iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15: all four models compared – should you pre-order today?

TechPhonesiPhonesiPhone 16 vs iPhone 15: all four models compared – should you pre-order today?How do the 2024 iPhone upgrades compare to what was launched last year’s iPhone 15 models?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

How do the 2024 iPhone upgrades compare to what was launched last year’s iPhone 15 models?

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Apple / Future)

iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15

(Image credit: Apple / Future)

Jump to category:iPhone 16 vs 15iPhone 16 Plus vs 15 PlusiPhone 16 Pro vs 15 ProiPhone 16 Pro Max v 15 Pro Max

Apple has once again treated us to a hugeSeptember hardware launch– featuring theiPhone 16, theApple Watch 10, theAirPods 4and more – but as the dust settles, it’s worth taking a deeper dive to weigh up just how significant the iPhone upgrades actually are.

Let’s not forget that in ouriPhone 15 reviewwe gave the 2023 handset a full five stars. Last year’s models remain on sale direct from Apple (most of them anyway), and will be in line for aniOS 18software update too. But there are other features in the 2024 models that are very tempting indeed…

Here, then, are all four iPhone 16 models – standard, Plus, Pro and Pro Max – and how they compare to the four equivalent iPhone 15 models that came before. Here we’ve cut through the noise to bring you all the salient comparison points on these phones, from battery life to screen size.

iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15

The iPhone 16 Plus (left) and iPhone 16 (right)(Image credit: Apple)

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus from the front

The iPhone 16 Plus (left) and iPhone 16 (right)

(Image credit: Apple)

Specs:The new A18 chipset inside the iPhone 16 is some 30% faster than the A16 powering the iPhone 15, Apple reckons – and more power-efficient too. Graphics and AI processing get significant bumps, making this a substantial year-on-year upgrade (indeed, it leapfrogs the A17 chip altogether).

The dual-lens rear camera keeps the same 48MP+12MP setup, but is upgraded to let in 2.6x more light, and enable macro photography, Spatial Photo and Spatial Video capture. The 12MP selfie camera remains the same, while the newestWi-Fi 7 standardreplaces Wi-Fi 6.

Design:The 6.1-inch, 2556 x 1179 pixel display is virtually the same on both models, so there’s no major screen difference. However, the iPhone 16 gets the Action Button (first revealed on the iPhone 15 Pro range), plus the new Camera Capture button (which features on all four of the iPhone 16 models). The rear cameras, meanwhile, are aligned vertically on the latest iPhone 16 model – that’s how Spatial Photo capture is possible for three-dimensional images.

Every colour except black gets changed: Pink, Yellow, Green, and Blue give way to Ultramarine, Teal, (a darker) Pink, and White. The dimensions are the same, though the iPhone 16 is a fraction lighter, and theIP68 ratingfor water and dust resistance is the same across both phones too.

Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts

Features:The iPhone 16 comes with iOS 18 on board, and the iPhone 15 will get the same update – only Apple Intelligence features, including AI art and a smarter Siri, aren’t going to be available on the iPhone 15. That explains the leapfrogging in the processor stakes, you see? These AI features will turn up with the iOS 18.1 update – although first in the USA, with the UK and other regions from December or later.

Apple has boosted battery life on the iPhone 16 compared to the iPhone 15: one battery charge will last for around 22 hours of local video playback compared to the 20 hours of its predecessor, while streamed video will last for 18 hours between recharges rather than the previous 16.

Today’s best Apple iPhone 15 and Apple iPhone 16 dealsApple iPhone 15$729.99ViewSee all pricesApple iPhone 16$23.06ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

Today’s best Apple iPhone 15 and Apple iPhone 16 deals

Apple iPhone 15$729.99ViewSee all pricesApple iPhone 16$23.06ViewSee all prices

Apple iPhone 15$729.99ViewSee all prices

Apple iPhone 15 128 GB in…

Apple iPhone 15

Verizon

$729.99View

$729.99

See all prices

Apple iPhone 16$23.06ViewSee all prices

Apple iPhone 16 - 128GB - Pink

Apple iPhone 16

AT&T Mobility

$23.06View

$23.06

See all prices

We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 15 Plus

The iPhone 16 Plus (left) and iPhone 16 (right)(Image credit: Apple)

iPhone 16 Plus (back) and iPhone 16 (front)

The iPhone 16 Plus (left) and iPhone 16 (right)

(Image credit: Apple)

Specs:The iPhone 16 Plus gets the same A16-to-A18 processor jump over the iPhone 15 Plus as the standard model, with the 30% speed increase and improvements in graphics and AI. It also draws less power, which leads to better battery life overall.

