Apple iPhone 16 Plus
By Muhammad Tahir · Updated June 2026 · how we review
A big-screen, big-battery iPhone with Apple Intelligence and the A18 chip — held back mainly by its old-school 60Hz display.
Is the iPhone 16 Plus still supported?
Our estimateSupported until September 2031 · Buy-by September 2029
✓ Yes — the iPhone 16 Plus is expected to be supported until September 2031, roughly 5.0 more years.
Apple doesn't publish an end date, but iPhones have a consistent ~7-year update track record — on that basis the iPhone 16 Plus should be supported until around September 2031. Buying it today still gets you about 5.0 years of safe use, and Apple's written legal minimum is 5 years (verified June 2026).
Source: Apple's documentation · last verified 2026-06-11 · how we compute this · what happens when support ends
TrueCost
Street price ÷ months of safe use remaining. How we compute it.
22% cheaper than the $600–900 median ($13.76/mo, dying phones excluded)
Should you buy the iPhone 16 Plus in 2026?
Pros
- Large 4674mAh battery gives some of the best endurance in the lineup
- A18 chip is fast and enables Apple Intelligence features
- 48MP Fusion camera plus new Camera Control button and macro ultra-wide
- Big, bright 6.7-inch OLED is great for video and reading
- Long update runway expected to stretch toward 2031
Cons
- Display is still 60Hz, trailing 120Hz competitors and Pro models
- No dedicated telephoto lens, so zoom beyond 2x is digital
- Large size makes one-handed use difficult
Full specifications
Display
| Screen | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz, Dynamic Island, up to 2000 nits peak |
|---|
Performance
| Chipset | Apple A18 |
|---|---|
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB |
Cameras
| main | 48MP — 48MP Fusion, 26mm, ƒ/1.6, sensor-shift OIS; 2x telephoto crop |
|---|---|
| ultra-wide | 12MP — macro support |
| front | 12MP |
Battery & charging
| Battery | 4,674 mAh |
|---|---|
| Charging | Wired ~50% in 30 min with 20W+; up to 25W MagSafe with 30W adapter |
Build
| Dimensions | 160.9 × 77.8 × 7.80 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 199 g |
| Materials | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front |
| Water resistance | IP68 |
Software & connectivity
| Software | iOS 18 at launch |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C |
| Update policy | ~7 years of updates (our estimate from Apple's track record — written minimum is 5 years) |
Better-value alternatives
Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.
Frequently asked questions
How long will the iPhone 16 Plus get updates?
Apple does not publish a fixed pledge, but its recent iPhones have received roughly seven years of iOS and security updates. Released in September 2024, the iPhone 16 Plus should be supported into about 2031, giving it one of the longest runways of any phone you can buy in 2026.
Is a used iPhone 16 Plus worth it in 2026?
Yes, especially for battery-focused buyers. Around 650 dollars used it offers a huge battery, the fast A18 chip, Apple Intelligence support and a long update window. The main trade-off is the 60Hz screen, which feels dated next to 120Hz rivals.
Does the iPhone 16 Plus support Apple Intelligence?
Yes. The A18 chip and 8GB of RAM let the iPhone 16 Plus run Apple Intelligence features such as writing tools, notification summaries and a smarter Siri, where available in your region and language.
Why does the iPhone 16 Plus still use a 60Hz screen?
Apple reserves its 120Hz ProMotion display for the Pro models, so the 16 Plus sticks with a 60Hz panel. It is perfectly usable, but scrolling and animations are not as smooth as on Pro iPhones or many Android phones at this price.
Compare it
Specs are collected from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers and change often. Support end dates follow each brand's official policy (or, for Apple, its documented historical pattern). Last verified 2026-06-11.