Image: Apple
After years of incremental improvements, Apple has finally redesigned the iPhone.
The iPhone 16 offers new buttons, updated camera features, and an incredibly powerful processor. Plus, it will start receiving the long-awaited Apple Intelligence features later this year. As far as iPhones go, this is one of the biggest updates in years—we think it’s worth the upgrade for most customers.
On the other hand, the iPhone 15 is still a great phone. It offers excellent camera specs and received a $100 price cut. If you don’t need the newest hardware or access to Apple Intelligence, this is the perfect device for customers looking to save.
Let’s compare the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 to see which is better for you.
Specs comparison
There are some strong similarities between the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 models, at least in terms of the specs. Still, there are some crucial differences— including major advancements in camera hardware, processing power, and device design—that make the iPhone 16 the better overall device.
iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 15: Specs comparison
| iPhone 16 | iPhone 15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | From $799 | From $699 |
| Display | 6.1” 60Hz Super Retina XDR |
6.1” 60Hz Super Retina XDR |
| Processor | A18 chip |
A16 Bionic chip |
| Main camera | Dual-lens 48MP fusion @ ƒ/1.6 12MP ultra-wide @ ƒ/2.2 2x optical/5x digital zoom |
Dual-lens 48MP main @ ƒ/1.6 12MP ultra-wide @ ƒ/2.4 2x optical/5x digital zoom |
| Selfie camera | 12MP @ ƒ/1.9 |
12MP @ ƒ/1.9 |
| Video recording | 4K HDR Cinematic mode (up to 4K) Macro video recording |
4K HDR Cinematic mode (up to 4K) |
| Internal memory | 128GB 256GB 512GB |
128GB 256GB 512GB |
| Battery life | Up to 22 hours playback | Up to 20 hours playback |
| Charging | USB-C MagSafe up to 25W | USB-C MagSafe |
| Colours | Black White Pink Teal Ultramarine |
Black Blue Green Yellow Pink |
Pricing
During a typical new Apple iPhone release, the company drops the price of its previous generation. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 followed this trend.
As the latest iPhone, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are the more expensive devices. The pricing structure looks like this:
- iPhone 16: $799
- iPhone 16 Plus: $899
The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus received a $100 price drop on the release date of the iPhone 16. As the cheaper device, the iPhone 15 is a solid option for customers looking to save money. That said, there are some significant differences between these two generations.
Customers purchasing an iPhone 15 will miss out on new camera features, Apple Intelligence, and one of the fastest processors Apple has ever built. Still, if you don’t need all those features, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus have a better price point.
These devices start at:
- iPhone 15: $699
- iPhone 15 Plus: $799
Display and screen
Image: Apple
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 displays are virtually identical. Both devices measure in at 6.1 inches, offer the same pixel resolution, and have a maximum brightness of 2,000 nits.
The only advantages the iPhone 16 offers are a minimum brightness of 1 nit and a latest-generation Ceramic Shield front glass that is slightly stronger.
Design
The design of the iPhone 16 offers some major improvements over the iPhone 15. The device includes a new Camera Control button, an updated camera array design, and the Action button from last year’s iPhone 15 Pro series.
Image: Apple
For photographers, the Camera Control button is one of the biggest camera developments Apple has ever released. It will be reason enough for many people to upgrade.
The Camera Control button is a tactile switch that allows you to press or slide your finger to take photos and change camera functions. Things like zooming and switching filters can now be done with a single finger instead of tapping on your screen. It essentially lets you operate the device like a digital camera, not a camera phone. The Camera Control button is a standard feature for the entire iPhone 16 series, including the iPhone 16 Pro models.
Image: Max McCaskill
An additional minor design change is the iPhone 16’s smaller camera array. Instead of being diagonally placed in a square, the two camera lenses are now stacked in a narrow oval array. This design is similar to the stacked camera of the iPhone 12, but tech enthusiasts will note it’s also close to the camera design of the Samsung Galaxy S24.
The iPhone 16 series also includes the Action button, which lives on the side of the device and can be mapped to specific functions in your phone. You can use it as a shortcut to specific apps or even functions like your flashlight. The Action button originally appeared on the iPhone 15 Pro models, but was not available on the base-model iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Plus. While the Action button shouldn’t be anyone’s sole reason to consider upgrading, it’s still a nice pickup for the newest series.
Processor and performance
Image: Apple
Comparing the processors of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 is not much of a battle. The iPhone 16’s A18 chip is 30% faster than the iPhone 15’s A16 Bionic chip. Apple considers it the fastest chip ever created for a smartphone. There’s good reason for this: it was built to power Apple Intelligence.
Image: Apple
The A18 chip is technically two generations ahead of the A16 Bionic. For the past few iPhone releases, the base-model iPhone has received an upgraded version of the previous generation’s Pro model chips. That meant the iPhone 15 was powered by the same processor running the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max from 2022. The release of the A18—and A18 Pro for the iPhone 16 Pro models—represents Apple returning to form and upgrading an entire series of processors at the same time.
