Every iPhone 16 is cheaper than last year's model

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 10 September 2024

After months of leaks and rumours, Apple has officially taken the wraps off its 2024 iPhones, and once again, we're getting four brand new devices: the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.

As with the last few years, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max's upgrades are a bit flashier. Both phones are a little bigger than last year's models, there's a beefy new processor, and new microphones.

Meanwhile, the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus get the action button introduced in last year's iPhone 15 Pro, a new processor that's not quite as fast as what you'll get in the iPhone 16 Pro, and the ability to take macro photos.

Both the Pro and standard iPhone 16 models have a new "button" called the camera control for quickly opening the camera app, taking photos, and adjusting settings. In addition to acting as a button, the camera control is effectively a tiny trackpad. This means you can slide your finger across it to go between camera modes or tweak options like zoom and aperture.

In addition, the phones are considered the flagship devices for Apple Intelligence, with the company calling them the first iPhones designed for the technology. Apple Intelligence will launch in October, with an Australia-specific language option dropping in December. Aussies will still be able to use Apple Intelligence features before then, but only in US English.

What's surprising is that every model is a bit cheaper when compared to previous models. The iPhone 16 starts at $1,399, down from $1,499 for the iPhone 15. The iPhone 16 Plus starts at $1,599, down from $1,649.

If you're looking at going Pro, both devices had $50 cut from their starting price. This means you'll pay $1,799 for the iPhone 16 Pro, or $2,149 for the iPhone 16 Pro Max. If you want to go all out, a 1TB iPhone 16 Pro Max will set you back $2,849, which is again, $50 less than last year.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of what's new, here's the important stuff. All four iPhone 16 devices will be available for pre-order from 10pm AEST on September 13, ahead of a September 20 release date.

Here are the cheapest 36-month iPhone 16 plans from Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone:

#1	Optus	Optus $60 Optus Choice Plus Plan 100GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply. $73.68/mth Min. cost $1,287.48 Go to Site	$73.68/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $1,287.48	Go to Site
#2	Optus	Optus $69 Optus Promo Plan 360GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments Deal: Upgrade & Protect included when you add a phone on a payment plan. Plus, get up to $10/mth SubHub credit for 12 mths. T&Cs apply. $103.68/mth Min. cost $1,317.48 Go to Site	$103.68/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $1,317.48	Go to Site
#3	Optus	Optus $70 Optus Choice Plus Plan 240GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments $104.68/mth Min. cost $1,318.48 Go to Site	$104.68/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $1,318.48	Go to Site
#4	Telstra	Telstra $74 Basic Upfront Mobile Plan 50GB data Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices 36 mths device payments $111.47/mth Min. cost $1,422.92 Link not supplied	$111.47/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $1,422.92	Link not supplied
#5	Telstra	Telstra $84 Essential Upfront Mobile Plan 180GB data Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices 36 mths device payments $121.47/mth Min. cost $1,432.92 Link not supplied	$121.47/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $1,432.92	Link not supplied
#6	Optus	Optus $90 Optus Choice Plus Plan 480GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments SubHub: Receive up to $20/mth SubHub credit when you have an active SubHub account with subs greater than $0. T&Cs apply $124.68/mth Min. cost $1,338.48 Go to Site	$124.68/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $1,338.48	Go to Site
#7	Telstra	Telstra $99 Premium Upfront Mobile Plan 300GB data Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices 36 mths device payments $136.47/mth Min. cost $1,447.92 Link not supplied	$136.47/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $1,447.92	Link not supplied

#1	Optus	Optus $60 Optus Choice Plus Plan 100GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply. $77.86/mth Min. cost $1,437.96 Go to Site	$77.86/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $1,437.96	Go to Site
#2	Optus	Optus $69 Optus Promo Plan 360GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments Deal: Upgrade & Protect included when you add a phone on a payment plan. Plus, get up to $10/mth SubHub credit for 12 mths. T&Cs apply. $107.86/mth Min. cost $1,467.96 Go to Site	$107.86/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $1,467.96	Go to Site
#3	Optus	Optus $70 Optus Choice Plus Plan 240GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments $108.86/mth Min. cost $1,468.96 Go to Site	$108.86/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $1,468.96	Go to Site
#4	Optus	Optus $90 Optus Choice Plus Plan 480GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments SubHub: Receive up to $20/mth SubHub credit when you have an active SubHub account with subs greater than $0. T&Cs apply $128.86/mth Min. cost $1,488.96 Go to Site	$128.86/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $1,488.96	Go to Site

#1	Optus	Optus $60 Optus Choice Plus Plan 100GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply. $98.68/mth Min. cost $2,187.48 Out of stock	$98.68/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $2,187.48	Out of stock
#2	Optus	Optus $69 Optus Promo Plan 360GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments Deal: Upgrade & Protect included when you add a phone on a payment plan. Plus, get up to $10/mth SubHub credit for 12 mths. T&Cs apply. $128.68/mth Min. cost $2,217.48 Out of stock	$128.68/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $2,217.48	Out of stock
#3	Optus	Optus $70 Optus Choice Plus Plan 240GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments $129.68/mth Min. cost $2,218.48 Out of stock	$129.68/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $2,218.48	Out of stock
#4	Optus	Optus $90 Optus Choice Plus Plan 480GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments SubHub: Receive up to $20/mth SubHub credit when you have an active SubHub account with subs greater than $0. T&Cs apply $149.68/mth Min. cost $2,238.48 Out of stock	$149.68/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $2,238.48	Out of stock

iPhone 16 Pro & iPhone 16 Pro Max

As Apple's "Pro" handsets, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are easily the more exciting upgrades.

