iPhone 15 vs iPhone 16: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
The iPhone 16 picks up where the iPhone 15 left off. By our tally, the iPhone 16 leads 2 of 5 areas. The battery & charging section is where it pulls furthest ahead of the iPhone 15. The sections below break it down so you can decide which differences matter to you.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Performance iPhone 16 wins
- Memory & Storage Tie
- Camera Tie
- Battery & Charging iPhone 16 wins
- Price Tie
- Display2.6
- Memory & Storage1.8
- Camera1.7
- Battery & Charging1.9
- Display2.6
- Memory & Storage1.8
- Camera1.7
- Battery & Charging2.7
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The iPhone 16 has 2 h more rated video playback
The difference is minor (22 h against 20 h), but if you’re splitting hairs, the iPhone 16 wins it. Lab ratings rarely match real life exactly, but comparing them between two phones is still a useful endurance hint.
-
The iPhone 16 has faster 25 W wireless charging
The iPhone 15 is clearly behind on wireless charging (15 W against 25 W), and that’s one of its biggest weak spots in this matchup. Wireless charging is usually slower than a cable, so this edge matters mainly to people who value the convenience.
-
The iPhone 16 has a newer 3 nm chip process
On this line of the spec sheet, the iPhone 16 is in a different league: 3 nm, next to 4 nm for the iPhone 15. A finer process node generally lets a chip do the same work with less power, which can mean cooler running and better battery life.
Design & Size
- iPhone 15 5.81 in × 2.82 in × 0.31 in
- iPhone 16 5.81 in × 2.82 in × 0.31 in
The footprint is practically the same, so size is not a reason to pick one over the other. The iPhone 15 and the iPhone 16 weigh almost the same.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.81 in | 5.81 in |
| Width | 2.82 in | 2.82 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in | 0.31 in |
| Weight | 6.03 oz | 6 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Display
Too close to call
Evenly matched is the fairest summary of the display section. The display verdict: no winner, and no reason to worry either way.
Performance
iPhone 16 leads
The iPhone 16 squeezes out a win in the performance section. The iPhone 16 brings a newer 3 nm chip process. The iPhone 16’s chip is built on a more advanced process. That usually points to efficiency gains, though chip design matters just as much. Anyone shopping mainly on performance should start with the iPhone 16.
Process node
iPhone 15: 4 nm iPhone 16: 3 nm Process numbers are partly marketing labels these days, so read this as a hint about efficiency rather than a verdict.
Memory & Storage
Too close to call
There’s little to choose between them when it comes to memory & storage. On memory & storage alone, you can’t go far wrong with either.
Camera
Too close to call
This area ends level; whatever separates these two, it isn’t camera. Either phone will serve you equally well on camera.
Battery & Charging
iPhone 16 leads
The iPhone 16 dominates the battery & charging section, and the gaps are large enough to matter in daily use. On its side, the iPhone 16 has 2 h more rated video playback. Rated video playback is the manufacturer’s own endurance figure, so it reflects efficiency as well as battery size. Bottom line for battery & charging: the iPhone 16 has the edge.
Rated video playback
iPhone 15: 20 h iPhone 16: 22 h More rated playback suggests the iPhone 16 lasts longer on a long flight or an evening of streaming.
Wireless charging
iPhone 15: 15 W iPhone 16: 25 W Faster wireless charging makes a pad or stand more practical as your main way to top up.
Software & Updates
We don’t score this area directly, because the software & updates specs are labels rather than measurements. The table shows what each lists.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1 in | 6.1 in |
| Panel type | OLED (Super Retina XDR) | OLED (Super Retina XDR) |
| Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 2556 x 1179 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits | 2,000 nits |
| Always-on display | No | No |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A16 Bionic | A18 |
| CPU cores | 6 | 6 |
| Process node | 4 nm | 3 nm (winner) |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP | 48 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 2 |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K60 Dolby Vision | 4K60 Dolby Vision |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 20 h | 22 h (winner) |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 25 W (winner) |
| Port | USB-C (USB 2) | USB-C (USB 2) |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 17 | iOS 18 |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.81 in | 5.81 in |
| Width | 2.82 in | 2.82 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in | 0.31 in |
| Weight | 6.03 oz | 6 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $799 | $799 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Money won’t decide this one: the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 16 launched at identical prices.
Launch prices in the US as of September 2024; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 16 if…
- you stream a lot of video on the go (22 h vs 20 h rated playback)
- you want faster wireless charging (25 W vs 15 W)
- you want a chip built on a finer process (3 nm vs 4 nm)
- you find that the improvements in the iPhone 16 match what you need
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPhone 15 or the iPhone 16?
The iPhone 16 makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if you already have the iPhone 15 and it works fine.
Does the iPhone 15 last longer on a charge than the iPhone 16?
The iPhone 16 comes out ahead on rated video playback, with 22 h compared with 20 h on the iPhone 15.
Should I upgrade from the iPhone 15 to the iPhone 16?
If those changes matter to you, yes: the iPhone 16 adds 2 h more rated video playback, faster 25 W wireless charging and a newer 3 nm chip process compared with the iPhone 15.
Is the iPhone 15 bigger than the iPhone 16?
The iPhone 15 and the iPhone 16 are so close in size that you’d struggle to tell them apart on dimensions alone.
Does the iPhone 15 perform better than the iPhone 16?
The iPhone 16 has the edge in performance thanks to a newer 3 nm chip process.
Is the iPhone 15 lighter than the iPhone 16?
Weight won’t decide this one; the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 16 are very close.
Executive Summary
Here’s how I see the iPhone 16 against the iPhone 15, the model it replaced. Here’s what matters most to me: the iPhone 16 offers 2 h more rated video playback. Plus, the iPhone 16 gets a newer 3 nm chip process, which I wouldn’t overlook.
The way I see it, people who prioritize the things a spec sheet can’t capture will be happier with the iPhone 15, and those who prioritize performance with the iPhone 16.
My pick: the iPhone 16, unless you’re already on the iPhone 15 and happy with it.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.