I intuitively use it to open the camera app. Works especially faster when holding the phone with your left hand. Zooming and all the “half-press” stuff is horribly buggy or unpredictable so that I often risk missing the moment. Camera shake from pressing was also a thing with Sony phones I had in the past. So better be careful. But I second your thought that for most situations touching the onscreen shutter is faster. But what really annoys me is the orientation bug: when having taken a landscape shot it often shows 90 deg ccw rotated until you open the gallery from camera in portrait mode and rotate the phone only then. 😠
Everyone and their mother is complaining about the camera control button for adjusting settings which is 90% true but just go into "accessability" and just turn off the "Light-touch" and now you just have the fastest easiest way to access the camera and snap a photo from a locked phone. I've been wishing for that for 10+ years.
Hi Mark, brilliant review, and welcome back to iLand! I just got my 16 Pro Max (moving from a regular 15 Pro), primarily to go back to a bigger screen and battery life. I’ll be doing my own review soon, but before I’ve even used the phone I’m in 100% agreement with you re Apple Intelligence. If the marketing for this lineup hadn’t been so Apple Intelligence centric, maybe this wouldn’t so much of a problem, but they are selling these new phones on the basis of a feature that “normal” people might not understand is missing when they get their new handsets! Thanks again for another great vid.
As someone who upgraded from the iPhone 13 Pro, the 16 Pro is amazing. I don’t care about AI, and the camera control is ignorable. Now, could the camera control be better? Of course. But I didn’t get this phone because of that or the promise of AI. I couldn’t care less for either.
@@ssergium.4520 The camera alone is worth it for me. The dynamic island is far more useful than I expected. Still trying see if I can get the action button to do what I want it to. The screen seems more responsive, no false taps like I was having.
Hi there! So the position of the camera button is (apart from AI missing) the most annoying thing, right? Ever wondered if the size of the phone is just too large for your hands? Tried the iPhone 16 Pro (without Max) also? Maybe the button there is more in reach? I know, they say size does matter - but one should be able to handle it, too - no? Cheers!
I have 15 pro max, I’ll wait for the 17 pro max. 16 pro max reviews do not impress me enough to buy one at Australian prices. I don’t use the camera like a professional, so I don’t need to get the latest technology. 15 pro max has a good camera for most users.
The camera control button was optimized for selfie pictures. If you’re holding it in portrait mode, it’s in the perfect spot. If they optimized for landscape, the button becomes utterly unusable for portrait mode because you can’t slide your thumb down without holding the phone like a pinch rather than in your palm. Apple decided it’s better to slightly stretch your finger in landscape than to make it useless in portrait.
@@TheCat0327 True 😄I actually avoided the Touch Bar by buying a 14” MacBook Pro without it, but I couldn’t avoid the butterfly keyboard. Naturally, I had to go through the replacement program to get the keyboard replaced after a couple of years 😄
Maybe you never heard a proper mike. IN any video presenting this feature the voice sounded compressed and with a fairly limited frequency range. The standard mike version sounds half decent. "in frame" and "studio" is pretty lofi, specially when background noises (not present in this video here) have to be filtered out-
As someone who could never get used to the on screen button to take pics, especially selfies, I am loving the camera button and the action button. So far a hit with me. I’ve had iOS 18 since beta version and like it as well. 18.0.1 has corrected most of the glitches and looking forward to better Siri. Not my favorite voice assistant by far, let’s see if it close the gap.
Couple of things: Camera Control: your habit of how to open the camera is not really a reflection of how poor the phone is. You can choose or choose not to implement a new way. I have the 16 Pro Max and I love that I can quickly get into the camera with one button instead of waiting for the screen to turn on, then find and press the camera button then shoot or have to rotate the camera to landscape then shoot. Camera control makes that process way quicker. Also, you don’t have to use the quick menu, but I like keeping it at the exposure setting because tapping and dragging on the screen can sometimes be cumbersome - have to swipe a ton just to bring exp up or down a notch. AI: most people to be frank, don’t even know that it’s coming out. I went out to a group dinner with my family, most of them didn’t even have ios18 installed nor did they know AI was coming. Normal folks will be fine with the Siri they have now and once AI launches they’ll be pleasantly surprised. You have to think that Apple needs time to beta test and make sure that their AI implementation is buttoned up so they don’t have a PR disaster (e.g, a genmoji of the twin towers and some planes)
Every phone I used the last 10-ish years (android phones) had the option to double press a button, (power button or volume rocker) to fast access the camera, what is new here?
I have the 16 pro max and I’m liking the camera button for the same reasons you say. Given the choice I’d keep it and Apple will fine tune the software.
And guess what? These creators who love to flex on Apple (viz AI) will never mention that Samsung will release Android 15 in February, which is a long delay compared to previous years. Or the Pixel 9 never came with Android 15 and still needs it! If they are not going to be balanced, then we can assume this is pushing the algorithms to mess with people's minds.
Mark, I feel your pain. I'll try and keep this short. 1st: No review of the iPhone 16 versions I've seen yet have rated the PHONE quality - i.e. sound, dropped calls, etc. WTF? Yes, I know, it's not exciting. 2nd: When Nikon released the Z9 (mirrorless camera) it has been doing much the same thing, adding significant updates that were not present at the time of launch - that made the camera much better in many regards. Now Nikon, some would argue, had to get their camera out to stop the bloodletting to Sony and Canon. Another difference is the life cycle of camera bodies is about 4 years, not one. If what you say is true, and the beta version of AI will not be out till March of 2025, that is a bit of a downer. I've been waiting for a more intelligent version of SIRI for a long time (Still own the 6sPlus). I really had to move this year, because my phone was showing it's age. I'll put up with the lack of AI for now as my phone tends to stay with me for a while and I'll be okay when they upgrade the OS. For me, the benefit of Apple is just the fact that I've always used iPhones. I don't own a MAC anything else. I do photography as a hobby, and agree that the implementation of a camera button this way seems a bit awkward. As you said, the bigger issue with Apple being late, is that the technology should be near flawless when implemented. The design well thought out. The current version may leave some saying is this the world we are now living in? Is Apple becoming IBM or Kodak? Time will tell. Thanks for your thoughts.
The extended segment and rant about the camera control was not only hilarious but also absurd. It is not disastourous, it does not affect your day to day use, and you can completely ignore it if you want to. Also what you failed to encapsulate in this video were the drastic improvements in thermal management, increase in ram and cpu performance, as well as the best in class battery life for an iPhone. Long story short, its a great phone and the camera button is not a reason big enought to deter you from purchasing it.
I cannot decide between silver and grey color with the new Samsung tab s10 ultra, kindly advise. I always had the darker color and loved it. Thought to change this time but afraid of the white frame that the lighter color will make to the screen which i don’t really like, especially with the darker keyboard… what your honest thought?
New chips, new modems, new thermal management, new camera, more ram, AI, a new camera button, but it’s just the same old iPhone. People are ridiculously out of touch with technology.
@@michsky46 yeah I didn’t even cover all the upgrades over the 15 Pro. I dunno why Apple fanboys are so critical of Apple. The 16 Pro/ProMax are epic phones.
