I bought the iPhone 16 Pro for just one reason - and AI's got nothing to do with it

Whether I am capturing my Sunday brunch, outfit on the go, or an engagement session for a couple, I am always taking photos. For that reason, having a just "okay" camera on my iPhone 14 hasn't been cutting it, and once I saw camera specs on the iPhone 16 Pro, I jumped at the opportunity. 

Also: I upgraded to the iPhone 16 Plus - here's why it's the model most people should buy

The camera system on the iPhone 16 Pro is a significant upgrade from the iPhone 14 and even the iPhone 15. It features improved hardware for taking photos and includes other major enhancements, such as the new Camera Control, which elevates the entire photo-taking experience. 

The camera specs

Starting with the camera specs, the iPhone 16 Pro has a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera, ideal for capturing more details and higher-resolution images. It also has a 5X optical zoom, a handy feature -- until now typically reserved for Pro Max models -- for taking high-quality photos of distant objects.

Despite the iPhone 16 Pro boasting the same impressive camera system as the iPhone 16 Pro Max -- the best in the iPhone 16 lineup -- a major advantage of the Pro is that it still fits comfortably and compactly in your pocket. This was important for me as I love to take photos on the go, especially at tech events and conferences where I don't want to carry my camera. 

Also: Every iPhone 16 model compared: Should you buy the standard, Plus, Pro, or Max?

If you also create a lot of video content, the iPhone 16 Pro is also a competitive offering. It can shoot 4K video at 120 frames per second, which is Hollywood-level filming, and even make spatial video recordings to create videos for the Apple Vision Pro.

The mics on the iPhone 16 Pro have also been upgraded, enabling users to capture better audio on their videos and access advanced audio editing features such as the new Audio Mix software, which should improve the video recording experience. 

Camera Control should make things more fun

The feature I am most excited about using in my everyday life is the new Camera Control. If you are used to taking photos with a camera, you're accustomed to using your fingertips to control elements of your photo. 

For example, the pressure you use on the shutter impacts the focus of the image, and the dial at the top of the camera controls the aperture and shutter speed, significantly impacting the photograph's outcome. You can have a similar tactile experience on the iPhone 16 Pro. 

Also: iPhone 16 Pro: Upgrading from iPhone 13 Pro or earlier? Your list of new features is impressive

The Camera Control is touch-capacitive and sits underneath the power button for easy access while holding the phone horizontally to take a landscape photo. Users can use the button to quickly access the camera, take a photo, and personalize settings while taking photos. ZDNET editor-in-chief Jason Hiner has used the smartphone extensively since its launch, and he calls it a "feat of engineering." 

"One press opens the camera app. A second press takes a photo. Press and hold, and it starts recording video. A light press and a swipe to one side or the other lets you zoom in and out. A double light press and a swipe to either side lets you select different settings from zoom to depth of field to the new photo styles to several other options," Hiner explains. 

Even though it sounds extremely complicated, when I tried the feature on my colleagues' test unit in the office, it clicked after I performed the motion just a couple of times. Not only does the ease of access sound like a huge productivity boost for when I am working, but it will also allow me to spend less time fiddling with my phone to take a picture and more time being present. 

The sleeper hit

A major pain point for iPhone users is that what you see on your screen when taking a photo often doesn't translate into the final product with an apparent difference in hues or lighting. I cannot even express how many times I have had a photo ruined by the autocorrection the phone applies. 

Also: We've used every iPhone 16 model and here's our best buying advice for 2024

Now, the iPhone 16 lineup features the newest version of Photographic Style, which allows users to scroll through different "styles," which act like subtle filters that adjust different colors in your photo before you take the shot. Then, after you take the shot, you can make adjustments in the Photos app.