Another iPhone release, another potential upgrade.
If you own an iPhone 15, you may be wondering if it’s worth replacing it with the new iPhone 16. Also, if you have an older or non-Apple device, you may be considering whether to buy last year’s device. iPhone You can buy this year’s model at a discount or pay full price.
Starting at $799, the iPhone 16 is the biggest upgrade Apple’s baseline phone has received in years. Bigger battery, new ultra-wide camera, and two new hardware buttons for shortcuts (action button and camera control button), you will eventually receive Apple Intelligence.
But last year’s iPhone 15, which is $100 cheaper, still has a lot to offer, including a better camera, decent battery life, and the ability to run iOS 18. However, unfortunately, Apple Intelligence is not included.
Here’s a comparison of key specs between the baseline iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 to help you make your decision.
Price and storage location
The good thing about new iPhone releases is that the prices of older models come down.
Thankfully, Apple didn’t raise prices when the iPhone 16 lineup debuted, and you can still get the baseline model starting at $800. If you want to save a little more money, you can now buy last year’s iPhone 15 for $700.
Specifically, for the iPhone 16, you’ll pay $800 for 128 GB of storage, $900 for 256 GB of storage, and $1,100 for 512 GB of storage.
With the iPhone 15, you’ll pay $700 for 128 GB of storage, $800 for 256 GB of storage, and $1,000 for 512 GB of storage. That means you can get the same storage option for $100 less. Neither phone has expandable memory.
Apple iPhone 16 and Apple iPhone 15
| iPhone16 | iPhone15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Display size, technology, resolution, and refresh rate | 6.1 inch OLED. Resolution 2,556 x 1,179 pixels. 60Hz refresh rate. 2,000 nits | 6.1 inch OLED. 2,556×1,179 pixels, 60Hz refresh rate, 1,000 nits |
| pixel density | 460ppi | 460ppi |
| Dimensions (inch) | 5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 inch | 5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 inch |
| Dimensions (mm) | 147.6×71.6×7.8mm | 71.6×147.6×7.8mm |
| Weight (grams, ounces) | 170g, 6oz | 171g (6.02oz) |
| mobile software | iOS18 | iOS17 |
| camera | 48 megapixels (wide), 12 megapixels (ultrawide) | 48 megapixels (wide), 12 megapixels (ultrawide) |
| front camera | 12 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
| video capture | 4K | 4K |
| processor | A18 | A16 Bionic |
| RAM/Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| expandable storage | none | none |
| battery | Up to 22 hours of video playback. Up to 18 hours of video playback (streaming). MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W with 30W adapter or higher. Qi2 max 15W | Up to 20 hours of video playback (16 hours of streaming). 27W wired charging. MagSafe wireless charging up to 15W. Qi2 max 15W |
| fingerprint sensor | None (face recognition) | None (face recognition) |
| connector | USB-C | USB-C |
| headphone jack | none | none |
| special features | Apple Intelligence; Action Button; Camera Control Button; Dynamic Island. Display brightness range from 1 to 2000 nits. Wireless charging; eSIM; satellite connectivity. IP68 grade | dynamic island. 5G (mmw/Sub6); MagSafe; Wireless charging; eSIM; Satellite connectivity. IP68 grade |
| US prices start at | $799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB) | $799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB) |
| UK prices start from | £799 (128GB), £899 (256GB), £1,099 (512GB) | £799 (128GB), £899 (256GB), £1,099 (512GB) |
| Australian prices start from | AU$1,399 (128GB), AU$1,599 (256GB), AU$1,949 (512GB) | AU$1,499 (128GB), AU$1,699 (256GB), AU$2,049 (512GB) |
Camera: double vision
One of the most obvious differences between the two phones is the iPhone 16’s vertically stacked rear cameras. In the iPhone 15, the camera was mounted diagonally.
iPhone 15 has a 48-megapixel wide camera and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, while iPhone 16 has a 48-megapixel wide camera and a new 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera. Although the two phones have similar megapixel counts, the iPhone 16’s ultra-wide camera lets in more light, has a wider aperture, and features autofocus for macro photography. Perfect for those who “eat” the camera for the first time.
Both phones have a 12-megapixel front-facing camera that can shoot 4K video. The main difference is that the iPhone 16 can shoot 1080p spatial video at 30 frames per second (which is why this year’s iPhone 16 and 16 Plus have vertically stacked cameras).
Display, size, weight
Both the iPhone 16 and 15 have OLED screens with a 60Hz refresh rate. However, Apple has updated the ceramic shield that covers the 16’s display, which it claims is now even tougher.
Apple has implemented more subtle tweaks to the display. Both the iPhone 15 and 16 feature 6.1-inch OLED displays with a 60Hz refresh rate, but the iPhone 16 doubles the peak brightness of the 15, reaching 2,000 nits. Both have a pixel density of 460ppi.
iPhone 15 and 16 are the same size: 5.81 inches tall, 2.82 inches wide, and 0.31 inches thick. They weigh about the same: iPhone 16 at 170g (6 oz) and iPhone 15 at 171g (6.02 oz).
iPhone 16 comes in black, white, pink, teal, and ultramarine. iPhone 15 colors are black, green, yellow, pink, and blue.
Both phones feature a dynamic island and use Face ID or a passcode to unlock (no fingerprint scanner).
battery, processor, software
Both iPhones feature a USB-C port with USB 2.0 data speeds.
Apple hasn’t disclosed battery capacity, but says the iPhone 16 can provide up to 22 hours of video playback (18 hours of streaming). The iPhone 15, on the other hand, offers up to 20 hours of video playback (16 hours of streaming). Both have USB-C charging capabilities.
The iPhone 16 supports up to 25 watts of MagSafe wireless charging with a 30 watt or higher adapter, while the iPhone 15’s MagSafe charging reaches 15 watts. They also support Qi2 charging up to 15 watts each.
The iPhone 16 has the new A18 chip, while the iPhone 15 has the A16 Bionic chip. The iPhone 16 ships with iOS 18 out of the box, and the iPhone 15 ships with last year’s iOS 17, but is now compatible with the new operating system.
New features of iPhone 16
iPhone 16 and 16 Pro (pictured) come with Apple Intelligence, which includes new writing tools that let you proofread text and change tone.
Apple Intelligence has been a major focus for the company in recent months, but if you want to take advantage of upcoming AI features, you’ll need an iPhone 16 instead of the baseline iPhone 15. (iPhone 15 Pro models also work with Apple Intelligence, but the company has since discontinued these phones.)
Apple has also added an action button to the entire iPhone 16 lineup in addition to the camera control button.
Look at this: iPhone 16 review: About the buttons
Apple’s iPhone 16, 16 Plus show off bold colors and buttons
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