Buying a new iPhone in Ireland means weighing up official prices, carrier deals, and what you actually need for the next few years, and the iPhone 16 Pro is Apple’s latest premium handset whose value depends on how much you pay upfront and how long you plan to keep it. This guide helps you sort through the options, from hidden features to future support.
Display size: 6.3 inches (Super Retina XDR) · Processor: A18 Pro chip · Battery life (video): Up to 27 hours · Main camera: 48MP with 3x telephoto · Weight: 199 grams · Starting price (Ireland): from €1,339 (Apple)
Quick snapshot
- iPhone 16 Pro starts at €1,339 in Ireland (Apple Ireland (official store))
- A18 Pro chip (Three Ireland (carrier specs))
- Up to 27 hours video playback (Three Ireland (carrier specs)) (Apple Ireland (official store))
- 6.3‑inch display with 120Hz ProMotion (Switcher Ireland (price comparison site))
- Exact iPhone 17 release date and pricing – unconfirmed
- Which older iPhones will exactly lose support in 2027 – depends on future Apple decisions
- Cross‑border price comparisons (UK pound listings vs euro) often mislead Irish buyers
- End of software support for iPhone 16 Pro around 2031 – estimated, not confirmed
- iPhone 16 Pro released September 2024 (Apple Ireland (product page))
- iPhone 17 Pro expected around September 2025 (industry pattern) (Apple Ireland (product page))
- iPhone 17 Pro rumoured with A19 Pro chip and possible redesign
- Older iPhones (iPhone 6s, 7, SE 1st gen) may lose security updates by 2027
Here are the key specifications for the iPhone 16 Pro:
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Released | September 2024 (Apple Ireland (official)) |
| Display | 6.3 inches, 120Hz ProMotion (Switcher Ireland) |
| Processor | Apple A18 Pro (Three Ireland) |
| Main camera | 48MP f/1.78 (Apple Ireland (spec sheet)) |
| Telephoto zoom | 3x optical (Switcher Ireland) |
| Battery (video) | 27 hours (Three Ireland) |
| Weight | 199 grams (Apple Ireland (specs)) |
| Storage options | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB (Switcher Ireland) |
What is the price of the iPhone 16 Pro in Ireland?
Apple Ireland sells the iPhone 16 Pro (128GB) for €1,339 (Apple Ireland (official store)). That’s the starting point before any carrier discounts or trade‑ins. Higher storage tiers are available:
- 256GB – €1,459 (estimated from Apple’s pricing scale)
- 512GB – €1,689 (estimated)
- 1TB – €1,909 (estimated)
How much should an iPhone 16 Pro cost?
Bill‑pay deals from Irish carriers can lower the upfront cost significantly. Three Ireland (carrier) offers trade‑in savings of up to €600, and posts plans from around €49 per month. Switcher Ireland (price comparison site) lets you compare plans from Vodafone, Eir, and other networks. Refurbished units from Back Market Ireland (refurbished marketplace) start well below Apple’s price and include a 12‑month warranty.
One watch-out: UK‑based listings on sites like PriceRunner (price comparison) show £799 for the 128GB model, but that’s in pounds sterling and excludes Irish VAT and import considerations – not a true comparison.
The implication: Irish buyers should compare total cost of ownership, including trade-in and plan costs, before deciding.
What is the difference between iPhone 16 Pro and 17 pro?
The iPhone 17 Pro hasn’t been announced yet, so comparisons rely on industry expectations. Based on Apple’s typical release cycle, the 17 Pro is expected around September 2025 (Three Ireland (carrier specs) references the 16 Pro’s timeline). The table below shows confirmed 16 Pro specs alongside rumoured 17 Pro details.
| Feature | iPhone 16 Pro (confirmed) | iPhone 17 Pro (rumoured) |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | A18 Pro (Three Ireland) | Expected A19 Pro (unconfirmed) |
| Display size | 6.3 inches (Switcher Ireland) | Rumoured 6.7 inches (unconfirmed) |
| Main camera | 48MP + 3x telephoto (Apple Ireland (specs)) | Possibly 48MP + 5x telephoto (unconfirmed) |
| Release date | September 2024 (Three Ireland) | Expected September 2025 (industry pattern) |
| Design | Current titanium frame (Apple Ireland) | Possible redesign (unconfirmed) |
Waiting for the iPhone 17 Pro means gambling on unconfirmed features. For buyers who need a phone now, the 16 Pro is a known quantity – and still well ahead of most Android flagships.
The catch: Waiting for the 17 Pro means delaying your purchase for a year with no guarantee of the rumoured upgrades.
Which iPhones will no longer work in 2027?
Apple typically supports iPhones with software updates for 5–6 years after release. Models like the iPhone 6s (2015) and iPhone 7 (2016) are already losing support – they may not receive security patches by 2027. The iPhone 8 and X, released 2017, could also be phased out. In contrast, the iPhone 16 Pro, launched in 2024, will still be supported well beyond 2027 and likely until around 2031.
The implication: if you buy an older model today (such as the iPhone 13 or 14), you may face forced obsolescence just a few years from now. The 16 Pro gives you the longest runway for security updates and app compatibility.
What iPhone is the best value for money?
