iPhone 16 Pro frame rate drops, lag and stuttering

Disabling Live Activities as shown in the image may help narrow down the issue. While this is not the cause of the stuttering or frame drop you have described, it could be a contributing factor.

See if these settings shown below help

Remove VPN and security apps

I have seen reports of VPN app causing this.

It's not always the iOS update's fault!  Many things can cause phone problems.  If you tell people you think it's an iOS update, it might make it harder to fix or find a solution for the real issue.

Remember, the right question often leads to the solution!

Was/Is your device Jailbroken? If that's the situation, please be informed that attributing the issues to iOS updates may not be accurate.

iOS updates aim to enhance user experience, boost security, and fix bugs rather than disrupt core features. The majority of the issues after updates might stem from underlying, unmentioned factors. Updates won't typically alter personal data but may refine settings or features. Backup before major updates for safety. Review Apple's update details and backup advice for a smooth process.

Kindly consider checking your settings and addressing any device issues before attributing the issue to external factors. This could be a pure coincidence that the iOS update affected the iPhone functions.

Before initiating a standard iOS update, it's advisable to create a backup. Have you completed this step? If yes, proceed with the restoration from the backup.

See what each update does: OS — iOS 26, About iOS 18 Updates, About iOS 17 Updates, About iOS 16 Updates, About iOS 15 Updates, About iOS 14 Updates, About iOS 13 Updates, About iOS 12 Updates, and so on...

Refer to this --> iPhone 16 Pro Max - Tech Specs

The iPhone 13 Pro, 14 Pro, 15 Pro, and Pro Max versions, and the iPad Pro ProMotion displays are capable of dynamically switching between:

• Faster refresh rates up to 120Hz
• Slower refresh rates down to 24Hz or 10Hz

This dynamic switching means your app can present smooth, seamless animations and take advantage of power-saving opportunities. Your app may already be capable of taking advantage of these new refresh rates without any changes. Some framework animation features handle frame pacing automatically for you, including Optimizing ProMotion refresh rates for iPhone 13 Pro and iPad Pro | Apple Developer Documentation

Benefits of the iPhone 13, 14, and 15 Pro and Max and higher model versions' adaptive refresh rate:

Experience unparalleled smoothness without sacrificing battery life:

One of the biggest advancements in smartphone displays is the jump to high refresh rates. While these displays deliver a buttery smooth experience, especially when scrolling or gaming, they can come at the cost of increased battery drain. The iPhone 13, 14, and 15 Pro and Max and higher versions tackle this issue head-on with their innovative adaptive refresh rate.

This technology allows the display to intelligently adjust its refresh rate between a range of 10Hz to a blazing-fast 120Hz. What does this mean for you? When you're engaged in fast-paced activities like gaming or watching high frame-rate videos, the display will seamlessly switch to 120Hz, ensuring incredible responsiveness and a visually stunning experience.

However, for everyday tasks like reading an email or browsing the web, the refresh rate can drop down to a lower setting, like 10Hz. This significantly reduces battery consumption without any noticeable impact on smoothness. It's a win-win situation!

The iPhone 13, 14, and 15 Pro and Max and higher versions prioritize both a stunning visual experience and long-lasting battery life. The adaptive refresh rate is a key feature that contributes to this balance, making it a perfect choice for users who value both

devarajs wrote:

After updating the iPhone 16pro to iOS 26, I started experiencing noticeable frame rate drops and stuttering while unlocking the phone and swiping through the UI. I have thoroughly checked all possible root causes and completed the recommended troubleshooting steps. Since the issue appeared only after the iOS 26 update, I waited for subsequent patch releases; however, the problem still persists even after updating to iOS 26.2.

This is extremely disappointing, especially considering the premium price of the device (approximately ₹1.2 lakhs). A flagship phone in this price range is expected to deliver consistently smooth performance, and facing such basic UI issues significantly impacts the overall user experience.

I’m amazed that you think a problem with your iPhone that does not exist on 100 million other iPhones is somehow a bug that must be fixed.

As you haven’t said what specific troubleshooting you have done it would be very helpful if you actually told us what the “recommended troubleshooting steps” that you tried included.