To start, the pair both have larger displays. 6.3-inch on the iPhone 16 Pro, and 6.9-inch on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, up from 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch, respectively. While this makes the phones just a little bigger, Apple has cut down on bezel. As such, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is only 3mm taller and 0.9mm wider than the iPhone 15 Pro Max last year, for example.

The pair are still made from titanium, but Apple has upgraded protection in the form of a new ceramic shield display. Apple says the glass used in the iPhone 16 screens is 50% more durable than the glass used in the iPhone 15 family, and twice as durable as the glass found in any other phone.

In terms of the camera, both phones have a new 48MP primary lens and 48MP ultra-wide lens. This marks the first time Apple has moved to a higher resolution lens for ultra-wide. This is rounded out with a 5x 12MP optical zoom lens. The lens is the same as what we saw on last year's iPhone 15 Pro Max, but is now standard on both phone sizes. The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max can also take spatial video and photos for playback on the Vision Pro.

On the video front, the new Pro iPhones are now able to shoot 4K at 120 FPS in Dolby Vision. This allows for higher-resolution slow-motion video, and Apple also says you'll be able to shoot at high frame rates and then re-adjust your video speed without adding the slow-mo effect.

There's also a new microphone configuration that can record spatial audio. Audio recorded can be adjusted after the fact, allowing you to dull noises out of the frame, eliminate reverb, or create a more cinematic sound.

Both phones are powered by Apple's new A18 Pro processor. The CPU is up to 15% faster than the A17 Pro, while the GPU is up to 20% faster.

Battery life also gets a boost. Apple says the iPhone 16 Pro now offers up to 27 hours of video playback per charge, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max up to 33 hours. That's up from 22 hours and 29 hours in last year's respective models.

Apple has also upgraded wireless charging speeds on the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, and will sell new MagSafe pucks to take advantage of this.

Full pricing for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max is as follows:

iPhone 16 Pro 128GB: $1,799
iPhone 16 Pro 256GB: $1,999
iPhone 16 Pro 512GB: $2,349
iPhone 16 Pro 1TB: $2,699

iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB: $2,149
iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB: $2,499
iPhone 16 Pro Max 1TB: $2,849

Both phones are available in a choice of natural titanium, dessert titanium, white titanium, and black titanium.

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iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are "standard" iPhones, succeeding last year's iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. They're a bit more of a significant upgrade compared to what we saw going from iPhone 14 to iPhone 15.

To start, the pair get a brand new processor for the first time in two generations. While the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 got "hand me down" chipsets from the previous year, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus use the new A18 processor. While it's not as snappy as the A18 Pro, Apple says it offers up to 30% faster CPU than the iPhone 15, and 40% faster GPU.

It's also burly enough to handle the AAA games that have been launching on iPhone lately, including titles like Death Stranding and Resident Evil. These were previously exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

As with last year's Pro models, Apple has swapped out the mute switch for an action button. By default, a long press will swap your phone from silent to loud and vice versa, but you can customise what it does. For example, you can use the action button to start a voice memo, open the camera, start accessibility features, or open a shortcut.

Other design changes include the new more durable ceramic shield display, faster wireless charging, and the camera control "button".

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus still have an upgraded 48MP primary lens that can also do 2x zoom paired with a new 12MP ultra-wide lens. The ultra-wide lens gains auto-focus, enabling macro photography on a "standard" iPhone for the first time. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro can also take spatial video and photos for playback on the Vision Pro.

The iPhone 16 battery is said to last for 22 hours of playback, up from 20 hours last year. This increases to 27 hours for the iPhone 16 Plus, up from 26 hours.

iPhone 16 pricing is as follows:

iPhone 16 128GB: $1,399
iPhone 16 256GB: $1,599
iPhone 16 512GB: $1,949

iPhone 16 Plus 128GB: $1,599
iPhone 16 Plus 256GB: $1,799
iPhone 16 Plus 512GB: $2,149

You'll be able to buy either in a choice of black, ultramarine, teal, pink, or yellow.

Here's how specs of every new iPhone model compare:

iPhone 16 models compared

	iPhone 16	iPhone 16 Plus	iPhone 16 Pro	iPhone 16 Pro Max
Display	6.1-inch OLED	6.7-inch OLED	6.3-inch OLED	6.9-inch OLED
Resolution	Super Retina XDR	Super Retina XDR	Super Retina XDR	Super Retina XDR
Refresh Rate	60Hz	60Hz	120Hz	120Hz
Rear Cameras	48MP + 12MP	48MP + 12MP	2x 48MP + 12MP + LiDAR	2x 48MP + 12MP + LiDAR
Front Camera	12MP	12MP	12MP	12MP
Processor	A18	A18	A18 Pro	A18 Pro
Storage	128GB - 512GB	128GB - 512GB	128GB - 1TB	256GB - 1TB
Water-Resistance	IP68	IP68	IP68	IP68
5G	Sub 6	Sub 6	Sub 6	Sub 6
Price	From $1,399	From $1,599	From $1,799	From $2,149

Old iPhone price cuts

The iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 14, and iPhone 14 Plus are all sticking around, and have received a discount. New pricing for Apple's existing iPhone line-up is as follows:

iPhone 15 128GB: $1,249
iPhone 15 256GB: $1,449
iPhone 15 512GB: $1,799

iPhone 15 Plus 128GB: $1,399
iPhone 15 Plus 256GB: $1,599
iPhone 15 Plus 512GB: $1,949

iPhone 14 128GB: $1,049
iPhone 14 256GB: $1,249
iPhone 14 512GB: $1,599

iPhone 14 Plus 128GB: $1,249
iPhone 14 Plus 256GB: $1,449
iPhone 14 Plus 512GB: $1,799

All these phones should come down in price on a plan too.

Notably, Apple has discontinued the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPhone 13.

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Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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