest large handsets in Apple’s line‑up for most users.

FAQs

How big is the iPhone 16 Plus and is it comfortable to use one‑handed?

The iPhone 16 Plus has a 6.7-inch display and measures roughly 16.1 x 7.8 x 0.8cm. It’s great for viewing content but is generally a two‑handed phone, especially for smaller hands.
Yes. It uses the A18 chip with a 16‑core Neural Engine and is built to run Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18, such as smarter writing tools and enhanced photo and search options, where available.
It has a 48MP main rear camera, a 12MP ultra‑wide and a 12MP TrueDepth front camera. Features like Deep Fusion, Night mode, Smart HDR 4 and 4K Dolby Vision video help it capture detailed photos and smooth, cinematic video.
Yes. It has an IP68 rating and is tested to withstand being submerged up to 6 metres for up to 30 minutes, making it resistant to splashes, rain and accidental drops in water.
The phone charges via USB‑C, supports fast charging and also works with wireless chargers, including MagSafe accessories. A USB‑C to USB‑C cable is included, but a power adapter is not.
No, there is no 3.5mm headphone jack. You’ll need wireless headphones or wired models that use USB‑C or an appropriate adapter.
This model comes with 128GB of internal storage. There’s no microSD card slot, so if you need more space you’d need to choose a higher‑capacity version when you buy.
It comes with a 1‑year manufacturer warranty from Apple as standard, covering defects in materials and workmanship under normal use.

Apple iPhone 16 Plus 128GB in Black, Black Review

£749.00

Overall score

9.0/10

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