Exploring iOS 16.0: Release Date, Features, and Why It's Still Relevant in 2024

The iOS 16.0 announcement at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in 2022, hosted by Apple in Cupertino, California — caused considerable excitement. But that's unsurprising since every iPhone and iOS announcement often impresses the tech industry and invigorates Apple fans. Furthermore, every upgrade to Apple's flagship products presents a significant and tangible jump in innovation, security, and usability.

 

But it's 2024, and iOS 16.0 seems like old news. Consider that iOS 17 is already available, and the rumor mill is running wild about iOS 18. Should you even bother with iOS 16 at this stage or move on to the latest operating system (OS) that Apple recommends? It's sensible to upgrade to the newest OS to enjoy the security and additional features, but there are several good reasons to go with iOS 16. Here, we reveal why iOS 16 is still a worthy OS in 2024. 

 

iOS 16.0 Features 

The beauty of iOS 16.0 is that it comes with many compelling features. The Lock Screen, in particular, has received plenty of meaningful feature upgrades that help set it apart from previous iterations. This lets you set up several lock screens and switch seamlessly between them. 

The Lock Screen also lets you customize your widgets, fonts, and photos for a completely personalized experience, so you feel like a co-creator and not simply going through the motions. And if you own an iPhone XS or later, your photos will appear in front of the time display thanks to a new effect. Beyond that, your notifications will appear below the Lock Screen in a count, list, or stacked format. 

If you've become accustomed to using the Focus feature, you will be more than happy to use it in parallel with the Lock Screen of your choice. iOS 16.0 also boasts advanced mail and messaging features to help you keep track of all your conversations, edit messages 15 minutes after you send them, and cancel email delivery within 10 seconds.

As is the trend surrounding new security standards, Passkeys have become a key feature in iOS 16.0. It's integrated into the Safari browser and lets you sign in to your online accounts without requiring you to enter a password and username. The newly introduced Private Access Token helps to bolster security by identifying legitimate users and devices without requiring CAPTCHA entries. 

And if you enjoy online shopping and cashless payments, Apple Pay and Wallet have become integral components. Provided merchants participate in the Apple Pay program, you can make safe and contactless payments with these vendors while keeping track of all your transactions in your Wallet. 

 

When Did iOS 16 Come Out? 

The official iOS 16.0 release date was on September 12, 2022. Apple released the newest version, iOS 16.7.7, on March 21, 2024. 

 

Why Should You Use iOS 16 in 2024? 

If you own an iPhone 8, you won't be able to update to iOS 17. But iOS 16 runs perfectly fine on this older device. If you own a slightly more recent model like an iPhone 11 or 12, it's not uncommon for performance to suffer when updating to the latest OS.

Another common issue is poor performance on devices with aging batteries, but iOS 16 often runs better and drains less battery. We recommend you replace an older battery to avoid damage to your device before the battery becomes inflated or bursts into flames.

 

If you're a business or power user, some of your favorite apps may not have full compatibility with iOS 17 yet. The last thing you want is to suffer stability issues when running an app during an important business meeting.

 

While Apple always tries to quash bugs with each update, it often introduces new ones that are equally annoying. If you're currently enjoying a relatively bug-free experience on iOS 16, there's little reason to update besides security considerations. 

 

What is the Release Date of the iPhone 16?

Apple has not announced an official release date for the iPhone 16 series. But tech enthusiasts, influencers, and media outlets predict that the iPhone 16 will launch by fall 2024. 

From what we know, these phones will feature a more performant A series chip, Wi-Fi 7, and the introduction of a new capture button. TVCMALL will be keeping a close eye on this highly anticipated release. 

 

Elevate the iPhone 16 User Experience with A Brilliant Car Mount

Undoubtedly, the iPhone 16 will be one of the most powerful smartphones to hit the market soon. It will provide countless hours of entertainment, but it's also an indispensable productivity tool to help you THRIVE. So, you want to place your iPhone 16 front and center in your car's dash for the ultimate experience. TVCMALL offers a range of high quality iPhone 16 car mounts so you never miss a call or your favorite song.