The iPhone 16 didn’t get this upgrade, and it’s a big problem

Newer phones are meant to be superior in every manner imaginable to their predecessors, correct? However, this is not always the case, and there is one area where Apple cannot claim that the iPhone 16 range is superior to the prior iPhone 15 lineup: display brightness.

During Monday’s ‘Glowtime’ event, where the firm revealed the whole iPhone 16 series, Apple stated that the display has a maximum brightness of 2,000 nits. That’s a fairly remarkable rating given how some of the greatest phones out there fail to even come close to reaching that mark, but it’s worth noting that Apple claimed the same statistic last year with its iPhone 15 series, which I believe is a major issue.

As much as I’d like to point out that the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus continue to use 60Hz refresh rates, practically every other phone released in the last year has received an update in display brightness. In fact, it’s one of the specific reasons we recommend skipping the iPhone 16. This is why it matters.

Sets a lower bar for this year’s iPhone 16

When it comes to display advancements, phone manufacturers focus their efforts on improving brightness over prior models. By setting their ratings at 2,000 nits, Apple has established a low standard for the whole iPhone 16 lineup. That’s because none of last year’s iPhone 15 models met the company’s own 2,000-nit rating. Simply look at the chart above to see where each of them ranked in our display brightness tests.

I’m not surprised that the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max have the brightest screens, but even at about 1,500 nits, they fall short of Apple’s stated 2,000 nits. By limiting their maximum brightness ratings to 2,000 nits, they set a lower standard for Apple to meet. To be fair, the majority of phones that go through Tom’s Guide display testing rarely reach their peak ratings.

The primary reason that phone manufacturers are continually striving to outdo themselves with brighter screens is not just to make a statement, but also to make them more ideal for various case scenarios.

Brighter screens means better visibility

We’ve all experienced how difficult it can be to view our phones outdoors in the heat of the afternoon. Unless you’re beneath a shade or shading the screen with your hand, it’s nearly difficult to see what you’re doing on your phone – which is why phone manufacturers are continually developing brighter displays.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL shattered our record with its 2,469 nits of brightness, which is 59% brighter than the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has the same rated brightness.

The iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max were comfortably among the brightest last year, outperforming competitors such as the Galaxy S23 Ultra and Pixel 7 Pro at the time of introduction. Honestly, anything beyond 1,000 nits is now viewable in direct sunshine, so even if the new iPhone 16 devices only slightly outperform, they’re still far superior for outdoor use. However, the major concern is not that Apple has maintained its previous grade; rather, the competition has raised it.

Rival phones are blinding

Unfortunately for Apple, the last few Android launches have established records. Starting with the Motorola Razr Plus (2024), the flip phone-style foldable exceeded our expectations with a maximum brightness of 2,158 nits. To put this in context, the Razr Plus’ display is 39% brighter than the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max.

Not long after, the Pixel 9 Pro XL surpassed the record with 2,469 nits of brightness, 59% more than the iPhone 15 Pro Max. I assumed Google was being unrealistic when it claimed a 3,000 nit rating for the phone, but I was amazed by what it actually achieved.

For the iPhone 16, that means that none of the new devices have a chance of keeping up from the start. While outdoor visibility is one of the criteria I use to evaluate phones, it is not the only one. I’ll concede that the OLED panels used by Apple in all of its iPhone 16 models appeared clear and vibrant under typical viewing settings at the Apple event — but they won’t be as bright outside as some of these Android phones.