The iPhone 16 Plus is the bigger sibling of the iPhone 16, with the same chip and features in a 6.7-inch body. Apple no longer lists it on its main iPhone page, but it is still common on the used and refurbished market, so this page collects Apple’s documented specifications and iFixit’s repair information, and explains what they mean for the cable and charger you need. Every figure is traced to a source listed at the bottom of the page.
Key specs
| Release date | 2024-09-20 |
|---|---|
| Status | Older model |
| Charging port | USB-C |
| USB spec | USB 2 (up to 480Mb/s) |
| Wireless charging | Qi2, MagSafe |
| Charger in box | No |
| Display type | OLED |
| Display size (in) | 6.7 |
| Chip | A18 |
| Storage options | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Launch price (USD, MSRP) | $899 |
| iFixit repairability score | 7/10 |
Two blanks are deliberate. The wired charging row is empty because Apple gives a fast-charge claim tied to a 20W adapter, not a maximum wattage. The refresh rate row is empty because Apple lists no ProMotion or refresh rate for this model.
Where does the iPhone 16 Plus fit?
Apple introduced the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus together on September 9, 2024, with the A18 chip, a 48MP Fusion camera, Camera Control and the Action button. Pre-orders began Friday, September 13, with availability from Friday, September 20. The iPhone 16 Plus started at $899 in the US, with 128GB, 256GB and 512GB of storage. Apple lists five colors: black, white, pink, teal and ultramarine.
We found no sales ranking that names the iPhone 16 Plus, so it ranks thirty-seventh in our library on the strength of Apple’s own compare page, which lists it among older iPhones. Apple’s main lineup page now lists the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone Air, iPhone 17, iPhone 17e and iPhone 16, so we mark the Plus as discontinued; carriers and retailers may still stock it. See the Apple hub for current models, including the iPhone 17.
What cable does the iPhone 16 Plus use?
The iPhone 16 Plus has one USB-C connector. Apple’s specifications list charging, DisplayPort and USB 2 data transfer at up to 480Mb/s, and the box includes a 1 m USB-C charge cable that Apple says supports fast charging and works with USB-C power adapters and computer ports.
Because the data speed is USB 2, a faster cable will not speed up transfers, since the USB-IF says USB products run at the lowest common speed; see the USB speed guide. Our USB-C explainer covers the connector. If you have Lightning accessories from an older phone, our Lightning page summarizes what Apple says about its USB-C to Lightning adapter, and cable buying safety covers choosing a new cable.
What charger does the iPhone 16 Plus need?
Wired. Apple lists the iPhone 16 Plus as fast-charge capable: up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes with a 20W adapter or higher (available separately) paired with a USB-C charging cable. Apple also notes a 30W adapter or higher with a MagSafe Charger gives the same headline figure. The phone does not include a power adapter, and Apple encourages you to use any compatible USB-C power adapter. See the wattage guide and USB Power Delivery.
MagSafe. Apple’s specification page lists MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W with a 30W adapter or higher. Apple’s MagSafe page says the iPhone 16 Plus reaches 25W with a 30W or greater adapter rated 15V/2.0A or higher, and that charging is limited while USB-C or Lightning accessories are connected. Plug the charger into power before placing the phone on it, so MagSafe can verify it is safe to deliver maximum power.
Qi2 and Qi. Apple lists Qi2 wireless charging up to 25W; see Qi2 explained and the wireless charger guide. For a checklist, read which charger is safe for my phone.
The screen, explained
The iPhone 16 Plus has a 6.7-inch all-screen OLED display, branded Super Retina XDR, at 2796-by-1290 pixels and 460 ppi, with Dynamic Island. Apple lists 1000 nits typical maximum brightness, 1600 nits peak for HDR, 2000 nits peak outdoors and a 1 nit minimum brightness. OLED means each pixel makes its own light, which is why dark areas can be very dark; see OLED explained. Apple lists no ProMotion or adaptive refresh rate for this model, so our table leaves the refresh rate blank; the refresh rate guide explains the numbers on other iPhones, and LTPO OLED explains the panel type behind adaptive refresh.
Performance, cameras and battery
The A18 chip has a 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores, a 5-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine, according to Apple’s specifications. Apple’s launch post says the 6-core CPU is 30 percent faster than the A16 Bionic chip and can run the same workload with 30 percent less power.
The camera system is a 48MP Fusion Main camera (26 mm, f/1.6, sensor-shift optical image stabilization), which also enables a 12MP 2x Telephoto option, and a 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120-degree field of view). Apple lists a 4x optical zoom range, digital zoom up to 10x and a 12MP TrueDepth front camera at f/1.9. Camera Control and the Action button are listed as controls.
For battery life Apple lists up to 27 hours of video playback, up to 24 hours of streamed video and up to 100 hours of audio playback. These are manufacturer figures. Apple’s launch post says the internal design was reengineered to allow an even larger battery and to make battery service easier.
Build, durability and connectivity
The iPhone 16 Plus has an aluminum design with a Ceramic Shield front and a color-infused glass back. It is rated IP68, with a maximum depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes under IEC standard 60529. It measures 6.33 inches tall, 3.06 inches wide and 0.31 inch deep and weighs 7.03 ounces (199 grams). Apple lists Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, Thread, a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, 5G on sub-6 GHz and mmWave bands with 4x4 MIMO, and dual eSIM; the phone is not compatible with physical SIM cards.
How it compares with the iPhone 16
Apple’s pages show the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus as the same phone in two sizes. Both use the A18 chip, USB 2 at up to 480Mb/s, MagSafe and Qi2 up to 25W, and launched with 128GB, 256GB and 512GB options. The Plus has the 6.7-inch display against 6.1 inches, lists up to 27 hours of video playback against 22 hours, and launched at $899 against $799.
Safety and security features Apple lists
Apple’s specifications list Face ID, enabled by the TrueDepth camera, along with Apple Pay. Under peace of mind it lists Emergency SOS via satellite, Crash Detection, Roadside Assistance via satellite, Messages via satellite and Find My via satellite. Satellite features depend on region, and Apple’s footnotes describe the conditions, so read them before relying on them.
What is in the box
Apple’s specifications list the iPhone, a 1 m USB-C charge cable and documentation, and say the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus do not include a power adapter or EarPods. Apple encourages you to use any compatible USB-C power adapter.
Repair overview
iFixit’s device page for the iPhone 16 Plus shows a repairability score of 7 out of 10 and lists guides for parts including the back glass, screen, speakers and cameras. Two guides we verified are iPhone 16 Plus Back Glass Removal and iPhone 16 Plus Screen Removal. We link to the pages and never copy iFixit’s text.
Read our repair overview for the iPhone 16 Plus, battery replacement basics, screen replacement basics and how to read repairability scores. Apple says a professional provider using genuine parts is the safest route for most battery repairs.
Video reviews
We have not verified individual review videos for this phone, so we do not list any. You can browse more video reviews of the iPhone 16 Plus on YouTube.
Compatible accessories
Categories to look at: MagSafe cases, 30W chargers and screen protectors. We do not have affiliate links yet; when we do they will be marked as paid links.
See the accessories hub, chargers and power banks, which have airline rules.
Who should buy it, and who might skip it
Facts that help you decide:
- You want a big screen without a Pro price. It launched at $899 with a 6.7-inch OLED.
- You want 25W MagSafe and Qi2 charging. Apple lists both up to 25W.
- You want repair information. iFixit scores it 7 out of 10 and lists guides.
- You want a smooth 120Hz screen. Apple lists no ProMotion for this model.
- You want a charger included. None is in the box.
- You want a phone Apple still lists. It is not on Apple’s main lineup page.