I HEAR YA! I agree 100% on the two topics you talked about, had considered getting the iPhone 16 Pro Max, but the capture button to me is an eyesore really not needed since we’ve been doing so good With the on screen controls. The new AI I was anxiously waiting but seems to be longer now. I’ll stick with my S24 ultra. Love your videos, watch everyone! Eddie from Kentucky USA
The AI is coming in three weeks with ten on-device AI features, which will be more than the competition! Using iOS 18.1 beta so I know this is nearly ready. Don't fall for the targeted negativity of agenda-driven creators. As for the camera button, I expect it is not for everyone, so turn it off of not for you. It will also be the button for Visual Intelligence, coming in beta soon.
The big deal people are making about Apple Intelligence is crazy. Like it’s not that serious. When it’s available it’s available. We can live without it. Most didn’t upgrade for Apple Intelligence, and they would have upgraded anyways.
It's like you pulled that script straight out of my head. I'm in agreement 100%. Even now, as I type this comment, I look over at my 16 Pro Max and wonder if I should keep it or switch it up to Samsung for a bit until Apple Intelligence is fully baked.
I've always bounced between Android and iOS, but I've stuck with iOS for the past 6 years because their security is top-notch. If my phone gets lost or stolen, I know it can't be unlocked without me. Has Samsung improved its security game? Is it as tough as iOS, or is iOS still the best?
how fix the camera control button location. Flip the iPhone so camera control is on the bottom. I have found that I do not “shake” the camera when using camera control as the shutter button when using my left thumb.
Thanks for the review. Are you able to compare the 3x optical zoom of the 15P with the "Zoom to Crop" equivalent of the 16P and give an indication of how they compare? I like the 5x optical zoom idea on the 16P but did quite like the 75-85mm focal length range (around 3x). I had a question how much quality degradation there is on the 3x photos without pixel peeping.
Apple had no new ideas for iPhone 16 so they figured to put in an extra button to take pictures because the other 5 ways we can already do this wasn’t enough 😂
@apple-guy9394 ---- Hmm, thanks for repeating the oft mentioned absurd internet meme. Actually this is the largest generational change to an iPhone in many years. You seem to have forgotten about what Steve Jobs said about innovation. Looking at the outside shell of a products doesn't inform you about how innovative a product is. The majority of the innovation happens inside the box. There practically isn't a major sub-system on the phone that hasn't changed for the better. Not to mention the largest OS update ever, when the AI architecture gets fully rolled out.
Great content. It's l8ke being promised a fully furnished home, and after you buy it and you walk in your new fully furnished home is empty. But you'll get part of the furnishings in a month, and the rest in 5 months. Not good
Completely agree about camera control but the one thing I have used it for which is helpful is taking a quick video. With the pro max it’s a slightly more stable way to do it in vertical orientation and really easy to just press the button to launch and then hold it to take a quick video
100% agree about the camera control. When I posted comments on the camera control very similar to what you have said here, Apple fanboys shouted me down. I’ll stick to my 15PM this year.
There’s a real feeling of lack of interest in the updates this time, was really looking forward to a useful Siri etc and with the pointless camera button, watch ultra 2 and AirPod max being ignored other than a paint job. If it’s March that AI finally arrives that’s halfway to iPhone 17!
Apple Intelligence is on a long journey that starts with the first steps, and Apple knows that it is important to get it right rather than be the fastest.
Also, what I don’t understand about the photo button is there was already a shutter button there…. The volume button. Been using it for years. It’s great and it’s in the right place!
I understand that the iPhone 17 will get new buttons in the new design, so the volume button may no longer act in that capacity on new phones, so the camera button is the replacement.
I didn't upgrade to iPhone 16 Pro Max this year as there was nothing much to upgrade to from my 15 Pro Max. AI is generally regarded as 'pie in the sky'. You did highlight though just how weird this all is. Apple must think it is so important and that not having it is an existential threat to its business. It is weird just the same. The camera shutter button is related to the move back to buttons and switches now underway. I agree though it is a fail. A phone doesn't need a separate camera shutter button...or more to the point we haven't seen it implemented in such a way that it makes sense. Apple were always very good at giving us something wonderful that we didn't know that we needed until we got it. I would suggest they probably should have repurposed the action button for this function...possibly upskilling the action button to give it more power including operating the camera...they have one button too many at the moment.
I think mileage will vary with the camera control depending on hand and screen size. For my hands on a 16 Pro, I feel I can use it comfortably in both landscape and portrait but I can certainly see how on the Max and/or with smaller hands it may not be as comfortable. I imagine that they did compromise on the placement a bit to try and make it usable in both orientations, as I’m sure it would be better optimised for landscape if it were a bit lower down. I don’t hate it and I done feel that the device is compromised by its inclusion. It just feels a little bit superfluous, save for the basic function of shutter button. That at and quick camera app launch I do fine it pretty decent for. From my personal experience I don’t find that pressing it really shifts the phone out of position but again I expect ymmv. If you don’t have a comfortable grip on it or maybe have grip strength issues, I’m sure that it will be much more awkward.
I'm just trying to determine if I should upgrade to the 16 pro max from a standard 11. I'm not seeing very many arguments besides battery life.I would have to charge my 11 twice a day under heavy use. Sometimes once after an office day just getting notifications of important emails during IT tickets. Probably some location features I need to turn off but I got this 11 during the 13's lifecycle and it wasn't as bad then. Weird. Should I upgrade?
To quote Bruxi78230: You seem to have forgotten about what Steve Jobs said about innovation. Looking at the outside shell of a products doesn't inform you about how innovative a product is. The majority of the innovation happens inside the box. There practically isn't a major sub-system on the phone that hasn't changed for the better. Not to mention the largest OS update ever, when the AI architecture gets fully rolled out.
@@rickprive true, but this is innovation from the standpoint of the producer. However, it is the consumer that actually buys the stuff. To be honest, I really don't care if the camera get's a bit better or not or if the phone is 10% faster or not and I believe that most customers don't either.
I turn my 16 pro max in and got the Pixel 9 pro fold. I think Apple did some good stuff I seen in the software but it made me appreciate the everyday useful features of Google.
@@Martytw1 well I always like Google but I always thought they was missing most stuff to include them with Samsung and Apple but this year I feel like they put their best foot forward. Not perfect but definitely worth it
@@VitiateTheImmortal 8 pro was cool. I think it was still missing something. I think the 9 pro lineup is a whole different vibe. iPhone is at a point where the 15 Pro max got more value when the 16 pro max came out
I don't have an iPhone16, but I've always used the volume button for taking photos, almost never the on screen button. So I completely disagree that the on-screen button is adequate, a hardware button is far better. My issue will be that if/when I get an iPhone with the camera button it is the opposite corner to what I am used to.
Hello Mark, I find one thing a bit odd. A lot of people including you complained about the 14 Pro Max being too heavy. When the 15PM came out people liked that it was slightly lower in weight. Now with the 16PM the weight is up again but no one comments on that. Cheers
@@MarkEllisReviews I think you touched that may be wrong. Many others did. You have an English colleague that hates Iphones and loves to make fun of the weight until he got his S24 ultra that weighs more.
Apple isn't the only manufacture that has released a mobile phone incomplete. As for the camera button, I agree, but you can turn off the button, or you can change the button to use something else like magnifier. I also hate that the case manufactures just did a cutout for the camera buttons. I think I hate that the most. Can't seem to find a case that I like this time around.
That’s because with Apple being so secretive,third party case manufacturers weren’t given enough information beforehand about what type of button it was going to be and how it was going to operate so they had no choice but to go with a cutout.
