Folks typically ask me which iPhone they need to purchase. My default reply is: Simply get the most recent iPhone. Proper now, that might be the iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Professional fashions. Whereas I would say it is simpler to advocate an iPhone 15 or iPhone 16, as Apple nonetheless supplies a premium expertise on its base fashions, I can not say the identical in regards to the Professional iPhones, which, theoretically, are higher choices.
Nonetheless, for those who simply need a Professional iPhone, however not the most recent one, I would not advocate the 15 Professional or the 14 Professional. That stated, for those who’re coming from an iPhone 12 or iPhone 13, you are out of fine choices, as a result of the final nice iPhone Professional was the 13.
Not solely was this iPhone stunning, however the cameras have been nice, the battery life was strong, and those that are nonetheless rocking this machine are most likely having a blast, and may stay up for upgrading to the upcoming iPhone 17 Professional. Whereas present prospects of this smartphone could not be happier, I would say shopping for the 13 Professional proper now for the subsequent few years could be a bit difficult, so that you’d have two choices.
Points with the iPhone 14 Professional and iPhone 15 Professional
Regardless of being totally different generations of units, the iPhone 14 Professional and iPhone 15 Professional share a number of irritating flaws: overheating and disappointing digicam post-processing.
Within the case of the iPhone 14 Professional, a report revealed that the A16 Bionic chip suffered from an “unprecedented” GPU challenge found late in improvement. In consequence, the chip’s efficiency fell wanting Apple’s unique targets. The digicam wasn’t significantly better. Regardless of the introduction of a extra highly effective 48MP sensor, Good HDR 4 processing typically produced poor outcomes, undermining picture high quality.
That stated, the iPhone 15 Professional had even worse battery life, however with Apple’s first 3nm chip. It was extra highly effective on paper, however it additionally made the iPhone overheat in a short time. In over a 12 months of proudly owning this machine, I’ve grown accustomed to the iPhone 15 Professional feeling heat in my palms. Additionally, Apple solely added a 5x telephoto lens for the Professional Max, which was lower than anticipated. Whereas you may repair the digicam through the use of a third-party digicam app, corresponding to Halide or Mission Indigo, there is not a lot you are able to do about battery life or overheating points.
Get the iPhone 16 Professional with a reduction or look forward to the iPhone 17 Professional
That being stated, the iPhone 16 Professional fixes most of these digicam points. Because of the brand new Photographic Types, fixing your picture in post-production is a chunk of cake, even for these not conversant in fancy modifying software program. The battery can be higher, despite the fact that I believe Apple might’ve gone a step additional, and the chip is extra power-efficient. Whereas I nonetheless have points with the iPhone overheating, the expertise was higher than with the earlier two Professional telephones.
So, if you’ll find this machine at a reduction, it is most likely well worth the buy. However, rumors and reviews counsel that Apple will repair many of those points with the iPhone 17 Professional. This is how:
- Digicam fixes: Apple will improve all the principle cameras to 48MP, and the entrance digicam will get a 24MP lens.
- Improved warmth dissipation: Apple is claimed to be transferring again to glass and aluminum on the iPhone 17 Professional fashions — supplies that are higher at dissipating warmth than titanium.
- Greater battery life: Not solely is the iPhone 17 Professional Max anticipated to function an even bigger battery, however the brand new chip is anticipated to be extra energy environment friendly than that of the earlier technology.
Apart from that, Apple is introducing a brand new design on these units, and that alone will likely be motive sufficient for some shoppers. That stated, whereas discovering the best Professional mannequin is troublesome proper now, it needs to be a better determination quickly.