The Apple iPhone 16 Plus launched in late 2024 as the large-screen, mainstream flagship in Apple's non-Pro lineup, and by September 2026 it has matured into one of the most compelling value picks in the cell phones category. It pairs a 6.7-inch OLED display, Apple's A18 chip, a redesigned camera system, and full Apple Intelligence support at a price that has softened considerably as the iPhone 17 generation arrived. This review consolidates official specs, expert reviews from major outlets, and real feedback from Reddit and YouTube to answer one question clearly: should you still buy the iPhone 16 Plus in 2026?
Quick Answer: Yes, if you want a large-screen iPhone with two-day battery life and Apple Intelligence at a lower price than the 17 Plus. No, if you need ProMotion 120Hz, a telephoto lens, or an always-on display.
1.1 Core Specs
1.2 What's in the Box
1.3 Technical Highlights
2. Price & Value Analysis
2.1 Current Pricing
The iPhone 16 Plus launched at $899 for 128GB. By September 2026, with the iPhone 17 lineup shipping, street prices for a new unlocked 128GB unit typically fall in the $699-$799 range depending on retailer, with 256GB variants around $799-$899. Renewed and carrier-deal pricing dips lower still. You can compare prices on ShopFox to spot the best current retailer.
2.2 Is It Worth Buying?
On a value-per-dollar basis, the 16 Plus is arguably a smarter buy than the 17 Plus for most casual users: the A18 chip still handles Apple Intelligence flawlessly, cameras are class-leading for computational photography, and the 6.7-inch display remains great for video. The core compromise is the 60Hz refresh rate, which feels dated next to Android competitors at similar prices. If you don't care about 120Hz, this is one of the best-value big-screen phones in 2026.
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3. Real User Experience
3.1 Video Reviews Summary
Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) framed the 16 Plus as "the smart-money iPhone" — calling out battery life as class-leading and the new Camera Control button as genuinely useful, while dinging Apple for keeping 60Hz on a $899 phone. Dave2D emphasized how the aluminum chassis feels lighter than the Pro Max and that Apple Intelligence features, though limited at launch, matured meaningfully through iOS 18.4 and iOS 19 updates. Both reviewers agreed the phone punches above its price once discounted.
3.2 What Reddit Users Are Saying
Across r/iphone and r/apple threads, owners consistently highlight three points. First, battery life is the runaway favorite feature — many report ending a heavy day at 40-50%. Second, the Camera Control button divides users: photographers love the half-press focus lock, while others rarely use it. Third, complaints about the 60Hz display are the single most upvoted criticism, especially from users coming from Android or an iPhone Pro. A recurring thread in mid-2026 also praises how well the phone has aged with iOS 19's AI features enabled.
3.3 Key User Feedback Themes
4. Performance & Everyday Use
In daily use the A18 delivers headroom for years — app launches, multitasking, and gaming (Resident Evil Village, Genshin Impact at high settings) all run smoothly. Thermals are well controlled thanks to the redesigned internal aluminum sub-frame Apple introduced this generation. The 6.7-inch OLED is bright and color-accurate; the only weakness is the 60Hz refresh rate, which is most visible during fast scrolling. Cameras deliver excellent computational results, especially with the improved Photonic Engine, though the lack of a telephoto lens limits versatility. Face ID unlocks are instant, and Apple Intelligence writing tools, Genmoji, and smarter Siri feel genuinely useful once you build them into your workflow.
Scores are editorial judgments based on research and public reviews — not aggregated user ratings.
5. Pros & Cons
- A18 chip supports full Apple Intelligence
- Bright, color-accurate 6.7-inch OLED
- New Camera Control button for photographers
- Excellent build quality and lighter than Pro Max
- Long software support window (6-7 years)
- No telephoto lens
- No always-on display
- Charging speed trails Android rivals
6. Best Time to Buy
6.1 Historical Price Trends
Since launch, the iPhone 16 Plus has followed Apple's typical curve: minor dips during holiday 2024, a bigger cut after the iPhone 17 launch in fall 2025, and steady $150-$200 discounts through 2026. Refurbished and carrier bundles typically drop it another $100-$150 lower. Track its trajectory via the price history on ShopFox and set a price alert to catch dips.
6.2 Upcoming Sales Events
Historically the deepest discounts land during Prime Day (July), Back-to-School (August-September), Black Friday and Cyber Monday (late November), and post-holiday clearance in January. In 2026, Prime Day and the fall iPhone 18 launch window are the two most likely windows to see 16 Plus pricing hit new lows.
7. Top Alternatives
iPhone 15 Plus
Best Budget iPhoneIf you don't need Apple Intelligence, the 15 Plus offers a similar 6.7-inch display and great battery life at a steeper discount. Trade-offs: A16 chip, no Camera Control button, no on-device AI.
