The iPhone 16 family is now available! If you're considering the standard iPhone 16, it's a pretty solid upgrade. It gets a new A18 processor, an improved ultra-wide lens with macro photography, a larger battery, the action button from 2023's Pros, and the all-new camera control button.
The iPhone 18 Pro family and the iPhone 18 Pro Max are now available to purchase outright or paired with a mobile plan.
iPhone 16 plans
The iPhone 16 is available on mobile plans from Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone. All three providers offer the choice of 24-month and 36-month repayment terms. A 24-month term means you own your iPhone 16 faster, while a 36-month term brings down your monthly cost.
36-month iPhone 16 plans
iPhone 16 128GB Plans
|
#1
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$73.68/mth
Min. cost $1,287.48
|
|
#2
|
Optus
$69 Optus Promo Plan
$103.68/mth
Min. cost $1,317.48
|
|
#3
|
Optus
$70 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$104.68/mth
Min. cost $1,318.48
|
|
#4
|
Telstra
$84 Essential Upfront Mobile Plan
$111.47/mth
Min. cost $1,422.92
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
|
Telstra
$74 Basic Upfront Mobile Plan
$111.47/mth
Min. cost $1,422.92
Link not supplied
|
|
#6
|
Telstra
$99 Premium Upfront Mobile Plan
$121.47/mth
Min. cost $1,432.92
Link not supplied
|
|
#7
|
Optus
$90 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$124.68/mth
Min. cost $1,338.48
|
iPhone 16 256GB Plans
|
#1
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$83.40/mth
Min. cost $1,637.40
Out of stock
|
|
#2
|
Optus
$69 Optus Promo Plan
$113.40/mth
Min. cost $1,667.40
Out of stock
|
|
#3
|
Optus
$70 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$114.40/mth
Min. cost $1,668.40
Out of stock
|
|
#4
|
Optus
$90 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$134.40/mth
Min. cost $1,688.40
Out of stock
|
iPhone 16 512GB Plans
|
#1
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$93.12/mth
Min. cost $1,987.32
Out of stock
|
|
#2
|
Telstra
$84 Essential Upfront Mobile Plan
$121.19/mth
Min. cost $1,772.84
Out of stock
|
|
#3
|
Telstra
$74 Basic Upfront Mobile Plan
$121.19/mth
Min. cost $1,772.84
Out of stock
|
|
#4
|
Optus
$69 Optus Promo Plan
$123.12/mth
Min. cost $2,017.32
Out of stock
|
|
#5
|
Optus
$70 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$124.12/mth
Min. cost $2,018.32
Out of stock
|
|
#6
|
Telstra
$99 Premium Upfront Mobile Plan
$131.19/mth
Min. cost $1,782.84
Out of stock
|
|
#7
|
Optus
$90 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$144.12/mth
Min. cost $2,038.32
Out of stock
|
24-month iPhone 16 plans
iPhone 16 128GB Plans
|
#1
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$91.02/mth
Min. cost $1,287.48
|
|
#2
|
Optus
$69 Optus Promo Plan
$121.02/mth
Min. cost $1,317.48
|
|
#3
|
Optus
$70 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$122.02/mth
Min. cost $1,318.48
|
|
#4
|
Telstra
$84 Essential Upfront Mobile Plan
$130.20/mth
Min. cost $1,422.80
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
|
Telstra
$74 Basic Upfront Mobile Plan
$130.20/mth
Min. cost $1,422.80
Link not supplied
|
|
#6
|
Telstra
$99 Premium Upfront Mobile Plan
$140.20/mth
Min. cost $1,432.80
Link not supplied
|
|
#7
|
Optus
$90 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$142.02/mth
Min. cost $1,338.48
|
iPhone 16 256GB Plans
|
#1
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$105.60/mth
Min. cost $1,637.40
Out of stock
|
|
#2
|
Optus
$69 Optus Promo Plan
$135.60/mth
Min. cost $1,667.40
Out of stock
|
|
#3
|
Optus
$70 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$136.60/mth
Min. cost $1,668.40
Out of stock
|
|
#4
|
Optus
$90 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$156.60/mth
Min. cost $1,688.40
Out of stock
|
iPhone 16 512GB Plans
