The Growing List of iPhone 16 Issues: 3 Hardware Problems Confirmed
- The iPhone 16 launch is turning into somewhat of a hardware headache for Apple.
- Three big hardware issues have already popped up — and they’re not small.
- If you're about to buy an iPhone 16, you might want to read this first.
As the new iPhone 16 series makes its way into consumers' hands, reports of issues are beginning to surface, particularly around the display, camera, and durability of Apple's flagship phones. While the iPhone 16 is still making waves on “best phone” lists, it's also making headlines for lower than expected unit sales—and now, early adopters are also discovering some bumps along the road. Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening.
Update: Some of these issues have been fixed with software patches in iOS 18.0.1.
Display Issues: Slow Refresh Rate and Freezing Touchscreen
Two significant display problems are being reported:
Refresh Rate Limitation
The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, which are supposed to boast a 120Hz refresh rate, appear to be capped at 80Hz in most scenarios, according to Samsung leaker Ice Universe. This comes as a surprise, considering that Android devices running at 120Hz offer notably smoother animations.
"Don't confuse the elegance and fluency of animation. iOS 18 still limits the refresh rate of most scenes to 80Hz," Ice Universe stated on X (formerly Twitter). They backed up the claim with video evidence showing inconsistent refresh rates across various tasks.
Some speculate that Apple might be doing this intentionally to conserve battery life during fast scrolling, though it’s unclear if this affects all users. For now, it’s an issue that many iPhone 16 Pro owners may notice when comparing their device to others with higher refresh rates.
Frozen Screens Near Camera Control Button
Another display problem affecting some iPhone 16 Pro users is unresponsiveness near the new Camera Control button. Users on Reddit and 9to5Mac reported the touchscreen freezing when they accidentally brush the area near this button.
In our testing, we confirmed the issue: placing a finger near the camera control button can cause the screen to lock up. This issue might be connected to the phone’s palm rejection software, which may be overly sensitive, freezing the screen as a result. Unfortunately, there isn’t a permanent fix yet, though avoiding that area of the screen might help in the meantime.
Photo via Mark's Tech (YouTube) // The iPhone 16 is here, but hardware issues are making some buyers nervous.
Camera Glitches: Unresponsive and Laggy App
While we couldn’t reproduce every issue, there have been several reports of the iPhone 16’s camera app malfunctioning. These include:
- The app opening to a black screen instead of an image.
- The phone becoming sluggish after closing the app.
- Stuttering during video recording, causing missed footage.
Reddit users have advised rebooting the phone, which seems to offer only temporary relief. These glitches are especially disappointing for those who use their iPhones for professional photography or videography, as the new hardware is meant to showcase Apple's imaging prowess.
Additionally, there have been complaints about the sensitivity of the new camera control button, which can lead to unintended zooms when recording. While this may be user error in some cases, it’s worth noting that getting used to the new design might take a bit of time.
Photo via Reddit (r/iphone) // There are reports of the iPhone 16 experiencing some frustrating camera issues and glitches.
Durability: Mixed Results in Drop Tests
Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro has faced mixed results in drop tests. In one YouTube video, the iPhone 16 Pro shattered after just four drops, while the iPhone 15 Pro lasted up to 12 drops from the same height.
However, another video highlighted the strength of the new Ceramic Shield, noting less severe cracking compared to last year’s models. Additionally, improvements in heat performance were noted, with the iPhone 16 maintaining performance under strain for longer periods than its predecessor.
For most users, these drop tests are extreme examples, but they do highlight potential durability issues that could arise with everyday wear and tear, particularly given the iPhone 16’s thinner bezels.
Outlook: Should You Be Worried?
While the iPhone 16 series comes with its share of issues, it’s important to note that many of these problems are either isolated incidents or related to software. The frozen touchscreen, for example, seems to be a result of overly sensitive palm rejection software, which can likely be addressed with a software update.
As with any new device launch, early problems are inevitable. Apple has a track record of addressing such issues, especially through software updates in the months following release. For now, the best advice for affected users is to keep an eye on iOS updates and avoid touching sensitive areas of the screen to minimize disruptions.
Stay tuned for future patches, as Apple will likely work to smooth out the kinks in their latest flagship.
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