I tried cases with cutout from my friend's phone and found it to be annoying to adjust my finger to use Camera Control button, I hope to see more cases with Camera control cover like the ones from Apple.
Totally agree. In fact, the iPhone 16 is the first ever iPhone I havent rushed out and upgraded to on launch day. 2 reasons. Firstly the pros have arguably the least compelling changes from the previous gen. Secondly out of principle mirroring your comments the main sales point for all the 16s is Apple Intelligence which wont be fully realised until everyones iPhone 16s are 7-8 months old. I appreciate Apple having to take their time but Im increasingly frustrated with the need to announce new software features in WWDC that wont come in the .0 release of iOS. For Apple Intelligence Id have rather they kept the whole lot back until iOS19 and they given us the whole experience in September 2025. And +1 for the camera control button being useless. Tried it in an Apple Store and couldnt get it to do anything apart from badly zoom and take pictures. Very unintuitive and im happy to be missing out on it for the time being. Im sure by the 17 it will be more refined but I suspect in a few years it will just become the touch bar of the iPhone and be quietly dropped along with Force Touch etc,
Recently quoted by Apple... "The company doesn't aim to be first, but best" we all know that Apple intelligence will be something special, and worth the wait. It's just a shame we have to wait
I got the 16 pro for 1000 after selling my year old 15 pro max as I wanted a smaller screen but not to much smaller the 6.3 size is the perfect compromise for me,manageable but content isn’t much smaller.Plus the battery health on the 15 pro max started dropping fast.One thing I don’t like about the 16 pro is the camera control button it’s rubbish,it’s good for opening the camera fast but that’s it I use onscreen once it’s opened as the button makes the phone move when pressing it,I do wish spigen had a case available that covers the button completely.All apple had to do was put the action button below the volume buttons and that would have solved the issues and no need for the camera control it’s poor.I do like the 16 pro and think it has upgrades over the 15 pro max the camera is improved.The size is better at 6.3 and it feels less cumbersome and less likely to drop,oh apple why didn’t you just move the action button and solve all the issues about placement.
My biggest gripe isn’t even exclusive to the latest iPhones. It’s iOS! The lack of polish over the past few years, that only got worse with iOS 18. The abundance of bugs. The micro-stuttering. The randomly high input lag. The misaligned UI elements. The badly thought out redesigns. iPhone is Apples largest income maker. Yet, somehow, they’ve become incredibly lazy with the software quality control. It never used to be like this!
This is not only on iPhones. We are still waiting for a camera update to fix several issues with the S24U cameras, and it appears that they will only be sorted out next year. Smartphones are now the Swiss knife of tech, and people expecting them to be bug-free need to lower their expectations. Samsung has had many issues and has delayed Android 15 for many months, and even the new Pixel was never released with the latest Android for the first time ever.
I like the camera button, although I have switched off the swiping stuff and I will not use that. I find that using the button I frame my shots much more thoughtfully, and as for the camera shake nonsense, I honestly think there is as much chance of that happening when you stab at the screen.
I stopped chasing phones years ago, I’m still happy with my 13 pro max for now., will probably change to 15 and not on a contract late next year, who really wants to spend 2 k on a phone now , not me !😮
I have been thinking and maybe we are meant to use our right middle finger for the camera control and I am not making a puerile joke though it seems like it. I find that if you use that finger you can reach the CC no problem. Btw I am a lefty and have never found the onscreen shutter button to be easy to use for me personally. I am thinking if I need to do some photography I will assign the action button for taking a snap.
I do love my 16 pro max. Nice big screen, awesome camera, the button is fun. The speakers are great so is the battery. I didnt expect AI anyways cuz im in europe so its nothing i would miss… perfect phone. Gonna be even better if the EU ever sorts AI out
I agree to the comparison of Samsung and Apple in general. Every manufacturer has its strengths and weaknesses and I wanted to love my s24u, but in the end I prefer the strengths of the apple eco. And the camera button could have solved a problem I actually have. The camera settings in the camera app are spread across the screen, some up, some down (or left and right depending of the orientation), and the camera control could have been the home for all of them, but it isn't. The implementation is bad and getting used to it feels painful and not intuitive. Maybe future updates will fix it. And that's the point of the 16 line up. Software wise it's a customers beta, with bad implemented and missing features even tough the are present in ads. Maybe to much pressure on Apple this time..?
I bought an iPhone 16 pro max cause it can play Resident evil 4 remake which is a ps5 game you can’t on the other phone, I don’t think ( didn’t see it as a compatible device) so to me it’s superior by far.
Great video, as always, Mark. I went into an apple shop today to have a play with the new camera control thingy and I have to say it is rubbish. When I launched the camera with it, it would not zoom in and out when I scrolled until about 5 seconds later. It is just awful. And so unlike apple. I do not know what is going on at apple HQ but something does not seem right.
My brand new iPhone 16 pro max is a piece of junk…Siri does not work, camera does not work, it’s SO BAD!!! Figures, the first time I splurged on a “pro max” version and it’s just terrible…taking back tomorrow…do u know anything about the iPhone 15. Thanks
@@D3ZG1978 I know. I have stopped looking at specs and enjoy the feel and aesthetics of a phone now (They are all fast and they all take great pictures).
For the first time ever, been enjoying the Pixel 9 ProXL over iPhone 15 Pro. I don't know why but Gemini is really fun specially with photos. Shame it is only free for 1 year.
Absolutely right. I ordered a pro max. Won’t arrive till end of this month. Didn’t realise AI not coming till March, which means my phone will be superseded and devalued in less than 6 months by the 17 (built with AI).
I didn't buy it for the AI, but its something to look forward to when it arrives, like having a new phone again, I see your point perphaps Apple shouldn't have made such a big noise about it?
Google, Apple and Samsung have been doing it for at leat two years, so not sure where you have been. Apple released loads of stuff after the launch, as does Google, and Samsung released most of their AI in September 2.8GB update. I think you are being rather unfair and missing the point that it is better to release stuff when it is ready, not because the YT creator clan want it on launch date. Ditto Samsung delaying Android 15 to next year, and Google releasing Pixel 9 without Android 15. Where is the mock outrage and hyperbole for them?
@@andyH_England You don’t know where I have been. Well, I have been buying the latest iPhone every year (trying Samsung and Google phones along the way) and I haven’t encountered such a heavily touted new feature on the phone not being available and not fully functioning until halfway through the models time before the next version launches. The 16 Pro Max is basically the 15 with a camera control button.
To be real like an average consumer. I did change from iPhone 14 pro max to the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL and the whole eco system. I love the phone, the watch, and the buds. But the ecosystem wasn't there for me. I really went back to the apple ecosystem. I did put more life into apple than android. Apple understands me so well that I had to go back to it's ecosystem. Android needs to improve its ecosystem especially the watch and phone Bluetooth features.
I want to upgrade to a larger pro iPhone but I can't, until Apple actually physically enhance the camera lenses rather than their cheat computational software tweeks I am not interested & will remain with my iPhone 13 mini, I know full well that I take a unique approach to an iPhone, I see it as a camera first, the facility for calls, messages, texts, internet are a bonus to owning the device, I can't see my required overhaul coming until at least iPhone 20 that is if Apple is still in existence!.
