Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14
iPhone 15 vs iPhone 16 Plus
iPhone 15 vs iPhone 16 Plus lines up the September 2023 iPhone 15 with the September 2024 iPhone 16 Plus. The spec score is a weighted share of comparable published rows. Manufacturer spec sheets are the source.
iPhone 16 Plus leads iPhone 15 vs iPhone 16 Plus on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on chip and battery.
Spec sheet
| Spec | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2556×1179, 460 ppi, 60Hz, 2,000 nits peakTie | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2796×1290, 460 ppi, 60Hz, 2,000 nits peakTie |
| Chip | A16 Bionic | A18Leads |
| Memory | Not published | Not published |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GBTie | 128GB, 256GB, 512GBTie |
| Camera hardware | 48MP f/1.6 main, 12MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality cropTie | 48MP Fusion main, 12MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality cropTie |
| Optical zoom | No optical telephotoTie | No optical telephotoTie |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Battery | up to 20 hours video playback | up to 27 hours video playbackLeads |
| Charging | 50% in about 30 minutes with a 20W or higher adapter. MagSafe up to 15WTie | 50% in about 30 minutes with a 20W or higher adapter. MagSafe up to 25WTie |
| Weight | 171 gLeads | 199 g |
| Water resistance | IP68Tie | IP68Tie |
| Software support | Apple does not publish a fixed OS support window | Apple does not publish a fixed OS support window |
| Launch price | $799 launch priceLeads | $899 launch price |
| Software | iOS 17 at launch | iOS 18 at launch |
| Biometrics | Face ID | Face ID |
| Connectivity | USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 | USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 |
Who should buy which
Choose the iPhone 15 if you want iOS 17 at launch. It leads on weight and launch price.
Choose the iPhone 16 Plus if you want iOS 18 at launch. It leads on chip and battery.
Questions
Which is better, iPhone 15 or iPhone 16 Plus?
iPhone 16 Plus leads iPhone 15 vs iPhone 16 Plus on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on chip and battery.
iPhone 15 vs iPhone 16 Plus: which has the better battery?
iPhone 16 Plus leads on battery. iPhone 15: up to 20 hours video playback. iPhone 16 Plus: up to 27 hours video playback.
iPhone 15 vs iPhone 16 Plus: which has the better camera?
iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 Plus tie on camera hardware. iPhone 15: 48MP f/1.6 main, 12MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality crop. iPhone 16 Plus: 48MP Fusion main, 12MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality crop. This rank is hardware class, not a photo lab test.
What did iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 Plus cost at launch?
iPhone 15 leads on launch price. iPhone 15: $799 launch price. iPhone 16 Plus: $899 launch price.
Sources
- Apple iPhone 15 technical specifications
- Apple iPhone 16 Plus technical specifications