|
#1
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$120.18/mth
Min. cost $1,987.32
Out of stock
|
|
#2
|
Telstra
$84 Essential Upfront Mobile Plan
$144.79/mth
Min. cost $1,772.96
Out of stock
|
|
#3
|
Telstra
$74 Basic Upfront Mobile Plan
$144.79/mth
Min. cost $1,772.96
Out of stock
|
|
#4
|
Optus
$69 Optus Promo Plan
$150.18/mth
Min. cost $2,017.32
Out of stock
|
|
#5
|
Optus
$70 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$151.18/mth
Min. cost $2,018.32
Out of stock
|
|
#6
|
Telstra
$99 Premium Upfront Mobile Plan
$154.79/mth
Min. cost $1,782.96
Out of stock
|
|
#7
|
Optus
$90 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$171.18/mth
Min. cost $2,038.32
Out of stock
|
If you're looking to get your iPhone 16 on a plan, there are a few solid telco deals around.
Optus: Save $300 on the RRP of the iPhone 16 from Optus when you select a 24- or 36-month repayment term. Offer ends August 3.
Follow these links to compare plans for the rest of the iPhone 16 family:
How much does the iPhone 16 cost in Australia?
Every iPhone 16 model got a price cut in Australia compared to the iPhone 15 family.
The iPhone 16 starts at $1,399, down from $1,499 for the iPhone 15. The iPhone 16 Plus starts at $1,599, down from $1,649.
If you're looking at going Pro, both devices had $50 cut from their starting price. This means you'll pay $1,799 for the iPhone 16 Pro, or $2,149 for the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Here's the complete outright pricing for the iPhone 16 family:
| Phone | RRP | Check price on |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | $999 | - |
| iPhone 16e (256GB) | $1,199 | - |
| iPhone 16e (512GB) | $1,599 | - |
| iPhone 16 (128GB) | $1,249 | Amazon |
| iPhone 16 (256GB) | $1,599* | Amazon |
| iPhone 16 (512GB) | $1,949* | Amazon |
| iPhone 16 Plus (128GB) | $1,399 | Amazon |
| iPhone 16 Plus (256GB) | $1,599 | Amazon |
| iPhone 16 Plus (512GB) | $2,149* | Amazon |
| iPhone 16 Pro (128GB) | $1,799* | Amazon |
| iPhone 16 Pro (256GB) | $1,999* | Amazon |
| iPhone 16 Pro (512GB) | $2,349* | Amazon |
| iPhone 16 Pro (1TB) | $2,749* | Amazon |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max (256GB) | $2,149* | Amazon |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max (512GB) | $2,499* | Amazon |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max (1TB) | $2,849* | Amazon |
*iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, and some iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus storage variants were discontinued in September 2025. While the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models still being sold were given price cuts, this isn't the case for the discontinued variants or the Pro models. As such, we're still listing their launch pricing here. You should be able to find them cheaper, however.
iPhone 16 features
Every iPhone 16 model gets a few new shared features this time around. These include a more durable display (said to be 50% tougher than iPhone 15 models), faster wireless charging, new processors, improved battery life, and WiFi 7.
The phones also have a new "button" called camera control. Camera control is used for quickly opening the camera app, taking photos, and adjusting settings. In addition to acting as a button, the camera control is effectively a tiny trackpad. This means you can slide your finger across it to go between camera modes or tweak options like zoom and aperture.
In addition, the phones are considered the flagship devices for Apple Intelligence, with the company calling them the first iPhones designed for the technology.
Key changes for iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max include larger displays, higher frame rate video capture, and a new microphone configuration for capturing spatial audio.
