Is the best iPhone you can buy really the best phone for you? 

It depends, of course, on why you want it and what you need from it. You may hanker for the quality of the camera, the extra battery life and amazing screen display. Perhaps you’re a content creator, designer or musician? Maybe you work in a high tech industry at the cutting-edge of development, bringing new products and services to the market?

If you are keen to upgrade to iPhone 16 without the upfront cost, take a look at Sloop’s affordable iPhone rental options. 

You can get your hands on all the phone’s features, for a fixed price over an agreed timeframe, without signing up to the long-term financial commitment of ownership. It’s access to all you’re looking for, without the downsides of ownership - like immediate depreciation, inflexibility and the disposal problem. In 2022 alone it was estimated more than 5 billion phones went into e-waste.

As each iPhone is released, we see the build-up of anticipation, followed by debate over the functionality of new features and performance – plus the perceived value in the price tag. Apple released iPhone 14 in 2022 and by 2024 we were up to iPhone 16. As AI increases in sophistication, release times are likely to be even shorter.

With Sloop tech rentals, you can switch up to the latest upgrade for a price you can fold into your monthly budget - $122.24 a month for three months, $101.28 for six, $76.84 for 12 months (and you can be pretty sure there’ll be a new model by then) or $62.90 for eighteen months. 

Sloop isn’t just budget friendly, it’s the eco-friendly path to iPhone access. At the end of your rental agreement, the phone is wiped of all data, refurbished and rented again so it stays in continual operation to the end of its life. After that, all components are recycled for reuse or ethical e-waste disposal.

But whether you decide to rent or buy the iPhone 16, just how much better is it than the iPhone 15 and earlier iterations?

Reviewing the iPhone 16

There are four models, the iPhone 16, iPhone 16+, iPhone Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. 

The Pro and Pro Max are for those of us looking for advanced performance, with superior displays and the best camera systems.

They have the A18 Pro chip with an extra GPU core and 20% better sustained performance for demanding apps and games. They have a triple-camera system, dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom and extreme battery life - up to 18 hours for the Pro Max.

The standard models, however, also boast Apple’s A18 chip with its robust performance and extra battery life - nearly 13 hours for the iPhone 16 and 16.5 for the Plus. These models have dual cameras, ultra-wide lenses and a 2X optical quality zoom. That’s enough functionality to more than satisfy most regular users.

Quality of the design and build

They are all Apple phones, so the iPhone 16 has the sleek style of premium design we’ve come to expect. 

Early reviewers point out subtle refinements in aesthetics – a slightly slimmer profile and new colorways for example. The standard devices have aluminium frames and the Pro and Max titanium which is extremely durable and lightweight. If you are an Apple acolyte and love the company’s craftsmanship, the price might be justified on design alone. 

Plus there’s the vibrant new colour options of pink, teal and ultramarine in the standard models!

Hardware performance

Under that sleek exterior, Apple’s A18 Bionic chip is said to be the fastest and most efficient processor available. It comes with enhanced GPU performance and energy efficiency for smoother multitasking, faster gaming and superior overall performance. 

With test results indicating the iPhone 16 is quantifiably faster and more efficient than the iPhone 15, if you’re an enthusiast who needs or wants the best technology at your fingertips, the upgrade may be more than tempting.

Better cameras – of course!

Recording special moments in pictures, collaging a creative reel, videoing everything from a child’s first steps to a customer’s enthusiastic feedback, is as ubiquitous as texting and searching on our phones.

For the iPhone 16, Apple has enhanced the camera’s capability in low-light with larger sensors and advanced computational photographic features. Early testers highlight the enhanced night mode and better capacity to capture high quality portraits. If you are a content creator using your smartphone to translate your marketing vision onto the small screen, the camera alone may be a compelling reason to upgrade.

Battery Life and Charging

When battery performance is critical – and there are times when it is for every user – the iPhone 16 offers (according to testers) up to two hours more juice than the iPhone 15. The phone has a larger battery as well as improved power efficiency due to the A18 chip. Add the introduction of faster wireless charging and reverse charging features, and Apple has demonstrated it has the battery life issue well in hand.

Software and the Apple ecosystem

If you already live in the Apple ecosystem, an upgrade to iPhone 16 can boost your branded-world experience by taking advantage of new software capabilities. The phone runs on iOS 18, which includes new AI-driven features, better integration with other Apple products, and – in a world where it seems everybody wants your data – expanded privacy controls.

The dollars

Of course the iPhone 16 carries a hefty price tag. However, you may be able to use Apple’s trade-in programs, carrier discounts, and financing options to reduce the financial strain.

Alternatively, you could choose to rent your phone, take advantage not only of this but of future upgrades, plus do your bit to reduce the challenge that e-waste poses to our environment and our health.

Does it make sense for you to upgrade?

• Current iPhone Users (iPhone 14 and older): For users of an older model iPhone, the iPhone 16’s performance gains and camera enhancements will be a noticeable leap forward.

• iPhone 15 Users: The improvements of the latest upgrade may not be dramatic enough to sell you on the switch, unless you are a tech enthusiast or need the latest features for your creative work or livelihood.

• Android Users Considering Switching: This is tougher. We tend to develop a loyalty to our phone brand and get comfortable with the user interface. However, if you’re considering the switch, the iPhone 16’s design, performance, and ecosystem could ensure a smooth transition away from Android.

If your current device lags the tech curve substantially – and cutting-edge tech excites you – affordable and sustainable iPhone rental may be the ideal pathway to iPhone 16 without the high costs of ownership.

You won’t bear the full burden of maintenance and repairs, you can spread the cost over time to work within your budget and you get access to all the functional benefits of the upgrade. 

Plus, you will be playing your part in reducing e-waste by participating in the circular economy  which is a critical step towards a sustainable future.