iPhone 15 vs iPhone 16
Published March 21, 2026 · Specs from Apple.com
Category Scorecard
Quick Verdict
The iPhone 15 and 16 are nearly twins in physical form — identical dimensions at 147.6×71.6×7.8mm — but the 16 differentiates itself with the A18 chip (the first iPhone standard chip with Apple Intelligence support), a new Camera Control button, Wi-Fi 7 for faster wireless transfers, and 25W MagSafe charging (up from 15W on the 15). Battery life also improves from 20 to 22 hours. The 16 is the more capable phone at the same $799 launch price, but iPhone 15 owners won't feel urgency to upgrade unless Apple Intelligence or Camera Control specifically appeals to them.
Size Comparison
Both phones share identical dimensions. The blue bar represents the new Camera Control button on iPhone 16's right edge.
Full Specifications
| Spec | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch year | 2023 | 2024 |
| Chip | A16 Bionic | A18 |
| Apple Intelligence | No | Yes |
| Display | 6.1" OLED 60Hz | 6.1" OLED 60Hz |
| Camera Control | No | Yes |
| Main camera | 48MP f/1.6 | 48MP f/1.6 |
| Battery (video) | 20 hrs | 22 hrs |
| MagSafe charging | 15W | 25W |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 |
Category Deep-Dives
Display
The display is genuinely identical between these two phones: 6.1-inch OLED at 460 PPI, 60Hz refresh rate, 1000 nits peak brightness, Dynamic Island notch design. Apple made zero changes to the screen for the 16. If you're hoping ProMotion 120Hz would come to the standard iPhone 16, it didn't — that remains exclusive to the Pro models on both the 15 and 16 generations.
Performance
The A18 chip in the iPhone 16 is built on TSMC's 3nm process (vs 4nm for the A16 Bionic in the 15), with a 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU. The critical difference is Apple Intelligence: the A18 includes the neural engine required to run on-device AI features like Writing Tools, Clean Up in Photos, and priority notifications — the A16 does not qualify. In raw benchmark performance the A18 is roughly 20–30% faster in GPU tasks.
Camera
Both phones have a 48MP f/1.6 main camera and 12MP ultrawide, so hardware resolution is unchanged. The difference is the new Camera Control button on the iPhone 16 — a physical button on the right edge that acts as a shutter, lets you swipe to adjust zoom and exposure, and unlocks Visual Intelligence (point at a restaurant and get reviews, scan text in real time). The A18's stronger ISP also improves video processing in challenging conditions.
Battery
The iPhone 16 edges out the 15 with 22 hours of video playback versus 20 hours — a 10% improvement. More impactful is the jump in MagSafe charging: the 16 supports 25W wireless charging versus 15W on the 15, cutting full charge time significantly. Wired charging remains 20W on both. If you rely on MagSafe as your primary charger, the 16 charges faster enough to matter in daily use.
Design & Build
These two phones have literally the same dimensions: 147.6×71.6×7.8mm, and the 16 is 1g lighter at 170g vs 171g. Both use aluminum frames with glass backs and IP68. The only physical design difference is the Camera Control button on the 16's right side — which, as noted below, creates a case compatibility issue. Colors differ: the 15 came in Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink; the 16 ships in Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine.
Value
Both launched at $799. The iPhone 16 adds the A18 chip with Apple Intelligence, Camera Control, Wi-Fi 7, and 25W MagSafe for the same price. In 2026 on the used market, iPhone 15 units sell for around $400–500 while the 16 commands $550–650. If you're buying used, the extra ~$100–150 for the 16 gets you Apple Intelligence and Camera Control — worth it if you'll use either feature. If neither matters to you, the 15 is excellent and cheaper.
Who Should Buy Which
Buy the iPhone 15 if…
- You don't care about Apple Intelligence AI features
- You can find it $150+ cheaper than the 16 used
- You don't use the camera constantly and won't miss Camera Control
- You charge via cable and don't need faster MagSafe
Buy the iPhone 16 if…
- You want Apple Intelligence (Writing Tools, Clean Up, priority notifications)
- You shoot a lot of video and want Camera Control for physical shutter control
- You use MagSafe daily and want the 25W charging speed
- You have a Wi-Fi 7 router and want the throughput boost
Case Compatibility
iPhone 15 cases will generally NOT fit iPhone 16. The bodies are physically identical in dimensions (147.6×71.6×7.8mm), but the Camera Control button on iPhone 16's right side edge means most iPhone 15 cases lack the required cutout. If a case is specifically labeled as compatible with iPhone 16, verify it has the Camera Control opening — do not assume iPhone 15 cases transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the iPhone 16 worth upgrading from iPhone 15?
For most iPhone 15 owners, no — the upgrade is incremental. The biggest additions are Camera Control, the A18 chip with Apple Intelligence support, Wi-Fi 7, and 25W MagSafe charging. If you use your camera constantly or specifically want Apple Intelligence AI features, the 16 is reasonable. Otherwise, wait for a more significant generational jump.
Will iPhone 15 cases fit iPhone 16?
Generally no, even though the bodies are dimensionally identical (147.6×71.6×7.8mm). The iPhone 16 adds a Camera Control button on the right side that iPhone 15 cases do not have a cutout for. Always confirm a case is specifically labeled as iPhone 16 compatible before purchasing.
What is the Camera Control button on iPhone 16?
Camera Control is a dedicated capacitive button on the right side of the iPhone 16 that launches the camera app instantly, triggers the shutter, and lets you swipe to adjust zoom and exposure settings. It also powers Visual Intelligence — pointing the camera at objects or text to get contextual information from the internet without opening a separate app.