iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Plus
These two are relatives, not rivals. The iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Plus share a lineup, so the question is which version fits you. The iPhone 16 is up against it here: the iPhone 16 Plus wins 1 of the 5 areas on our scorecard, with battery & charging as its standout. Read on for the spec-by-spec breakdown.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage Tie
- Camera Tie
- Battery & Charging iPhone 16 Plus wins
- Price iPhone 16 wins
- Display2.6
- Memory & Storage1.8
- Camera1.7
- Battery & Charging2.7
- Display2.6
- Memory & Storage1.8
- Camera1.7
- Battery & Charging3.9
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 Plus has 5 h more rated video playback
The iPhone 16 Plus’s 27 h leaves the iPhone 16’s 22 h well behind, so if this spec matters to you, the choice is easy. More rated playback suggests the iPhone 16 Plus lasts longer on a long flight or an evening of streaming.
-
The iPhone 16 has a 1.02 oz lighter build
Not a close call. The iPhone 16 lists 6 oz and the iPhone 16 Plus lists 7.02 oz. That’s a substantial gap. The iPhone 16 is easier on your wrist during long reading or gaming sessions.
-
The iPhone 16 Plus has a 0.6-inch larger screen
Bigger or smaller? On screen size, the iPhone 16 Plus has 6.7 in and the iPhone 16 has 6.1 in. Screen size is personal. If you watch a lot on your phone, the extra area pays off; if you text one-handed on the go, compact is kinder.
-
The iPhone 16 Plus has
The iPhone 16 Plus comes out larger here (6.33 in versus 5.81 in), which is neither a plus nor a minus on its own. A taller phone often means a taller screen for reading and video, but also more stretching in one-handed use.
-
The iPhone 16 Plus has
A difference, but not a ranking: 3.06 in for the iPhone 16 Plus, 2.82 in for the iPhone 16. A wider body gives the keyboard and videos a little more room, at the cost of a bigger handful.
Design & Size
- iPhone 16 5.81 in × 2.82 in × 0.31 in
- iPhone 16 Plus 6.33 in × 3.06 in × 0.31 in
Physically, these two aren’t the same size: the iPhone 16 Plus is larger in overall dimensions. Weight goes to the iPhone 16, which sheds 1.02 oz compared with the iPhone 16 Plus.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.81 in | 6.33 in |
| Width | 2.82 in | 3.06 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in | 0.31 in |
| Weight | 6 oz (winner) | 7.02 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Display
Too close to call
Neither the iPhone 16 nor the iPhone 16 Plus has a real advantage in the display category. On display alone, you can’t go far wrong with either.
Screen size
iPhone 16: 6.1 in iPhone 16 Plus: 6.7 in A bigger screen makes reading, video and maps more comfortable, while a smaller one is easier to use with one hand and slips into more pockets.
Performance
Too close to call
On paper, the performance comparison ends all square. So performance is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Memory & Storage
Too close to call
On memory & storage, the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Plus are effectively level. Both cover memory & storage well enough that other priorities should break the tie.
Camera
Too close to call
Neither pulls ahead on camera; the numbers are close throughout. In short, camera is a draw; the decision lies elsewhere.
Battery & Charging
iPhone 16 Plus leads
The battery & charging comparison is one-sided. The iPhone 16 Plus leads where it counts. On the iPhone 16 Plus, you get 5 h more rated video playback. Rated video playback is the manufacturer’s own endurance figure, so it reflects efficiency as well as battery size. The battery & charging verdict goes to the iPhone 16 Plus.
Rated video playback
iPhone 16: 22 h iPhone 16 Plus: 27 h Lab ratings rarely match real life exactly, but comparing them between two phones is still a useful endurance hint.
Software & Updates
For software & updates, the differences are in the specifics (component names and types), so the table is the place to look.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1 in | 6.7 in |
| Panel type | OLED (Super Retina XDR) | OLED (Super Retina XDR) |
| Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 2796 x 1290 |
| 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 16 | iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A18 | A18 |
| CPU cores | 6 | 6 |
| Process node | 3 nm | 3 nm |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| 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 16 | iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 22 h | 27 h (winner) |
| Wireless charging | 25 W | 25 W |
| Port | USB-C (USB 2) | USB-C (USB 2) |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 18 | iOS 18 |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.81 in | 6.33 in |
| Width | 2.82 in | 3.06 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in | 0.31 in |
| Weight | 6 oz (winner) | 7.02 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $799 (winner) | $899 |
“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
Launch prices sit $100 apart, so budget is unlikely to be the deciding factor. The iPhone 16 Plus costs $100 more, and for that you get 5 h more rated video playback.
All prices are official US launch prices, last checked September 2024. Actual prices at stores may differ.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 16 if…
- you notice every gram in your pocket (6 oz vs 7.02 oz)
- you don’t need the extras that cost $100 more
- you value compactness over sheer size
Choose the iPhone 16 Plus if…
- you want the longer rated endurance (27 h vs 22 h)
- you want the bigger phone
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPhone 16 or the iPhone 16 Plus?
The iPhone 16 Plus wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you value a 1.02 oz lighter build above everything else.
Does the iPhone 16 last longer on a charge than the iPhone 16 Plus?
The iPhone 16 Plus does better here. It lists 27 h for rated video playback, while the iPhone 16 lists 22 h.
Is the iPhone 16 bigger than the iPhone 16 Plus?
Going by the official dimensions, the iPhone 16 Plus is the larger one: 6.33 × 3.06 × 0.31 in against the iPhone 16’s 5.81 × 2.82 × 0.31 in.
Which costs less, the iPhone 16 or the iPhone 16 Plus?
Going by launch prices, the iPhone 16 costs $100 less than the iPhone 16 Plus. Prices as of September 2024; current offers may differ.
Is the iPhone 16 lighter than the iPhone 16 Plus?
The iPhone 16 is lighter, by 1.02 oz.
Executive Summary
A lineup gives you options, and options give you headaches. Let me try to cure this one: the iPhone 16 or the iPhone 16 Plus. The iPhone 16 Plus has 5 h more rated video playback, and for most people that’s not a small thing. I’ll admit the iPhone 16 has a point with a 1.02 oz lighter build.
If you’d rather have strength in portability, go with the iPhone 16. If battery & charging is what you’d miss, go with the iPhone 16 Plus.
My pick: the iPhone 16 Plus, unless you specifically want a 1.02 oz lighter build, where the iPhone 16 has the edge.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.