Should You Upgrade from the iPhone 15 to the iPhone 16?
A spec-by-spec look at what actually changes when you move from the iPhone 15 to the iPhone 16, 1 year apart.
Yes — the iPhone 16 is a worthwhile upgrade
The iPhone 16 is 1 year newer than the iPhone 15, and the BeastScore rises from 69.7 to 71.7. The biggest improvements: performance rated 8 points higher, 212 mah bigger battery, 10w faster wireless charging.
What you gain with the iPhone 16
- +Performance rated 8 points higher
- +212 mAh bigger battery
- +10W faster wireless charging
- +2 GB more RAM
| Spec | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore (overall) | 69.7 | 71.7 | +2.0 (3%) |
| Performance score | 72 | 80 | +8 (11%) |
| Camera score | 82 | 82 | No real change |
| Battery score | 58 | 58 | No real change |
| Display score | 64 | 64 | No real change |
| Battery capacity | 3,349 mAh | 3,561 mAh | +212 mAh (6%) |
| 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 | 2,000 nits | 2,000 nits | No real change |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 48 MP | No real change |
| RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB | +2 GB (33%) |
| Weight | 171 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
- You play demanding games or want the newest on-device AI features
iPhone 15 vs iPhone 16: Upgrade FAQ
Is it worth upgrading from the iPhone 15 to the iPhone 16?
Yes — the iPhone 16 is a worthwhile upgrade. The iPhone 16 is 1 year newer than the iPhone 15, and the BeastScore rises from 69.7 to 71.7. The biggest improvements: performance rated 8 points higher, 212 mah bigger battery, 10w faster wireless charging.
What is the biggest difference between the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16?
Performance rated 8 points higher: 72 on the iPhone 15 vs 80 on the iPhone 16.
Does the iPhone 16 have a bigger battery than the iPhone 15?
The iPhone 16 has a 3,561 mAh battery versus 3,349 mAh on the iPhone 15 (+212 mAh (6%)).
Who should upgrade to the iPhone 16?
Upgrade if: You regularly run out of battery before the end of the day; You play demanding games or want the newest on-device AI features.