In my country , Kenya, we can't get ECG on our Apple watches nor can get Apple TV in 2024. Though they are more than happy to have us pay for extra icloud storage and Apple Music. WTF
The moment i found out Apple Intelligence was going to be available for the iPhone 15 pro max, the phone that i currently own - i cancelled my 16 pro max pre-order. I thought the AI was one of the new exclusive features. It would be a different story if i was coming from an iPhone 13 or 14 but it is too small of an upgrade for the iPhone 15 Pro max for me. Have been using iPhones since the 4 and have never felt the temptation to move to android. I've bought way too many apps over the years to switch OS 😂.
I'm pretty disappointed with the camera control button, it's useful for opening the camera but it's weird placement makes it fairly cumbersome as a shutter or for scrolling about in the camera settings. I've been using the iOS 18.1 beta for about a week and some of the Apple Intelligence stuff is pretty cool, but I think they actually managed to make Siri worse, not just with 18.1 beta but with iOS 18 in general. With Apple intelligence I ask it to show me pictures of my cat Meg, she's in my pets and places section so should be an easy request, but instead it shows me random cat pictures from the internet. I ask it to shuffle one of my playlists and it just plays random stuff from Apple music instead most of the time. The playlist issue started with iOS 18 but hasn't improved with Apple Intelligence, I find asking Siri on my Apple watch to shuffle my playlist works better.
Seeing as it’s now sounding like Apple’s giving us a new iPad Mini this month - hooray - I’m even more torn between getting a 15/16 Pro or the regular 16. Definitely waiting til AI and the new camera button features are released, so probably looking at a purchase in 2025. After watching another creator’s case review, I’m surprised at Moft for not ‘finishing off’ the camera button cutout. Other companies have integrated the new button. Why couldn’t Moft? After saying that, I’ve got the tripod, and would definitely recommend. Did make me smile, though, when it was first released and the adverts all showed an iPhone in standby mode, as if it doubled as a charger. Naughty, Moft. Thanks, as always, for the content.
You sound like Miles out of This Life, he has also been in a big film since then all those years ago. I prefered Warren and his cousin from Wales best.
Totally agree. I like my 16PM but I do feel change is needed at Apple. They’re getting complacent and maybe too arrogant. To release a phone without its main feature for months is criminal. As you say we will be getting it in Beta, I wouldn’t put it past Apple these days to turn around and say if you want the full Apple intelligence that’s not in Beta then you will need to purchase the iPhone 17 and that will be how they push to sell next years iPhone.
Looks like apple cant figure out new usefull features ,extra button for camera 😆 I already deactivated action button on my 15pro on the first day. next year they makes extra button for flashlight? I preffer simple things on iphone but everything get to complicate now.
It's not 'stupid' - it's people offering their opinions on it (that's my job), and there are indeed opinions on both sides of the fence. Which is absolutely fine.
I was talking about Apple intelligence to my partner about can a company really sell a phone based on promises that may come in a few months. As it seems to be the main push for the iPhone 16, seems strange to me. Apple intelligence doesn’t really bother me but it does make me wonder what we’ll see from Apple in the future. Not only Apple but i think phone companies now are running out of new/different ideas.
My thoughts Mark. Very honest vid as usual. Apple are so far behind on the AI front that they had to spin it like this before Samsung and Google disappear over the horizon. Unless you're a Social Media Content Creator - needing AirDrop to get Files to your Mac for FCP - the whole EcoSystem discussion carries much much less weight for the rest of us. I could spin it the other way and say with an Android phone I have the choice of many more SmartWatches and can swop between them (and their Android Health Apps). Watching your vid on a 16" M1 MBP, I noticed a big difference in the sound quality between your studio mic and the tweaked iPhone16 Max sound. Has anyone else? In summary, aren't Apple getting later and later to market with stuff most people either do (AI) or don't (pro-mic) need?
I am using an iPhone 12 Pro Max, I was waiting for the 16 Pro Max. But until the AI is there will hold off buying one. I also have an Xiaomi 14 Ultra and a Huawei 70 Pura Ultra. But like my pro max a lot due to the apps our there. The apps on the other phones do not stack up. I have owned 4 Samsung phones, but had battery issues on them and that turned me off.
Who's enjoying using the Camera Control?
I love the camera control button .Dont know why u dont like It .And is perfect for me where was putted .
I intuitively use it to open the camera app. Works especially faster when holding the phone with your left hand.
Zooming and all the “half-press” stuff is horribly buggy or unpredictable so that I often risk missing the moment.
Camera shake from pressing was also a thing with Sony phones I had in the past. So better be careful. But I second your thought that for most situations touching the onscreen shutter is faster.
But what really annoys me is the orientation bug: when having taken a landscape shot it often shows 90 deg ccw rotated until you open the gallery from camera in portrait mode and rotate the phone only then. 😠
Can I do the photo with one hand when riding a bike? With gloves?
@@sebastianserwin3416 This should be possible since this button works from force and doesn’t need capacitive input. It’s a real button 😅
Only to open camera. Control button slow, touchscreen is much easier in use.
Everyone and their mother is complaining about the camera control button for adjusting settings which is 90% true but just go into "accessability" and just turn off the "Light-touch" and now you just have the fastest easiest way to access the camera and snap a photo from a locked phone. I've been wishing for that for 10+ years.
hi from Sony phones
exactly, I had Sony with this button...awesome
Going to try this
Hi Mark, brilliant review, and welcome back to iLand! I just got my 16 Pro Max (moving from a regular 15 Pro), primarily to go back to a bigger screen and battery life. I’ll be doing my own review soon, but before I’ve even used the phone I’m in 100% agreement with you re Apple Intelligence. If the marketing for this lineup hadn’t been so Apple Intelligence centric, maybe this wouldn’t so much of a problem, but they are selling these new phones on the basis of a feature that “normal” people might not understand is missing when they get their new handsets! Thanks again for another great vid.
As someone who upgraded from the iPhone 13 Pro, the 16 Pro is amazing. I don’t care about AI, and the camera control is ignorable. Now, could the camera control be better? Of course. But I didn’t get this phone because of that or the promise of AI. I couldn’t care less for either.
true as well. I am on 13 pro max and better Siri and AI would amazing for me
How do you find the battery life compared to 13 Pro?
@@farrahaqlima not overcharging
How is it more amazing? I just ordered mine, coming from the pro, but I feel like I am just wasting money and I could have waited another year or so.
@@ssergium.4520 The camera alone is worth it for me. The dynamic island is far more useful than I expected. Still trying see if I can get the action button to do what I want it to. The screen seems more responsive, no false taps like I was having.
I have a iPhone 13 Pro Max and I'm not sure if I should upgrade this year or wait for the 17
I've got the 13 Pro, and am tempted to upgrade, but will probably wait for the 17.
Hi there!
So the position of the camera button is (apart from AI missing) the most annoying thing, right? Ever wondered if the size of the phone is just too large for your hands? Tried the iPhone 16 Pro (without Max) also? Maybe the button there is more in reach?
I know, they say size does matter - but one should be able to handle it, too - no?
Cheers!
I have 15 pro max, I’ll wait for the 17 pro max. 16 pro max reviews do not impress me enough to buy one at Australian prices. I don’t use the camera like a professional, so I don’t need to get the latest technology. 15 pro max has a good camera for most users.
