Apple iPhone 16 Pro MYN23VC/A Desert Titanium 256GB

The iPhone 16 Pro's A18 Pro chip is solid, landing in a strong 80th percentile for performance. But 4G-only connectivity, terrible battery life, and a mediocre camera make this $1470 phone impossible to recommend. Unless you only need it on WiFi, skip it.

Apple released the iPhone 16 Pro with a lot of fanfare around its A18 Pro chip and Apple Intelligence. But the MYN23VC/A model in particular feels like it time-traveled from 2019, because it only connects to 4G networks in a world that's fully moved on to 5G. For $1470, that alone should be a dealbreaker for almost anyone.

You do get a titanium frame and 4K 120fps Dolby Vision video recording, which sound premium on paper. But look past the marketing and you'll find a phone that falls flat on battery life, camera quality, and even display smoothness. It's a head-scratcher of a product that undercuts its own 'Pro' label in too many ways to count.

The A18 Pro chip is the one bright spot here, landing in the 80th percentile of our database. That means apps open fast and daily tasks feel snappy. But this is a chip that deserves a better home, because the phone's weak battery (15th percentile) means you can't push it hard without watching the percentage drop like a countdown timer. Gaming, heavy video editing, or anything beyond light use will send you scrambling for a power outlet, which sours the performance advantage.

At $1470, this iPhone is competing with phones that absolutely trounce it. You can get a Galaxy S26 Ultra or Pixel 10 Pro XL with 5G, stellar cameras, and battery life that lasts well into a second day for less money. Even iPhones don't hold resale value like they used to when they're missing basic connectivity, making this a remarkably poor investment. Unless you find it at a fire-sale discount, there's no value to be had here.

Stacked against the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the iPhone 16 Pro looks like a relic. The S26 Ultra offers a 120Hz display, 5G, a 200MP camera system, and battery life that's leagues ahead. Google's Pixel 10 Pro XL delivers similarly superior photo chops and clean Android software for less cash. Even the OnePlus 15, with its blazing charging speeds and smoother display, makes this iPhone feel like it's stuck in the past. The only phone here that might lose to it is the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro, and that's only if you ignore its gaming-focused strengths.

If you need dependable 5G for streaming or work, all-day battery life, or a camera that keeps up with modern flagships, look elsewhere. The Galaxy S26 Ultra and Pixel 10 Pro XL deliver on all fronts for less or similar money, and they won't leave you hunting for a charger by mid-afternoon.

If you absolutely must have an iPhone and for some reason cannot step up to a model with 5G, this will technically run iOS and Apple Intelligence. But we can't think of a realistic buyer who should choose this over literally any other flagship. The missing essentials like 5G, all-day battery, and a modern display ruin the experience for everyone except the most forgiving, WiFi-only user. For the same money, you can get a far better phone from almost any other brand.