If gamers are simply looking to play games in general on an iPhone, the iPhone 16 Plus is arguably the most optimal choice.
iPhone 16 Plus Can Run AAA Games
At the event on the night of September 9, Apple introduced this year’s four iPhone 16 models: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. A major upgrade compared to the previous generation is that all four iPhone 16 models can now run AAA games. This marks a significant change, as with last year’s iPhone 15 lineup, only the Pro models were capable of handling AAA titles.
Testing AAA Gaming on the iPhone 16 Plus
The following test focuses exclusively on running AAA games on the iPhone 16 Plus. Most current mobile titles simply aren’t demanding enough to truly challenge this device’s capabilities. Apple’s “Plus” line is already well-known for its large display and exceptionally long battery life, making the iPhone 16 Plus a strong candidate for mobile gaming.
Given that the majority of mobile games today are capped at 60 FPS, the iPhone 16 Plus is expected to easily meet and exceed gaming demands, especially with AAA titles now available on the platform.
The two games selected for testing are Assassin's Creed Mirage and Resident Evil 7: Biohazard—both considered some of the most demanding AAA titles available on mobile.
Assassin's Creed Mirage, in particular, stands out as a true benchmark, having pushed the limits of last year’s iPhone 15 Pro Max. Although the game was fairly well-optimized, the iPhone 15 Pro Max still experienced noticeable heating issues during extended gameplay sessions with Mirage.
With this in mind, the iPhone 16 Plus offers a great opportunity to see just how far Apple has come in handling next-gen mobile gaming performance.
Therefore, there’s no better choice than these two titles—Assassin's Creed Mirage and Resident Evil 7: Biohazard—to test the performance and endurance of the iPhone 16 Plus when it comes to mobile AAA gaming. The iPhone 16 Series is powered by Apple’s latest A18 chip, built on a second-generation 3nm process and equipped with a 6-core CPU. This gives the iPhone 16 Series a processing speed up to 40% faster than the iPhone 15 Series and 50% faster than the iPhone 14 Series.
Assassin's Creed Mirage
What’s surprising with Assassin’s Creed Mirage is just how smooth and visually stunning the game looks on the iPhone 16 Plus. From screen brightness to resolution, every detail in the game is rendered with impressive clarity. This showcases how well the A18 chip handles both graphics processing and overall performance, even under the pressure of graphically demanding titles like Mirage.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard truly left testers astonished when experienced on the iPhone 16 Plus. The game allows users to crank the graphics settings to the maximum, including resolution and additional visual features, delivering a console-quality horror experience right on a smartphone.
Thanks to the power of the A18 chip and the iPhone 16 Plus’s large, high-resolution display, every shadow, texture, and chilling detail in Resident Evil 7 is rendered with stunning clarity—offering a deeply immersive survival horror experience that was once thought impossible on mobile devices.
It must be said that both Apple and the developers of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard have done an excellent job optimizing the game for the iPhone 16 Plus this year. Even at the highest graphics settings, the device handles all tasks exceptionally smoothly, with near-perfect frame stability throughout the experience.
This level of performance showcases the raw power of the A18 chip and the iPhone 16 Plus’s capability to deliver console-like gameplay in the palm of your hand.
iPhone 16 Plus Battery Performance
As mentioned earlier, the iPhone 16 Plus, like other devices in Apple’s “Plus” lineup, has long been known for its impressive battery life. In previous years, the Plus models mainly handled everyday tasks and casual mobile gaming. However, with the introduction of AAA gaming this year, the iPhone 16 Plus is now expected to take on much heavier workloads.
This shift has raised some concerns among users about whether the iPhone 16 Plus’s battery can maintain its reputation for endurance under the pressure of resource-intensive AAA games.
Real-World Battery Performance on the iPhone 16 Plus
Despite initial concerns, real-world testing shows that the iPhone 16 Plus handles everyday use—including AAA gaming—exceptionally well. Even when running graphically demanding titles like Assassin's Creed Mirage and Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, the device maintains solid battery performance.
Naturally, battery drains faster with AAA games compared to light tasks, but it still remains within a comfortable range for mixed daily usage. What’s impressive is that these tests were conducted with maximum screen brightness and during daytime conditions, which typically put more stress on the battery. Yet, the iPhone 16 Plus comfortably lasts through a full day, even with intensive use.
Pro Tip for Gamers
For a more immersive and comfortable experience, gamers can pair the iPhone 16 Plus with a game controller. It enhances control precision and brings mobile gaming closer to a console-like feel.
With up to 30% higher performance than its predecessor, the iPhone 16 Series proves to be a strong choice for users who demand both power and longevity.