Samsung Galaxy S25+
Best Android Rival120Hz AMOLED, telephoto lens, and Galaxy AI make it the strongest Android alternative if you prefer flexibility, faster charging, and higher refresh rate.
iPhone 16 Pro
Step-Up PickIf 120Hz ProMotion, telephoto, and always-on display matter, the 16 Pro is the natural step up — but expect to pay $200-$300 more and lose some battery advantage.
| Feature | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 15 Plus | Galaxy S25+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.7" OLED 60Hz | 6.7" OLED 60Hz | 6.7" AMOLED 120Hz Winner |
| Chipset | A18 Winner | A16 | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| Apple Intelligence | Yes Winner | No | N/A (Galaxy AI) |
| Battery Life | ~27h video Winner | ~26h video | ~24h video |
| Starting Price (2026) | ~$699 Winner | ~$599 | ~$899 |
How We Researched This Review
This review is based on Apple's official specifications, expert reviews from outlets like MKBHD, Dave2D, The Verge, and Tom's Guide, plus community discussion on Reddit's r/iphone and r/apple through 2025-2026. We did not perform first-hand lab testing. Editor scores reflect our synthesis of that public evidence and are not user-aggregated ratings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the iPhone 16 Plus still worth buying in 2026?
Yes, for most mainstream buyers. The A18 chip supports the full Apple Intelligence stack, battery life is among the best in any iPhone, and pricing has fallen roughly $150-$200 below launch. The main reasons to skip it are if you specifically need ProMotion 120Hz, a telephoto lens, or an always-on display — those remain Pro-only features. For everyone else, the 16 Plus offers a much better price-to-value ratio than the newer 17 Plus.
Does the iPhone 16 Plus support Apple Intelligence?
Yes. Thanks to the A18 chip and 8GB of RAM, the iPhone 16 Plus supports the complete Apple Intelligence feature set, including Writing Tools, Genmoji, Image Playground, smarter Siri with ChatGPT integration, notification summaries, and visual intelligence via the Camera Control button. Most features are available in English, with additional languages rolled out through iOS 18.x and iOS 19 updates during 2025 and 2026.
How long does the iPhone 16 Plus battery last?
Apple rates the 16 Plus at up to 27 hours of video playback, and independent reviewers consistently confirm it as one of the longest-lasting iPhones ever. In real-world use, most users report ending a moderate day at 40-50% battery, or comfortably reaching a day and a half of mixed use. Heavy gaming or 4K video recording will bring it down to a single day, which is still excellent for a phone this thin.
Why does the iPhone 16 Plus still use a 60Hz display?
Apple continues to reserve ProMotion (adaptive 1-120Hz) for the Pro line. On the 16 Plus you get a bright, color-accurate 60Hz OLED — great for HDR video and outdoor visibility, but visibly less smooth than 120Hz Android competitors during fast scrolling. It's the single most common complaint among Reddit owners and is likely the biggest reason to consider the 16 Pro or a Galaxy S25+ if refresh rate matters to you.
What is the Camera Control button and is it useful?
The Camera Control is a capacitive, pressure-sensitive button on the right edge that opens the camera, half-presses for autofocus lock, full-press to shoot, and slides for zoom or exposure adjustments. Photographers on Reddit generally love it because it makes one-handed shooting on the large Plus body far easier. Casual users, however, report they rarely use it beyond a quick camera shortcut. It's a genuine differentiator versus the iPhone 15 Plus.
How does the iPhone 16 Plus compare to the iPhone 16 Pro?
The 16 Pro adds ProMotion 120Hz, an always-on display, a titanium frame, a 5x telephoto lens, and the A18 Pro chip. The 16 Plus counters with a larger 6.7-inch screen (matching the Pro Max size), lighter weight, longer battery life, and a lower price. If cameras and refresh rate are your priorities, pick Pro. If battery and value matter more, the 16 Plus is the smarter choice.
Is the iPhone 16 Plus good for gaming?
Yes — the A18 chip handles console-class games like Resident Evil Village, Death Stranding, and Assassin's Creed Mirage smoothly, and Apple's redesigned internal thermal architecture keeps sustained performance more stable than the 15 Plus. The main limitation is the 60Hz display, which means titles that render at higher frame rates on Android or on the 16 Pro will be capped visually. Battery endurance during gaming is a clear strength.
When is the cheapest time to buy an iPhone 16 Plus?
The deepest discounts historically appear during Prime Day in July, Back-to-School in August-September, and Black Friday/Cyber Monday in late November. Carrier trade-in deals often stack meaningfully with these. In 2026, the launch window for the iPhone 18 (September-October) will likely trigger another wave of markdowns on remaining 16 Plus inventory — a great time to buy if you can wait.
How long will the iPhone 16 Plus receive software updates?
Based on Apple's historical support pattern (typically 6-7 years for iPhones released since 2018), the iPhone 16 Plus should receive major iOS updates through roughly 2030-2031, and security updates for a year or two after that. It shipped with iOS 18, received iOS 19 in 2025, and is expected to support iOS 20 in 2026. Long software support is a major reason iPhones hold resale value.
Conclusion
Nearly two years after launch, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus has aged into one of the strongest big-screen values in Apple's lineup. It delivers the full Apple Intelligence experience, class-leading battery life, an excellent 6.7-inch OLED, and Apple's long software support — all at a price that has softened well below its launch MSRP. Its only real weakness remains the 60Hz refresh rate. If you can live with that, this is the mainstream iPhone to buy in 2026. Before you check out, use ShopFox to compare prices across retailers, stack coupons, and set a price alert so you never pay more than you have to.
The Verdict
The iPhone 16 Plus is the smart-money big-screen iPhone in 2026: outstanding battery, full Apple Intelligence, and mature software at a discounted price. Skip it only if 120Hz or a telephoto lens is non-negotiable. For everyone else, it's an easy recommendation.
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