Apple Intelligence
If you want access to Apple Intelligence—Apple’s proprietary AI suite—you’ll need an iPhone 16 or iPhone 15 Pro. This is one of the biggest differences between the models since Apple Intelligence is not coming to the base-level iPhone 15.
Apple Intelligence will offer helpful features like ChatGPT, which can assist with writing emails or transcribing audio, and generative AI image features like Genmoji, which creates custom emojis in iMessage based on your prompts.
All of Apple Intelligence will have strong privacy features. Most tasks will be completed directly on your device without providing data to external sources. Any tasks that require off-device computing will occur on servers that shield your private information. None of your personal information used in Apple Intelligence can be accessed by Apple.
The service will also operate in your personal context, meaning the software will use details from your phone to complete requests. For example, asking Siri “When is mom’s flight landing?” might cause Apple Intelligence to search your messages for your mother’s flight information and the internet for current flight tracking information. The fact Apple Intelligence will have access to your personal messages and data is why Apple has taken a strong stance on AI data privacy.
You can learn more about these features in our Apple Intelligence guide.
Will the iPhone 15 Pro get Apple Intelligence?
Yes, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will get Apple Intelligence. That said, if you’re choosing between an iPhone 15 Pro and an iPhone 16, we still recommend the iPhone 16. Not only is it a better phone, it’s also easier to find.
Apple has officially discontinued the iPhone 15 Pro models. They may not be available at major carriers for device deals. You might find one from a smaller carrier or third-party retailer, but even with a $100 price reduction, the 15 Pro will still be more expensive than the base-model iPhone 16.
Cameras
Image: Apple
Both of these phones take excellent photos, but the iPhone 16 offers significant camera hardware upgrades over the iPhone 15. Here is how the two systems stack up:
iPhone 15:
- Dual-camera array
- Main: 48MP, ƒ/1.6 aperture
- Ultra-wide: 12MP, ƒ/2.4 aperture
- .5x, 1x, 2x optical zoom options
iPhone 16:
- Dual-camera array
- Fusion (main): 48MP, ƒ/1.6 aperture
- Ultra-wide: 12MP, ƒ/2.2 aperture
- .5x, 1x, 2x optical zoom options
Apple has given the iPhone 16’s main camera a “fusion” sensor that lets it operate as a two-in-one camera. Not only does it work like a regular 48MP lens, it also gives the phone an optical-quality 2x telephoto lens capable of taking 12MP zoomed photos. This will allow users to snap closer pictures and retain image quality when zooming in. The phone’s 12MP ultra-wide camera also received a boost, capturing more light and allowing for macro photography.
Despite being the older model, the iPhone 15 still has an excellent camera system. Its 48MP main camera offers super-high-resolution photos. The device also has many of the same editing features as the iPhone 16.
Most customers will be happier with the iPhone 16 and its camera upgrades, even though the iPhone 15 is no slouch. If you don’t need the absolute best camera hardware, you can save money with the iPhone 15 and still get excellent photos.
Battery life
The iPhone 16 offers longer battery life and some updated charging features.
iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 15 battery life
| iPhone 16 | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|
| Up to 22 hours playback | Up to 20 hours playback |
The iPhone 16 has received battery upgrades that make it last longer than the iPhone 15. You can expect up the 22 hours of playback on the iPhone 16 compared with just 20 hours on the iPhone 15.
Both devices are equipped with USB-C charging ports and MagSafe charging capability. However, the iPhone 16 also has an updated MagSafe charger that allows for up to 25W wireless charging. That’s faster than any other iPhone, though it will require you to purchase the newest Apple charger. Despite that additional cost, we still think it’s a great addition.
The battery capabilities of these devices should not be the only reason someone chooses to upgrade. That said, the better battery life and charging features of the iPhone 16 do sweeten the pot if the iPhone 16 is already on your radar.
Verdict: Is the iPhone 16 worth the upgrade?
In our opinion, the iPhone 16 is worth the upgrade. Every year, Apple’s new iPhone will either slightly improve the previous series or completely rebuild it. After years of minor improvements, the iPhone 16 is the rebuild Apple fans have been waiting for. With new buttons, updated camera features, and a top-tier processor, it offers significant advantages over the iPhone 15. Plus, it will receive Apple Intelligence, which is promised to be one of the biggest software shifts Apple has ever released.
The iPhone 15 is a solid device—we still recommend it for customers who don’t need the newest tech but want to upgrade their phone. It has excellent features and offers a way to join Apple’s ecosystem at a friendlier price point. Just remember, if you want the improvements coming with Apple Intelligence, even those with the base-level iPhone 15 will need to upgrade.
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