iPhone 15 vs iPhone 16

Direct side-by-side battle analyzing hardware specifications, benchmark percentiles, battery endurance, and category performance advantages.

Smartphone Battle

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Apple · 2023

iPhone 15

70/ 100

Launch MSRP$799 USD

Apple · 2024

iPhone 16

72/ 100

Launch MSRP$799 USD

WHO WINS WHERE

WHY IS iPhone 16 BETTER THAN iPhone 15?

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iPhone 15

iPhone 16Winner 🏆

BIGGEST HARDWARE DIFFERENCES

Margin Delta

SPEC FACTOR	iPhone 15	iPhone 16	LEADER
Refresh Rate	60Hz	60Hz	60Hz
Battery Capacity	3,349 mAh	3,561 mAh	+3,561 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	20W	20W	20W
Main Camera Sensor	48 MP	48 MP	48 MP
Screen Display Size	6.1"	6.1"	6.1"
Chassis Weight	171g	170g	170g Lightest

Compare All 177+ Specifications Below↓

Which Phone Should You Buy: Key Reasons & Hardware Advantages

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Reasons to buy iPhone 15:

✓48MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
✓6.1" display with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate

Reasons to buy iPhone 16:

✓1g lighter chassis (170g) optimized for one-handed ergonomics
✓Larger 3,561 mAh battery capacity (+212 mAh more capacity)
✓48MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording

How Do the Specifications Compare Side-by-Side?

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Specification	iPhone 15	iPhone 16
1. Display & Screen🏆 iPhone 15 Wins Display
Screen Type & Tech	Super Retina XDR OLED	Super Retina XDR OLED
Screen Size	6.1"	6.1"
Resolution & Density	2556x1179 (460 ppi)	2556x1179 (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate	60 Hz ProMotion	60 Hz ProMotion
Brightness	2,000 nits peak	2,000 nits peak
Screen Protection	Scratch-resistant glass	Scratch-resistant glass
2. Platform & Performance🏆 iPhone 16 Wins Performance
Chipset / Processor	High performance SoC	High performance SoC
CPU Cores	Multi-core high performance	Multi-core high performance
GPU Graphics	Integrated Graphics	Integrated Graphics
Operating System	iOS 17	iOS 18
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory	6 GB LPDDR	8 GB LPDDR
Internal Storage	128GB / 256GB / 512GB	128GB / 256GB / 512GB
Storage Speed	High-speed flash	High-speed flash
Card Slot	No	No
4. Main Camera Optics🏆 iPhone 15 Wins Camera
Primary Camera	48 MP, f/1.6, OIS, Sony IMX558	48 MP, f/1.6, OIS, Sony IMX
Telephoto Zoom	None (Digital zoom only)	None (Digital zoom only)
Ultrawide Camera	12 MP, f/2.4	12 MP, f/2.2
LiDAR / Depth	None	None
5. Video Recording Capabilities
Main Camera Video	4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR	4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR
Front Video	4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS	4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens	12 MP, f/1.9	12 MP, f/1.9
7. Body & Dimensions🏆 iPhone 16 Lightest Chassis
Dimensions	147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm	147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm
Weight	171 g	170 g
Build Materials	Glass front, metal/glass frame	Glass front, metal/glass frame
SIM Type	Nano-SIM / eSIM support	Nano-SIM / eSIM support
Water Resistance	IP68	IP68
8. Battery & Charging🏆 iPhone 15 Wins Battery
Battery Capacity	3,349 mAh	3,561 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	20W wired fast charging	20W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging	15W wireless charging	25W wireless charging
Reverse Charging	Reverse wireless charging	Reverse wireless charging
9. Sound & Audio
Loudspeaker	Stereo speakers	Stereo speakers
3.5mm Headphone Jack	No	No
10. Connectivity & Comms
Wi-Fi Standard	Wi-Fi 6	Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth	5.3	5.3
USB Port & Speed	USB-C 2.0	USB-C 2.0
NFC	Yes (contactless payment)	Yes (contactless payment)
11. Sensors & Security
Sensors	Biometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compass	Biometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compass
Satellite Features	Emergency SOS via satellite (select markets)	Emergency SOS via satellite (select markets)
12. Colors & Overview
Colors	Standard finishes	Standard finishes
Launch Price	$799	$799

Editorial Lab Verdict

iPhone 16 edges ahead with a BeastScore of 71.7/100

After comprehensive hardware benchmark comparisons, iPhone 16 ranks as the overall top pick in this matchup. Key differentiators include its superior specifications and verified build advantages.

When to choose iPhone 15:

Balanced specifications with Apple hardware design · Runs iOS with optimized security support

When to choose iPhone 16:

Higher overall BeastScore: 71.7 vs top rival 69.7 · Larger battery capacity: 3,561 mAh (+212 mAh more)

Upgrade GuideOwn the iPhone 15? See if upgrading to the iPhone 16 is worth it

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Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions: iPhone 15 vs iPhone 16

Which is better: iPhone 15 or iPhone 16?

iPhone 16 leads with an overall BeastScore of 71.7/100 compared to iPhone 15 (69.7/100), driven by advantages in Higher overall BeastScore: 71.7 vs top rival 69.7 and Larger battery capacity: 3,561 mAh (+212 mAh more).