Should You Upgrade from the iPhone 14 to the iPhone 16?
A spec-by-spec look at what actually changes when you move from the iPhone 14 to the iPhone 16, 2 years apart.
Yes — the iPhone 16 is a worthwhile upgrade
The iPhone 16 is 2 years newer than the iPhone 14, and the BeastScore rises from 66.8 to 71.7. The biggest improvements: performance rated 8 points higher, camera rated 10 points higher, 282 mah bigger battery.
What you gain with the iPhone 16
- +Performance rated 8 points higher
- +Camera rated 10 points higher
- +282 mAh bigger battery
- +10W faster wireless charging
- +800 nits brighter peak display
- +Higher-resolution main camera (+36 MP)
- +2 GB more RAM
| Spec | iPhone 14 | iPhone 16 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore (overall) | 66.8 | 71.7 | +4.9 (7%) |
| Performance score | 72 | 80 | +8 (11%) |
| Camera score | 72 | 82 | +10 (14%) |
| Battery score | 58 | 58 | No real change |
| Display score | 62 | 64 | No real change |
| Battery capacity | 3,279 mAh | 3,561 mAh | +282 mAh (9%) |
| Wired charging | 20W | 20W | No real change |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 25W | +10W (67%) |
| Screen size | 6.1" | 6.1" | No real change |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | No real change |
| Peak brightness | 1,200 nits | 2,000 nits | +800 nits (67%) |
| Main camera | 12 MP | 48 MP | +36 MP (300%) |
| RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB | +2 GB (33%) |
| Weight | 172 g | 170 g | No real change |
| Launch price | $799 | $799 | No real change |
Upgrade if…
- You regularly run out of battery before the end of the day
- Photo quality is a priority for you
- You play demanding games or want the newest on-device AI features
- You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 16: Upgrade FAQ
Is it worth upgrading from the iPhone 14 to the iPhone 16?
Yes — the iPhone 16 is a worthwhile upgrade. The iPhone 16 is 2 years newer than the iPhone 14, and the BeastScore rises from 66.8 to 71.7. The biggest improvements: performance rated 8 points higher, camera rated 10 points higher, 282 mah bigger battery.
What is the biggest difference between the iPhone 14 and iPhone 16?
Performance rated 8 points higher: 72 on the iPhone 14 vs 80 on the iPhone 16.
Does the iPhone 16 have a bigger battery than the iPhone 14?
The iPhone 16 has a 3,561 mAh battery versus 3,279 mAh on the iPhone 14 (+282 mAh (9%)).
Who should upgrade to the iPhone 16?
Upgrade if: You regularly run out of battery before the end of the day; Photo quality is a priority for you; You play demanding games or want the newest on-device AI features; You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen.