Highlights
- The iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 both feature a similar 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display.
- The iPhone 16 is powered by the Apple A18 chip.
- The iPhone 15 uses the Apple A16 Bionic.
- Both phones feature identical cameras with dual 48MP + 12MP rear cameras and a 12MP front camera.
- The iPhone 16 has a 3349mAh battery, compared to the 3240mAh battery in the iPhone 15.
The iPhone 16 series including the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max were launched globally last month. Usually, every new iPhone launch brings two questions with it. One, should you upgrade to this iPhone? And two, if this iPhone is any different from the previous one.
Well… we cannot decide for you if you should upgrade to the newly launched iPhone or not but we can surely help you figure out the answer to the second question. So, let’s understand if the newly launched iPhone 16 base model is any different from the previous generation iPhone 15 base model.
Yes, it is time for iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 15. Let’s get started.
iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 15 – Key Specs
| Feature | iPhone 16 | iPhone 15 |
| Display | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Resolution | 2556×1179 pixels | 2556×1179 pixels |
| Processor | Apple A18 | Apple A16 Bionic |
| RAM | 6 GB RAM | 6 GB RAM |
| Storage options | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Rear Cameras | Dual 48MP + 12MP | Dual 48MP + 12MP |
| Front Cameras | 12MP | 12MP |
| Battery | 3349mAh (Speculative) | 3240mAh (speculative) |
| Charging | 120W Fast Charging | 20W Fast Charging |
| Operating System | iOS 17 | iOS 17 |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 15 – Design
The iPhone 16 has made some useful changes in the overall iPhone design that make it stand out from the previous generation iPhone 15.
One change that has been talked about the most is definitely the new camera module of the iPhone 16.
We have got the vertical alignment of the camera module back after it was last seen in the iPhone 12. There is another aspect of the iPhone 16 that seems to be catching everyone’s attention. It is the Spatial Capture for videos and photos. It allows photos and videos to be viewed with the Apple Vision Pro headset.
Meanwhile, both phones have the same size and squared edges. Both phones have edges slightly curved into the display and back panel. Both iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 also feature aluminium sides and a textured glass back. However, the iPhone 16 comes in brighter and more colourful options.
We also have the Camera Control button in the newly launched iPhone 16. It is located on the lower-right side and can be used as a shutter button for taking photos. It can zoom and focus by sensing scrolling motions.
Both iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 have the Action button.
iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 15 – Price and Colours Available
| Feature | iPhone 16 | iPhone 15 |
| Colours Available | Black, Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium | Black, Green, Blue, Pink, Yellow, Natural Titanium |
| Price | Rs 67,000 (approx) | Rs 59,900 (approx) |
iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 15 – Display
Display is where is it hard to find any difference between these two phones. Both iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 share the same 6.1-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 2556 x 1179 and a 60Hz refresh rate.
Both also feature the Dynamic Island at the top of the screen. Moreover, both have the same peak brightness of 1,600 nits and a pixel density of 460 pixels per inch (ppi).
The displays are so identically that the refresh rate also remains the same. Reviewers strongly complain about the slow refresh rate after the iPhone 15 was launched and they are doing the same after iPhone 16.
Basically, no significant difference to compare between the two models when it comes to display.
iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 15 – Camera
The actual camera specs of both iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 are nearly identical.
The iPhone 16 has a 48MP f/1.6 main camera that is called the Fusion Camera. Meanwhile, the predecessor iPhone 15 also has the same 48MP f/1.6 main camera that Apple has only given a different name called the Main Camera. Several reviewers have highlighted that specs and performance-wise both cameras are actually the same.
The camera system on the iPhone 16 also has the capability of taking 12MP photos at 2x zoom. But what’s interesting is that the iPhone 15 camera system has the same shooting capability.
Moreover, both phones also have the same 12MP f/2.4 ultra-wide camera and a 12MP f/1.9 TrueDepth front camera.
So as you can see, there is no major difference in terms of hardware in both these phones.
However, one difference that makes the iPhone 16 camera stand out is the new Camera Control feature.
