Apple has officially launched the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, the two flagship models in its highly anticipated iPhone 16 series. Built on a Grade 5 titanium frame and powered by the cutting-edge A18 Pro chipset, these handsets represent Apple's most ambitious Pro lineup yet. Whether you're eyeing the compact 6.3-inch iPhone 16 Pro or the expansive 6.9-inch Pro Max, here's everything you need to know about pricing, specs, and standout features.
- iPhone 16 Pro starts at Rs 1,19,900 (128 GB); iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at Rs 1,44,900 (256 GB).
- Both models run Apple Intelligence on iOS 18 and are powered by the 3nm A18 Pro Bionic chip.
- A new Camera Control button, larger displays with thinner bezels, and 4K/120fps video are headline upgrades.
- Pre-orders opened on Friday; devices went on sale from September 20.
iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max: Price and Availability
Apple priced the iPhone 16 Pro starting at Rs 1,19,900 for the 128 GB storage variant. The larger iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at Rs 1,44,900 for the 256 GB base model. Pre-orders opened on the Friday of launch week, with general sale beginning on September 20. A striking new Desert Titanium colorway joins the Pro lineup alongside the standard finish options.
For the full range of Apple smartphones and accessories, explore our dedicated Apple coverage where we track every announcement, deal, and hands-on review.
Key Specifications of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max
Display and Design
Apple has grown both screens while slimming down the bezels. The iPhone 16 Pro sports a 6.3-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display with a ProMotion 120 Hz refresh rate. The iPhone 16 Pro Max steps up to a 6.9-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel, also at 120 Hz. Both use a Grade 5 titanium chassis — the same aerospace-grade alloy introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro — making them exceptionally strong without adding unnecessary weight.
Performance: A18 Pro Bionic Chip
At the heart of both Pro models sits Apple's new A18 Pro Bionic, fabricated on a second-generation 3nm process. The chip features a 6-core CPU (2 performance cores at 3.89 GHz + 4 efficiency cores at 2.2 GHz) and a 16-core Neural Engine that is both faster and more power-efficient than the A17 Pro. Apple claims the A18 Pro consumes up to 20 percent less power than its predecessor, translating directly into longer battery life during real-world use.
Camera System: Triple Rear Setup with Camera Control
Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the refined triple-camera array. Both Pro models share the same rear camera configuration:
- 48 MP primary (Fusion) camera — f/1.78 aperture
- 12 MP telephoto camera — 5× optical zoom
- 48 MP ultra-wide camera
- 12 MP front-facing camera
A standout addition is the new Camera Control button — a hardware shutter key that operates like the shutter button on a DSLR, giving photographers more tactile control over focus, zoom, and capture. Video recording reaches 4K at 120 frames per second, enabling high-resolution slow-motion footage directly in the camera app.
Battery, Charging, and Software
Apple promises the best battery life ever for the Pro series, with up to 33 hours of video playback on the Pro Max. Both handsets charge via a USB Type-C port and support MagSafe wireless charging at up to 25 W (requires a 30 W or higher adapter) as well as standard Qi wireless charging. NFC and an IP68 water-resistance rating round out the feature set.
On the software side, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max ship with iOS 18, which introduces Home Screen personalization, a revamped Control Center, enhancements to the Messages app, a built-in call-recording feature, a dedicated Passwords app, and a new Game Mode.
Apple Intelligence: AI Features Coming to iOS 18
Perhaps the most talked-about element of this year's Pro lineup is Apple Intelligence — Apple's on-device and cloud-powered AI platform. Apple Intelligence will enable prompt-based text generation, smart reply suggestions, image generation, a redesigned Siri with deeper context awareness, and priority notification sorting. Apple confirmed a free upgrade delivering Apple Intelligence features would roll out to eligible devices by the end of 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting price of the iPhone 16 Pro in India?
The iPhone 16 Pro starts at Rs 1,19,900 for the 128 GB storage model. The iPhone 16 Pro Max begins at Rs 1,44,900 for the 256 GB variant. Both were available for pre-order on the Friday of launch week, going on general sale from September 20.
What chip does the iPhone 16 Pro use, and how does it compare to the A17 Pro?
The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max use the A18 Pro Bionic chip, built on a second-generation 3nm architecture. It features a 16-core Neural Engine, a 6-core CPU, and is designed to consume up to 20 percent less power than the A17 Pro found in the iPhone 15 Pro series, making it noticeably faster and more efficient.
Does the iPhone 16 Pro support Apple Intelligence?
Yes. Both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max support Apple Intelligence, Apple's AI feature set integrated into iOS 18. Capabilities include text generation from prompts, smart replies, image generation, an upgraded Siri, and priority notifications. Apple stated a free update enabling these features would arrive by the end of 2024.
