Category Breakdown
Apple iPhone 15
Apple iPhone 16
Performance
90.288.2
Camera
98.598.5
Display
91.591.2
Battery
86.887.4
Build
93.193.8
Connectivity
85.586.2
Audio
87.687.6
Overall
87.689.1
Summary
- The Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 share a similar build quality with glass front and back, aluminum frames, and identical dimensions, but the iPhone 16 is slightly lighter at 170g.
- Both models feature a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with the same resolution and refresh rate, though the iPhone 16 supports tri-band WiFi 7 compared to the iPhone 15's WiFi 6.
- Performance-wise, the iPhone 16 is equipped with the newer A18 chipset, providing enhanced processing power and efficiency over the A16 in the iPhone 15.
- Camera specifications are largely similar, with both offering a 48 MP main sensor, but the iPhone 16 has a slightly improved ultrawide lens.
- The iPhone 16 also boasts a larger battery capacity of 3561 mAh compared to the iPhone 15's 3349 mAh, potentially offering better battery life.
- Both devices run on iOS, with the iPhone 16 launching with iOS 18, while the iPhone 15 initially operates on iOS 17.
Side-by-side Specification Comparison
Apple iPhone 15
Apple iPhone 16
General
Release Date
2023, September 12
2024, September 09
Announced
2023, September 12
2024, September 09
Description
Versions: A3090 (International); A2846 (USA); A3089 (Canada, Japan); A3092 (China, Hong Kong)
Versions: A3287 (International); A3081 (USA); A3286 (Middle East, Canada, Mexico); A3288 (China, Hong Kong)
Display
Size
6.1"
6.1"
Type
Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (HBM), 2000 nits (peak)
Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)
Resolution
1179 x 2556 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~461 ppi density)
1179 x 2556 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
PPI
1179
1179
Refresh Rate
60Hz
60Hz
HDR Support
✓
✓
Protection
Ceramic Shield glass
Ceramic Shield glass (2024 gen)
Performance
Chipset
Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm)
Apple A18 (3 nm)
CPU
Hexa-core (2x3.46 GHz Everest + 4x2.02 GHz Sawtooth)
Hexa-core (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.20 GHz)
GPU
Apple GPU (5-core graphics)
Apple GPU (5-core graphics)
Memory
128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM
128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
Expandable Storage
✗
✗
Card Slot
No
No
Camera
Main Camera
48 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS12 MP, f/2.4, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 0.7µm
48 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF
Main Camera Features
Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)
Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)
Front Camera
12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAFSL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAFSL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Front Camera Features
HDR, Dolby Vision HDR
HDR, Dolby Vision HDR, 3D (spatial) audio, stereo sound rec.
Video Recording
4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), stereo sound rec.
4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), stereo sound rec.
Selfie Video
4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Optical Stabilization
✓
✓
Night Mode
✗
✗
Raw Photo Support
✗
✗
Battery
Capacity
3349 mAh
3561 mAh
Battery Details
Li-Ion 3349 mAh
Li-Ion 3561 mAh
Charging Details
Wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min15W wireless (MagSafe)15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 update4.5W reverse wired
Wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min25W wireless (MagSafe), 15W wireless (China only)15W wireless (Qi2)4.5W reverse wired
Fast Charging
✗
✗
Wireless Charging
✓
✓
Build & Safety
Dimensions
147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm (5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 in)
147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm (5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 in)
Weight
171 g
170 g
Materials
Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Colors
Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink
Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine
Foldable
✗
✗
SAR
1.12 W/kg (head) 1.14 W/kg (body)
1.08 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body)
Connectivity
SIM
Nano-SIM +eSIM+ eSIM (max 2 at a time; International)eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA)Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China)
Nano-SIM +eSIM+ eSIM (max 2 at a time; International)eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA)Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China)
Network
GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Network Speed
HSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
HSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
5G
✓
✓
4G
✓
✓
WiFi
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, tri-band, hotspot
Bluetooth
5.3, A2DP, LE
5.3, A2DP, LE
NFC
✓
✓
USB
USB Type-C 2.0, DisplayPort
USB Type-C 2.0, DisplayPort
IR Blaster
✗
✗
Headphone Jack
✗
✗
Radio
✗
✗
Positioning
GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
Audio
Stereo Speakers
✓
✓
Loudspeaker
Yes, with stereo speakers
Yes, with stereo speakers
Audio Jack
No
No
Software & Security
Operating System
iOS 17, upgradable to iOS 18.5
iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 18.5
Fingerprint
✗
✗
Face Unlock
✓
✓
Sensors
Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer

