iPhone 15 Plus & iPhone 16e 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 15 Plus rather than the iPhone 16e.
Why Do I Recommend The iPhone 15 Plus?
- The iPhone 15 Plus has a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display for a larger and more immersive viewing experience when watching videos or gaming, whereas the iPhone 16e has a smaller 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display.
- iPhone 15 Plus has a 2000-nit peak outdoor brightness for better visibility under direct sunlight, whereas the iPhone 16e features a lower 800-nit brightness.
- It has a higher resolution 2796 × 1290 display for sharper details in images and text, whereas the iPhone 16e uses a 2556 × 1179 resolution display.
- The iPhone 15 Plus features a dual-camera system with a 48 MP wide lens and a 12 MP ultra-wide lens for more versatile photography, while the iPhone 16e has only a single 48 MP wide camera with fewer framing choices.
- iPhone 15 Plus includes a higher-capacity 4,383 mAh battery that supports longer usage during heavy tasks like video streaming and GPS navigation, whereas the iPhone 16e has a smaller 3,861 mAh battery.
- It features a Dynamic Island interface for live notifications, multitasking, and real-time activity tracking, while the iPhone 16e uses a traditional notch design with less interactive functionality.
- The iPhone 15 Plus supports MagSafe charging and accessories for faster wireless charging speeds and easier magnetic alignment, while the iPhone 16e supports only standard Qi wireless charging without magnetic attachment.
- iPhone 15 Plus has mmWave 5G connectivity for faster speeds in supported regions and improved signal in dense urban areas, whereas the iPhone 16e uses the Apple C1 modem without mmWave support.
- It includes Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology for precise location tracking and seamless integration with AirTags and HomePod handoff, while the iPhone 16e lacks UWB support.
Maybe the iPhone 16e price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the iPhone 15 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 15 Plus | iPhone 16e |
| Display size | 6.7-inch | 6.1-inch |
| Display shape | Dynamic Island | Notch |
| MagSafe support | Yes | No |
| Modem | Qualcomm | Apple C1 |
| UWB support | Yes | No |
| Rear camera setup | Dual | Single 48 MP Fusion |
| Action Button / Mute switch | Mute switch | Action Button |
| Camera Control button | Yes | No |
| Wireless charging standard | MagSafe + Qi | Qi only |
| Battery capacity estimate | ~4350 mAh | ~4005 mAh |
| Battery life | Standard | Up to 26 h video playback |
| Weight | ~201 g | ~167 g |
| Form factor | Larger slate | More compact slate |
| mmWave 5G | Yes | No |
| Wi-Fi version | Wi-Fi standard | Wi-Fi 6 tr-band |
| Audio features (Spatial, etc.) | Standard | Spatial Audio, Wind-noise reduction, Audio-mix |
| Water resistance rating | IP68 | IP68 up to 6 m for 30 min |
| Price | Check iPhone 15 Plus Price | Check iPhone 16e Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- OLED Display: Both phones use Super Retina XDR OLED technology, providing rich colors and deep contrast for an enhanced viewing experience.
- Front Camera: Both include a 12 MP TrueDepth front camera, enabling Face ID and high-quality selfies with advanced portrait effects.
- Rear Camera: Both come with a 48 MP Fusion main sensor, delivering detailed photos and stable video recording in different lighting conditions.
- Display Refresh Rate: Both feature a 60 Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and consistent performance for everyday use.
- Pixel Density: Both achieve around 460 ppi pixel density, offering sharp text and clear images on the display.
- HDR and True Tone: Both support HDR and True Tone, adjusting brightness and color temperature for more natural and comfortable viewing.
- USB-C Charging: Both are equipped with a USB-C port, simplifying connectivity and charging across Apple and non-Apple accessories.
- Wireless Charging: Both support Qi wireless charging, allowing cable-free convenience on compatible charging pads.
- Water and Dust Resistance: Both carry an IP68 rating, ensuring protection against spills, splashes, and submersion in water.
- Dual SIM Support: Both allow Nano-SIM and eSIM configurations, giving flexibility for multiple numbers or travel use.
- 5G Connectivity: Both support 5G networks, ensuring faster download speeds and lower latency.
- Bluetooth: Both are equipped with Bluetooth 5.3, providing stable wireless connections for audio and accessories.
- Wi-Fi: Both support Wi-Fi 6, ensuring reliable internet speeds and smoother streaming experiences.
- Face ID: Both include Face ID recognition, offering secure and fast biometric unlocking.
- Stereo Speakers: Both have stereo speaker systems, delivering louder and more immersive sound for media and calls.
- Battery Type: Both use Li-ion batteries, balancing performance, lifespan, and efficiency.
- Crash Detection: Both include crash detection, automatically alerting emergency services in case of a severe accident.
- Accelerometer: Both use an accelerometer sensor, detecting motion and enabling step counting and orientation functions.
- Gyroscope: Both include a gyroscope sensor, supporting features like gaming motion control and AR apps.
- Proximity Sensor: Both have a proximity sensor, dimming the display when held near the ear to prevent accidental touches.
Common Features
| Feature | iPhone 15 Plus | iPhone 16e |
| OLED display technology | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Front camera resolution | 12 MP TrueDepth | 12 MP TrueDepth |
| Rear camera main sensor | 48 MP Fusion | 48 MP Fusion |
| Display refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Resolution pixel density | ~460 ppi | ~460 ppi |
| HDR and True Tone support | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C charging port | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Dust and water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dual SIM capability | Nano-SIM + eSIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM (varies by region) |
| 5G connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Wi-Fi capabilities | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Face ID | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo speakers | Yes | Yes |
| Li-ion battery | Yes | Yes |
| iOS version support | Ships with iOS 17, upgradeable | Ships with iOS 18.3, upgradeable |
| Crash detection | Yes | Yes |
| Accelerometer sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Gyroscope sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Ambient light sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Proximity sensor | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C (same universal port) | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Check iPhone 15 Plus Price | Check iPhone 16e Price |
FAQ
What display technology do both the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 16e use? Do both models support Face ID? What is the resolution of the front camera on both devices? Do the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 16e have the same rear camera resolution? Are both phones equipped with the same water and dust resistance? Do the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 16e use USB-C ports? Can both phones charge wirelessly? Do both models feature stereo speakers? Is Bluetooth connectivity the same in both models? Do both the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 16e support 5G networks? Do both models support Wi-Fi 6? Do both devices use the same type of battery? Do both phones come with safety features like crash detection? Are common sensors the same in both models? Will both models receive long-term iOS updates? |