iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone 16 – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

iPhone 15 Plus & iPhone 16 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 rather than the iPhone 15 Plus

Why Do I Recommend The iPhone 16

  • The iPhone 16 has the A18 chip with a faster Neural Engine for smoother multitasking and on-device AI functions, while the iPhone 15 Plus uses the older A16 Bionic chip with slower machine learning performance.
  • iPhone 16 features 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM for better app handling and long-term performance, whereas the iPhone 15 Plus includes only 6GB of LPDDR5 RAM.
  • It includes a vertical dual-camera layout optimized for spatial video recording with the Apple Vision Pro, whereas the iPhone 15 Plus uses a diagonal dual-camera layout without spatial video support.
  • The iPhone 16 comes with Apple Intelligence support for advanced generative AI tools like text rewriting and image creation, while the iPhone 15 Plus does not support Apple Intelligence.
  • iPhone 16 includes a Camera Control Button for precise camera adjustments and easier quick captures, whereas the iPhone 15 Plus does not have a dedicated camera control button.
  • It supports Wi-Fi 7 for faster wireless connectivity and lower latency during downloads or streaming, while the iPhone 15 Plus uses older Wi-Fi 6.
  • The iPhone 16 features an improved thermal design with a recycled-aluminum heat spreader for better sustained performance during heavy use, whereas the iPhone 15 Plus uses a standard thermal structure.
  • iPhone 16 is lighter around 170 grams for easier daily handling and reduced hand fatigue, while the iPhone 15 Plus weighs about 201 grams.

Maybe the iPhone 15 plus price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the iPhone 16. 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

FeatureiPhone 16iPhone 15 Plus
ChipA18A16 Bionic
RAM8 GB LPDDR5X6 GB LPDDR5
Neural Engine SpeedFasterSlower
GPU CoresNew A18 GPU with ray tracing, mesh shadingOlder A16 GPU
Rear Camera LayoutVerticalDiagonal orientation
Battery Capacity (approx.)~3,561 mAh~4,383 mAh
Weight~170 g~201 g
Colors AvailableUltramarine, Teal, Pink, White, BlackBlue, Pink, Yellow, Green, Black
Thermal DesignImproved, with recycled-aluminum coolingStandard
Display Size6.1″ OLED6.7″ OLED
Audio/Spatial Audio SupportDolby Atmos-tuned Spatial AudioStandard speakers
Ultrawide Camera12 MP f/2.212 MP f/2.4
Video Codec ModesCinematic, Action mode, spatial captureCinematic, Action mode
PriceCheck iPhone 16 PriceCheck iPhone 15 Plus Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Super Retina XDR OLED Display: Both phones feature Super Retina XDR OLED panels, delivering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and high contrast for an immersive viewing experience.
  • Dynamic Island: Both models include Dynamic Island, providing an interactive area for alerts, live activities, and app controls without interrupting full-screen content.
  • 48MP Main Camera: Both devices use a 48MP wide main camera, allowing high-resolution photos with improved detail and sharpness in various lighting conditions.
  • 12MP Ultrawide Camera: Each model comes with a 12MP ultrawide lens, enabling expansive shots for landscapes, group photos, and creative perspectives.
  • 12MP TrueDepth Front Camera: Both phones include a 12MP TrueDepth front camera with autofocus, producing sharp selfies and enabling Face ID authentication.
  • 4K Video Recording: Each device supports 4K video recording up to 60fps, ensuring smooth, professional-quality video capture.
  • Optical Image Stabilization: Both models feature optical image stabilization on the main camera, reducing motion blur for clearer photos and steadier video.
  • Portrait Lighting: Both phones support portrait lighting effects, giving users studio-quality options for portraits with adjustable depth control.
  • Crash Detection: Each device is equipped with Crash Detection, automatically alerting emergency services if a severe car accident is detected.
  • Emergency SOS via Satellite: Both models include Emergency SOS via satellite, allowing users to connect to emergency responders when outside of cellular coverage.
  • IP68 Water Resistance: Both devices are IP68 certified, protecting them against dust and water for durability in everyday conditions.
  • USB-C Port: Each phone uses a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, standardizing connectivity across Apple’s ecosystem.
  • MagSafe Charging: Both phones support MagSafe wireless charging, enabling secure magnetic alignment and compatibility with MagSafe accessories.
  • Qi Wireless Charging: Each device supports Qi-compatible wireless charging, offering flexible charging options with a wide range of chargers.
  • Bluetooth 5.3: Both models feature Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring stable connections and efficient power usage for wireless accessories.
  • Dual SIM with eSIM: Each phone supports dual SIM functionality with eSIM and nano-SIM, allowing flexibility for multiple carriers or travel.
  • 5G Connectivity: Both models support 5G networks, delivering faster speeds and lower latency for streaming, gaming, and downloads.
  • Global Navigation Systems: Each device includes GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou support for accurate location tracking worldwide.
  • iOS 18 Support: Both phones run iOS 18, giving users the same software experience, updates, and access to Apple’s ecosystem of apps and features.
  • Aluminum and Glass Design: Both models feature an aluminum frame with a glass front and back, providing a sleek and durable design.

