Video test: the iPhone 16 Pro sparks in the dark

We had to test it and we did! We wondered how the iPhone 16 Pro performs in video mode in difficult lighting conditions. For comparison, we compared it to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Google Pixel 9 pro XL and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

To allow a true comparison between these models, we set them consistently to 4K at 30 frames per second with the HDR option enabled in the settings. With the exception of the Pixel, all these smartphones directly produce files of around 60 MB for 10 seconds.

“Night vision” at Google

At Google, we have activated the “Night Vision” mode which optimizes shooting both in terms of photos and videos. In the latter case, the file benefits from optimization processing, which improves the final file but can take quite a long time for a small file.

As we have already shown in previous tests, this processing in the Google cloud allows real improvements once the video has been sent to the cloud, which can be forced manually. In this case, after ten minutes of processing, the final file weighed about 13 MB, compared to about twice as much for the original.

Apple at the top

Once again, we see that Apple is doing the best, obviously by playing with the number of images per second. We also notice a certain homogeneity between the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro.

Once again, we see that smartphone after smartphone and update after update manufacturers are making progress. I will leave it to Internet users to form their own opinion.

Xavier Studer

iPhone 16 Pro video test in the dark.

iPhone 15 Pro Max video test in the dark.

Galaxy S24 Ultra video test in the dark.

Pixel 9 Pro XL video test in the dark.