The camera control button was optimized for selfie pictures. If you’re holding it in portrait mode, it’s in the perfect spot. If they optimized for landscape, the button becomes utterly unusable for portrait mode because you can’t slide your thumb down without holding the phone like a pinch rather than in your palm. Apple decided it’s better to slightly stretch your finger in landscape than to make it useless in portrait.
10:39 “Apple never used to do this sort of things”
*cough* TouchBar *cough* 😂
at least the Touch Bar wasnt a *coming sometime next year (for us in the uk) :D
**cough** butterfly keyboard **cough**
I think the world forgot that you could also take a photo with the volume rocker if you really needed a button.
@@TheCat0327 True 😄I actually avoided the Touch Bar by buying a 14” MacBook Pro without it, but I couldn’t avoid the butterfly keyboard. Naturally, I had to go through the replacement program to get the keyboard replaced after a couple of years 😄
@@michaelgiordano I use it all the time, so convenient.
Love your voice , can actually understand what you say , which is a pleasant surprise on YT
The audio post process blew my mind! Sounded like a proper studio mike after it was done from the raw audio.
Maybe you never heard a proper mike. IN any video presenting this feature the voice sounded compressed and with a fairly limited frequency range. The standard mike version sounds half decent. "in frame" and "studio" is pretty lofi, specially when background noises (not present in this video here) have to be filtered out-
As someone who could never get used to the on screen button to take pics, especially selfies, I am loving the camera button and the action button. So far a hit with me. I’ve had iOS 18 since beta version and like it as well. 18.0.1 has corrected most of the glitches and looking forward to better Siri. Not my favorite voice assistant by far, let’s see if it close the gap.
You can use your volume button as a shutter button
Apple intelligence isn’t there.. want proof, just talk to Siri?
Love my iPhone 16 pro. Huge battery jump from a base iPhone 13. Doesn’t get hot either.
Sounds like you need a pixel 9xl until March.
Couple of things:
Camera Control: your habit of how to open the camera is not really a reflection of how poor the phone is. You can choose or choose not to implement a new way. I have the 16 Pro Max and I love that I can quickly get into the camera with one button instead of waiting for the screen to turn on, then find and press the camera button then shoot or have to rotate the camera to landscape then shoot. Camera control makes that process way quicker.
Also, you don’t have to use the quick menu, but I like keeping it at the exposure setting because tapping and dragging on the screen can sometimes be cumbersome - have to swipe a ton just to bring exp up or down a notch.
AI: most people to be frank, don’t even know that it’s coming out. I went out to a group dinner with my family, most of them didn’t even have ios18 installed nor did they know AI was coming. Normal folks will be fine with the Siri they have now and once AI launches they’ll be pleasantly surprised.
You have to think that Apple needs time to beta test and make sure that their AI implementation is buttoned up so they don’t have a PR disaster (e.g, a genmoji of the twin towers and some planes)
So true. ❤
Every phone I used the last 10-ish years (android phones) had the option to double press a button, (power button or volume rocker) to fast access the camera, what is new here?
Absolutely
I have the 16 pro max and I’m liking the camera button for the same reasons you say. Given the choice I’d keep it and Apple will fine tune the software.
And guess what? These creators who love to flex on Apple (viz AI) will never mention that Samsung will release Android 15 in February, which is a long delay compared to previous years. Or the Pixel 9 never came with Android 15 and still needs it! If they are not going to be balanced, then we can assume this is pushing the algorithms to mess with people's minds.
Mark, I feel your pain. I'll try and keep this short. 1st: No review of the iPhone 16 versions I've seen yet have rated the PHONE quality - i.e. sound, dropped calls, etc. WTF? Yes, I know, it's not exciting. 2nd: When Nikon released the Z9 (mirrorless camera) it has been doing much the same thing, adding significant updates that were not present at the time of launch - that made the camera much better in many regards. Now Nikon, some would argue, had to get their camera out to stop the bloodletting to Sony and Canon. Another difference is the life cycle of camera bodies is about 4 years, not one. If what you say is true, and the beta version of AI will not be out till March of 2025, that is a bit of a downer. I've been waiting for a more intelligent version of SIRI for a long time (Still own the 6sPlus). I really had to move this year, because my phone was showing it's age. I'll put up with the lack of AI for now as my phone tends to stay with me for a while and I'll be okay when they upgrade the OS. For me, the benefit of Apple is just the fact that I've always used iPhones. I don't own a MAC anything else. I do photography as a hobby, and agree that the implementation of a camera button this way seems a bit awkward. As you said, the bigger issue with Apple being late, is that the technology should be near flawless when implemented. The design well thought out. The current version may leave some saying is this the world we are now living in? Is Apple becoming IBM or Kodak? Time will tell. Thanks for your thoughts.
The extended segment and rant about the camera control was not only hilarious but also absurd. It is not disastourous, it does not affect your day to day use, and you can completely ignore it if you want to. Also what you failed to encapsulate in this video were the drastic improvements in thermal management, increase in ram and cpu performance, as well as the best in class battery life for an iPhone. Long story short, its a great phone and the camera button is not a reason big enought to deter you from purchasing it.
Oh dear, you're new to this channel, aren't you 😆
@@MarkEllisReviews poor excuse for a poor review
I think your frustrated with your purchase, and desperately trying to justify it lols!
Would you do a photo comparison please? Is it better than the 15/16?
I've got the 16 Pro Max on order. Debating now whether to cancel it or not! Best review I've seen so far. Thanks,
What did you do? I’m curious lol
I cannot decide between silver and grey color with the new Samsung tab s10 ultra, kindly advise. I always had the darker color and loved it. Thought to change this time but afraid of the white frame that the lighter color will make to the screen which i don’t really like, especially with the darker keyboard… what your honest thought?
New chips, new modems, new thermal management, new camera, more ram, AI, a new camera button, but it’s just the same old iPhone. People are ridiculously out of touch with technology.
no no, the improvements in microphones as he said is amazing add on!!!
@@michsky46 yeah I didn’t even cover all the upgrades over the 15 Pro. I dunno why Apple fanboys are so critical of Apple. The 16 Pro/ProMax are epic phones.
None of that is needed for normal person browsing tak tok UA-cam …
@@goodvibes9611 so get a flip phone
I HEAR YA! I agree 100% on the two topics you talked about, had considered getting the iPhone 16 Pro Max, but the capture button to me is an eyesore really not needed since we’ve been doing so good With the on screen controls. The new AI I was anxiously waiting but seems to be longer now. I’ll stick with my S24 ultra. Love your videos, watch everyone! Eddie from Kentucky USA
The AI is coming in three weeks with ten on-device AI features, which will be more than the competition! Using iOS 18.1 beta so I know this is nearly ready. Don't fall for the targeted negativity of agenda-driven creators.
As for the camera button, I expect it is not for everyone, so turn it off of not for you. It will also be the button for Visual Intelligence, coming in beta soon.
The big deal people are making about Apple Intelligence is crazy. Like it’s not that serious. When it’s available it’s available. We can live without it. Most didn’t upgrade for Apple Intelligence, and they would have upgraded anyways.
Re :the new camera control button, what if you rotate the phone and operate the button with the left thumb ? Would that work better?
Hugely unnatural, I'm afraid! Not sure I've ever taken a photo like that before!
It's like you pulled that script straight out of my head. I'm in agreement 100%. Even now, as I type this comment, I look over at my 16 Pro Max and wonder if I should keep it or switch it up to Samsung for a bit until Apple Intelligence is fully baked.
