iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15: Key differences explained
Another iPhone release, another potential upgrade.
If you have an iPhone 15, you might be wondering if it’s worth trading in for the new iPhone 16. And if you have an older or non-Apple device, you might be wondering whether you should get the iPhone 16 from last year. iPhone at a discount or pay full price for this year’s model.
Starting at $799, the iPhone 16 represents the biggest upgrade Apple’s basic phone has received in years. It has a larger battery, a new ultrawide camera, two new hardware buttons for shortcuts and will eventually get Apple Intelligence.
But at $100 less, last year’s iPhone 15 still has plenty going for it, including good cameras, decent battery life, and the ability to run iOS 18. Unfortunately, he doesn’t get Apple Intelligence.
Here’s a comparison of the key specs of the baseline iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 to help you make decisions.
Prices and storage
The nice thing about new iPhone releases is that older models get a price drop.
Fortunately, Apple didn’t raise prices with the debut of the iPhone 16 series, and you can still get the base model starting at $800. If you’d rather save some money, you can now buy last year’s iPhone 15 for $700 .
More specifically, with the iPhone 16 you pay $800 for 128GB of storage, $900 for 256GB of storage and $1,100 for 512GB of storage.
On the iPhone 15 you now pay $700 for 128 GB storage, $800 for 256 GB storage and $1,000 for 512 GB storage. So the same storage options for $100 less. Neither phone comes with expandable memory.
Apple iPhone 16 vs Apple iPhone 15
| iPhone 16 | iPhone 15 | |
| Screen size, technology, resolution, refresh rate | 6.1-inch OLED; Resolution of 2,556 x 1,179 pixels; 60Hz refresh rate; 2,000 nits | 6.1-inch OLED; 2,556 x 1,179 pixels, 60 Hz refresh rate, 1,000 nits |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Dimensions (inches) | 5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches | 5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8mm | 71.6×147.6×7.8mm |
| Weight (gram, ounce) | 170g, 6oz | 171g (6.02oz) |
| Mobile software | iOS 18 | iOS 17 |
| Camera | 48 megapixel (wide), 12 megapixel (ultra-wide) | 48 megapixel (wide), 12 megapixel (ultra-wide) |
| Front camera | 12 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
| Video recording | 4K | 4K |
| Processor | A18 | A16 Bionic |
| RAM/storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Expandable storage | No | No |
| Battery | Up to 22 hours of video playback; up to 18 hours of video playback (streamed). MagSafe wireless charging up to 25 W with 30 W adapter or higher; Qi2 up to 15W | Up to 20 hours of video playback (16 hours streamed). 27W wired charging. MagSafe wireless charging up to 15W; Qi2 up to 15W |
| Fingerprint sensor | None (Face ID) | None (Face ID) |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C |
| Headphone jack | No | No |
| Special features | Apple Intelligence; Action button; Camera control button; Dynamic island; 1 to 2000 nits brightness range; wireless charging; eSIM; satellite connectivity; IP68 rating | Dynamic island; 5G (mmw/Sub6); MagSafe; wireless charging; eSIM; satellite connectivity; IP68 rating |
| US price starts at | $799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB) | $799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB) |
| UK price starts at | £799 (128GB), £899 (256GB), £1,099 (512GB) | £799 (128GB), £899 (256GB), £1,099 (512GB) |
| Price in Australia starts at | AU$1,399 (128GB), AU$1,599 (256GB), AU$1,949 (512GB) | AU$1,499 (128GB), AU$1,699 (256GB), AU$2,049 (512GB) |
Cameras: Double vision
One of the most obvious differences between the two phones is the vertically stacked cameras on the back of the iPhone 16. On the iPhone 15, the cameras were mounted diagonally.
The iPhone 15 features a 48-megapixel wide and 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, while the iPhone 16 has a 48-megapixel wide camera and a new 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera. Despite the similar megapixel count between the two phones, the ultra-wide camera on the iPhone 16 can capture more light, has a wider aperture and features autofocus for macro shots – great for those who let the camera ‘eat’ first.
Both phones have a 12-megapixel front camera and can record 4K video. The main difference is that the iPhone 16 can shoot 1080p spatial video at 30 frames per second (hence the vertical stacking of the cameras on this year’s iPhone 16 and 16 Plus).
Displays, size and weight
Both the iPhone 16 and 15 have an OLED screen with a 60 Hz refresh rate. However, Apple has updated the Ceramic Shield coating on the 16’s screen, which it claims is even sturdier.
Apple has made more modest adjustments when it comes to displays. The iPhone 15 and 16 both have 6.1-inch OLED displays with a 60Hz refresh rate, although the iPhone 16 doubles the peak brightness of the 15, reaching 2,000 nits. Both have a pixel density of 460ppi.
The iPhone 15 and 16 are the same size, with a height of 5.81 inches, width of 2.82 inches and a thickness of 0.31 inches. They weigh almost the same: the iPhone 16 weighs 170 grams (6 ounces), while the iPhone 15 weighs 171 grams (6.02 ounces).
The iPhone 16 is available in black, white, pink, teal and ultramarine. The iPhone 15 is available in black, green, yellow, pink and blue.
Both phones feature Dynamic Island and use Face ID or a passcode to unlock (no fingerprint scanner).
Battery, processors and software
Both iPhones have a USB-C port with USB 2.0 data speeds.
Apple isn’t disclosing battery capacity, but says the iPhone 16 can deliver up to 22 hours of video playback (18 hours streamed). The iPhone 15, meanwhile, has up to 20 hours of video playback (16 hours streamed). Both feature USB-C charging.
The iPhone 16 supports MagSafe wireless charging up to 25 watts with a 30 watt or higher adapter, while the iPhone 15’s MagSafe charging reaches 15 watts. They also each support Qi2 charging, up to 15 watts.
The iPhone 16 has the new A18 chip, while the iPhone 15 has the A16 Bionic chip. The iPhone 16 has iOS 18 out of the box, and while the iPhone 15 has last year’s iOS 17, it is eligible for the new operating system.
New features on the iPhone 16
The iPhone 16 and 16 Pro (pictured) get Apple Intelligence, including new writing tools that can proofread text and change tone.
Apple Intelligence has been the company’s main focus in recent months, but you’ll need an iPhone 16 instead of the baseline 15 if you want to take advantage of the upcoming AI features. (The iPhone 15 Pro models will also work with Apple Intelligence, but the company has since discontinued those phones.)
Apple has also added the action button to the entire iPhone 16 range, as well as a camera control button.
Check this out: iPhone 16 Review: all about the buttons
