Apple Watch Series 12 42mm vs Apple iPhone 16

64GB

128GB | 256GB | 512GB

27

Subject to change based on future operating system updates

The next generation of Apple Intelligence is centered around you, integrated into your apps, and built with privacy.

Apple Intelligence powers Siri AI — an entirely new version of Siri that’s more personal, conversational, and powerful, along with helpful features across apps.

Get help with everyday tasks like sending messages, setting reminders, and more

Activate hands-free with only your voice using “Siri” or “Hey Siri”, or use type to Siri

Protected by the strongest privacy of any intelligent assistant

Learn more about Siri

18

Subject to change based on future operating system updates

Enabled by TrueDepth camera for facial recognition

Pay with your iPhone using Face ID in stores, within apps, and on the web

Send and receive money in Messages with Apple Cash

Complete purchases made with Apple Pay on your Mac

Pay for your ride using Express Transit

Learn more about Apple Pay

Learn more about Apple Cash

Bands n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n38, n40, n41, n66, n71

Bands n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n53, n66, n70, n71, n77, n78 n79, n258, n260, n261

Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71

Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 53, 66, 71

Required to use smartwatch over cellular; rate plan required

Wi‑Fi 4 (802.11n)

Wi‑Fi 7 (802.11be with 6GHz Wi-Fi spectrum support) with 2x2 MIMO

v5.3

5.3 with 5GHz support

Electronic SIM

Dual eSIM (two active eSIMs; stores eight or more eSIMs)

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus use eSIM technology and are not compatible with physical SIM cards.

Learn more about eSIM

Learn more about traveling with eSIM

n77 C-Band, n260

850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz

850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz

Yes

Yes

FaceTime video calling over cellular or Wi-Fi

FaceTime HD (1080p) video calling over 5G or Wi‑Fi

FaceTime audio

Voice over LTE (VoLTE)

Wi-Fi calling

Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum microphone modes

Yes

With reader mode

Yes

Improved Workout app with new metrics, new views, and advanced ways to train.

Emergency SOS

International emergency calling

Fall Detection

Crash Detection

Last Emergency Call Availability Waypoint

Flashlight

Backtrack

Noise monitoring

Generates an ECG similar to a single-lead electrocardiogram.

The most accurate heart rate sensing in a wearable, Series 12 now measures HRV as often as every five minutes for insights on stress and recovery, and takes background heart rate readings every five seconds.

Safari

Health Sensing System: third-generation electrical heart sensor, always-on optical heart sensor, blood oxygen sensor, and temperature sensor

Compass

Always-on altimeter

High-g accelerometer

High dynamic range gyroscope

Ambient light sensor

Depth gauge to 6 meters

Water temperature sensor

Face ID

Barometer

High dynamic range gyro

High-g accelerometer

Proximity sensor

Dual ambient light sensors

Yes

Yes

Yes

Apple Music®

Apple Music®

AAC, APAC, MP3, Apple Lossless, FLAC, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby Atmos

Yes

48MP Fusion: 26 mm, ƒ/1.6 aperture, sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)

Also enables 12MP 2x Telephoto: 52 mm, ƒ/1.6 aperture, sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels

12MP Ultra Wide: 13 mm, ƒ/2.2 aperture and 120° field of view, 100% Focus Pixels

2x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 4x optical zoom range

Digital zoom up to 10x

Advanced dual-camera system

Camera Control

Sapphire crystal lens cover

True Tone flash

Photonic Engine

Deep Fusion

Smart HDR 5

Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control

Portrait Lighting with six effects

Night mode

Panorama (up to 63MP)

Latest-generation Photographic Styles

Spatial photos

Macro photography

Wide color capture for photos and Live Photos

Lens correction (Ultra Wide)

Advanced red-eye correction

Auto image stabilization

Burst mode

Photo geotagging

Image formats captured: HEIF and JPEG

4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps

1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps

720p Dolby Vision video recording at 30 fps

Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps

Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps

Macro video recording, including slo-mo and time‑lapse

Slo‑mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps or 240 fps

Spatial video recording at 1080p at 30 fps

Time‑lapse video with stabilization

Night mode Time-lapse

QuickTake video up to 4K at 60 fps in Dolby Vision

Sensor-shift optical image stabilization for video (Fusion)

Digital zoom up to 6x

Audio zoom

True Tone flash

Cinematic video stabilization (4K, 1080p, and 720p)

Continuous autofocus video

Take 8MP still photos while recording 4K video

Playback zoom

Video formats recorded: HEVC and H.264

Spatial Audio and stereo recording

Wind noise reduction

Audio Mix

Supported formats include HEVC, H.264, and ProRes

HDR with Dolby Vision, HDR10+/HDR10, and HLG

Up to 4K HDR AirPlay for mirroring, photos, and video out to Apple TV (2nd generation or later) or AirPlay–enabled smart TV

Video mirroring and video out support: Up to 4K HDR through native DisplayPort output over USB-C or USB-C Digital AV Adapter (model A2119; adapter sold separately)

12MP camera

ƒ/1.9 aperture

Autofocus with Focus Pixels

Retina Flash

Photonic Engine

Deep Fusion

Smart HDR 5

Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control

Portrait Lighting with six effects

Animoji and Memoji

Night mode

Latest-generation Photographic Styles

Wide color capture for photos and Live Photos

Lens correction

Auto image stabilization

Burst mode

4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps

1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps

Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps

HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps

Slo-mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps

Time‑lapse video with stabilization

Night mode Time-lapse

QuickTake video

Cinematic video stabilization (4K, 1080p, and 720p)

Wireless charging up to 25W with 30W adapter or higher18 Magnet array Alignment magnet Accessory Identification NFC Magnetometer

M3, T3

Yes

Yes