Apple iPhone 15 vs Apple iPhone 16
Compare Apple iPhone 15 vs Apple iPhone 16 side by side: Apple A16 Bionic vs Apple A18, 48MP vs 48MP camera, 3349mAh vs 3561mAh battery, $799 vs $799. Full…
Apple
iPhone 15
$799
0categories won
Apple
iPhone 16
$799
7categories won
14 categories tied · 21 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Apple iPhone 16 takes the overall win
The Apple iPhone 16 proves superior overall against the Apple iPhone 15, outperforming on battery endurance and daily usability. In camera testing, the two devices offer similar flexibility, while battery endurance leans towards the iPhone 16. Choose the iPhone 16 if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the iPhone 15 if its specific hardware strengths better fit your budget.
iPhone 16 takes battery honors offering 3,561 mAh alongside 25W charging.
iPhone 16 provides greater sustained gaming output with its Apple A18 and 8GB RAM.
Both camera setups are closely matched for daily street photography and low-light shooting.
Both handsets sit in the exact same pricing bracket around $799.
Category verdicts are computed algorithmically from verified technical specifications and hardware benchmarks. Rows where neither figure is objectively better — screen size preference, operating system choice, aesthetic build materials — are displayed for direct reference without scoring bias.
iPhone 15 vs iPhone 16: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1" | 6.1" |
| Resolution | 1179 x 2556 | 1179 x 2556 |
| Pixel density | 461 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2000 nits | 2000 nits |
Performance
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic | Apple A18 |
| Process node | 4 nm | 3 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 1,380,000 | 1,650,000Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 6650 | 8150Winner |
| Maximum RAM | 6 GB | 8 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 512GB | 512GB |
Camera
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 48 MP | 48 MP |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 2 |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K at 60fps Dolby Vision HDR | 4K at 60fps Dolby Vision |
Battery and charging
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 3,349 mAh | 3,561 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 20 W | 25 WWinner |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 25 WWinner |
Design
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 171 g | 170 g |
| Thickness | 7.8 mm | 7.8 mm |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front, color-infused matte glass back | Aerospace-grade aluminum frame, color-infused glass back |
Software and support
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | iOS 17 | iOS 18 |
| OS updates | 6 years | 6 years |
| Security updates | 7 years | 7 years |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $799 | $799 |
Apple iPhone 15
The iPhone 15 gains the interactive Dynamic Island, a 48MP dual camera capturing 24MP default snaps with 2x lossless digital cropping, 2000-nit outdoor brightness, USB-C convenience, and pastel matte glass styling.
- Display
- 6.1"
- Chipset
- Apple A16 Bionic
- Main camera
- 48MP
- Battery
- 3,349mAh
Apple iPhone 16
Upgraded with the high-efficiency A18 chip, 8GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence, macro photography, and both physical Action and Camera Control buttons, the iPhone 16 brings significant pro features to the mainstream.
- Display
- 6.1"
- Chipset
- Apple A18
- Main camera
- 48MP
- Battery
- 3,561mAh