The new vanilla iPhone, the iPhone 16 has arrived, and you might be wondering if you should upgrade to it or get last year’s iPhone 15 and save a bit of money.
And are the upgrades enough to justify the $100 price difference?
The new iPhone is very similar to the old one, but there are a few major changes.
Check out some of the best smartphones of 2024.
iPhone 16 new features video:
iPhone 15 vs 16 Design differences
Design wise they have the same look, the same dimensions and even the same weight (173 grams for iPhone 16 and 171 grams for the 15).
One visual difference is that on the new model, the cameras are arranged differently. One major visual difference is that the iPhone 16 now comes in 5 vibrant, bold colors: black, white, pink, teal, and ultramarine.
With the iPhone 16, Apple has also introduced a couple of hardware buttons.
There’s the action key, which was exclusive to last year’s pro models. It’s a button you can use to open one of a few pre-defined actions or one of your custom shortcuts.
Then there is a new camera control key. You can use it to start the camera, access and change settings on the fly, and, of course, shoot photos and videos, all without having to touch the display.
On the front, the iPhone 16 has tougher ceramic shield glass, which enhances durability, offering improved drop and scratch resistance.
iPhone 15 vs 16 Display
IPhone 15 vs 16 Audio
iPhone 15 vs 16 Processor
The iPhone 16 comes with the new Apple A18 chipset, which is more powerful and power efficient. In the iPhone 15 vs 16 comparison, it’s clear that the A18 outperforms the A16 chipset on the iPhone 15 in benchmarks by a significant margin, making the iPhone 16 a better choice if you’re planning to play high-end games like Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Death Stranding, or Resident Evil 4.
iPhone 16 also comes with more RAM than the iPhone 15, 8 GB for the iPhone 16 compared to 6 GB for the iPhone 15. RAM is important for running demanding applications, multitasking, and games.
iPhone 15 vs 16 Apple Intelligence
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 both integrate Apple’s intelligent features, but the iPhone 16 expands the role of Apple Intelligence with more advanced capabilities.
In the iPhone 15, Apple Intelligence is seen primarily in applications like Photos and Siri, enabling tasks like identifying objects in images, extracting text from photos, and providing contextual suggestions based on usage patterns.
However, its capabilities are more foundational, aimed at improving usability and automation in everyday tasks.
The iPhone 16, with its new A18 Bionic chip and updated iOS 18, takes Apple Intelligence further by enhancing on-device learning and contextual awareness.
This model introduces more robust context-based suggestions; for instance, Siri is now better at providing predictive suggestions during tasks, such as surfacing relevant apps, reminders, or messages based on location or time of day.
Additionally, the iPhone 16 allows for more nuanced personalizations within Apple’s Health and Fitness apps, which now offer activity insights tailored to the user’s routine and habits.
Together, these advancements make Apple Intelligence on the iPhone 16 a more integral part of the device, designed to anticipate and respond to users’ needs in real-time, with less need for cloud-based data processing.
Overall, the iPhone 16’s improved processing power allows for a richer, faster experience with Apple Intelligence features, making the device feel more responsive and personalized compared to the iPhone 15.
iPhone 15 vs 16 Battery
When it comes to iPhone 15 vs 16 power efficiency, the iPhone 16’s battery life is longer than last year’s model but charging speeds don’t seem to have changed that much.
While both models maintain compatibility with MagSafe accessories, the iPhone 16 refines this integration, offering better alignment and connectivity with MagSafe chargers.
The iPhone 16 model comes with a larger 3561 mAh battery compared to the 3349 mAh battery of the 15 model. You can expect a battery life of around 16 hours of mixed usage (watching videos, playing games, browsing the web).
iPhone 15 vs 16 Cameras
When it comes to cameras in the iPhone 15 vs 16 comparison, the iPhone 15 has a 48 MP main camera, paired with a 12 MP ultrawide camera. The iPhone 16 comes with the same 48 MP main camera, but it’s paired with a new 12 MP ultrawide, which has a brighter lens and auto-focus.
The daylight photo quality has seen no real change since last year. Photos are detailed, with Apple’s signature conservative look.
The main difference is that since the new ultrawide camera has auto-focus, the iPhone 16 can take close-up macro-shots.
The night-time shots from the main camera are largely identical and look great.
The brighter aperture on the ultrawide camera has an effect at night, and the ultrawide photos are brighter with more details and less noise.
In conclusion, the iPhone 16 is clearly the better device. If you want more powerful hardware, plus better AI features, and a slightly better camera, the iPhone 16 should be your choice. If however, you want a similar user experience, and save $100, the iPhone 15 is not a bad device.
iPhone 15 vs iPhone 16 Feature Comparison List:
Feature | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 |
Processor | A16 Bionic | A18 Bionic (faster AI processing) |
RAM | 6GB | 8GB |
Display | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR, 2556×1179 | Same display specs, higher brightness |
Rear Camera Setup | 48MP main, 12MP ultra-wide | Same cameras, now vertically aligned |
Camera Features | Standard 2x optical zoom | Spatial video/photo capture for Vision Pro |
Camera Control | No dedicated shutter button | New Camera Control button with touch gestures |
AI Features | Limited AI integration | Apple Intelligence for contextual suggestions |
Action Button | No Action Button | Added Action Button (customizable) |
Battery | Approx. 20 hours video playback | 2 hours longer battery life |
Charging | Standard Qi wireless charging | Faster Qi wireless charging support |
Design | Flat edges, muted colors | More vibrant colors, similar flat edges |
Build Material | Aluminum and frosted glass | Same material, improved heat management |
Operating System | iOS 17 | iOS 18 with more natural Siri interaction |
Storage Options | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | Same options available |
3D Viewing Support | Not supported | Spatial video/photo for Apple Vision Pro |
USB-C Port | USB-C with basic transfer speeds | Same USB-C but supports faster charging |
Video Recording | 4K Dolby Vision, standard stabilization | 4K with spatial audio and anti-reflective lens |
Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth | Same but optimized for low light |
Dimensions | Identical to iPhone 16 | Slightly modified for improved grip |
Price | Starting price for the base model (128GB): $799 | Starting price for the base model (128GB): $899 |
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