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iPhone 16 Plus Colors: Ultramarine, Teal & Pink Explained

Daniel Mason Hayes Carter • 2026-05-13 • Reviewed by Oliver Bennett

Choosing a phone color might seem trivial, but it often sparks hours of deliberation — and with the iPhone 16 Plus, Apple has introduced five finishes: Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, Black, and White, a shift from last year’s pastel-focused lineup. Here’s a practical guide to each shade, what’s new, and which one is drawing the most attention.

“iPhone 16 Plus is available in five finishes: Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, Black, and White.”

New colors introduced: Ultramarine, Teal, Pink ·
Most searched color: Pink ·
Battery life (video playback): Up to 27 hours ·
Base storage: 128GB

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Five official colors: Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine (Apple Newsroom)
  • Pre-orders began September 13, 2024 (Apple Newsroom)
  • General availability September 20, 2024 (Apple Newsroom)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact availability in all countries and carrier exclusivity
  • Whether Apple will release additional color variants later in the cycle
  • Long-term scratch resistance of the matte glass finish across shades
3Timeline signal
  • September 2024: iPhone 16 series launched with new palette (ecoATM)
4What’s next
  • Potential mid-cycle color refresh (Product Red or Spring colors) in 2025
  • Resale value may vary by shade — neutral colors often retain value better

Five official shades, each with its own visual personality: here’s how they break down.

Label Value
Model iPhone 16 Plus
Colors Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine
Display 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR (OLED)
Chip A18 Bionic
Battery life (video playback) Up to 27 hours
Storage options 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Starting price (USA) $899
Finish type Matte glass back, aluminum frame

What colors are on the iPhone 16 Plus?

  • Black — a deep, true black with a matte glass finish, replacing last year’s Black from the iPhone 15 Plus.
  • White — a new addition for the Plus model, offering a clean, neutral option.
  • Pink — more saturated than the iPhone 15 Plus pink, now a brighter statement shade (Business Insider)
  • Teal — a greenish-blue tone, completely new for the iPhone 16 series (TechRadar)
  • Ultramarine — a vivid deep blue with subtle lavender undertones (Ghostek)

The implication: Apple has intentionally expanded the palette to include both safe neutrals (Black, White) and expressive colors (Pink, Teal, Ultramarine), covering a wider range of tastes than the iPhone 15 Plus’s more uniform pastel set.

Which iPhone 16 Plus color is the most popular?

Why this matters

The most popular color often sees the fastest initial sell-through, especially in markets like the US and Ireland, influencing resale values and case availability.

Search data points to Pink and Blue (Ultramarine) as the most queried color terms for the iPhone 16 Plus. According to ecoATM (trade-in industry analysis), Ultramarine has become the breakout shade of this generation, likely because it stands out most from previous iPhone blues. Pink, meanwhile, benefits from the memory of the iPhone 15 Plus’s pastel pink and the fact that it’s now bolder. Black and White remain consistently popular for buyers who want the device to blend in.

“Ultramarine has become the breakout shade of this generation.”

What colors does the iPhone 16 come in?

The standard iPhone 16 (non-Plus) shares the same five-color palette: Black, White, Pink, Teal, and Ultramarine. The only differences between the two models are size, battery, and price — the color lineup is identical. As noted by Apple (official specs), both models launch with the same finishes.

The catch: if you prefer the larger display but wanted a shade available only on the Pro models (e.g., Desert Titanium), you’ll need to choose from the five standard colors or consider a case.

Are the color options the same for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus?

Yes — both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus offer the same five finishes. The Pro and Pro Max models use a different set of colors (titanium finishes), so the Plus stands as the largest non-Pro phone with these matte-glass options.

  • Both models: Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine.
  • Only the Plus offers a 6.7-inch display in these colors.

What this means: choosing the Plus over the regular iPhone 16 does not limit your color choice — you get the same palette, plus a bigger screen.

What is the Ultramarine color on the iPhone 16 Plus?

Ultramarine is a deep, vivid blue with a slight lavender shift depending on the lighting. It’s described by Ghostek (phone accessory brand) as a brighter version of the iPhone 15 Blue, but with more purple influence — almost as if the old blue was turned up a notch. The matte glass back reduces glare, making the color appear more muted in direct sunlight and richer indoors.

The trade-off

Ultramarine is the most distinctive shade of the five, but its lavender undertones may not appeal to everyone — especially those who prefer a pure blue or a neutral like Black or White.

Timeline: iPhone 16 Plus colors launch

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus were announced at Apple’s “Glowtime” event on September 9, 2024 at Apple Park in Cupertino, California (ecoATM). Pre-orders opened September 13, and the phones hit shelves on September 20.

  • Announcement: September 9, 2024
  • Pre-order: September 13, 2024
  • Availability: September 20, 2024

The pattern: Apple has shifted to a slightly earlier September release in 2024 compared to the usual third week, possibly to align with holiday shopping windows.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear about the colors

Confirmed facts

  • Five official colors: Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine (Apple Newsroom)
  • Aluminum frame with color-infused matte glass back (ecoATM)
  • White is a new color for the Plus model (Business Insider)
  • Prices start at $899 (USA) for 128GB (Apple Newsroom)

What’s unclear

  • Exactly which countries will sell all five colors at launch
  • Whether Apple will introduce seasonal editions (e.g., Product Red) in 2025
  • How the matte finish holds up against scratches and everyday wear compared to the glossy iPhone 15 Plus

For buyers in Ireland and other early-launch markets, the choice is clear: pick the shade that matches your style — or risk seeing your preferred color sell out first. The iPhone 16 Plus palette is wider and more deliberate than ever, and that makes the decision both harder and more rewarding.

Frequently asked questions

Is the iPhone 16 Plus available in green?

No, green is not an official color for the iPhone 16 Plus. The closest shade is Teal, which has a greenish-blue tone. Last year’s iPhone 15 Plus offered Green, but Apple did not carry it over.

What is the best color for iPhone 16 Plus?

“Best” depends on personal preference. For resale value, Black and White generally hold best. For something distinctive, Ultramarine is the most unique. Pink is the most searched and popular among early buyers (ecoATM).

Will more colors be added later?

Apple often releases a mid-cycle color (like Product Red or a spring shade) a few months after launch. Historically, the Plus models have received these additions. No official announcement has been made for 2025.

How do the colors look in real life?

The matte glass back reduces reflections, so colors appear slightly more muted than product photos suggest. Pink looks bolder than last year’s pastel, while Ultramarine shifts between blue and lavender depending on light (Business Insider).

Which color is most durable?

All five finishes use the same color-infused matte glass and aluminum frame, so durability is identical. Color fading over time is unlikely with modern anodization techniques, but light colors (White, Pink) may show micro-scratches less than dark colors (Black).

Do colors affect resale value?

Yes. Neutral colors (Black, White) historically retain higher resale value because they appeal to a broader second-hand market. Unique colors like Ultramarine may sell faster among enthusiasts but can be harder to move later.

Is the pink iPhone 16 Plus suitable for everyone?

Pink is no longer a pastel — it’s a vibrant, confident shade that works for anyone who likes bright colors. It’s not gendered; Apple markets it as a universal option. If you prefer subtle tones, Black or White may be a better fit.

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Daniel Mason Hayes Carter

About the author

Daniel Mason Hayes Carter

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