Apple has added a capacitive button on the lower right side of the newly launched iPhone 16. This button works as a camera shutter and gives a unique photography experience. It also provides physical feedback through clicks or haptics and supports touch gestures.
What also makes this interesting is the Camera Control will also be able to activate Visual Intelligence after Apple Intelligence is rolled out along with iOS 18.1 and later updates.
This is where the iPhone 15 might feel inferior with no Camera Control feature. Moreover, the iPhone 15 camera also won’t support Apple Intelligence or Visual Intelligence.
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15 – Battery
It is well-known that Apple never shares the exact battery details including the charging speed. However, experts usually depend on tests and benchmarks to speculate about iPhone battery capacity and charging speeds.
According to Apple benchmarks, the iPhone 16 can handle up to 22 hours of video playback. Meanwhile, the same test for iPhone 15 reveals around 20 hours of playback.
GSMArena has suggested that the iPhone 16 has a 3,561mAh battery. In comparison, the iPhone 15 comes with a 3,349mAh battery.
As for the charging speed, the most popular speculation says that the iPhone 16 supports 45W charging with the official site mentioning a “30W adapter or higher.” The iPhone 16 also supports 30W or higher MagSafe charging and Qi wireless charging at up to 7.5W.
iPhone 15 on the other hand supports adapters rated 20W or higher, 15W MagSafe chargers and the same 7.5W Qi wireless charging.
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15 – Verdict
- Display: Both have 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED.
- Resolution: Same at 2556×1179 pixels.
- Processor: iPhone 16 uses Apple A18 and iPhone 15 uses Apple A16 Bionic.
- RAM: Both have 6GB.
- Storage Options: Same at 128GB, 256GB, 512GB.
- Rear Cameras: Both have dual 48MP + 12MP.
- Front Camera: Both have 12MP.
- Battery: iPhone 16 has 3349mAh and iPhone 15 has 3240mAh.
- Charging: iPhone 16 supports 120W Fast Charging and iPhone 15 supports 20W Fast Charging.
- Operating System: Both on iOS 17.
- Water Resistance: Both rated IP68.
iPhone 15 Key Spec
| Key Specs | |
|---|---|
| RAM | 6 GB |
| Processor | Apple A16 Bionic |
| Rear Camera | 48 MP + 12 MP |
| Front Camera | 12 MP |
| Battery | 3349 mAh |
| Display | 6.1 inches (15.49 cm) |
| General | |
| Launch Date | September 13, 2023 (Official) |
| Operating System | iOS v17 |
| Performance | |
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic |
| CPU | Hexa Core (3.46 GHz, Dual core, Everest + 2.02 GHz, Quad core, Sawtooth) |
| Architecture | 64 bit |
| Fabrication | 4 nm |
| Graphics | Apple GPU (Five-core graphics) |
| RAM | 6 GB |
| RAM Type | LPDDR5 |
| Display | |
| Display Type | Super Retina XDR |
| Screen Size | 6.1 inches (15.49 cm) |
| Resolution | 1179×2556 px (FHD+) |
| Aspect Ratio | 19.5:9 |
| Pixel Density | 461 ppi |
| Screen to Body Ratio | 86.24 % |
| Screen Protection | Yes |
| Bezel-less display | Yes with punch-hole display |
| Touch Screen | Yes, Capacitive Touchscreen, Multi-touch |
| Peak Brightness | 2000 nits |
| HDR 10 / HDR+ support | Yes |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Design | |
| Height | 147.6 mm |
| Width | 71.6 mm |
| Thickness | 7.8 mm |
| Weight | 171 grams |
| Build Material | Back: Gorilla Glass |
| Colours | Black, Blue, Green, Pink, Yellow |
| Waterproof | Yes, Water resistant (up to 30 minutes in a depth of 6 meter), IP68 |
| Ruggedness | Dust proof |
| Camera | |
| Camera Setup | Dual |
| Resolution | 48 MP f/1.6 (Wide Angle, Primary Camera) |
| Ultra-Wide Angle Camera | 12 MP f/2.4 |
| Autofocus | Yes, Dual Pixel Phase Detection autofocus |
| OIS | Yes |
