Apple iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 15: With the release of the iPhone 16 series, many Apple enthusiasts are wondering how it compares to its predecessor, the iPhone 15. Let’s dive into the key differences and improvements to help you decide if upgrading is worth it for you.
Design and Durability
At first glance, the iPhone 16 looks nearly identical to the iPhone 15. Both phones share the same dimensions (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm), with the iPhone 16 being just 1 gram lighter at 170g. However, Apple claims the new model features improved durability thanks to a new generation of Ceramic Shield front glass, said to be 50% tougher than the previous version.
The most noticeable design changes are two new buttons on the iPhone 16: the Action key, previously exclusive to Pro models, and a new Camera Control button. These additions offer more customization and ease of use for photography enthusiasts.
Display: Same Quality, Slight Brightness Boost
Both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 feature a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 1179×2556 pixels. The screens are nearly identical in terms of quality and capabilities, including HDR support and high brightness levels. However, our tests showed the iPhone 16’s display is slightly brighter by about 50 nits, which may not be noticeable in everyday use.
Battery Life and Charging
The iPhone 16 comes with a slightly larger battery (3,561 mAh) compared to the iPhone 15 (3,349 mAh). Combined with the more efficient A18 chipset and iOS 18 optimizations, this results in noticeably improved battery life. The iPhone 16 offers about 7 hours more talk time, 4 more hours of web browsing, and 1.5 hours extra video streaming compared to its predecessor.
Charging speeds remain similar for both models when using wired charging, with both devices reaching about 85% charge in an hour using a 45W charger. The iPhone 16, however, supports faster wireless charging (up to 25W) with the new MagSafe charger, compared to the iPhone 15’s 15W limit.
Performance Boost
One of the biggest upgrades in the iPhone 16 is the new Apple A18 chipset. This second-generation 3nm chip offers significant performance improvements over the A16 found in the iPhone 15. In benchmark tests, the A18 CPU scored about 20% higher than the A16, while GPU performance saw improvements between 30% and 60% depending on the test.
The A18 also comes with 8GB of RAM, up from 6GB in the iPhone 15, which should help with multitasking and app performance. Gamers will appreciate that the iPhone 16 can now run high-end games that were incompatible with the iPhone 15.
Camera Enhancements
The main camera setup on the iPhone 16 is largely similar to the iPhone 15, featuring a 48MP main sensor with optical image stabilization. The selfie camera also remains unchanged with its 12MP sensor and autofocus capabilities.
The most significant camera upgrade is the new ultrawide lens. While still 12MP, it now has a brighter f/2.2 aperture and, most importantly, autofocus. This allows the ultrawide camera to double as a macro lens for close-up shots, a feature not available on the iPhone 15.
In terms of image quality, daylight photos from the main camera are virtually identical between the two models. However, the iPhone 16’s improved ultrawide camera shows its strengths in low-light conditions, producing brighter images with more detail and less noise.
Video capabilities have also been enhanced on the iPhone 16, with new studio-grade microphones for better audio quality and support for spatial video and audio recording. However, the overall video quality from all cameras remains similar to the iPhone 15.
New Features and Future-Proofing
The iPhone 16 introduces some features that may become more valuable in the future. The new A18 chip includes an improved Neural Processing Unit (NPU) that scores about twice as high as the one in the iPhone 15. This paves the way for enhanced AI capabilities, which Apple plans to introduce with its “Apple Intelligence” features (though these will initially be unavailable in the EU and China).
The new Camera Control button on the iPhone 16 is another noteworthy addition. It’s a physical button that not only responds to presses but also incorporates touch and swipe interactions, offering more versatile camera controls.
Is It Worth Upgrading?
The decision to upgrade from an iPhone 15 to an iPhone 16 ultimately depends on your needs and budget. Here are some key points to consider:
1. If you’re a heavy user who values battery life, the iPhone 16’s improvements in this area might be worth the upgrade.
2. Gamers and power users will appreciate the performance boost from the A18 chip and increased RAM.
3. Photography enthusiasts might find value in the improved ultrawide camera with macro capabilities and the new Camera Control button.
4. If you’re excited about potential AI features and want to future-proof your device, the iPhone 16’s improved NPU could be a deciding factor.
5. For most average users, the differences in day-to-day use between the iPhone 15 and 16 may not be significant enough to justify the upgrade, especially considering the price difference.
It’s worth noting that the iPhone 15 is now about €200 cheaper than the iPhone 16, which starts at €949. If you’re on a budget and don’t need the latest features, the iPhone 15 still offers excellent performance and capabilities at a more attractive price point.
In conclusion, while the iPhone 16 is objectively the better phone with its improved performance, battery life, and camera capabilities, the iPhone 15 remains a solid choice that can provide a similar user experience for most tasks. Your decision should be based on your specific needs, budget, and how much you value the latest features and potential future capabilities.