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Recent iPhone launches, including the iPhone 16 lineup, have narrowed the gap between Pro and standard models. However, I still think Pro models are worth the premium. After two years with the iPhone 14 Pro Max, here’s why I can’t imagine going back to a standard iPhone.
160Hz Screens Just Don’t Cut It Anymore
One of the biggest differences between the Pro and standard iPhone models isthe ProMotion display. While the standard models have a 60Hz refresh rate, the Pro models feature a screen that dynamically adjusts the refresh rate up to 120Hz. And once you’ve experienced this higher refresh rate, going back to 60Hz feels noticeably sluggish and slow.
The smooth scrolling, fluid animations, and overall responsiveness of the Pro models create a user experience that’s hard to give up. Since the display is the most used part of any phone, I can’t see myself compromising on this aspect anymore. For me, a high refresh rate isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity.
2The Telephoto Sensor for Optical Zoom Is Non-Negotiable
The main camera on standard iPhone models can digitally crop for 2x zoom, which works for most casual users. However, the Pro models feature a dedicated telephoto sensor that allows for even greater zoom without sacrificing image quality, and that’s something I’m not willing to give up.
Capturing far-off subjects at full resolution without moving is something that the standard iPhone’s digital zoom simply can’t replicate. This feature has been incredibly useful for me when I’m traveling, at a concert, or at a stadium, taking photos of a match.
Besides optical zoom, the Pro models also use the data from the telephoto sensor to blur the background in portrait shots. While Apple’s software does a decent job of this even without a dedicated sensor (as seen inour iPhone 15 review), the results with a dedicated telephoto sensor are on another level.
After experiencing the advantages a dedicated telephoto sensor brings, switching to a standard iPhone without it feels like a compromise I’m just not willing to make.
3I Can’t Settle for Last Year’s Chipset
For some reason, Apple shipped the standard iPhone 14 and 15 models with the previous generation’s Pro chipset. While most Apple processors handle everyday tasks just fine, I can’t justify getting an older chip in a brand-new iPhone. I want the best performance available, and that’s exactly what the Pro models deliver, along with major efficiency gains—like the jump from the iPhone 14 Pro to the iPhone 15 Pro, thanks to the new 3nm node architecture.
Fortunately, in 2024, Apple decided against using a previous generation chip and packed the A18 chip in the standard iPhone 16 models. I assume Apple did that to ensure these iPhones fully support allthe Apple Intelligence features announced at WWDC 2024, but I really hope the company doesn’t go back to its old ways with succeeding models.
4Pro Models Often Get the Best (and Sometimes Exclusive) Software Features
Perhaps the biggest reason I’ll always choose the Pro models is that they consistently get the best—and sometimes exclusive—software features, thanks to their superior hardware. A prime example is the iPhone 15 series; even though both standard and Pro models will likely receive iOS updates for a similar period, only the Pro models support the new Apple Intelligence features.
Paying a premium for a smartphone that lacks access to all the latest software features feels like a significant compromise. For me, getting the full range of features is important when investing in a high-end device.
These are the key reasons why I’ll always opt for a Pro iPhone over a standard one. While the regular models meet most users' needs, if you’re after the full iPhone experience with all the best features, the Pro models are the way to go. In my view, they easily justify the higher price tag with the features and hardware they offer.
