It’s mostly an excellent smartphone, just not the one I was promised.
Although I’ve covered Apple tech for many years at this point, fall 2024 is probably the most deeply I’ve ever been involved in the iPhone hype cycle. Prior to then, I was content to buy older models, or at least wait a few weeks after launch, as I did with the iPhone 13. But last year, I decided I not only wanted a flagship device — the iPhone 16 Pro — but to get it on launch day. That meant losing sleep to pounce on pre-orders, then obsessively checking on order status, right through to the day my phone was delivered. I’d already switched over to it full-time by the time my shift was over.
I’m largely pleased with my decision, the eye-watering pricetag notwithstanding. I’ve come away with a number of lessons, though, both about the 16 Pro and iPhone ownership in general. They’ve already influenced my attitude towards this year’s iPhone 17 lineup, and even the iPhone 18 series due in 2026. 5
Always-on display tech is the best Pro feature
An all-day, everyday convenience
One of the things I was most looking forward to with a Pro was StandBy mode. Yes, StandBy technically works on any iPhone, but it’s not nearly as useful without an always-on display. With AOD tech in tow, an iPhone becomes a sort of makeshift smart display, letting you check the time, date, weather, and sometimes other info without having to get close. I’m a light sleeper, so being able to roll over and see the time without having to pick anything up is genuinely useful.
Even better, as it turns out, is having an always-on lockscreen. I knew I’d be making use of lockscreen widgets, but glancing at my iPhone for the weather and my Apple Watch battery has gradually become a habit, all the moreso since I’ve started riding electric unicycles and need to know whether it’s too hot, too cold, or too rainy/snowy. During my workday, having the Notification Center « stick » onscreen means I’m less likely to miss an important piece of information, whether in my personal or professional life. It almost makes me wonder how I ever lived without it.
The good news for society at large is that Apple is finally bringing always-on-display tech to cheaper iPhones as of the iPhone 17, assuming the rumors are correct.