| Flash | Yes, Dual-color LED Flash |
| Image Resolution | 8000 x 6000 Pixels |
| Shooting Modes | Continuous Shooting, HDR, Burst mode |
| Video Recording | 3840×2160 @ 60 fps, 1920×1080 @ 240 fps |
| Video Features | Slo-motion, HDR, Night Time-Lapse, ProRes Video, Action Mode |
| Battery | |
| Capacity | 3349 mAh |
| Type | Li-ion |
| Removable | No |
| Wireless Charging | Yes |
| Quick Charging | Yes, Fast, 20W: 50% in 30 minutes |
| USB Type-C | Yes |
iPhone 16 Key Spec
| Key Specs | |
|---|---|
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Processor | Apple A18 |
| Rear Camera | 48 MP + 12 MP |
| Front Camera | 12 MP |
| Battery | 3561 mAh |
| Display | 6.1 inches (15.49 cm) |
| General | |
| Launch Date | September 13, 2024 (Official) |
| Operating System | iOS v18 |
| Performance | |
| Chipset | Apple A18 |
| CPU | Hexa Core (4.04 GHz, Dual core + 2.2 GHz, Quad core) |
| Architecture | 64 bit |
| Fabrication | 3 nm |
| Graphics | Apple GPU (Five-core graphics) |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| RAM Type | LPDDR5 |
| Display | |
| Display Type | Super Retina XDR |
| Screen Size | 6.1 inches (15.49 cm) |
| Resolution | 1179×2556 px (FHD+) |
| Aspect Ratio | 19.5:9 |
| Pixel Density | 461 ppi |
| Screen to Body Ratio | 86.24 % |
| Screen Protection | Yes |
| Bezel-less display | Yes with punch-hole display |
| Touch Screen | Yes, Capacitive Touchscreen, Multi-touch |
| Peak Brightness | 2000 nits |
| HDR 10 / HDR+ support | Yes |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Design | |
| Height | 147.6 mm |
| Width | 71.6 mm |
| Thickness | 7.80 mm |
| Weight | 170 grams |
| Build Material | Back: Color-infused Glass |
| Colours | Black, Pink, White, Teal, Ultramarine |
| Waterproof | Yes, Water resistant (up to 30 minutes in a depth of 6 meter), IP68 |
| Ruggedness | Dust proof |
| Camera | |
| Camera Setup | Dual |
| Resolution | 48 MP f/1.6 (Wide Angle, Primary Camera) |
| Ultra-Wide Angle Camera | 12 MP f/2.2 |
| Autofocus | Yes, Dual Pixel Phase Detection autofocus |
| OIS | Yes |
| Flash | Yes, Dual-color LED Flash |
| Image Resolution | 8000 x 6000 Pixels |
| Shooting Modes | Continuous Shooting, HDR, Burst mode, Macro Mode |
| Video Recording | 3840×2160 @ 60 fps, 1920×1080 @ 240 fps |
| Video Features | Slo-motion, HDR, Night Time-Lapse, Macro Video, Action Mode |
| Battery | |
| Capacity | 3561 mAh |
| Type | Li-ion |
| Removable | No |
| Wireless Charging | Yes |
| Quick Charging | Yes, Fast, 20W: 50% in 30 minutes |
| USB Type-C | Yes |
FAQs
Q1. What processors do the iPhone 16 use?
Answer. The iPhone 16 uses the latest Apple A18 chip.
Q2. What is different in the display sizes of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15?
Answer. Both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 feature a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display.
Q3. How much RAM do the iPhone 15 have?
Answer. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are the last iPhones to feature 6 GB of RAM.
Q4. Are the batteries of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 the same?
Answer. iPhone never reveals the exact specs of battery and charging. However, benchmarking and industry reports suggest that the iPhone 16 has a 3349mAh battery and the iPhone 15 has a 3240mAh battery.
Q5. What are the main camera specifications for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15?
Answer. Both iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 feature near identical dual rear camera setup with 48MP + 12MP sensors.
Also Read: iPhone 15 vs iPhone 15 Pro: Key Differences and Which One to Choose
Also Read : iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro: Should You Upgrade Despite Similar Design?
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