**Why I Decided to Return the iPhone 16 Plus and Switch Back to the iPhone 14 Pro**
The iPhone 16 Plus, featuring its expansive screen and updated functionalities, appeared to be the ideal upgrade for a long-time iPhone enthusiast like myself. Nevertheless, after two months with it, I opted to send it back and revert to my reliable iPhone 14 Pro. Although the iPhone 16 Plus possesses some advantages, several critical aspects influenced my choice. Here’s a summary of the reasons I ultimately decided to downgrade.
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### **1. The iPhone 16 Plus Is Oversized**
One of the most appealing aspects of the iPhone 16 Plus is its 6.7-inch screen, providing a notable enhancement in display size compared to the 6.1-inch screen of the iPhone 14 Pro. I valued the larger display for activities like reading, watching videos, and browsing. However, the size brought its own set of challenges.
The iPhone 16 Plus felt cumbersome in my pockets, making it less practical to carry. One-handed usage was also a struggle, particularly when multitasking or quickly replying to messages. Adding a protective case worsened the bulkiness, making it even more unwieldy. This became especially concerning during physical activities like running, where the phone’s size and weight felt uncomfortable.
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### **2. Underutilization of the Camera Control Button**
The Camera Control button was highlighted as a key feature of the iPhone 16 series, allowing for quick access to the camera and easy adjustments of settings without navigating the interface. As someone who enjoys photography, I welcomed this feature. However, I noticed I used it much less than I expected.
One contributing factor was the case I bought for the iPhone 16 Plus, which had a poorly designed cutout for the Camera Control button, making it hard to press and uncomfortable to use. Additionally, being left-handed made the button’s position on the device awkward to reach, particularly given the phone’s increased size. Ultimately, what I believed would improve my photography efforts ended up being more of a nuisance.
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### **3. Absence of Apple Intelligence Access**
Apple Intelligence, the company’s new AI assistant, was another draw for me towards the iPhone 16 series. As a fan of AI tools like ChatGPT, I was eager to discover how Apple Intelligence could assist me with daily tasks. Regrettably, this feature is not presently accessible in the European Union, where I reside. Apple intends to introduce it in the spring of 2025, but as of now, I could not benefit from one of the phone’s most anticipated functionalities.
This delay was a significant disappointment, especially since Apple Intelligence was promoted as a primary selling point for the iPhone 16 series. Lacking access to this feature made the iPhone 16 Plus appear less innovative and similar to a larger iteration of my iPhone 14 Pro.
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### **4. Visual Intelligence Remains in Beta**
Another AI feature specific to the iPhone 16 series is Visual Intelligence, which operates similarly to Google Lens. This function lets users point their phone cameras at objects and receive real-time information about them. However, Visual Intelligence is currently limited to users on the iOS 18.2 developer beta, meaning I was unable to use it during my time with the iPhone 16 Plus.
While I commend Apple’s initiative to incorporate sophisticated AI functionalities into its products, not having immediate access to these capabilities rendered the iPhone 16 Plus feel unfinished. It was frustrating to possess a phone with advanced hardware yet not be able to fully exploit its possibilities.
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### **5. The iPhone 16 Plus Seemed Like a Bigger iPhone 14 Pro**
After my experience with the iPhone 16 Plus, I discovered that, apart from the larger display, it didn’t present a notably different usage compared to my iPhone 14 Pro. Both models operated similarly in terms of speed and features, and the new offerings of the iPhone 16 Plus were either disappointing or not applicable to me.
In fact, I had already tailored my iPhone 14 Pro to fit my needs, including disabling ProMotion and motion effects to conserve battery life. These modifications diminished the impact of switching to the iPhone 16 Plus. In many respects, the iPhone 16 Plus felt like a larger, slightly modified version of the 14 Pro, making it difficult to rationalize keeping it.
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### **Looking Ahead: The iPhone 17 Air**
My encounter with the iPhone 16 Plus has clarified what I’m seeking in my next phone. While I recognize the advantages of a larger screen, I require a device that finds the right balance between display size and portability as well as usability.
