You’re looking at your current phone and wondering if your pockets are actually big enough for the upgrade. It's a fair question. The size of iPhone 16 Plus is one of those things that looks simple on a spec sheet but feels totally different when you’re actually trying to text with one hand while holding a coffee.
Most people assume the "Plus" means it's just a bigger version of the base model. While true, the nuances in weight distribution and the new physical buttons change the ergonomics more than you’d think.
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The Hard Numbers: Dimensions and Weight
Let's talk raw data first. If you’re coming from a standard iPhone 14 or 15, the jump is significant. The size of iPhone 16 Plus clocks in at a height of 160.9 mm (6.33 inches) and a width of 77.8 mm (3.06 inches).
It is 7.8 mm thick.
Wait, did you catch that? It’s the exact same thickness as the standard iPhone 16. Apple kept the depth consistent across the non-pro line.
Weight-wise, it hits the scales at 199 grams (7.03 ounces). Interestingly, that makes it exactly the same weight as the iPhone 16 Pro, despite the Pro having a smaller 6.3-inch screen. Why? Because the Plus uses aerospace-grade aluminum, which is way lighter than the Pro’s titanium and internal cooling components.
- Height: 160.9 mm
- Width: 77.8 mm
- Weight: 199 grams
- Depth: 7.8 mm
If you’re comparing it to last year’s iPhone 15 Plus, it’s actually 2 grams lighter. You won’t feel those 2 grams. What you will feel is the massive 6.7-inch display.
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That 6.7-inch Display (and the 60Hz Elephant in the Room)
The screen is huge. It’s a Super Retina XDR OLED panel with a resolution of 2796 x 1290 pixels.
Everything looks crisp.
However, we have to talk about the refresh rate. Honestly, it’s 2026 and Apple is still shipping a 60Hz screen on a phone that costs this much. If you’re used to a Pro model with ProMotion (120Hz), the iPhone 16 Plus will feel "choppy" to you. If you’re coming from an older base model or an iPhone 11, you won't care.
The peak brightness hits 2,000 nits outdoors. That is genuinely impressive. You can stand in the middle of a sun-drenched park and still read your emails without squinting like a detective.
Does it Actually Fit in Your Hand?
The size of iPhone 16 Plus presents a specific challenge: one-handed use.
Unless you have hands like an NBA player, you aren't reaching the top corners with your thumb. Apple’s "Reachability" feature (where you swipe down on the bottom edge to bring the top of the screen down) is basically mandatory here.
The vertical camera layout is a new touch. It’s a throwback to the iPhone X aesthetic, designed specifically to allow for Spatial Video capture. Even though the cameras are moved, the actual footprint of the camera "bump" hasn't grown enough to mess with how the phone sits in most car mounts.
The New Buttons Change the Feel
It’s not just about the length and width anymore. The size of iPhone 16 Plus experience is now defined by two new physical interactions:
- The Action Button: Replacing the mute switch on the left.
- Camera Control: A new capacitive button on the right side.
The Camera Control button is flush with the frame. It’s a sapphire crystal surface with a haptic engine. Because it sits right where your finger naturally rests in landscape mode, it makes the phone feel like a dedicated point-and-shoot camera. It adds a bit of "utility" bulk to the side, even if it doesn't change the millimeters.
Why the Plus Size Actually Matters: Battery
The real reason anyone buys this phone isn't just the screen. It’s the room inside for a massive battery.
The iPhone 16 Plus houses a 4,674 mAh cell.
Combined with the A18 chip, which is built on a 3nm process, the efficiency is wild. In real-world testing, this phone often outlasts the Pro Max because it doesn't have to power a 120Hz Always-On display. You’re looking at up to 27 hours of video playback. For most people, that’s a two-day phone.
Actionable Buying Advice
Before you click buy, do these three things:
- Check your car mount: Measure if it can handle a 77.8 mm width. Some older "clamping" mounts max out at 75 mm.
- The Pocket Test: If you wear skinny jeans or small-pocketed leggings, this phone will stick out.
- Weight Comparison: If 199 grams feels heavy, look at the standard iPhone 16 (170g). That 29-gram difference is the weight of about five quarters, and you definitely feel it after holding the phone for 20 minutes.
The size of iPhone 16 Plus is perfect for media junkies and travelers who don't want to carry a charger. It’s a specialized tool. If you want a "normal" phone, this isn't it. But if you want a canvas that lasts all weekend, the dimensions are a trade-off worth making.