October witnessed a surge of smartphone launches in the Nepali market. Ahead of Dashain, numerous new models were introduced, ranging from flagship brands like iPhone and Samsung to Chinese brands such as Vivo, Tecno, and Infinix.
One month after Apple’s global launch of the iPhone 16 series, Nepali iPhone enthusiasts finally received their devices in the first week of October. Generation Next, the official distributor of iPhones in Nepal, officially launched the latest series on October 9.
Within the iPhone 16 series, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the most in-demand, despite the fact that the iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro share similar features and design aspects. The main distinction lies in the larger display and battery capacity of the Pro Max version, according to the company.
Equipped with the new A18 chip, the iPhone 16 Pro Max features a larger display along with a new camera control button. The upcoming Apple Intelligence (set to arrive in the next update) introduces system-wide writing tools, allowing users to rewrite, proofread and summarise text across apps like Mail, Notes, and third-party platforms. It also supports audio recording, transcription and summarisation within the Notes and Phone apps, while intelligently prioritising notifications and emails. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is slightly bigger than its predecessor, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but maintains the familiar triple-camera layout on the back. The front design is sleeker, thanks to thinner bezels, and the display is protected by the latest-generation Ceramic Shield, which is claimed to be twice as durable as other smartphone glass.
A new camera control button, positioned just below the power button, offers quick access to the camera app for instant photo and video capture. The frame is made from titanium - a material first introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro series. It comes in black, white, natural and a new desert titanium colour. The device is IP68 rated for resistance against water, dust, and splashes. Apple has also incorporated a new mechanical architecture to enhance heat dissipation, claiming up to 20% better-sustained performance. The camera control button allows users to quickly open the camera, take photos and start recording videos. It also provides a camera preview for framing shots and adjusting settings such as zoom, exposure or depth of field by simply sliding a finger over the button. This feature will be compatible with third-party apps like Snapchat.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max boasts a 6.9-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED display with a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate, a resolution of 1320 x 2868 pixels, and a pixel density of 460 ppi. It is powered by the new A18 Pro chip, built on second-generation 3nm technology, offering a 17% increase in system memory bandwidth. The chip features a 16-core Neural Engine and a 6-core GPU, which is 20% faster than the A17 Pro. The iPhone 16 Pro Max comes with 256GB, 512GB and 1TB storage options.
The enhanced triple rear camera system includes a new 48MP Fusion camera with an upgraded quad-pixel sensor, capable of shooting 4K videos at 120fps in Dolby Vision. Likewise, the 48MP ultra-wide camera features a quad-pixel sensor with autofocus, while the 12MP telephoto camera supports 5x zoom. The device also enables capturing spatial photos for viewing on the Apple Vision Pro. Videos recorded on the iPhone 16 Pro Max offer spatial audio for immersive playback with AirPods, Apple Vision Pro or surround sound systems.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is priced in Nepal at Rs 232,500 for the 256GB variant, Rs 270,500 for the 512GB model, and Rs 308,000 for the 1TB option.
(This news was originally published in November 2024 issue of New Business Age Magazine.)
