The iPhone 16 Pro is Apple’s professional-grade phone in a more compact form. It offers the same A18 Pro chip as the Max, a refined titanium design, a triple camera with 3x optical zoom, and full support for Apple Intelligence. With a 6.1-inch OLED display, it’s ideal for users who want flagship performance without the size of the Pro Max.
Contents:
- Price
- Release date
- Key upgrades
- First impressions
- Design
- Colours
- Display
- Camera
- Software and Apple Intelligence
- Battery
- iPhone 16 Pro vs other models
- Accessory compatibility
- Pros and cons
- The refurbished option
- Conclusion and final verdict
- FAQ
Price 💶
As of September 2025, the iPhone 16 Pro is priced in Ireland as follows:
- 256 GB – €1,229
- 512 GB – €1,489
- 1 TB – €1,739.
On Swappie, refurbished models start from €929, depending on condition and storage capacity, including 12-month warranty and 14-day return.
Release date 📅
The iPhone 16 Pro was officially announced on 10 September 2024, and released on 20 September 2024, alongside the rest of the iPhone 16 lineup.
Key upgrades 📱
This year’s Pro model introduced several major updates:
- A18 Pro chip with enhanced GPU and Neural Engine
- New 3x telephoto lens with improved image stabilisation
- Stronger, lighter titanium frame
- USB-C with USB 3 transfer speeds
- Support for Apple Intelligence.
These improvements elevate both performance and usability, especially for photo, video and productivity tasks.
First impressions 💭
The 16 Pro delivers a premium user experience from the first interaction. Face ID is fast and reliable, the display is incredibly smooth thanks to ProMotion, and the new titanium design makes it feel both durable and elegant. It’s immediately clear this phone is built for demanding users.
Design 🖌️
Apple refined its Pro design language with subtle but effective changes.
- Material: Titanium with Ceramic Shield front
- Dimensions: 146.6 × 70.6 × 8.25 mm
- Weight: 194 g
- Features: Action Button, thinner bezels, symmetrical design.
The result is a phone that feels smaller than it is, easy to handle, and highly resistant to wear.
Colours 🎨
Available in four professional finishes:
- Natural Titanium
- White Titanium
- Black Titanium
- Blue Titanium.
These colours are minimalist but stylish, ideal for both business and casual users.
Display 🌟
Despite the compact size, the display doesn’t compromise on quality.
- 6.1″ Super Retina XDR OLED
- 2556 × 1179 resolution at 460 ppi
- ProMotion (adaptive 120Hz)
- HDR10, Dolby Vision, Always-On Display
- Up to 2000 nits brightness (outdoor).
It’s optimised for clarity, colour accuracy and smooth interaction, excellent for everyday use and creative work.
Camera 📸
The iPhone 16 Pro includes the same camera system as the Max, minus the 5x zoom.
- Main: 48 MP, ƒ/1.78
- Ultra-wide: 12 MP with macro
- Telephoto: 12 MP, 3x optical zoom
- Front camera: 12 MP TrueDepth with 4K Dolby Vision
- Features: Night mode, Smart HDR 5, ProRAW, ProRes, spatial video.
It’s a serious tool for photography and video, particularly for users who prefer a smaller device.
Software and Apple Intelligence 🔄
Running iOS 18, the iPhone 16 Pro supports all Apple Intelligence features:
- Smarter, context-aware Siri
- AI tools for writing, image generation, transcriptions and summaries
- On-device processing for better privacy.
It also includes improved widgets, lock screen customisation, and smart suggestions across apps.
Battery 🔋
Battery life is solid and well-optimised, even in a smaller chassis.
- Up to 29 hours of video playback
- Fast charging: 50% in ~30 minutes with 30W adapter
- MagSafe and Qi wireless charging
The A18 Pro chip improves energy efficiency, making all-day usage easy, even under heavy tasks like 4K recording or gaming.
iPhone 16 Pro vs other models ⚙️
| Model | Display | Chip | Zoom | Battery Life | From Price |
| iPhone 16 | 6.1″ | A18 | None | Good | €849 |
| iPhone 16 Pro | 6.1″ | A18 Pro | 3x optical | Very good | €1,109 |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | 6.9″ | A18 Pro | 5x optical | Excellent | €1,359 |
The 16 Pro is ideal if you want Pro-level features and performance in a smaller, lighter format, without giving up camera quality or processing power.
Accessory compatibility and Apple ecosystem 🔗
The iPhone 16 Pro connects effortlessly with the rest of the Apple ecosystem.
- Supports MagSafe cases, chargers, wallets
- USB-C with external display and SSD support
- Precision Finding with second-gen UWB chip
- Works seamlessly with AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad and Mac
It also supports features like Continuity, AirDrop, Handoff, Universal Clipboard and more.
Pros and cons ⚖️
Pros
- Compact size with premium materials
- Powerful A18 Pro chip with AI support
- Excellent display and camera performance
- 3x optical zoom and ProRAW/ProRes support
- Long software support and system longevity
Cons
- No 5x zoom (Max only)
- Still expensive despite being smaller
- Evolutionary, not revolutionary, vs iPhone 15 Pro
If you want performance without the size of the Pro Max, the 16 Pro is the right choice.
Refurbished option ♻️
Swappie offers fully tested and refurbished iPhone 16 Pro models:
- From €929 as of September 2025
- Includes 52-step testing, 12-month warranty, and 14-day return
- More sustainable than buying new.
You’ll get the same powerful device, at a lower cost, and reduce electronic waste in the process.
Conclusion and final verdict ✅
The iPhone 16 Pro combines performance, portability and pro features in a refined package. With its A18 Pro chip, 3x zoom camera, and iOS 18 enhancements, it’s ideal for users who want flagship specs without the size or price of the Pro Max.
If you’re upgrading from a base model, or even from an older Pro, this is one of the most balanced and future-proof iPhones to consider.
FAQ ❓
📆 When was the iPhone 16 Pro released?
20 September 2024
📏 What is the screen size?
6.1 inches (Super Retina XDR OLED)
🎨 What colours are available?
Natural Titanium, White Titanium, Black Titanium, Blue Titanium
💶 What’s the starting price in Ireland?
€1,229 new, or from €929 refurbished on Swappie
📷 Does it have optical zoom?
Yes, 3x telephoto zoom with image stabilisation
♻️ Can I buy it refurbished?
Yes, Swappie offers certified refurbished iPhones with warranty and returns