iPhone 16 Plus & iPhone 15 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.
Why Do I Recommend The iPhone 16 Plus?
- The iPhone 16 Plus features the A18 Bionic processor for faster performance, enhanced energy efficiency, and smoother handling of demanding apps, while the iPhone 15 uses the older A16 Bionic chip.
- iPhone 16 Plus has 8 GB of RAM for improved multitasking and better support for future iOS updates, whereas the iPhone 15 includes 6 GB of RAM.
- It supports Apple Intelligence with on-device AI functions for smarter text generation, prioritization, and image editing, while the iPhone 15 does not support Apple Intelligence.
- The iPhone 16 Plus comes with a dedicated Camera Control button for easier photo and video capture with quick mode switching, whereas the iPhone 15 lacks any specialized camera button.
- iPhone 16 Plus includes an ultrawide camera with autofocus and macro capability for detailed close-up photography, while the iPhone 15 uses a fixed-focus ultrawide camera without macro support.
- It features a larger 6.7-inch OLED display for a more immersive viewing experience and better visibility when multitasking, compared to the iPhone 15’s smaller 6.1-inch OLED display.
- The iPhone 16 Plus has a larger battery capacity for up to 27 hours of video playback and longer usage during travel or heavy daily activity, while the iPhone 15 has a smaller battery with shorter runtime.
- iPhone 16 Plus supports Wi-Fi 7 for faster wireless speeds and lower latency in high-bandwidth tasks such as cloud gaming or 4K streaming, whereas the iPhone 15 supports the older Wi-Fi 6 standard.
Maybe the iPhone 15 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 |
| Chipset / Processor | A18 Bionic | A16 Bionic |
| RAM | 8 GB | ~6 GB |
| AI Capabilities | Apple Intelligence (beta) + Visual Intelligence support | No Apple Intelligence or Visual Intelligence |
| Neural Engine performance | Doubled ML task speed | Standard |
| Wireless Standard | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Network / Connectivity | Thread networking support | No Thread support |
| Camera — Ultrawide | Autofocus + macro photography | Fixed-focus ultrawide, no macro |
| Camera — Spatial Media | Supports spatial photos and video | No spatial capture support |
| Camera Control Button | Present | Not present |
| Action Button | Present | Mute switch only |
| Thermal Design | Improved logic board layout and recycled-aluminum heat dissipation | Standard thermal design |
| Minimum Display Brightness | As low as 1 nit | No documented minimum brightness |
| Battery Capacity (approx.) | ~4674 mAh | ~4383 mAh |
| Video Playback (battery) | Up to ~27 hours | Lower value |
| Audio Playback (battery) | Up to ~100 hours | Lower value |
| Wireless Charging (MagSafe) | Faster 25 W MagSafe supported | Standard MagSafe |
| Display Durability | 2nd-gen Ceramic Shield | 1st-gen Ceramic Shield |
| Rear Camera Island Design | Vertical, pill-shaped layout | Diagonal dual-lens in square island |
| Color Options | Deeper tones: ultramarine, teal, etc. | Lighter pastel shades |
| USB-C Speed / Interface | USB 2.0-level speeds with A18 | USB 2.0-level speeds |
| Dynamic Island | Yes | Yes |
| Size & Weight | Larger footprint, heavier | Smaller and lighter |
| Price | Check iPhone 16 Plus Price | Check iPhone 15 Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- OLED Display: Both models feature OLED screens, delivering deep blacks, vibrant colors, and high contrast ratios—making everything from streaming to gaming look rich and immersive.
- Dynamic Island: Both carry the Dynamic Island interface, seamlessly blending notifications and interactive alerts into a clever, animated cutout area—enhancing usability without cluttering the display.
- USB-C Port: Apple’s transition to USB-C is consistent across both: a single, versatile connector for charging, fast data transfer, and accessory compatibility—bringing ecosystem coherence.
- Ceramic Shield Front Glass: Both devices use Apple’s Ceramic Shield for enhanced drop and scratch resistance—built with nano-ceramic crystals embedded in toughened glass to improve durability.
- IP68 Water Resistance: Built to last through spills, submersion, and dust exposure, both phones are certified to survive water depths up to 6 meters for up to 30 minutes—ideal for everyday resilience.
- Emergency SOS via Satellite: In case of emergencies with no cellular signal, both phones can connect to satellite networks to send SOS messages—offering peace of mind for off-grid adventures.
- MagSafe Compatibility: They both support Apple’s MagSafe ecosystem, enabling magnetic alignment for reliable wireless charging and easy attachment of accessories like wallets and mounts.
- Stereo Speakers: Both phones deliver true stereo sound with dual speakers placed at top and bottom, offering immersive audio for media playback and hands-free calls.
- eSIM Support: Apple’s eSIM technology is present on both, allowing for flexible and streamlined mobile service setup—no physical SIM tray necessary.
- Face ID Biometric Unlock: Both models utilize Face ID for secure, convenient unlocking and authentication—leveraging front-facing TrueDepth camera capabilities.
- 5G Connectivity: Built-in 5G allows both to tap into the fastest mobile data networks available, for smoother streaming, faster downloads, and enhanced performance on the go.
- NFC Support (Apple Pay etc.): Both support NFC, enabling functions like Apple Pay payments, pairing with accessories, and reading compatible RFID tags—enhancing convenience.
- Wireless Charging: MagSafe or Qi-compatible wireless chargers work seamlessly with either device—no need for cables when topping off battery life.
- Bluetooth (Latest Version): Both phones include the latest Bluetooth standard that was current at the time of their release, ensuring broad compatibility with audio devices, fitness trackers, and more.
- iOS Compatibility: Both models can run the latest version of iOS, benefiting from the same operating system features, updates, and ecosystem-learning advantages—ensuring long-term usability.
- ProRAW and ProRes Support: Both support Apple’s advanced photo and video formats (on models that support it), enabling greater creative control over high-resolution content and post-production workflows.
Common Features
| Feature | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 15 |
| OLED Display | Yes | Yes |
| Dynamic Island | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C Port | Yes | Yes |
| Ceramic Shield Front Glass | Yes | Yes |
| IP68 Water Resistance | Yes | Yes |
| Emergency SOS via Satellite | Yes | Yes |
| MagSafe Compatibility | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo Speakers | Yes | Yes |
| eSIM Support | Yes | Yes |
| Face ID Biometric Unlock | Yes | Yes |
| 5G Connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| NFC Support (Apple Pay etc.) | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth (latest version) | Yes | Yes |
| iOS Compatibility | Runs latest iOS | Runs latest iOS |
| ProRAW and ProRes Support | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Check iPhone 16 Plus Price | Check iPhone 15 Price |
FAQ
Is the iPhone 16 Plus faster than the iPhone 15? Do both models support Dynamic Island? What are the main camera differences between iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 15? Does the iPhone 16 Plus have better battery life? Are both phones water and dust resistant? Do the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 15 use USB-C charging? Does the iPhone 16 Plus have more RAM than the iPhone 15? Can both models use MagSafe accessories? Do the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 15 run the same iOS version? Does the iPhone 16 Plus support Apple Intelligence features? Do both phones support 5G connectivity? Is the display technology the same on both models? Do both iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 15 support Face ID? Are the color options different between the two models? Which one is better for long-term use, the iPhone 16 Plus or the iPhone 15? |
