The iPhone 16 launched in 2024. Now in 2026, it is still on sale. Prices have dropped a lot. Many Indians wonder if it is a good buy. It starts under 60,000 INR with deals. This phone has strong features. But newer models like iPhone 17 exist. We will check all parts. This helps you decide. In India, people want long battery. Good cameras for photos. Smooth use for apps. The iPhone 16 fits some needs. But it has limits too.
Apple makes premium phones. The iPhone 16 is the base model. It has upgrades from iPhone 15. Like better chip. New buttons. AI tools. In India, it supports all 5G bands. Works with Jio and Airtel. Prices fell due to sales. Like on Flipkart and Croma. You can get it for 40,000 INR sometimes. This makes it tempting. Compared to Android, it has clean software. Long updates. But no fast charge like some rivals.
Specifications Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 1179 x 2556 pixels, 60Hz refresh rate, 2000 nits peak brightness, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Ceramic Shield glass |
| Processor | Apple A18 (3nm), Hexa-core (2×4.04 GHz + 4×2.2 GHz), Apple 5-core GPU |
| RAM & Storage | 8GB LPDDR5 RAM, 128GB/256GB/512GB NVMe storage, No expandable storage |
| Rear Cameras | 48MP wide (f/1.6, OIS), 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2, 120°), 4K@60fps video, Dolby Vision |
| Front Camera | 12MP (f/1.9), 4K@60fps video |
| Battery | 3561mAh, 20W wired charging (50% in 30 min), 25W wireless |
| Software | iOS 18 (upgradable to iOS 26.2), 5 years OS updates, 5 years security patches |
| Build & Protection | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm, 170g, IP68 dust/water resistant (6m for 30 min), Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front |
| Connectivity | 5G (Indian bands), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C |
| Other Features | Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, Action Button, Camera Control, Apple Intelligence (AI tools) |
| Colors | Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, White, Black |
| Price | Starting from ₹59,900 (128GB), deals under ₹40,000 |
Design and Build Quality
The design is compact. It is 147.6 mm tall. 71.6 mm wide. 7.8 mm thick. Weight is 170 grams. This feels light. Easy to hold with one hand. In India, people use phones a lot. Like for UPI payments. Or long calls. Light weight helps.
The body uses aluminum frame. Back is color-infused glass. Colors include Ultramarine. Teal. Pink. White. Black. These look fresh. The camera is vertical now. Like old iPhones. It has IP68 rating. Survives 6 meters water for 30 minutes. Dust proof too. Ceramic Shield glass on front. It is tough. Handles drops well.
New buttons add fun. Action Button on side. You can set it for shortcuts. Like open camera. Or torch. Camera Control button is new. It lets you take photos fast. Slide finger to zoom. Press to click. Haptics make it feel good. But some find it hard to use at first. Ports are USB-C. No headphone jack. Speakers are stereo. Sound is clear. Good for music.
In tests, it feels premium. Not slippery. Fits pockets easy. For Indian users, it handles heat well. No big issues in summer.
Display
The screen is 6.1 inches. It is Super Retina XDR OLED. Resolution is 1179 x 2556 pixels. Pixel density is 461 ppi. Images look sharp. Colors are vibrant. Supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision. Videos on Netflix pop.
Peak brightness is 2000 nits. You see well in sun. In India, outdoors is bright. This helps. But refresh rate is 60Hz. Not 120Hz like Pro models. Scrolling feels okay. But not super smooth. Some rivals have 120Hz at lower price. Like Redmi phones.
True Tone adjusts colors. Wide color gamut. Contrast is high. Blacks are deep. No Always-On display. That is for Pro. Touch is responsive. Good for games. In reviews, colors are accurate. But 60Hz is a con. If you come from Android, it may feel slow.
Also Read Motorola Edge 70: Best Mid-Range Smartphone Under 35,000 INR
Performance
The chip is A18. It is on 3nm process. Hexa-core CPU. Two high-power cores at 4.04 GHz. Four efficient at 2.2 GHz. GPU is five-core. Handles graphics well. RAM is 8GB LPDDR5. This is more than before. Apps run smooth.
In benchmarks, AnTuTu is over 1.7 million. GFX is 3727. It beats many Androids. Games like BGMI play at high settings. No lags. Phone warms a bit. But not hot. Boot time is 14 seconds. Fast.