I've always bounced between Android and iOS, but I've stuck with iOS for the past 6 years because their security is top-notch. If my phone gets lost or stolen, I know it can't be unlocked without me. Has Samsung improved its security game? Is it as tough as iOS, or is iOS still the best?
how fix the camera control button location. Flip the iPhone so camera control is on the bottom. I have found that I do not “shake” the camera when using camera control as the shutter button when using my left thumb.
Thanks for the review. Are you able to compare the 3x optical zoom of the 15P with the "Zoom to Crop" equivalent of the 16P and give an indication of how they compare? I like the 5x optical zoom idea on the 16P but did quite like the 75-85mm focal length range (around 3x). I had a question how much quality degradation there is on the 3x photos without pixel peeping.
Fully agree with you .
Apple had no new ideas for iPhone 16 so they figured to put in an extra button to take pictures because the other 5 ways we can already do this wasn’t enough 😂
Laws of diminishing returns.
Apple did an interview and advised that it had been in development for many years, from usability to design.
It’s weird that you don’t know by now that iPhone designs are planned 3 years in advance.
So many Karens
@apple-guy9394 ---- Hmm, thanks for repeating the oft mentioned absurd internet meme. Actually this is the largest generational change to an iPhone in many years. You seem to have forgotten about what Steve Jobs said about innovation. Looking at the outside shell of a products doesn't inform you about how innovative a product is. The majority of the innovation happens inside the box. There practically isn't a major sub-system on the phone that hasn't changed for the better. Not to mention the largest OS update ever, when the AI architecture gets fully rolled out.
Great content. It's l8ke being promised a fully furnished home, and after you buy it and you walk in your new fully furnished home is empty. But you'll get part of the furnishings in a month, and the rest in 5 months. Not good
Completely agree about camera control but the one thing I have used it for which is helpful is taking a quick video. With the pro max it’s a slightly more stable way to do it in vertical orientation and really easy to just press the button to launch and then hold it to take a quick video
100% agree about the camera control. When I posted comments on the camera control very similar to what you have said here, Apple fanboys shouted me down. I’ll stick to my 15PM this year.
Can you switch the camera but to something else🤔?
There’s a real feeling of lack of interest in the updates this time, was really looking forward to a useful Siri etc and with the pointless camera button, watch ultra 2 and AirPod max being ignored other than a paint job. If it’s March that AI finally arrives that’s halfway to iPhone 17!
Apple Intelligence = taking your customers for granted
Apple Intelligence is on a long journey that starts with the first steps, and Apple knows that it is important to get it right rather than be the fastest.
Also, what I don’t understand about the photo button is there was already a shutter button there…. The volume button. Been using it for years. It’s great and it’s in the right place!
I understand that the iPhone 17 will get new buttons in the new design, so the volume button may no longer act in that capacity on new phones, so the camera button is the replacement.
Changes for the sake of changes ? 🤔
how is the battery? :)
Enjoyed your video but I am also one of the few that actually like the camera button bc it gives me a semi-SLR camera experience that I miss.
Hello sir, what is the color of the iPhone you got, i like it. Planning to get same color and case also
White
So out of the 4 colours which do you think this white one might be..? 😅
Apple should give the users option to reprogram the shutter button so it serves as a backup power button.
You should tell us how you setup your photographic style to get close to or like your preferred Pixel look.
I didn't upgrade to iPhone 16 Pro Max this year as there was nothing much to upgrade to from my 15 Pro Max. AI is generally regarded as 'pie in the sky'. You did highlight though just how weird this all is. Apple must think it is so important and that not having it is an existential threat to its business. It is weird just the same. The camera shutter button is related to the move back to buttons and switches now underway. I agree though it is a fail. A phone doesn't need a separate camera shutter button...or more to the point we haven't seen it implemented in such a way that it makes sense. Apple were always very good at giving us something wonderful that we didn't know that we needed until we got it. I would suggest they probably should have repurposed the action button for this function...possibly upskilling the action button to give it more power including operating the camera...they have one button too many at the moment.
I think mileage will vary with the camera control depending on hand and screen size. For my hands on a 16 Pro, I feel I can use it comfortably in both landscape and portrait but I can certainly see how on the Max and/or with smaller hands it may not be as comfortable. I imagine that they did compromise on the placement a bit to try and make it usable in both orientations, as I’m sure it would be better optimised for landscape if it were a bit lower down.
I don’t hate it and I done feel that the device is compromised by its inclusion. It just feels a little bit superfluous, save for the basic function of shutter button. That at and quick camera app launch I do fine it pretty decent for. From my personal experience I don’t find that pressing it really shifts the phone out of position but again I expect ymmv. If you don’t have a comfortable grip on it or maybe have grip strength issues, I’m sure that it will be much more awkward.
I'm just trying to determine if I should upgrade to the 16 pro max from a standard 11. I'm not seeing very many arguments besides battery life.I would have to charge my 11 twice a day under heavy use. Sometimes once after an office day just getting notifications of important emails during IT tickets. Probably some location features I need to turn off but I got this 11 during the 13's lifecycle and it wasn't as bad then. Weird. Should I upgrade?
Maybe wait until they’ve sorted out the software ✌️
i’m also looking to upgrade from my iphone 11 something soon to the 16. my biggest thing is do i want the pro max or the plus
Yes of course you should
I am on XS max and planning to buy 16 plus or pixel 9pro 😅
Let's face it: Apple has failed to introduce real innovations for years
To quote Bruxi78230: You seem to have forgotten about what Steve Jobs said about innovation. Looking at the outside shell of a products doesn't inform you about how innovative a product is. The majority of the innovation happens inside the box. There practically isn't a major sub-system on the phone that hasn't changed for the better. Not to mention the largest OS update ever, when the AI architecture gets fully rolled out.
@@rickprive true, but this is innovation from the standpoint of the producer. However, it is the consumer that actually buys the stuff. To be honest, I really don't care if the camera get's a bit better or not or if the phone is 10% faster or not and I believe that most customers don't either.
You didn't even mention the blue streak problem when you try to take a long exposure picture in night mode. It's terrible.
I turn my 16 pro max in and got the Pixel 9 pro fold. I think Apple did some good stuff I seen in the software but it made me appreciate the everyday useful features of Google.
How is it so far ? I’m considering switching too
@@Martytw1 well I always like Google but I always thought they was missing most stuff to include them with Samsung and Apple but this year I feel like they put their best foot forward. Not perfect but definitely worth it
And i came back to the 16 pro max from the 8 pro lol
@@VitiateTheImmortal 8 pro was cool. I think it was still missing something. I think the 9 pro lineup is a whole different vibe. iPhone is at a point where the 15 Pro max got more value when the 16 pro max came out
I don't have an iPhone16, but I've always used the volume button for taking photos, almost never the on screen button. So I completely disagree that the on-screen button is adequate, a hardware button is far better. My issue will be that if/when I get an iPhone with the camera button it is the opposite corner to what I am used to.
Hello Mark, I find one thing a bit odd. A lot of people including you complained about the 14 Pro Max being too heavy. When the 15PM came out people liked that it was slightly lower in weight. Now with the 16PM the weight is up again but no one comments on that. Cheers
I don't think I've ever claimed that the 14 Pro Max was "too heavy", have I?