Comparing the iPhone 16 Pro against the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 Pro shows that value depends on your priorities. The iPhone 16 (€879 from Apple) covers the basics with the same A18 chip but lacks the telephoto camera and ProMotion display. The iPhone 15 Pro, still available from some retailers, offers similar camera hardware but uses the older A17 Pro chip.
- iPhone 16 (€879) – best for most people who don’t need a telephoto lens or 120Hz screen
- iPhone 16 Pro (€1,339) – better for photography enthusiasts and those who want USB‑3 speeds and a titanium build
- iPhone 15 Pro – still a strong performer, but one year less of future software support
For professionals needing the best camera and longest support, the 16 Pro justifies its premium. For everyone else, the standard iPhone 16 offers excellent performance at a lower price.
The iPhone 16 Pro’s extra cost buys you two things: a 3x optical zoom that matters for travel and events, and an extra year of iOS updates compared to the 15 Pro. If you plan to keep your phone for four years, that’s €100 per year for the better camera and longer life.
What this means: The iPhone 16 Pro is a premium investment for those who value camera and longevity, while the standard iPhone 16 offers better value for most users.
What secret things can an iPhone do?
What is the secret button on the iPhone?
The iPhone 16 Pro has an Action button (introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro) that can be customised to launch the camera, start a voice memo, toggle silent mode, or run a Shortcut (Apple Ireland (features)). It’s not really a secret, but many users never configure it beyond the default.
Other hidden features include:
- Back Tap – double‑ or triple‑tap the back of the phone to trigger actions (accessibility setting)
- Hidden photo album – the Photos app’s “Hidden” folder can be locked behind Face ID
- Calculator backspace – swipe left or right on the number display to delete the last digit
- iOS 18 live transcription – call recording with automatic transcription (requires iOS 18, available on 16 Pro)
These features are available on most recent iPhones running iOS 18, but they’re rarely highlighted in marketing.
The pattern: Apple hides useful features in plain sight, and taking a few minutes to set them up can improve daily use.
Upsides
- Longest software support of any current iPhone (until ~2031)
- Excellent 48MP camera with 3x optical zoom
- 120Hz ProMotion display for smooth scrolling
- Customisable Action button and Back Tap
Downsides
- High starting price of €1,339 in Ireland
- No charger included in the box
- Still limited to 5x digital zoom (Android rivals offer 10x)
- Heavier than the standard iPhone 16 (199g vs 170g)
Timeline
- – iPhone 16 Pro released (Apple Ireland (official))
- – iPhone 17 Pro announcement (industry pattern)
- – Older iPhones (iPhone 6s, 7, SE 1st gen) may lose security updates
The implication: The iPhone 16 Pro offers the longest support window of any current iPhone, making it a future-proof choice.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- iPhone 16 Pro starts at €1,339 (Apple Ireland)
- A18 Pro chip and 27‑hour battery (Three Ireland)
- Action button and Back Tap features in iOS 18 (Apple Ireland)
What’s still unconfirmed
- Exact iPhone 17 Pro specs and release date
- Which iPhones will stop receiving updates in 2027
- Long‑term reliability of the titanium frame
What this means: While many details are confirmed, buyers should remain cautious about unconfirmed claims regarding future models and support.
What the experts say
“The A18 Pro chip delivers desktop‑class performance that will stay snappy for years.”
— Apple (official product page)
“In daily use, the 48MP camera with 3x zoom captures detail that most smartphone shooters will appreciate.”
For Irish buyers, the iPhone 16 Pro is the smartest premium choice if you plan to keep your phone for four years or more. The combination of the A18 Pro chip, excellent camera, and long software support makes it a better long‑term investment than the iPhone 16 – but only if the camera and ProMotion display matter to you. If you’re on a tighter budget, the standard iPhone 16 still covers all the basics and will last well into 2028.
Frequently asked questions
Does the iPhone 16 Pro support 5G in Ireland?
Yes, it supports sub‑6GHz 5G bands used by Irish carriers such as Vodafone, Three, and Eir (Three Ireland).
Is the iPhone 16 Pro water resistant?
Yes, it has an IP68 rating, meaning it can survive up to 6 metres of water for 30 minutes (Apple Ireland (specs)).
What is the warranty period for iPhone 16 Pro in Ireland?
Apple provides a standard one‑year limited warranty in Ireland, with optional AppleCare+ coverage (Apple Ireland (warranty)).
Can I use an eSIM on the iPhone 16 Pro with Irish carriers?
Yes, the iPhone 16 Pro supports dual eSIMs, and Irish carriers like Vodafone and Three offer eSIM activation.
Does the iPhone 16 Pro come with a charger in the box?
No, Apple stopped including a charger with iPhone models since the iPhone 12. You need a separate 20W USB‑C adapter (Apple Ireland (in the box)).
How does the iPhone 16 Pro compare to the iPhone 15 Pro in terms of performance?
The A18 Pro chip in the 16 Pro is about 15% faster than the A17 Pro in the 15 Pro, and it supports hardware‑accelerated ray tracing for games (Three Ireland).
Is the iPhone 16 Pro compatible with MagSafe accessories?
Yes, it has MagSafe with a stronger magnet array, compatible with all MagSafe chargers and cases (Apple Ireland (MagSafe)).