The camera upgrade matches the standard iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15 improvement too, with 2.6x more light capture, macro photography, and Spatial Photo and Spatial Video captrue. There’s no change to the 12MP selfie camera, while updated Wi-Fi 7 support takes over from Wi-Fi 6.

Design:The one big difference in the Plus is that it delivers a larger screen than the standard iPhone. Generation-on-generation that’s still true, with little changed: it’s a 6.7-inch, 2796 x 1290 pixel display that’s virtually the same in the 16 Plus as it was in 15 Plus.

The Pink, Yellow, Green, and Blue colours become Ultramarine, Teal, (that new, darker) Pink, or White, with Black retained for this model. The sizes and IP68 ratings match, though the iPhone 16 Plus is just a little bit lighter.

As with the standard iPhone 16 (and, indeed all models in the new range), the iPhone 16 Plus gains a new Camera Capture button for easier access to various camera features, as well as the customisable Action button on the side.

Features:It’s the same software story as the iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15 here, with the iPhone 15 Plus eligible for an iOS 18 update, butwithout Apple Intelligence. If you want to have text generation and notification summaries, you’re going to need the newer model.

The other benefit of the Plus model is a larger battery capacity in addition to that bigger screen. Apple reckons the iPhone 16 Plus is good for 27 hours of local video playback between battery charges (up from 26 hours), and 24 hours of streamed video playback (up from 20 hours). Upgrading to the newer iPhone Plus model should therefore give you a slight battery life boost thanks to software enhancements.

Today’s best Apple iPhone 15 Plus and Apple iPhone 16 Plus dealsApple Apple iPhone 15 Plus$9.88$7.12ViewSee all pricesApple iPhone 16 Plus$1,229.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

Today’s best Apple iPhone 15 Plus and Apple iPhone 16 Plus deals

Apple Apple iPhone 15 Plus$9.88$7.12ViewSee all pricesApple iPhone 16 Plus$1,229.99ViewSee all prices

Apple Apple iPhone 15 Plus$9.88$7.12ViewSee all prices

New York Apple iPhone…

Apple Apple iPhone 15 Plus

Walmart

$9.88$7.12View

$9.88$7.12

$7.12

See all prices

Apple iPhone 16 Plus$1,229.99ViewSee all prices

Apple iPhone 16 Plus 512GB in…

Apple iPhone 16 Plus

Verizon

$1,229.99View

$1,229.99

See all prices

We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro

The iPhone 16 Pro(Image credit: Apple)

iPhone 16 Pro front and back

The iPhone 16 Pro

(Image credit: Apple)

Specs:The internal chipset goes from the A17 Pro to the speedier A18 Pro – it’s less of a jump than you get between the entry/Plus iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 models, but graphics get a 20% boost, and the improved power efficiency should help in terms of extra battery life.

There are three rear cameras, but the ultra-wide one jumps to 48MP from 12MP, while the optical zoom goes up to 5x from 3x. There’s no change to the selfie camera around the front of the device. Meanwhile Wi-Fi 6E support is upgraded to the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard, as it is on all iPhone 16 models.

Design:The iPhone 16 Pro gets a bigger 6.3-inch, 2622 x 1206 pixel display, up from a 6.1-inch, 2556 x 1179 pixel display. The newer phone is also slightly bigger and heavier as a result. But most of that screen real estate is borne of bezel reduction rather than device size increase. There’s the new Camera Capture button, as present across the full iPhone 16 range, while the IP68 rating is the same generation to generation.

There’s only one change in the colour options: both models offer Natural Titanium, Black Titanium, and White Titanium, but the iPhone 16 Pro introduces a new Desert Titanium model, replacing the Blue Titanium we saw with the iPhone 15 Pro.

Features:Both these devices are capable of running iOS 18 and all the features on board, including the AI smarts under the Apple Intelligence branding. You just might find some of these new tools (like AI art generation) run a little faster on the iPhone 16 Pro – but we don’t know just yet, as Apple Intelligence hasn’t rolled out to market just yet.

We already mentioned battery life with the A18 Pro chip, and the iPhone 16 Pro can apparently last for 27 hours of local video playback and 22 hours of streamed video playback between charges. That compares to 23 hours and 20 hours respectively for the iPhone 15 Pro, so there’s a purported big jump in the newer model owed to that new processor and new software tweaks.

