The iPhone 14 vs. the iPhone 16 – What Has Changed?
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June 2007 was a month that would change everything—for the tech industry, for Americans and for the world at large. And no, this is not referring to the releases of Ratatouille, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End or Surf’s Up—though you could certainly make a case for their collective cultural significance. The true game-changer came on June 29, 2007, when Apple released the very first iPhone. Priced at $499 for the 4GB model and $599 for the 8GB model, the iPhone was unlike anything on the market at the time. It was a phone, a music player and an internet communicator all packed into one sleek 4.53-inch device. With the iPhone in hand, users could make calls, send texts, compose emails and browse the web with unprecedented ease, ushering in a new era of mobile technology that felt like the pinnacle of innovation.
Since 2007, Apple has dropped a new iPhone every year, releasing the iPhone 3G in 2008, the iPhone 3GS in 2009, the iPhone 4 in 2010 and so on. The latest generation, the iPhone 16, was released on September 20, 2024, bringing Apple Intelligence with it.
Sharper, Smarter, Faster: Upgrades to the Dual Camera System
While the iPhone 7 Plus, released back in 2016, was the first iPhone to introduce a dual-camera system, the iPhone 16 brings it to new heights. With a 48MP Fusion camera, the iPhone 16 is capable of capturing extremely fine textures, intricate patterns and color gradation like never before. It also includes a 12MP Ultra Wide camera, which supports high-quality macro photography and introduces a 2x optical zoom option for stunning close-up shots. In contrast, the iPhone 14 comes with a 12MP main camera paired with a standard Ultra Wide camera. While still capable of capturing excellent photos, the iPhone 14’s system lacks the same level of detail and macro capabilities as the iPhone 16, offering only 0.5x and 1x optical zoom options.
Shoot Smarter: The Camera Control Button
Another new addition only present on the iPhone 16, is the Camera Control button. Located on the right side of the iPhone 16 below the power button, the new touch-sensitive button lets users shortcut to the camera app with just one press. Two presses of the button then allows users to slide their finger left or right to scroll through and adjust different camera settings including zoom, exposure, depth, style, tone and camera choice. Apple has also revealed plans to integrate Camera Control with Apple Intelligence, enabling users to quickly learn about objects and locations—such as identifying a type of plant—by simply clicking and holding to capture an image.
As a brand new addition to iPhone 16, the Camera Control button does not exist on the iPhone 15 or iPhone 14. Instead users of these phones have the option to access the cameras either through the control center or camera app, and must pinch to zoom and swipe up to adjust other settings.
Switching It Up: The Action Button
Falling in line with its effort to provide customers with increased customization options, Apple has also transformed the traditional Ring/Silent switch into an Action button on the iPhone 16. While it retains the same physical appearance as the switch on the iPhone 14, users can now customize its function through settings. Options include activating Focus mode, opening the camera, turning on the flashlight, recording a voice memo, launching a chosen app and more. While it doesn’t introduce any entirely new feature, the Action button allows users to customize the highly accessible switch to perform whichever existing function best suits their needs and habits.
The End of an Era: The Move to USB-C
Perhaps the most evident physical difference between the iPhone 14 and its successors, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16, is the change in charging port. While the lighting connector was an iPhone staple feature for years, Apple made the change to USB-C in 2023, following a European Union regulation requiring all mobile device manufacturers to switch to USB-C. This change means users are now able to use one single charging cable for the iPhone, Mac, Airpods and iPad and that Apple devices are now compatible with chargers for non-Apple devices.
Staying Powered Up: Improvements in Battery Life
Another notable improvement in the iPhone 16 is its increased battery life. While the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 both offer an impressive 20 hours of video playback and 16 hours of streamed video playback, the iPhone 16 extends this to 22 hours of video playback and 18 hours of streamed video playback, offering even longer usage between charges.
Each of these iPhone models is powered by a revamped processor, which is the central chip that runs nearly all of the phone’s functions. The iPhone 14 is equipped with the A15 Bionic chip, the iPhone 15 with the A16 Bionic chip and the iPhone 16 features the A18 chip. While each new processor brings incremental improvements in speed and efficiency, the difference between the three chips may not be immediately noticeable to most users.
An iPhone Rainbow: Different Colors for Different Generations
Each iPhone comes with its own unique color options to choose from. The iPhone 14 offers the most color options, with six available choices, while its successors offer five. Doing away with Apple’s vague color names for the sake of clarity, the iPhone 14 options include a black, silver, bright red, dusty blue, light lavender and bright yellow version. The iPhone 15, in contrast, featured a more subdued, pastel color palette with shades black, pastel blue, pastel green, pastel yellow and pastel pink. The iPhone 16 offers a more vibrant, cooler-toned selection, including black, silver, pink, teal and midnight blue.
The Age of AI: Apple Intelligence
Naturally, the biggest differentiator between the new iPhone 16 and its predecessors is that it was built for Apple Intelligence. Only available on the iPhone 15 Pro and up, Apple Intelligence uses an advanced AI framework to enhance personalization and accessibility while prioritizing user privacy through on-device processing. Notable capabilities include Writing Tools for easier editing, Image Playground for generating custom visuals and Genmoji for creating personalized emojis. Additionally, Apple Intelligence brings a smarter, more intuitive Siri, capable of performing tasks like document retrieval and email drafting. For Apple customers excited about AI this feature is sure to be a plus for the iPhone 16.
Whether you’re upgrading to the latest iPhone or sticking with an older version, Victra experts are trained in the latest Apple and iPhone technologies to ensure you find exactly what you need. Click here to shop the latest Apple products available at Victra or visit Victra.com to find the nearest location.
is a skilled Web Developer and Designer. He builds and designs websites that focus on best UI/UX practices. Justin is also a Verizon Product Expert at Victra, helping customers with Verizon products and services. His mix of design, coding, product, and general knowledge makes him a valuable and knowledgeable team member.