Common Features

FeatureiPhone 16iPhone 15 Plus
OLED Super Retina XDR display6.7″, HDR, True Tone, Dynamic Island6.1″, HDR, True Tone, Dynamic Island
Display technologySuper Retina XDR OLED at 60 HzSuper Retina XDR OLED at 60 Hz
Ultrawide rear camera12 MP ultrawide12 MP ultrawide
Front camera12 MP TrueDepth12 MP TrueDepth
Video recording capabilitiesUp to 4K at 60 fps, 1080p slo‑moUp to 4K at 60 fps, 1080p slo‑mo
Optical image stabilizationYesYes
Portrait lighting effectsYesYes
Spatial/rescue featuresCrash Detection, SOS via SatelliteCrash Detection, SOS via Satellite
Water/dust resistanceIP68 ratedIP68 rated
SIM supportDual SIM / eSIM / nano-SIMDual SIM / eSIM / nano-SIM
USB‑C portUSB‑CUSB‑C
Wireless chargingMagSafe & Qi-compatibleMagSafe & Qi-compatible
Bluetooth versionBluetooth 5.3Bluetooth 5.3
Thread and NFC supportYesYes
Operating systemiOS 18iOS 18
GPS and satellite systemsGPS, GLONASS, Galileo, etc.GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, etc.
Charging and network tech5G/LTE, Wi‑Fi support5G/LTE, Wi‑Fi support
Price Check iPhone 16 Price Check iPhone 15 Plus Price

FAQ

Do both models support Dynamic Island?
Yes, both the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 16 include Dynamic Island, allowing interactive notifications, live activities, and app controls within the display cutout.

Is there a difference in display quality between the two?
Both use Super Retina XDR OLED displays with HDR, but the iPhone 15 Plus has a larger 6.7-inch panel while the iPhone 16 comes with a smaller 6.1-inch version.

Do both phones have the same main camera resolution?
Yes, both models feature a 48MP wide main camera that captures detailed, high-resolution photos with excellent clarity and sharpness.

Does the iPhone 16 have better camera features than the iPhone 15 Plus?
Yes, while both share the same resolution, the iPhone 16 introduces improved imaging with a vertical camera layout and support for spatial video capture, which the iPhone 15 Plus lacks.

Do both models support 5G connectivity?
Yes, both the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 16 support 5G networks, providing fast download speeds, low latency, and reliable connections worldwide.

What type of front camera do these models use?
Both the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 16 feature a 12MP TrueDepth front camera with autofocus, ensuring clear selfies and supporting Face ID facial recognition.

Do both phones have MagSafe wireless charging?
Yes, both devices support MagSafe wireless charging, allowing magnetic alignment with compatible chargers and accessories.

What kind of wired charging port do these iPhones have?
Both models use USB-C ports for wired charging and data transfer, but they are limited to USB 2.0 speeds.

Do the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 16 have Crash Detection?
Yes, both devices are equipped with Crash Detection, which can automatically contact emergency services if a severe car accident is detected.

Are the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 16 water-resistant?
Yes, both phones carry an IP68 rating, making them resistant to dust and water up to six meters for up to 30 minutes.

Do both models support iOS 18?
Yes, the iPhone 15 Plus can be upgraded to iOS 18 while the iPhone 16 comes with iOS 18 pre-installed, so both provide the same software experience.

Is the battery life the same on both models?
No, the iPhone 16 is more power-efficient thanks to the A18 chip, offering up to 22 hours of video playback, while the iPhone 15 Plus has slightly less optimized battery life.

Do both models support wireless Qi charging?
Yes, both the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 16 support Qi wireless charging, giving users flexibility with third-party wireless chargers.

Which phone is lighter to carry, the iPhone 15 Plus or iPhone 16?
The iPhone 16 is lighter at around 170 grams compared to the iPhone 15 Plus, which weighs about 201 grams, making it easier to handle daily.

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