iPhone 15 Plus & iPhone 16 Pro 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 Pro rather than the iPhone 15 Plus.
Why Do I Recommend The iPhone 16 Pro?
- The iPhone 16 Pro has the A18 Pro chip with 8 GB RAM for faster performance, smoother multitasking, and full Apple Intelligence support, while the iPhone 15 Plus uses the older A16 Bionic chip with 6 GB RAM.
- iPhone 16 Pro features a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with 120 Hz ProMotion and always-on mode for smoother visuals and glanceable information, whereas the iPhone 15 Plus includes a larger 6.7-inch OLED display limited to 60 Hz and lacks always-on support.
- It includes a triple rear camera system with a 5× telephoto lens and LiDAR scanner for versatile photography and enhanced depth sensing, while the iPhone 15 Plus has only a dual rear camera system without telephoto or LiDAR.
- The iPhone 16 Pro supports USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 at 10 Gb/s for significantly faster data transfers and external storage compatibility, while the iPhone 15 Plus uses USB-C 2.0 limited to 480 Mb/s speeds.
- iPhone 16 Pro has Wi-Fi 7 connectivity for faster wireless speeds and lower latency for seamless streaming or gaming, whereas the iPhone 15 Plus supports the older Wi-Fi 6 standard.
- It comes with both an Action Button and a new Camera Control button for customizable shortcuts and precise photo or video adjustments, while the iPhone 15 Plus retains the traditional mute switch and lacks Camera Control.
- The iPhone 16 Pro uses a titanium frame to achieve a lighter yet more durable build that improves portability and resistance to wear, whereas the iPhone 15 Plus relies on an aluminum frame.
- iPhone 16 Pro records 4K video at up to 120 fps for smoother slow-motion and professional-grade content creation, while the iPhone 15 Plus records 4K video only up to 60 fps.
Maybe the iPhone 15 Plus price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the iPhone 16 Pro. 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 Pro | iPhone 15 Plus |
| Chipset | A18 Pro | A16 Bionic |
| RAM | 8 GB | 6 GB |
| Display Size | 6.3-inch | 6.7-inch |
| Display Refresh Rate | 120 Hz ProMotion | 60 Hz |
| Display Features | Always-On, HDR Brightness up to 2000 nits | No Always-On, HDR Brightness up to 1600 nits |
| Build Material | Titanium frame | Aluminum frame |
| Rear Cameras | Triple camera with 5× telephoto + LiDAR | Dual camera without telephoto or LiDAR |
| Video Recording | 4K up to 120 fps | 4K up to 60 fps |
| Main Camera Zoom | 5× optical zoom | 2× digital zoom crop |
| AI Features | Full Apple Intelligence support | No Apple Intelligence support |
| USB-C Port | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gb/s) | USB-C 2.0 (480 Mb/s) |
| Wireless Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Buttons | Action Button + Camera Control Button | Standard Mute Switch (no Camera Control) |
| Weight | Lighter with titanium design | Heavier due to aluminum frame |
| Thermal Design | Advanced thermal system for sustained performance | Standard thermal management |
| Gaming Performance | Console-level ray tracing and smoother gameplay | Limited ray tracing performance |
| Price | Check iPhone 16 Pro Price | Check iPhone 15 Plus Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- Operating System: Both iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 15 Plus run on iOS 18, ensuring consistent software features, regular updates, and a familiar user experience across both devices.
- Main Camera: Both devices feature a 48 MP wide main sensor, allowing for sharp, detailed photos in bright conditions as well as improved low-light performance.
- Ultra-Wide Camera: Each model includes a 12 MP ultra-wide camera, making it easy to capture expansive landscapes, group shots, and architectural photos with a broader field of view.
- Front Camera: Both iPhones use a 12 MP TrueDepth front camera, supporting high-quality selfies, FaceTime calls, and cinematic video recording with accurate skin tones.
- Display Type: Both devices feature a Super Retina XDR OLED display, delivering deep blacks, vibrant colors, and energy-efficient performance for an immersive viewing experience.
- Resolution: Each phone shares a 2796 × 1290 resolution, producing sharp visuals and crisp text clarity suitable for web browsing, media, and gaming.
- Contrast Ratio: Both displays maintain a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, ensuring true black levels and excellent differentiation between dark and bright scenes.
- HDR Support: Both models support HDR10 and Dolby Vision playback, allowing users to enjoy HDR movies and TV shows with greater brightness, contrast, and realism.
- Biometrics: Each device uses Face ID facial recognition, providing secure authentication and seamless login to apps, payments, and the lock screen.
- Audio Playback: Both support Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos, creating a surround-sound experience for music, movies, and supported apps.
- Charging Method: Each iPhone is compatible with USB-C wired charging as well as MagSafe wireless charging, giving users flexible power options.
- Water Resistance: Both models are IP68 rated, meaning they can withstand dust exposure and submersion in water up to 6 meters for 30 minutes.
Common Features
| Feature | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 15 Plus |
| Operating System | iOS 18 | iOS 18 |
| Main Camera | 48 MP wide sensor | 48 MP wide sensor |
| Ultra-Wide Camera | 12 MP ultra-wide | 12 MP ultra-wide |
| Front Camera | 12 MP TrueDepth | 12 MP TrueDepth |
| Display Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Resolution | 2796 × 1290 pixels | 2796 × 1290 pixels |
| Contrast Ratio | 2,000,000:1 | 2,000,000:1 |
| HDR Support | HDR10 and Dolby Vision | HDR10 and Dolby Vision |
| Biometrics | Face ID | Face ID |
| Audio Playback | Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos | Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos |
| Charging Method | USB-C + MagSafe wireless | USB-C + MagSafe wireless |
| Water Resistance | IP68 dust and water resistant | IP68 dust and water resistant |
| 5G Connectivity | 5G SA/NSA supported | 5G SA/NSA supported |
| Dual SIM Option | Nano SIM + eSIM / Dual eSIM | Nano SIM + eSIM / Dual eSIM |
| Price | Check iPhone 16 Pro Price | Check iPhone 15 Plus Price |
FAQ
Does the iPhone 16 Pro have a better processor than the iPhone 15 Plus? Is there a difference in display quality between the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 15 Plus? Do both iPhones support Apple Intelligence AI features? How do the cameras differ between the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 15 Plus? Which iPhone has faster USB-C transfer speeds? Is there a difference in wireless connectivity between the two models? Do both models use Face ID for security? Which iPhone is lighter to carry? Do both models support MagSafe charging? Are the batteries the same between iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 15 Plus? Do both models support 5G connectivity? Is there a difference in video recording capabilities? Do both models have an Action Button? Are both devices water and dust resistant? |