@@MarkEllisReviews I think you touched that may be wrong. Many others did. You have an English colleague that hates Iphones and loves to make fun of the weight until he got his S24 ultra that weighs more.
An English colleague? Sorry, I'm genuinely not with you.
@@MarkEllisReviews British. I think his channel is called techspurt.
Apple isn't the only manufacture that has released a mobile phone incomplete. As for the camera button, I agree, but you can turn off the button, or you can change the button to use something else like magnifier. I also hate that the case manufactures just did a cutout for the camera buttons. I think I hate that the most. Can't seem to find a case that I like this time around.
That’s because with Apple being so secretive,third party case manufacturers weren’t given enough information beforehand about what type of button it was going to be and how it was going to operate so they had no choice but to go with a cutout.
@@davidjacobs6244 I hope they will come out with more cases with a button over the camera button
I tried cases with cutout from my friend's phone and found it to be annoying to adjust my finger to use Camera Control button, I hope to see more cases with Camera control cover like the ones from Apple.
@@TitleDS Thanks, in the meantime, I guess I'll buy the Apple Silicone to hold me over.
Totally agree. In fact, the iPhone 16 is the first ever iPhone I havent rushed out and upgraded to on launch day.
2 reasons. Firstly the pros have arguably the least compelling changes from the previous gen. Secondly out of principle mirroring your comments the main sales point for all the 16s is Apple Intelligence which wont be fully realised until everyones iPhone 16s are 7-8 months old.
I appreciate Apple having to take their time but Im increasingly frustrated with the need to announce new software features in WWDC that wont come in the .0 release of iOS.
For Apple Intelligence Id have rather they kept the whole lot back until iOS19 and they given us the whole experience in September 2025.
And +1 for the camera control button being useless. Tried it in an Apple Store and couldnt get it to do anything apart from badly zoom and take pictures. Very unintuitive and im happy to be missing out on it for the time being. Im sure by the 17 it will be more refined but I suspect in a few years it will just become the touch bar of the iPhone and be quietly dropped along with Force Touch etc,
Willing to wait for Apple AI. One less function \ feature to worry about lol Really enjoying my 16 Pro Max as it is.
Turn your phone and use camera button with your thumb
I’m going to wait for the 17 version! No 16 for me!
People get all excited at the prospect of a new button then cry when it’s added. Consumers are so weird.
Recently quoted by Apple... "The company doesn't aim to be first, but best" we all know that Apple intelligence will be something special, and worth the wait. It's just a shame we have to wait
I got the 16 pro for 1000 after selling my year old 15 pro max as I wanted a smaller screen but not to much smaller the 6.3 size is the perfect compromise for me,manageable but content isn’t much smaller.Plus the battery health on the 15 pro max started dropping fast.One thing I don’t like about the 16 pro is the camera control button it’s rubbish,it’s good for opening the camera fast but that’s it I use onscreen once it’s opened as the button makes the phone move when pressing it,I do wish spigen had a case available that covers the button completely.All apple had to do was put the action button below the volume buttons and that would have solved the issues and no need for the camera control it’s poor.I do like the 16 pro and think it has upgrades over the 15 pro max the camera is improved.The size is better at 6.3 and it feels less cumbersome and less likely to drop,oh apple why didn’t you just move the action button and solve all the issues about placement.
My biggest gripe isn’t even exclusive to the latest iPhones. It’s iOS!
The lack of polish over the past few years, that only got worse with iOS 18.
The abundance of bugs. The micro-stuttering. The randomly high input lag. The misaligned UI elements. The badly thought out redesigns.
iPhone is Apples largest income maker. Yet, somehow, they’ve become incredibly lazy with the software quality control.
It never used to be like this!
🤣
This is not only on iPhones. We are still waiting for a camera update to fix several issues with the S24U cameras, and it appears that they will only be sorted out next year. Smartphones are now the Swiss knife of tech, and people expecting them to be bug-free need to lower their expectations. Samsung has had many issues and has delayed Android 15 for many months, and even the new Pixel was never released with the latest Android for the first time ever.
Photos app is a mess !
I like the camera button, although I have switched off the swiping stuff and I will not use that. I find that using the button I frame my shots much more thoughtfully, and as for the camera shake nonsense, I honestly think there is as much chance of that happening when you stab at the screen.
Yes, I saw a pro photographer use it to snap without blur. That is just creators using the lowest domination to push their agenda.
I’m waiting for possibly the NEW iPhone SE 🤗
Spot on as usually. 🤖
The camera control is awesome.
I stopped chasing phones years ago, I’m still happy with my 13 pro max for now., will probably change to 15 and not on a contract late next year, who really wants to spend 2 k on a phone now , not me !😮
It's more than a phone. It's a mobile computer. Isn't it?
Yes but I just can pay that sort of money 💰
I have been thinking and maybe we are meant to use our right middle finger for the camera control and I am not making a puerile joke though it seems like it.
I find that if you use that finger you can reach the CC no problem.
Btw I am a lefty and have never found the onscreen shutter button to be easy to use for me personally.
I am thinking if I need to do some photography I will assign the action button for taking a snap.
I do love my 16 pro max. Nice big screen, awesome camera, the button is fun. The speakers are great so is the battery.
I didnt expect AI anyways cuz im in europe so its nothing i would miss… perfect phone. Gonna be even better if the EU ever sorts AI out
I agree to the comparison of Samsung and Apple in general. Every manufacturer has its strengths and weaknesses and I wanted to love my s24u, but in the end I prefer the strengths of the apple eco. And the camera button could have solved a problem I actually have. The camera settings in the camera app are spread across the screen, some up, some down (or left and right depending of the orientation), and the camera control could have been the home for all of them, but it isn't. The implementation is bad and getting used to it feels painful and not intuitive. Maybe future updates will fix it. And that's the point of the 16 line up. Software wise it's a customers beta, with bad implemented and missing features even tough the are present in ads. Maybe to much pressure on Apple this time..?
Unsure if I like battery life on 16 pro max. Seems off to me from 13 pro max
I bought an iPhone 16 pro max cause it can play Resident evil 4 remake which is a ps5 game you can’t on the other phone, I don’t think ( didn’t see it as a compatible device) so to me it’s superior by far.
Great video, as always, Mark. I went into an apple shop today to have a play with the new camera control thingy and I have to say it is rubbish. When I launched the camera with it, it would not zoom in and out when I scrolled until about 5 seconds later. It is just awful. And so unlike apple. I do not know what is going on at apple HQ but something does not seem right.
Battery life?
My brand new iPhone 16 pro max is a piece of junk…Siri does not work, camera does not work, it’s SO BAD!!! Figures, the first time I splurged on a “pro max” version and it’s just terrible…taking back tomorrow…do u know anything about the iPhone 15. Thanks
There is probably a bug in pro max 16 iOS 18, our phone camera just open by itself, anybody had same issue?
Pity you can’t have the iPhone mirroring onto an iPad.
Yeah, why not?
I can't even on my Mac...no idea why, says not available in your country 🫣
Should be called the overheater...
Mark,,,,, I totally AGREE with you. It is totally BS that AI isn’t even there.
I will be staying with my 15. Don’t understand that camera button 🤔
Due to the delay and piece-meal AI fiasco, I have sent my 16pro back and got a pixel 9 pro. Very happy using my Gemini :-)
That’s great, but it’s still a pixel..
