Is the iPhone 16 still worth buying in 2026? Yes, if spending the least possible while staying on iOS is the goal: once the iPhone 17 launched, Apple cut the 16’s price to $699 and still sells it new, with the same A18 chip and full warranty. What you give up next to the 17 is specific — a 60Hz screen instead of 120Hz, no Camera Control button — and it’s laid out below, version by version, so nothing catches you off guard.
Quick pick
| If your priority is… | Get the… | Approx. price |
|---|---|---|
| Spending the least with a current chip | iPhone 16 (128GB) | $699 |
| A bigger screen and more battery | iPhone 16 Plus (128GB) | $799 |
| A telephoto camera, officially refurbished | iPhone 16 Pro Renewed (Apple) | ~$759 |
| The biggest screen at the best price you’ll find | iPhone 16 Pro Max (Amazon, remaining stock) | ~$950 |
Does the jump from your current iPhone make sense?
The real question isn’t “is the 16 good?” — it is — but whether it’s worth moving there from whatever iPhone you already own. The answer changes a lot depending on where you’re coming from, and in several rows the honest answer is no.
| Your current iPhone | What you actually gain by jumping to the 16 | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 11 / 12 | Big jump: USB-C, faster Face ID, a noticeably better camera, and a lot more years of iOS support ahead | Jump |
| iPhone 13 | 48MP Fusion camera and the Action button; battery improves, but not dramatically | Jump if your battery is already struggling |
| iPhone 14 | The jump is mostly USB-C and Apple Intelligence; everything else feels similar day to day | Wait another year |
| iPhone 15 | Almost nothing changes besides the Camera Control button; same design, very similar camera | Wait another year |
| iPhone 15 Pro | The plain 16 is actually a STEP BACK in camera (no telephoto) and screen (60Hz) | Don’t jump — keep it, or go to the 16 Pro instead |
If you’re coming from a 14 or 15, you’re better off waiting and saving for a discounted 17 next year — the same math that makes this iPhone 16 attractive today. If you’re coming from an 11, 12, or 13, the jump does show up in daily use, not just on a spec sheet: it’s three or four years of camera, chip, and battery life, not just a bigger number.
The models on sale right now
iPhone 16 — the cheapest one with a current chip
Apple sells it new starting at $699 (128GB), with the A18 chip, a dual 48MP Fusion camera, and the Action button. What you give up next to the 17: a 60Hz screen (the 17 now ships with 120Hz standard) and the physical Camera Control button. For anyone who just wants messaging, social apps, and a decent camera without overthinking it, it’s the most sensible entry into iOS with a long runway of updates ahead of it.
🛒 Check the iPhone 16 priceiPhone 16 Plus — the same experience, a bigger screen
Same A18 chip and same camera as the 16, in a 6.7” screen with a notably bigger battery (4,674mAh versus the base model’s 3,561mAh), for $799. What you give up: still no 120Hz and no telephoto, so if you were after better zoom camera, this model doesn’t solve that for you — it only gets you a bigger screen and more battery life.
🛒 Check the iPhone 16 Plus priceiPhone 16 Pro — a telephoto lens for less than a base 17
Apple stopped selling it new in September 2025, but it’s available officially refurbished, with the same warranty as a new one, for around $759. It packs the A18 Pro chip, a 120Hz ProMotion screen, and the first 5x telephoto Apple put on the non-Max Pro (previously exclusive to the Pro Max). What you give up compared to buying a new 17 Pro: less base storage, and you no longer get AppleCare+ coverage from day one unless you buy it separately — plus you’re technically buying used hardware, even if it’s certified.
🛒 Search for the refurbished iPhone 16 ProiPhone 16 Pro Max — the biggest screen, no official Apple channel left
Discontinued by Apple the same day as the 16 Pro, it’s now only found on Amazon and other sellers while stock lasts, usually under $1,000 (hovering around $950 in recent listings) versus its $1,199 launch price. Same A18 Pro chip and same 5x telephoto as the Pro, with a 6.9” screen and the best battery of the generation (4,685mAh). What you give up: since it’s not coming through an official Apple channel anymore, warranty depends on the seller — always check that the listing says “Apple Certified Renewed” or similar before paying, and know that stock keeps shrinking with no restocking, so prices can shift from one week to the next.
🛒 Check the iPhone 16 Pro Max priceThe iPhone 16 next to the 17, by price
The chart makes the real gap obvious: the price difference between a refurbished 16 Pro Max and a brand-new iPhone 17 is smaller than it looks at first glance, so if your budget stretches that far, compare both before deciding to save on price alone.
Older iPhones that are still worth it
If the 16 still stretches your budget too far, older generations keep iOS support while dropping in price a lot more: a refurbished iPhone 15 or 14 runs about half of what a new 16 costs, with a camera and screen that are still perfectly usable day to day, even without the A18 chip or the Action button. The full guide, with real prices for every generation, lives at which old iPhone to buy in 2026.
What else you’ll need
No iPhone 16 ships with a charger in the box, so budget for this too:
- A USB-C charger of at least 20W to get fast charging — the iPhone hasn’t shipped with one of its own since 2020.
- MagSafe (charger or power bank): the 16 and 16 Plus charge at 25W over MagSafe, double what a generic Qi2 pad delivers.
- A case with MagSafe magnets: without one you lose the charger’s magnetic alignment, not just the protection.
- AirPods Pro 3 (~$249): instant pairing and automatic switching between Apple devices don’t work the same way with another brand’s earbuds.
FAQ
How many years of updates does an iPhone get? Apple doesn’t publish a cutoff date in advance, but recent history points to at least 5-6 years of major iOS updates, with some models reaching 7-8. The iPhone 16 has almost that entire runway still ahead of it.
Is it worth buying last year’s iPhone instead of the new one? If budget is what matters, yes: you lose 120Hz and the physical Camera Control button, but you keep the same A18 chip and years of support ahead. If those two features don’t matter to you, saving $100 makes sense.
Is a refurbished iPhone a good idea? Yes, as long as it’s officially refurbished by Apple (like the 16 Pro today) or labeled “Amazon Renewed” with a warranty. Skip third-party listings without that label.
Which iPhone 16 has the best battery? The Pro Max, at 4,685mAh; the Plus follows closely at 4,674mAh. The base model, at 3,561mAh, lasts the least of the four.
Looking for the newest model instead of saving money? Check the iPhone 17 buying guide or the Top 10 iPhones.
← Back to home · Looking to compare prices and specs? Check the tier comparison.