Multitasking is easy. Keeps apps open. In India, people use WhatsApp a lot. Video calls. It handles well. AI features are here. Apple Intelligence. Like writing tools. Image Playground. It works on device. Privacy is good. But some features need English setting.
Compared to iPhone 17, A18 is older. But still strong for 2026. Heating is low. Only 12% after gaming.
Software
It runs iOS 18 at launch. Now up to iOS 26.2. Apple gives 5 years OS updates. 5 years security. This is long. Software is clean. No bloatware. Gestures are smooth.
Features like Siri are smarter. With AI. Customize home screen. App icons change color. Control Center is new. In India, it supports Hindi. But AI best in English. Updates come on time. No ads like some Android.
But iOS has limits. No sideloading easy. No universal back. If you like custom, Android is better. But for simple use, iOS is great.
Camera System
Cameras are strong. Rear has two. Main is 48MP Fusion. f/1.6 aperture. Sensor-shift OIS. 100% Focus Pixels. Takes 24MP or 48MP photos. Details are high. Colors natural. Dynamic range good.
Ultra-wide is 12MP. f/2.2. 120 degrees. Now with autofocus. Does macro shots. Low light is better. Night mode helps. No telephoto. But 2x zoom from crop. Good for portraits.
Front is 12MP. f/1.9. Selfies are sharp. Skin tones accurate. Video is 4K at 60fps. Dolby Vision. Stabilization is top. Audio zoom too. In India, people post on Instagram. This camera shines. Reels look pro.
AI tools help. Like Photographic Styles. Edit after shot. Reviews say video is best. Better than Android. But no 10x zoom.
Battery and Charging
Battery is 3561mAh. Lasts a full day. Heavy use like gaming, 5-6 hours screen time. Video playback 22 hours. In tests, drains 90% in full use. But real world, from morning to night.
Charging is 20W wired. 50% in 30 minutes. Wireless 25W. No charger in box. Buy separate. In India, power cuts happen. Fast charge would help. But it is okay. Compared to Android, slower. No 100W.
Battery health stays good. Optimized charging.
Pros and Cons
Pros include compact design. Light weight. Strong performance. Great cameras. Long software support. AI features. Good battery. Premium build.
Cons are 60Hz display. No telephoto. Slower charging. No Always-On. Camera button finicky. No expandable storage.
Pricing and Availability
In India, launch price was 79,900 INR for 128GB. Now in 2026, it is 59,900 INR on Flipkart. With deals, under 40,000 INR. Like Croma Black Friday. Or Flipkart Republic Day. Bank offers from HDFC. Exchange old phone for more discount.
Available on Amazon. Apple stores. Offline shops. Variants: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB. Get higher if you store photos.
This price makes it worth. Cheaper than iPhone 17. Good for budget.
Is It Worth Buying
In 2026, yes if on discount. Upgrade from iPhone 13 or older. It is fast. Cameras good. Battery better. But if you want 120Hz, get Pro or Android. Like Galaxy S25. Or wait for iPhone 17 deals. For Indian users, it fits. Long life. Ecosystem with Apple Watch. If locked in iMessage, go for it. Overall, solid pick under 60,000 INR.
FAQs
What is the current price of iPhone 16 in India?
It starts at ₹59,900 for 128GB. With deals on Flipkart or Croma, it can go below ₹40,000.
Does it have good battery life?
Yes. The 3561mAh lasts a full day. Up to 22 hours video playback.
Is the camera good for low light?
The 48MP main camera handles low light well. Night mode reduces noise.
What about software updates?
It gets 5 years of OS updates and 5 years of security patches. Up to iOS 26.2 now.
Is it water resistant?
Yes. IP68 rating. Survives 6 meters water for 30 minutes.
Does it support 5G in India?
Yes. Works with all Indian 5G bands from Jio, Airtel, and others.
Can I expand storage?
No. No microSD slot. Choose higher storage like 256GB.
Is there bloatware?
No. iOS is clean. No extra apps.
How is the performance for gaming?
It runs games like BGMI at high settings. No lags. Low heating.
Where can I buy it?
On Flipkart, Amazon, Croma, Apple stores, and offline shops in India.
The iPhone 16 is a balanced phone. In 2026, it is worth if you find a good deal. It gives premium feel. Long support. Good for daily use in India. But check your needs. If display speed matters, look elsewhere.