@@D3ZG1978 I know. I have stopped looking at specs and enjoy the feel and aesthetics of a phone now (They are all fast and they all take great pictures).
For the first time ever, been enjoying the Pixel 9 ProXL over iPhone 15 Pro. I don't know why but Gemini is really fun specially with photos. Shame it is only free for 1 year.
Absolutely right. I ordered a pro max. Won’t arrive till end of this month. Didn’t realise AI not coming till March, which means my phone will be superseded and devalued in less than 6 months by the 17 (built with AI).
I didn't buy it for the AI, but its something to look forward to when it arrives, like having a new phone again, I see your point perphaps Apple shouldn't have made such a big noise about it?
Great video. Well said re the camera button and AI. I have never encountered something this before either. Very unusual for Apple.
Google, Apple and Samsung have been doing it for at leat two years, so not sure where you have been. Apple released loads of stuff after the launch, as does Google, and Samsung released most of their AI in September 2.8GB update. I think you are being rather unfair and missing the point that it is better to release stuff when it is ready, not because the YT creator clan want it on launch date. Ditto Samsung delaying Android 15 to next year, and Google releasing Pixel 9 without Android 15. Where is the mock outrage and hyperbole for them?
@@andyH_England You don’t know where I have been. Well, I have been buying the latest iPhone every year (trying Samsung and Google phones along the way) and I haven’t encountered such a heavily touted new feature on the phone not being available and not fully functioning until halfway through the models time before the next version launches. The 16 Pro Max is basically the 15 with a camera control button.
To be real like an average consumer. I did change from iPhone 14 pro max to the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL and the whole eco system. I love the phone, the watch, and the buds. But the ecosystem wasn't there for me. I really went back to the apple ecosystem. I did put more life into apple than android. Apple understands me so well that I had to go back to it's ecosystem. Android needs to improve its ecosystem especially the watch and phone Bluetooth features.
I want to upgrade to a larger pro iPhone but I can't, until Apple actually physically enhance the camera lenses rather than their cheat computational software tweeks I am not interested & will remain with my iPhone 13 mini, I know full well that I take a unique approach to an iPhone, I see it as a camera first, the facility for calls, messages, texts, internet are a bonus to owning the device, I can't see my required overhaul coming until at least iPhone 20 that is if Apple is still in existence!.
Apple flipped the “Recently Deleted” section of Photos upside down in ios 18. Why? Idfk. They’re just doing things to do things now. It’s obnoxious.
I would have to agree that shutter button is no where near how Sony uses it. I went from android to apple and will stay
In my country , Kenya, we can't get ECG on our Apple watches nor can get Apple TV in 2024. Though they are more than happy to have us pay for extra icloud storage and Apple Music. WTF
The moment i found out Apple Intelligence was going to be available for the iPhone 15 pro max, the phone that i currently own - i cancelled my 16 pro max pre-order. I thought the AI was one of the new exclusive features. It would be a different story if i was coming from an iPhone 13 or 14 but it is too small of an upgrade for the iPhone 15 Pro max for me. Have been using iPhones since the 4 and have never felt the temptation to move to android. I've bought way too many apps over the years to switch OS 😂.
I'm pretty disappointed with the camera control button, it's useful for opening the camera but it's weird placement makes it fairly cumbersome as a shutter or for scrolling about in the camera settings. I've been using the iOS 18.1 beta for about a week and some of the Apple Intelligence stuff is pretty cool, but I think they actually managed to make Siri worse, not just with 18.1 beta but with iOS 18 in general. With Apple intelligence I ask it to show me pictures of my cat Meg, she's in my pets and places section so should be an easy request, but instead it shows me random cat pictures from the internet. I ask it to shuffle one of my playlists and it just plays random stuff from Apple music instead most of the time. The playlist issue started with iOS 18 but hasn't improved with Apple Intelligence, I find asking Siri on my Apple watch to shuffle my playlist works better.
Siri 2.0 is not on iOS 18.1, it comes with iOS 18.2 so that is not a shocker.
Still enjoying my iPhone 13 Pro...
Seeing as it’s now sounding like Apple’s giving us a new iPad Mini this month - hooray - I’m even more torn between getting a 15/16 Pro or the regular 16. Definitely waiting til AI and the new camera button features are released, so probably looking at a purchase in 2025.
After watching another creator’s case review, I’m surprised at Moft for not ‘finishing off’ the camera button cutout. Other companies have integrated the new button. Why couldn’t Moft? After saying that, I’ve got the tripod, and would definitely recommend. Did make me smile, though, when it was first released and the adverts all showed an iPhone in standby mode, as if it doubled as a charger. Naughty, Moft.
Thanks, as always, for the content.
I’d have to disagree with him on problem number one.
You sound like Miles out of This Life, he has also been in a big film since then all those years ago. I prefered Warren and his cousin from Wales best.
But you dont have to use the button so it doesnt matter
It’s not just the pointlessness of the iPhone 16 camera button..
Apple philosophy all along has been to remove buttons and ports ..
Totally agree. I like my 16PM but I do feel change is needed at Apple. They’re getting complacent and maybe too arrogant. To release a phone without its main feature for months is criminal.
As you say we will be getting it in Beta, I wouldn’t put it past Apple these days to turn around and say if you want the full Apple intelligence that’s not in Beta then you will need to purchase the iPhone 17 and that will be how they push to sell next years iPhone.
Looks like apple cant figure out new usefull features ,extra button for camera 😆 I already deactivated action button on my 15pro on the first day. next year they makes extra button for flashlight?
I preffer simple things on iphone but everything get to complicate now.
Nobody is forcing anybody to buy anything. Buying a brand new phone every year is CRAZY for a non-techie person.
It's not 'crazy', but it _is_ uncommon.
The camera button outrage is stupid. Just don’t use it. For the ones that like it. Use it.
It's not 'stupid' - it's people offering their opinions on it (that's my job), and there are indeed opinions on both sides of the fence. Which is absolutely fine.
I was talking about Apple intelligence to my partner about can a company really sell a phone based on promises that may come in a few months. As it seems to be the main push for the iPhone 16, seems strange to me. Apple intelligence doesn’t really bother me but it does make me wonder what we’ll see from Apple in the future. Not only Apple but i think phone companies now are running out of new/different ideas.
My thoughts Mark. Very honest vid as usual. Apple are so far behind on the AI front that they had to spin it like this before Samsung and Google disappear over the horizon.
Unless you're a Social Media Content Creator - needing AirDrop to get Files to your Mac for FCP - the whole EcoSystem discussion carries much much less weight for the rest of us. I could spin it the other way and say with an Android phone I have the choice of many more SmartWatches and can swop between them (and their Android Health Apps).
Watching your vid on a 16" M1 MBP, I noticed a big difference in the sound quality between your studio mic and the tweaked iPhone16 Max sound. Has anyone else?
In summary, aren't Apple getting later and later to market with stuff most people either do (AI) or don't (pro-mic) need?
I am using an iPhone 12 Pro Max, I was waiting for the 16 Pro Max. But until the AI is there will hold off buying one. I also have an Xiaomi 14 Ultra and a Huawei 70 Pura Ultra.
But like my pro max a lot due to the apps our there. The apps on the other phones do not stack up. I have owned 4 Samsung phones, but had battery issues on them and that turned me off.