iPhone 16 Plus & iPhone 15 Plus share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the iPhone 16 Plus rather than the iPhone 15 Plus.
Why Do I Recommend The iPhone 16 Plus?
- The iPhone 16 Plus features the A18 Bionic chip built on a 3nm process for faster performance and greater power efficiency during demanding tasks, whereas the iPhone 15 Plus uses the older A16 Bionic chip.
- iPhone 16 Plus has 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM for smoother multitasking and better handling of future iOS updates, while the iPhone 15 Plus includes 6GB of LPDDR5 RAM.
- It comes with a vertically aligned dual-camera system that enables spatial video recording for immersive playback on Vision Pro, whereas the iPhone 15 Plus uses a diagonal dual-camera system.
- The iPhone 16 Plus includes a Camera Control button for quick access to camera functions and more precise shooting controls, while the iPhone 15 Plus does not include a dedicated camera button.
- iPhone 16 Plus supports Wi-Fi 7 connectivity for faster wireless speeds and lower latency in streaming and gaming, whereas the iPhone 15 Plus supports older Wi-Fi 6.
- It has a larger 4674mAh battery for longer video playback and extended daily usage, whereas the iPhone 15 Plus has a smaller 4383mAh battery.
- The iPhone 16 Plus comes with a peak HDR 2000 nits brightness for better outdoor visibility under direct sunlight, while the iPhone 15 Plus has a lower peak HDR 1600 nits brightness.
- iPhone 16 Plus supports Apple Intelligence features for advanced AI-powered writing, image, and productivity tools, whereas the iPhone 15 Plus does not support Apple Intelligence.
Maybe the iPhone 15 Plus price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the iPhone 16 Plus. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.
Side By Side Comparison
| Feature | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 15 Plus |
| Processor | A18 Bionic | A16 Bionic |
| CPU Cores | 6-core with higher clock speed | 6-core lower clock |
| GPU | 5-core next-gen GPU | 5-core previous-gen GPU |
| RAM | 8 GB LPDDR5X | 6 GB LPDDR5 |
| Neural Engine | 16-core upgraded for Apple Intelligence | 16-core standard |
| Camera Layout | Vertical dual-camera | Diagonal dual-camera |
| Camera Features | Spatial video recording | No spatial video |
| Camera Control Button | Yes | No |
| Action Button | Yes | No |
| Battery Capacity | ~4674 mAh | ~4383 mAh |
| Video Playback | Up to 27 hours | Up to 26 hours |
| Thermal Architecture | Improved cooling | Standard cooling |
| Connectivity Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| AI Features | Apple Intelligence supported | Not supported |
| USB-C Speed | USB-C 3 | USB-C 2 |
| Display Brightness (Peak HDR) | 2000 nits | 1600 nits |
| Bezels | Slimmer bezels | Thicker bezels |
| Price | Check iPhone 16 Plus Price | Check iPhone 15 Plus Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- Display Technology: Both iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 15 Plus feature the same 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel with identical resolution and pixel density. This ensures sharp visuals, deep blacks, and high contrast ratios on both models.
- Refresh Rate: Each phone retains a 60Hz refresh rate, meaning Apple still reserves ProMotion (120Hz) for the Pro models. Motion smoothness remains the same.
- Durability: Both phones use Ceramic Shield front glass and a glass back with aluminum frame, offering similar protection and premium build quality.
- Camera Hardware: Both models carry a 48MP wide sensor and a 12MP ultra-wide lens. While the 16 Plus rearranges them vertically, the raw hardware resolution and core capability remain consistent.
- Camera Features: Each phone supports Night Mode, Photonic Engine processing, and Cinematic Mode recording up to 4K HDR at 30fps, giving users comparable creative flexibility in low light and cinematic storytelling.
- Video Recording: Both phones record 4K video at 24/25/30/60fps, ensuring identical baseline video quality for most shooting scenarios.
- Front Camera & Face ID: Both share the 12MP TrueDepth front camera with autofocus, supporting Face ID for biometric security and selfies/video calls of the same quality.
- Charging & Accessories: Both models integrate MagSafe wireless charging and support the MagSafe accessory ecosystem, such as wallets, battery packs, and chargers.
- Emergency Features: Safety remains a priority with Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via satellite included in both, providing peace of mind during emergencies.
- Storage Options: Both phones ship with 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage variants, so capacity choices are identical.
- Software Ecosystem: Although the iPhone 16 Plus launches with iOS 18, the iPhone 15 Plus also receives the same update, meaning both share a consistent software experience.
- 5G Connectivity: Both support 5G networks (Sub-6 GHz and mmWave), delivering similar high-speed mobile connectivity worldwide.
- Water & Dust Resistance: Both devices are rated IP68, capable of withstanding immersion in up to 6 meters of water for 30 minutes, offering equal durability in wet conditions.
Common Features
| Feature | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 15 Plus |
| Display Size | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Display Resolution | 2796 × 1290 pixels | 2796 × 1290 pixels |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz standard | 60Hz standard |
| Ceramic Shield | Ceramic Shield front glass | Ceramic Shield front glass |
| Back Material | Glass back with aluminum frame | Glass back with aluminum frame |
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP wide sensor | 48MP wide sensor |
| Ultra-Wide Camera Resolution | 12MP ultra-wide | 12MP ultra-wide |
| Night Mode | Supported on all cameras | Supported on all cameras |
| Photonic Engine | Yes | Yes |
| Cinematic Mode | Up to 4K HDR 30fps | Up to 4K HDR 30fps |
| Video Recording Quality | 4K at 24/25/30/60fps | 4K at 24/25/30/60fps |
| Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth with autofocus | 12MP TrueDepth with autofocus |
| Face ID | Face ID with TrueDepth | Face ID with TrueDepth |
| MagSafe | MagSafe wireless charging | MagSafe wireless charging |
| Emergency Features | Crash Detection, Emergency SOS via satellite | Crash Detection, Emergency SOS via satellite |
| Storage Options | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| 5G Support | Yes | Yes |
| Water & Dust Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Price | Check iPhone 16 Plus Price | Check iPhone 15 Plus Price |
FAQ
What is the display size of the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 15 Plus? Do the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 15 Plus have the same resolution? Do both models have the same refresh rate? Are both devices protected with Ceramic Shield glass? Do the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 15 Plus share the same frame and build materials? Do both phones feature the same main rear camera resolution? Do they both have an ultra-wide camera? Is Night Mode available on both the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 15 Plus? Do both phones support Cinematic Mode? Can both models record video in 4K resolution? Do both devices use the same front camera system? Is Face ID available on both the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 15 Plus? Are both iPhones compatible with MagSafe? Do both the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 15 Plus have emergency safety features? Are both devices water and dust resistant? |