Key changes for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus include the action button from the iPhone 16 Pros and a rejigged camera configuration.
Dodo's NBN 500 Unlimited plan is our pick for the best NBN 500 plan for September.
|
Dodo
FTTP, HFC
Editor's Pick
nbn500 Unlimited Plan
$62.99/mth
Min. cost $62.99
|
Apple Intelligence
As with everyone in tech, Apple is touting AI features for the iPhone 16 family. Dubbed Apple Intelligence, the features are fairly low-touch compared to some of the other implementations we've seen.
These include writing tools, smart summaries for notifications and email subjects, a more conversational Siri, and image and emoji generation.
The iPhone 16 family can use the camera control button in a similar way to Google Lens. Clicking and holding camera control while you've got the camera app open can provide information about what you're looking at. Restaurant opening hours and reservation options, band details from a poster, and breed of dog were all examples Apple gave.
Most Apple Intelligence features are available on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
iPhone 16 design
The iPhone 16 family don't look radically different to the iPhone 15 family, but there are a few key changes.
When it comes to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, the gain the action button we saw on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. This replaces the mute switch, and by default, a long press swaps your device from silent to loud and vice versa. You can swap this out for a different action, however, such as starting a voice memo, turning on an accessibility feature, or opening a shortcut.
Apple also rejigged the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus camera alignment so that they can shoot spatial video and photos for playback on the Vision Pro.
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are both slightly larger. The iPhone 16 Pro has a 6.3-inch display, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max has grown to 6.9-inch. This is up from 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch, respectively. The devices are slightly larger and heavier, but Apple has also trimmed down the bezel to reduce the impact of the bigger screens.
As aforementioned, all four iPhone 16 models also have the new camera control button for photography.
iPhone 16 camera
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus both have an upgraded 48MP primary lens that can also do 2x zoom paired with a new 12MP ultra-wide lens. The ultra-wide lens gains auto-focus, enabling macro photography on a "standard" iPhone for the first time.
On the Pro front, both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max have a new 48MP primary lens and 48MP ultra-wide lens. This marks the first time Apple has moved to a higher resolution lens for ultra-wide. These are joined by a 5x 12MP optical zoom lens. The lens is the same as what we saw on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but is now standard on both phone sizes.
The Pro models also gain some new video features, in including the ability to shoot 4K at 120 FPS in Dolby Vision. This allows for higher-resolution slow-motion video.
All four phones have a new microphone configuration that can record spatial audio. Audio recorded can be adjusted after the fact, allowing you to dull noises out of the frame, eliminate reverb, or create a more cinematic sound. The Pro models have higher quality microphones, however.
iPhone 16 & iPhone 16 Plus camera samples
Check out these camera samples taken on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. Click or tap on any photo to see a larger version.
iPhone 16 battery
Every iPhone 16 model is said to have a longer battery life. Apple says the iPhone 16 can last for 22 hours of video playback, up from 20 hours in the iPhone 15.
During our testing we found the battery lasted for around seven hours of screen time. This should be enough for most people to easily get through the day without needing a top-up. Some people might get a day and a half of usage if they're light users.
iPhone 16 processor
All iPhone 16 models feature a new A18 processor, but there's a split between the standard and Pro models.
The A18 Pro found in the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max is naturally the beefier option. Apple says it offers 15% faster CPU performance than the iPhone 15 Pro, and 20% faster graphics.
Meanwhile, the standard A18 found in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus is meant to have 30% faster CPU performance than the iPhone 15, and 40% faster graphics.
