“Should I upgrade to the iPhone 16?” Only do it if you fall into these 5 categories

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Apple just unveiled the iPhone 16 on Monday at its September 9 “Glowtime” event – ​​and curious consumers are asking: “Should I upgrade?”

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It depends. While the iPhone 16 lineup—which includes the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max—was introduced with a handful of new features, the question is, will they benefit you?

I'll break down five consumer categories that will benefit most from upgrading both the entry-level iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models.

This will help you determine whether you should go ahead and buy it or wait until the iPhone 17.

iPhone owners with XS and older

Before I delve into the niches that will benefit from an iPhone 16 upgrade, it's important to note that the new iOS 18 update will officially roll out to iPhone users on September 16.

iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max
Photo credit: Mashable

However, this new update is not rolling out to everyone. However, if you own a device older than the iPhone XR, including iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, iPhone X and iPhone 8, and more, you're better off upgrading – Apple's new updates will no longer support your phone in the future.

If you own the original iPhone SE, you should also consider upgrading. It is not supported by iOS 18.

Photo credit: Mashable

If you have a phone that supports regular iOS updates, your device will be protected from security vulnerabilities — and you'll get the latest and greatest software features Apple has to offer. Plus, if you have an iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max or later, you can benefit from Apple Intelligence, the company's new suite of AI features.

Want to know what you'll miss in the next big update? Check out some of the craziest features in iOS 18.

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus: Should you upgrade?

Now that we have clarified that, let's turn to the question of which consumers will benefit from an upgrade to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.

You love the idea of ​​an intuitive button that gives you easy access to camera functions

The entry-level models of the new iPhone 16 series are probably the most attractive in years. Apple usually reserves many of the exciting new features for the upper-class models.

Zoom with iPhone 16's new camera control feature
Photo credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

For example, in last year's iPhone 15 line, only the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models received the cool new “Action Button,” a customizable side button that you can assign apps and other functions to for convenient launching.

Photo credit: Apple

For the iPhone 16, Apple has introduced the new camera control button. But this time, Apple has not reserved this cool new extra exclusively for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models. You can find it everywhere all iPhone 16 models.

The new camera controls not only provide instant access to image and video capture, but also allow you to quickly do things like zoom in, switch to the ultra-wide lens, change photographic styles, and more with simple gestures. (For more information on camera controls, check out our hands-on experience with them.)

You want this “action button”

As mentioned, in 2023 only the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max had the Action Button, but now it can also be found on the iPhone 16.

iPhone 16 action button
Photo credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

You can assign one of your favorite apps, be it Gmail, Calendar, Slack, Instagram or TikTok, to the action button so you can access it with just one touch.

You want a more durable display

According to Apple, the updated Ceramic Shield on the new iPhone 16 models is 50% more robust than the original version that debuted on the iPhone 12. The company also claims that the new generation Ceramic Shield is twice as durable as other glass displays on smartphones.

iPhone 16 in Teal
Photo credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

So if you have a cracked screen and are prone to clumsiness, consider upgrading to the iPhone 16. You'll get a brand new, unbroken screen – and it should be able to withstand your clumsiness better (within reason, of course).

You get “FOMO” about AI features

Apple has announced Apple Intelligence for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, but the entire iPhone 16 lineup will also receive Apple Intelligence.

Photo credit: Apple

Enjoy extras like creating your own AI-generated emoji with text prompts, a new and improved Siri, consolidated notifications, the cleanup tool, and more.

You love strong, vibrant colors

It looks like Apple has finally heard our feedback to abandon the pastel-like, subtle color combinations for the iPhone. (Elizabeth de Luna of Mashable has been begging Apple to release a deep pink color, and it looks like she got her wish.)

iPhone 16 in pink
Photo credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

The iPhone 16 is available in ultramarine, teal, and pink, and anyone who has seen these colors in person can tell you they are as stunning as they sound.

iPhone 16 in Ultramarine color
Photo credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

The iPhone 16 also comes in white and black; perfect for those who like their phone colors as exciting as a tax form. (And yes, that was sarcasm.)

iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max: Should you upgrade?

With the iPhone 16 Pro models, you get all of the features mentioned above, plus some updated camera features (such as a new 48MP ultra-wide sensor), improved studio-quality microphones, and more.

In my opinion, the iPhone 16 Pro models are harder to sell for Apple. Why? The target groups that will benefit from the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are more niche customers.

You want a mega display

The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a whopping 6.9-inch display. For comparison, I know tablets with 7-inch screens. (That's why I jokingly called the iPhone 16 Pro Max a phablet in my hands-on.)

Photo credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

You may be thinking, “If the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s display is nearly 7 inches, will it feel weird in my hands?” The answer is no. I held the iPhone 16 Pro Max around my fingers and it felt natural and ergonomic, conforming effortlessly to the contours of my hand.

It also features ultra-thin bezels that give you more screen real estate than ever before.

You want an extremely long battery life

If long battery life is one of your biggest selling points, you'll probably be happy with the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Photo credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

According to Apple, the iPhone 16 Pro Max has the longest battery life ever achieved on an iPhone. (But of course, we'll have to test these claims to know for sure.)

For reference, the iPhone 15 Pro Max lasted nearly 15 hours in our internal testing. This phone was the battery life champion for months—until the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL knocked it off its throne.

You are a content creator who is constantly on the go

The content creator space (e.g. YouTube, TikTok and Instagram) is highly competitive, and if your videos aren't sharp, it will be difficult to build an audience, so you'll benefit from the fact that the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max can now shoot 4K video at 120Hz.

Photo credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

This means you get higher quality videos that appear smoother and snappier to your followers. Plus, editing your videos to get that cool slow motion effect is easier than ever on the Pro models.

You record videos in noisy environments

Let's say you're recording a video and there's too much going on in the background: wind, side conversations, and the rustling of leaves.

Audio Mix on iPhone 16 Pro models
Photo credit: Apple

The iPhone 16 Pro models can reduce unwanted noise. Thanks to an easy-to-use slider, you can turn down the background noise as desired.

You love playing around with music

If you have an existing recording in the Voice Memos app, you can add another track on top of it.

New voice memos feature on iPhone 16 Pro models
Photo credit: Apple

For example, if you want to sing over a previously recorded beat, you can do so by simply adding another layer and pressing the record button.

The entry-level models of the iPhone 16 start at $799The iPhone 16 Pro variants start at $999.