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
| Feature | iPhone 16 | iPhone 15 Plus |
| Chip | A18 | A16 Bionic |
| RAM | 8 GB LPDDR5X | 6 GB LPDDR5 |
| Neural Engine Speed | Faster | Slower |
| GPU Cores | New A18 GPU with ray tracing, mesh shading | Older A16 GPU |
| Rear Camera Layout | Vertical | Diagonal orientation |
| Battery Capacity (approx.) | ~3,561 mAh | ~4,383 mAh |
| Weight | ~170 g | ~201 g |
| Colors Available | Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, White, Black | Blue, Pink, Yellow, Green, Black |
| Thermal Design | Improved, with recycled-aluminum cooling | Standard |
| Display Size | 6.1″ OLED | 6.7″ OLED |
| Audio/Spatial Audio Support | Dolby Atmos-tuned Spatial Audio | Standard speakers |
| Ultrawide Camera | 12 MP f/2.2 | 12 MP f/2.4 |
| Video Codec Modes | Cinematic, Action mode, spatial capture | Cinematic, Action mode |
| Price | Check iPhone 16 Price | Check 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
| Feature | iPhone 16 | iPhone 15 Plus |
| OLED Super Retina XDR display | 6.7″, HDR, True Tone, Dynamic Island | 6.1″, HDR, True Tone, Dynamic Island |
| Display technology | Super Retina XDR OLED at 60 Hz | Super Retina XDR OLED at 60 Hz |
| Ultrawide rear camera | 12 MP ultrawide | 12 MP ultrawide |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth | 12 MP TrueDepth |
| Video recording capabilities | Up to 4K at 60 fps, 1080p slo‑mo | Up to 4K at 60 fps, 1080p slo‑mo |
| Optical image stabilization | Yes | Yes |
| Portrait lighting effects | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial/rescue features | Crash Detection, SOS via Satellite | Crash Detection, SOS via Satellite |
| Water/dust resistance | IP68 rated | IP68 rated |
| SIM support | Dual SIM / eSIM / nano-SIM | Dual SIM / eSIM / nano-SIM |
| USB‑C port | USB‑C | USB‑C |
| Wireless charging | MagSafe & Qi-compatible | MagSafe & Qi-compatible |
| Bluetooth version | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Thread and NFC support | Yes | Yes |
| Operating system | iOS 18 | iOS 18 |
| GPS and satellite systems | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, etc. | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, etc. |
| Charging and network tech | 5G/LTE, Wi‑Fi support | 5G/LTE, Wi‑Fi support |
| Price | Check iPhone 16 Price | Check iPhone 15 Plus Price |
FAQ
Do both models support Dynamic Island? Is there a difference in display quality between the two? Do both phones have the same main camera resolution? Does the iPhone 16 have better camera features than the iPhone 15 Plus? Do both models support 5G connectivity? What type of front camera do these models use? Do both phones have MagSafe wireless charging? What kind of wired charging port do these iPhones have? Do the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 16 have Crash Detection? Are the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 16 water-resistant? Do both models support iOS 18? Is the battery life the same on both models? Do both models support wireless Qi charging? Which phone is lighter to carry, the iPhone 15 Plus or iPhone 16? |