Today’s best Apple iPhone 15 Pro and Apple iPhone 16 Pro dealsApple iPhone 15 Pro$999.99ViewSee all pricesApple iPhone 16 Pro$1,499.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

Today’s best Apple iPhone 15 Pro and Apple iPhone 16 Pro deals

Apple iPhone 15 Pro$999.99ViewSee all pricesApple iPhone 16 Pro$1,499.99ViewSee all prices

Apple iPhone 15 Pro$999.99ViewSee all prices

Apple iPhone 15 Pro 128GB

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

Verizon

$999.99View

$999.99

See all prices

Apple iPhone 16 Pro$1,499.99ViewSee all prices

Apple iPhone 16 Pro 1TB in…

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Verizon

$1,499.99View

$1,499.99

See all prices

We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro Max

The iPhone 16 Pro Max(Image credit: Apple)

iPhone 16 Pro Max front and back

The iPhone 16 Pro Max

(Image credit: Apple)

With the cameras, the selfie camera is the same, but thes three rear cameras now include a 48MP ultra-wide camera (up from 12MP), though optical zoom stays at the same 5x level as on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Then for Wi-Fi, the newer Wi-Fi 7 standard replaces Wi-Fi 6E.

With the cameras, the selfie camera is the same, but the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s three rear cameras now include a 48MP ultra-wide camera (up from 12MP), though optical zoom stays at the same 5x level as on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Then for Wi-Fi, the newer Wi-Fi 7 standard replaces Wi-Fi 6E.

Design:As with the smaller Pro, there’s a slight size and weight increase, with the 6.7-inch, 2796 x 1290 pixel screen of the iPhone 15 Pro Max giving way for a larger 6.9-inch, 2868 x 1320 pixel one in the iPhone 16 Pro Max. That’s largely thanks to more trim bezels, though, rather than a significant upscaling in design.

There’s the new Camera Capture present and correct for the newer model, while the IP68 rating is the same on both of these phones. The colour options are the same as on the Pro models: Desert Titanium replaces Blue Titanium, to go alongside the Natural Titanium, Black Titanium, and White Titanium choices available in both current and last-gen devices.

Features:You’re not going to have any trouble getting iOS 18 or Apple Intelligence to run on either the iPhone 16 Pro Max or the iPhone 15 Pro Max, though again you might notice slightly better performance in the AI processing on the newer 2024 iPhone model.

When it comes to battery life, you’re looking at up to 33 hours of local video playback and up to 29 hours of streamed video playback between charges on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. That compares with 29 hours and 25 hours respectively on the iPhone 15 Pro Max model, so Apple thinks this new processor and updated software combination should be very kind to your battery life indeed.

Today’s best Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max dealsApple iPhone 15 Pro Max$1,199.99ViewSee all pricesApple Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max$19.15$10.15ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

Today’s best Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max deals

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max$1,199.99ViewSee all pricesApple Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max$19.15$10.15ViewSee all prices

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max$1,199.99ViewSee all prices

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

Verizon

$1,199.99View

$1,199.99

See all prices

Apple Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max$19.15$10.15ViewSee all prices

Entronix Apple iPhone 16 Pro…

Apple Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Target

$19.15$10.15View

$19.15$10.15

$10.15

See all prices

We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

Traeger Woodridge Series

Traeger’s new Woodridge pellet barbecues have got me excited for grilling seasonTraeger debuts three new wood pellet grills

Traeger debuts three new wood pellet grills

Nintendo Switch 2

How to watch the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct and what to expectWe should get a deep dive and more details on the Switch 2 in April

We should get a deep dive and more details on the Switch 2 in April

Apple TV 4K with screen

A new Apple TV 4K box is reportedly coming, it’s just a matter of whenWhat will it offer though and will it change design?

What will it offer though and will it change design?

Apple iPad 10.9 (10th Gen, 2022) review

Apple’s affordable iPad set for major speed boost and Apple IntelligenceIt’s exciting times ahead for the entry-level tablet

It’s exciting times ahead for the entry-level tablet

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Apple already sells a device thinner than the rumoured iPhone 17 AirThe slimming world of Apple

The slimming world of Apple

MacBook Pro M4

Apple MacBook Pro set for its biggest upgrade in many yearsIt’s great news for Apple fans

It’s great news for Apple fans

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Apple iPhone could get a major camera boost… thanks to SamsungYou’ll just have to wait a while for it to arrive

You’ll just have to wait a while for it to arrive

Corsair HS80 Max Wireless

Corsair HS80 Max Wireless review: a solid mid-tier gaming headsetA capable audio option for the price you’re paying

A capable audio option for the price you’re paying

Logitech C920 Pro HD

Logitech C920 Pro HD review: a solid and affordable webcam upgradeThe Logitech C920 Pro HD has plenty to offer shoppers on a budget

The Logitech C920 Pro HD has plenty to offer shoppers on a budget

Concept renders of the iPhone 17 Pro

If the iPhone 17 Pro looks like this, I’ll eat my hat!Surely this is highly unlikely?

Surely this is highly unlikely?

iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15#

Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox#

iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 15 Plus#

iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro#

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro Max#

iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15

Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox

iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 15 Plus

iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro Max