iPhone 15 vs iPhone 16
Last updated
Specs from Apple.com
Category Scorecard
Size Comparison
Both phones share identical dimensions. The blue bar represents the new Camera Control button on iPhone 16's right edge.
Full Specifications
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch year | 2023 | 2024 |
| Display | 6.1-inch · OLED · 60Hz | 6.1-inch · OLED · 60Hz |
| Display type | OLED | OLED |
| Resolution | 2556x1179 | 2556x1179 |
| PPI | 460 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness | 1,000 nits typical; 1,600 nits peak HDR; 2,000 nits peak outdoors | 1,000 nits typical; 1,600 nits peak HDR; 2,000 nits peak outdoors |
| HDR display | Yes | Yes |
| True Tone | Yes | Yes |
| Always-on display | No | No |
| Notch style | Dynamic Island | Dynamic Island |
| Chip | A16 Bionic; 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine | A18; 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine |
| Main camera | 48MP, f/1.6, OIS | 48MP, f/1.6, OIS |
| Ultrawide camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Telephoto camera | No dedicated telephoto; 2x optical-quality Telephoto option is enabled by the 48MP Main sensor | No dedicated telephoto; 2x optical-quality Telephoto option is enabled by the 48MP Fusion Main sensor |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Video max | 4K/60fps | 4K/60fps |
| Battery (video) | Up to 20 hours | Up to 22 hours |
| Apple fast-charge adapter requirement | 20W-or-higher adapter for Apple's fast-charge claim; maximum device draw not published | 20W-or-higher adapter for Apple's fast-charge claim; maximum device draw not published |
| MagSafe charging | Yes, 15W | Yes, 25W |
| Connector | USB-C (USB 2, up to 480Mb/s) | USB-C (USB 2, up to 480Mb/s) |
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Crash Detection | Yes | Yes |
| Satellite SOS | Yes | Yes |
| Dynamic Island | Yes | Yes |
| Camera Control | No | Yes |
| Action Button | No | Yes |
| Night Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Intelligence | No | Yes |
| Apple lineup status | No longer sold by Apple, checked 2026-09-14 | In Apple's current lineup, checked 2026-09-14 |
| Biometrics | Face ID | Face ID |
| Frame / back | aluminum / glass | aluminum / glass |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm | 147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm |
| Weight | 171 g | 170 g |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Launch price | $799 | $799 |
Camera Control, Apple Intelligence, and MagSafe from iPhone 15 to iPhone 16
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 share the same 147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm footprint. The iPhone 16 adds the A18 chip with Apple Intelligence support, Camera Control, Wi-Fi 7, 25W MagSafe charging (up from 15W), and rated video playback of 22 hours instead of 20. Choose the iPhone 16 for those features; an iPhone 15 owner gains little unless Camera Control or Apple Intelligence matters.
Display
The display is 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 MagSafe versus 15W on the 15. Both use a 20W-or-higher adapter for Apple's fast-charge claim; maximum device draw is not published.
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 launch price. If you are buying used, compare live listings with matching storage, condition, and battery health; decide whether Apple Intelligence and Camera Control matter enough to justify the difference. If neither matters to you, the 15 remains capable.
Who Should Buy Which: iPhone 16's newer controls versus iPhone 15's value
Buy the iPhone 15 if…
- You don't care about Apple Intelligence AI features
- You find it meaningfully cheaper than the 16 in comparable used condition
- 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 larger upgrade.
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.