Apple just dropped the iPhone 16 series worldwide, packing some slick new ‘Apple Intelligence’ features. The camera setup on the regular models got a makeover, and the body looks a tad slimmer too. So, we couldn’t resist throwing it into the ring with its predecessor—the iPhone 15. Curious to see how the iPhone 16 measures up? We’ve stacked both phones side by side, breaking down their specs and features to know which one takes the crown. Let’s get into it!
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15: Specifications at Glance
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4.6 ★
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4.6 ★
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₹ 79,900
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₹ 63,999
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| Expert Score | 8.8/10 by Expert | 8.4/10 by Expert |
| Processor | Apple A18 | Apple A16 Bionic |
| Display | 6.1″ (15.49 cm) 60Hz Display | 6.1″ (15.49 cm) 60Hz Display |
| Rear Camera | 48+12 MP Rear | 48+12 MP Rear |
| Front Camera | 12 MP Front | 12 MP Front |
| RAM & Storage | 8 GB RAM 128 GB Storage | 6 GB RAM 128 GB Storage |
| Battery | 3561 mAh 20W Charging | 3349 mAh 20W Charging |
| OS | iOS v18 | iOS v17 |
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15: Price in India
| Smartphone | Configuration | Price | Availability |
| iPhone 16 | 128GB | Rs 79,900 | Apple.in |
| 256GB | Rs 89,900 | ||
| 512GB | Rs 1,09,900 | ||
| iPhone 15 | 128GB | Rs 69,900 | Apple.in, Amazon and Flipkart |
| 256GB | Rs 79,900 | ||
| 512GB | Rs 99,900 |
The iPhone 16 comes with a Rs 10,000 premium over the iPhone 15. Both models offer the same storage options, so if you’re not willing to splurge extra, the iPhone 15 is a solid pick at a friendlier price point. Right now, you can snag the iPhone 16 exclusively on Apple’s website, while the iPhone 15 is easily up for grabs on Amazon and Flipkart.
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15: Design and Build
- The iPhone 16 sports a flat design with rounded edges, making it stand out from the usual lineup. Apple has brought back the camera module seen in the iPhone X or 11. With a glass back and aluminium frames, it comes in five shades: Black, White, Pink, Teal, and Ultramarine. It’s IP68-rated and tips the scales at 170 grams.
- The iPhone 15 follows the same flat design with rounded edges, but the camera module on the back is diagonal. It features a glass back with aluminium frames and comes in Black, Blue, Pink, Yellow, and Green. This one’s IP68-rated and weighs 171 grams.
Both phones may share a similar design, but their camera setups are different. If you want a piece of nostalgia and the vibrant colours are your vibe, you can go for the iPhone 16 but if the iPhone 15 design suits you, you can opt for the older option. They’re both IP68 rated, but the iPhone 16 shaves off 1 gram for a slightly lighter feel.
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15: Display
- The iPhone 16 has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen featuring a 461 ppi density, a 60Hz refresh rate, 2000 nits of peak brightness, HDR10, and Ceramic Shield Glass.
- The iPhone 15 has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen with a 461 ppi density, a 60Hz refresh rate, and 2000 nits of peak brightness, HDR10, and Ceramic Shield Glass.
When it comes to displays, both iPhones are pretty much on par. A 120Hz refresh rate on the iPhone 16 would have been a nice upgrade, though. So, either option will serve you well in the display department.
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15: Performance
- The iPhone 16 is powered by the Apple A18 SoC, built on a 3nm process. It features an Apple GPU (5-core graphics), and up to 512GB of storage.
- The iPhone 15 is powered by the Apple A16 Bionic SoC, built on a 4nm process. It features an Apple GPU (5-core graphics), and up to 512GB of storage.
The iPhones are powered by different Bionic chipsets: the iPhone 16 boasts a 3nm process, whereas the iPhone 15 runs on a 4nm process. While the iPhone 16 might have the upper hand on paper, we’ll put both devices through benchmark tests and real-world usage scenarios. So, stay tuned for that.
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15: Software
- The iPhone 16 runs iOS 18. The brand hasn’t made any statements about how many years of updates this model will receive.
- The iPhone 15 ships with iOS 17 but is eligible to get iOS 18 in the coming days.
While both phones are eligible for iOS 18, there’s one major difference. The iPhone 16 will get the Apple Intelligence features, and therefore, holds the upper hand.
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15: Cameras
- The iPhone 16 boasts a 48MP wide camera with an f/1.6 aperture at the back and a 12MP ultra-wide camera with an f/2.2 aperture. It boasts a 12MP selfie camera with an f/1.9 aperture.
- The iPhone 15 also features a 48MP wide camera with an f/1.6 aperture at the back and a 12MP ultra-wide camera with an f/2.4 aperture. It features a 12MP selfie camera with an f/1.9 aperture.
Both iPhones sport a similar camera configuration, though the aperture of the ultra-wide camera on the iPhone 16 differs slightly from that on the iPhone 15. In general, both phones appear to deliver solid camera performance.
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15: Battery and Charging
- Apple hasn’t mentioned the battery capacity of the iPhone 16, however it supports 25W charging.
- The iPhone 15 packs a 3349mAh battery and a 20W charger.
We don’t have specifics on the battery capacity of the iPhone 16 at the moment, but it’s possible that it could outperform the iPhone 15. For now, we can’t make a clear call on which is superior or if they’re on par. We’ll update this section as soon as more details come in.
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15: Verdict
The iPhone 16 brings a fresh design, attractive colour options, Apple Intelligence, and impressive cameras. Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 features a distinct design that might appeal to some, performs admirably, and boasts excellent cameras.
If having the latest features is important to you, the iPhone 16 is the way to go. However, if you’re not keen on spending an extra Rs 10,000 just for Apple Intelligence, the iPhone 15 remains a strong choice in 2024.
