Apple iPhone 15 vs Apple iPhone 16
Verdict
The Apple iPhone 15 scores higher in 1 of 6 sections (design & durability), while the Apple iPhone 16 leads in performance and connectivity & features; they are even on camera, battery and display.
The biggest difference is performance: 75 vs 85 points.
The Apple iPhone 16 is the newer model, announced 12 months after the Apple iPhone 15.
Choose the Apple iPhone 15 for design & durability; choose the Apple iPhone 16 for performance and connectivity & features.
- iPhone 16 leads in 5 fields
- 32 ties
37 scored fields compared
Score by section
| Section scores | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | ||
| Performance | 75 | 85 |
| Camera | 60 | 60 |
| Battery | 44 | 46 |
| Display | 85 | 85 |
| Design & durability | 88 | 83 |
| Connectivity & features | 75 | 79 |
Full specifications
Performance
- Chipset performance index
- iPhone 15: 78/100
- iPhone 16: 86/100(Better)
- Chipset
- iPhone 15: Apple A16 Bionic
- iPhone 16: Apple A18
- RAM (max)
- iPhone 15: 6 GB
- iPhone 16: 8 GB(Better)
- Storage (max)
- iPhone 15: 512 GB
- iPhone 16: 512 GB
- Process node
- iPhone 15: 4 nm
- iPhone 16: 3 nm
Camera
- Main camera resolution
- iPhone 15: 48 MP
- iPhone 16: 48 MP
- Main sensor size
- iPhone 15: 1/1.56″
- iPhone 16: 1/1.56″
- Optical stabilization (OIS)
- iPhone 15: Yes
- iPhone 16: Yes
- Ultra-wide camera
- iPhone 15: Yes
- iPhone 16: Yes
- Telephoto camera
- iPhone 15: No
- iPhone 16: No
- Periscope lens
- iPhone 15: No
- iPhone 16: No
- Optical zoom
- iPhone 15: No
- iPhone 16: No
- Video recording
- iPhone 15: 4K 60 fps
- iPhone 16: 4K 60 fps
- Front camera
- iPhone 15: 12 MP
- iPhone 16: 12 MP
- Front camera 4K video
- iPhone 15: Yes
- iPhone 16: Yes
Battery
- Battery capacity
- iPhone 15: 3349 mAh
- iPhone 16: 3561 mAh(Better)
- Battery endurance (EU label)
- iPhone 15: Unknown
- iPhone 16: 37:00 h
- EU label cycles
- iPhone 15: Unknown
- iPhone 16: 1000
- Wireless charging
- iPhone 15: 15 W
- iPhone 16: 25 W(Better)
- Reverse charging
- iPhone 15: Yes
- iPhone 16: Yes
- Reverse charging type
- iPhone 15: Wired
- iPhone 16: Wired
Display
- Screen size
- iPhone 15: 6.1″
- iPhone 16: 6.1″
- Panel type
- iPhone 15: OLED
- iPhone 16: OLED
- Pixel density
- iPhone 15: 461 ppi
- iPhone 16: 460 ppi
- Peak brightness
- iPhone 15: 2000 nits
- iPhone 16: 2000 nits
- Resolution
- iPhone 15: 1179x2556
- iPhone 16: 1179x2556
- Screen protection
- iPhone 15: Ceramic Shield glass
- iPhone 16: Ceramic Shield glass
Design & durability
- Weight
- iPhone 15: 171 g
- iPhone 16: 170 g
- Thickness
- iPhone 15: 7.8 mm
- iPhone 16: 7.8 mm
- Dust & water resistance
- iPhone 15: IP68
- iPhone 16: IP68
- Back material
- iPhone 15: Glass
- iPhone 16: Glass
- Frame material
- iPhone 15: Aluminum
- iPhone 16: Aluminum
- EU repairability class
- iPhone 15: Unknown
- iPhone 16: C
- EU drop resistance class
- iPhone 15: Unknown
- iPhone 16: C
- EU energy class
- iPhone 15: Unknown
- iPhone 16: B
Connectivity & features
- 5G
- iPhone 15: Yes
- iPhone 16: Yes
- Wi-Fi
- iPhone 15: Wi-Fi 6
- iPhone 16: Wi-Fi 7(Better)
- Bluetooth
- iPhone 15: 5.3
- iPhone 16: 5.3
- USB speed
- iPhone 15: USB 2.0
- iPhone 16: USB 2.0
- USB port
- iPhone 15: USB-C 2.0
- iPhone 16: USB-C 2.0
- DisplayPort output
- iPhone 15: Yes
- iPhone 16: Yes
- NFC
- iPhone 15: Yes
- iPhone 16: Yes
- eSIM
- iPhone 15: Yes
- iPhone 16: Yes
- Ultra-wideband (UWB)
- iPhone 15: Yes
- iPhone 16: Yes
- Satellite connectivity
- iPhone 15: Yes
- iPhone 16: Yes
- Stereo speakers
- iPhone 15: Yes
- iPhone 16: Yes
- 3.5 mm headphone jack
- iPhone 15: No
- iPhone 16: No
- Fingerprint reader
- iPhone 15: None
- iPhone 16: None
- 3D face unlock
- iPhone 15: Yes
- iPhone 16: Yes
- Infrared blaster
- iPhone 15: No
- iPhone 16: No
- FM radio
- iPhone 15: No
- iPhone 16: No
- microSD slot
- iPhone 15: No
- iPhone 16: No
- Card slot
- iPhone 15: No
- iPhone 16: No
General
- Operating system
- iPhone 15: iOS 17
- iPhone 16: iOS 18
- Launch price
- iPhone 15: $ 354.44
- iPhone 16: $ 486.94
- Year
- iPhone 15: 2023
- iPhone 16: 2024
Show raw spec textHide raw spec text
Original text from the source spec sheet, for reference.
| — | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Network | ||
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 CDMA 800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 CDMA 800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 53, 66 - A3090 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 53, 66, 71 - A2846 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 53, 66, 71 - A3089 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 - A3092 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66 - A3287 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66, 71 - A3081 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66, 71 - A3286 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66 - A3288 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3090 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - A2846 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3089 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3092 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3287 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - A3081 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3286 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3288 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Launch | ||
| Announced | 2023, September 12 | 2024, September 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, September 22 | Available. Released 2024, September 20 |
| Body | ||
| Dimensions | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm (5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 in) | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm (5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 in) |
| Weight | 171 g (6.03 oz) | 170 g (6.00 oz) |
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Ceramic Shield), glass back, aluminum frame |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International) · eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA) · Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China) IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 6m for 30 min) | · Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International) · eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA) · Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China) IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 6m for 30 min) |
| Display | ||
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (HBM), 2000 nits (peak) | Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM) |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~86.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 91.7 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution | 1179 x 2556 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~461 ppi density) | 1179 x 2556 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) |
| Protection | Ceramic Shield glass | Ceramic Shield glass (2024 gen) |
| Platform | ||
| OS | iOS 17, upgradable to iOS 27.2 | iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 27.2 |
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) | Apple A18 (3 nm) |
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.46 GHz Everest + 4x2.02 GHz Sawtooth) | Hexa-core (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.20 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core graphics) | Apple GPU (5-core graphics) |
| Memory | ||
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM NVMe | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM NVMe |
| Main Camera | ||
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 0.7µm | 48 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), stereo sound rec. | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera | ||
| Single | 12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) | 12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) |
| Features | HDR, Dolby Vision HDR | HDR, Dolby Vision HDR, 3D (spatial) audio, stereo sound rec. |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Comms | ||
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, tri-band, hotspot |
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, DisplayPort | USB Type-C 2.0, DisplayPort |
| Features | ||
| Sensors | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer Ultra Wideband (UWB) support (gen2 chip) Emergency SOS, Messages and Find My via satellite | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer Ultra Wideband (UWB) support (gen2 chip) Emergency SOS, Messages and Find My via satellite |
| Battery | ||
| Type | Li-Ion 3349 mAh | Li-Ion 3561 mAh |
| Charging | Wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 update 4.5W reverse wired | Wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 25W wireless MagSafe/Qi2, 50% in 30 min (15W - China) 4.5W reverse wired |
| Misc | ||
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink | Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine |
| Models | A3090, A2846, A3089, A3092, iPhone15,4 | A3287, A3081, A3286, A3288, iPhone17,3 |
| SAR | 1.12 W/kg (head) 1.14 W/kg (body) | 1.08 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.98 W/kg (head) 0.98 W/kg (body) | 1.24 W/kg (head) 1.41 W/kg (body) |
| Price | $ 354.44 / € 422.00 / £ 359.00 / ₹ 80,790 | $ 486.94 / € 575.00 / £ 449.00 / ₹ 79,990 |
| EU LABEL | ||
| Energy | – | Class B |
| Battery | – | 37:00h endurance, 1000 cycles |
| Free fall | – | Class C (90 falls) |
| Repairability | – | Class C |