Apple iPhone 16 vs Apple iPhone 15

The Apple iPhone 16 scores 7.1 in our rating, and the Apple iPhone 15 scores 6.2. The Apple iPhone 16 leads in performance, battery, software support and value for money. The Apple iPhone 16 is the newer phone, announced Sep 9, 2024.

2 of 4 phones Clear all

Apple Apple iPhone 16

7.1 From $799

Top score

Apple Apple iPhone 15

6.2 From $799

Discontinued

Key differences

Why choose the Apple iPhone 16

Bigger battery 3,561 mAh vs 3,349 mAh
Newer model Sep 9, 2024 vs Sep 12, 2023
Faster wireless charging 25 W vs 15 W
More RAM 8 GB vs 6 GB
Lighter 170 g vs 171 g
Newer Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 7 vs Wi-Fi 6

Why choose the Apple iPhone 15

No clear spec advantage in our data.

PhoneRanked scores

Calculated from specs, relative to phones from the same year and price range. How we rate phones

Spec Apple iPhone 16Apple iPhone 15

Overall 7.1 6.2

Display 6.7 6.7

Performance 7.9 7.1

Camera 6.6 6.6

Battery 5.0 4.3

Design 8.8 8.7

Software support 7.4 3.5

Value for money 4.0 3.2

Display

Spec Apple iPhone 16Apple iPhone 15

Size 6.1 inches 6.1 inches

Type OLED, Super Retina XDR OLED, Super Retina XDR

Resolution 1179 × 2556 px 1179 × 2556 px

Pixel density 460 ppi 460 ppi

Refresh rate 60 Hz 60 Hz

Adaptive refresh ✕ No ✕ No

Peak brightness 2,000 nits 2,000 nits

HDR HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision

Protection Ceramic Shield (latest generation) Ceramic Shield

Performance

Spec Apple iPhone 16Apple iPhone 15

Chipset Apple A18 Apple A16 Bionic

Process 3 nm 4 nm

Max CPU clock 4.04 GHz —

GPU Apple 5-core GPU Apple 5-core GPU

RAM 8 GB 6 GB

Storage 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB

microSD slot ✕ No ✕ No

Cameras

Spec Apple iPhone 16Apple iPhone 15

Main camera 48 MP, f/1.6 48 MP, f/1.6

Optical stabilization ✓ Yes ✓ Yes

Ultrawide 12 MP 12 MP

Rear cameras 2 2

Rear video 4K@60 4K@60

Front camera 12 MP 12 MP

Front video 4K@60 4K@60

Battery and charging

Spec Apple iPhone 16Apple iPhone 15

Capacity 3,561 mAh 3,349 mAh

Battery type Li-Ion Li-Ion

Wired charging — 20 W

Wireless charging 25 W 15 W

Reverse wireless ✕ No ✕ No

Charger in box ✕ No ✕ No

Design and build

Spec Apple iPhone 16Apple iPhone 15

Dimensions 147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm 147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm

Thickness 7.8 mm 7.8 mm

Weight 170 g 171 g

Form factor Bar Bar

Frame Aluminum Aluminum

Back Glass Glass

Water resistance IP68 IP68

Fingerprint None None

3D face unlock ✓ Yes ✓ Yes

SIM eSIM only eSIM only

Colors Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, White, Black Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink

Connectivity and features

Spec Apple iPhone 16Apple iPhone 15

5G ✓ Yes ✓ Yes

Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 7 Wi-Fi 6

Bluetooth 5.3 5.3

USB USB-C 2.0 USB-C 2.0

NFC ✓ Yes ✓ Yes

3.5 mm jack ✕ No ✕ No

Stereo speakers ✓ Yes —

Satellite ✓ Yes ✓ Yes

IR blaster ✕ No ✕ No

Software

Spec Apple iPhone 16Apple iPhone 15

OS at launch iOS 18 iOS 17

Security updates 5 years —

Launch and price

Spec Apple iPhone 16Apple iPhone 15

Announced Sep 9, 2024 Sep 12, 2023

Released Sep 20, 2024 Sep 22, 2023

Status Released Discontinued

US launch price $799 $799

Green marks the stronger value in a row. Specs come from official manufacturer data, cross-checked with established tech media; each phone page lists its sources. Report an error

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