Notably, the standard A18 is speedy enough to handle the AAA games that have been launching on iPhone lately, including titles like Death Stranding and Resident Evil. These were previously exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
iPhone 16 eSIM
US iPhone models haven't had a physical SIM since the iPhone 14, and relied on eSIM. iPhone 16 models sold in Australia have both eSIM and a physical SIM.
eSIM (an electronic SIM or embedded SIM) is a rewritable SIM card that’s built directly into the phone. It never leaves your phone. Instead, you simply download a "software SIM" from your provider of choice.
iPhone 16 5G
The iPhone 16 family naturally has 5G connectivity. WhistleOut's coverage checker tool has 5G coverage maps, making it easy to see whether you can get 5G. All you need to do is pop in your address when searching for a new phone plan. After you've done so and hit Search, you can jump straight to the coverage map by tapping See Coverage Map and then tapping Click To Activate Interactive Map.
This map will show you what kind of coverage you have in your area. 5G coverage is highlighted using the darkest shade of purple, but unticking 4G and 3G can help make it clearer. The drop-down menu lets you choose between telcos.
Coverage maps are only approximate, only show outdoor coverage, and may be impacted by local conditions such as buildings.
| iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch OLED | 6.7-inch OLED | 6.3-inch OLED | 6.9-inch OLED |
| Resolution | Super Retina XDR | Super Retina XDR | Super Retina XDR | Super Retina XDR |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Rear Cameras | 48MP + 12MP | 48MP + 12MP | 2x 48MP + 12MP + LiDAR | 2x 48MP + 12MP + LiDAR |
| Front Camera | 12MP | 12MP | 12MP | 12MP |
| Processor | A18 | A18 | A18 Pro | A18 Pro |
| Storage | 128GB - 512GB | 128GB - 512GB | 128GB - 1TB | 256GB - 1TB |
| Water-Resistance | IP68
|
IP68 | IP68 | IP68 |
| 5G | Sub 6 | Sub 6 | Sub 6 | Sub 6 |
| Price | From $1,399 | From $1,599 | From $1,799 | From $2,149 |
iPhone 16 plan providers
Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone are all selling the Phone 16 family. Here's a breakdown of the major benefits you can expect each provider to offer.
Telstra iPhone 16 plans
Telstra iPhone plans are often the priciest on the Australian market, but they do come with a host of perks.
Telstra lets you pay your iPhone off over 12, 24, or 36 months, and all plans are free from excess data charges. If you go over your cap, your data will simply be slowed to speeds of 1.5Mbps, which is still fast enough to stream video in SD. But speeds may be slower during peak times.
Optus iPhone 16 plans
Optus iPhone plans come with solid data inclusions.
Higher-end Optus plans also come with unlimited international calls to selected destinations included with the plan.
All Optus plans are contract-free, and devices can be paid off across 12, 24, or 36 months.
In addition, all Optus postpaid plans are free from excess data charges. If you go over your allowance, you'll be slowed to 1.5Mbps rather than being billed $10 per gigabyte.
Vodafone iPhone 16 plans
Vodafone iPhone plans may not come with the kinds of freebies and perks you can get from Optus or Telstra, but they have bonuses when it comes to bundling.
If you have a Vodafone mobile plan, you can get most of the telco's internet plans - NBN, 5G home internet, and 4G home internet - at a discounted rate.
Vodafone customers also save 5% on their total mobile bill for each postpaid mobile plan on their account after the first. This discount maxes out at 20% and doesn't include handset repayments.
Vodafone postpaid plans are all free from excess data charges. When you go over your plan allowance, you'll be capped at 2Mbps.
You'll also get access to Vodafone's famous $5 roaming, which is still easily the best way to travel with your Australian phone number.
How to choose the best iPhone 16 plan for you
There are a few key factors to keep in mind when picking an iPhone 16 plan:
- Answering "how much mobile data do I use" can help you avoid overspending. Don't pay for more data than you need
- Decide whether you want to pay off your phone shorter on a 24-month plan or get a smaller bill over a longer period of time on a 36-month plan
- If you're a frequent overseas traveller consider any international roaming inclusions
- You may also want to make international phone calls so check if the destinations you may be calling are included in your plan
If you're having trouble deciding, check out our guide to the best iPhone plans.
Alex Choros
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