comparison and complete list of differences

Apple released its new iPhone 16 (and its 16 Plus version) in September 2024. The Apple brand has kept the iPhone 15 and iPhone 14 on shelves to give buyers two more financially accessible choices. The iPhone 14 was however released in 2022 and Tim Cook could have retired it in 2024, leaving only the iPhone 15 and SE as alternatives to the iPhone 16. But here it is still present, and especially at a reduced price . We have already listed the differences between iPhone 16 and iPhone 14 there. As part of this comparison, let’s take a look at its successor, the iPhone 15, in order to see how it differs from the iPhone 16 which is supposed to be the same. more powerful of the two.

iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15 in summary:

• Autonomy: improved for 16 vs 15
  
• “Fusion” sensor: at the back with a 48 Mpx ultra-wide angle on the 16/16 Plus
  
• Apple Intelligence : an iPhone 16 and 16 Plus exclusive
  
• Camera control button: another new feature absent from the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus
  
• Rear camera: square block with blunt corners for the iPhone 15, smaller block with vertically positioned sensors for the iPhone 16

Design and housing

Finishes

• iPhone 16 and 16 Plus: 5 finishes, Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, White and Black
• iPhone 15 and 15 Plus: 5 finishes, Pink, Yellow, Green, Blue and Black

Note the arrival of less bold colors with the iPhone 16. Green is replaced by a “Teal” color while blue becomes “Outremarine”. For the rest, yellow disappears in favor of white, although it is known to be particularly sensitive to fingerprints.

Material

• iPhone 16 and 16 Plus: aluminum housing with tinted glass back, second generation Ceramic Shield front
• iPhone 15 and 15 Plus: aluminum housing with glass back, first generation Ceramic Shield front

The iPhone 16 body is announced as much more durable than older smartphonesparticularly with the arrival of the new generation Ceramic Shield. As a reminder, this protective layer arrived on the iPhone 12.

Rear camera

• iPhone 16 and 16 Plus: camera block with 2 lenses, placed in a square with blunt corners
• iPhone 15 and 15 Plus: camera block with 2 lenses, positioned one below the other

The camera block is a little more discreet on iPhone 16 than on iPhone 15.

Dimensions

• iPhone 16 : 147.6mm high, 71.6mm wide and 7.8mm thick
• iPhone 15 : 147.6mm high, 71.6mm wide and 7.8mm thick
• iPhone 16 Plus : 160.9mm high, 77.8mm wide and 7.8mm thick
• iPhone 15 Plus : 160.9mm high, 77.8mm wide and 7.8mm thick

Weight

• iPhone 16 : 170 g
• iPhone 15 : 171 g
• iPhone 16 Plus : 199 g
• iPhone 15 Plus : 201 g

Internal components: the match

Chip

• iPhone 16 and 16 Plus: A18 engraved in 3nm with 6-core CPU (2 high-performance cores clocked at 4.04 GHz and 4 low-consumption clock frequency cores, 4 low-consumption cores clocked at 2.2 GHz), 5-core GPU, Neural 16-core engine
• iPhone 15 and 15 Plus: A16 Bionic engraved in 4nm with 6-core CPU (2 high-performance cores clocked at 3.46 GHz and 4 low-consumption cores clocked at 2.02 GHz), 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine

RAM

• iPhone 16 and 16 Plus: 8 Go to RAM
• iPhone 15 and 15 Plus: 6 Go to RAM

Screen

iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 have a screen that is almost identical in every way, even diagonally (6.1″ for the classic version, 6.7″ for the Plus version). The only difference is that the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus panel has better minimum brightness. It is only 1 nit. This should make a big difference when waking up or in very dark environments. This new feature has been awaited for years by the Apple public.

Wi-Fi and wireless

• iPhone 16 and 16 Plus: Wi-Fi 7, Thread network compatibility
• iPhone 14 and 14 Plus: Wi-Fi 6

iPhone 16 or 15, which one takes the most beautiful photographs?

Rear camera

As specified above in the “Design” section, the iPhone 16 has a new design for its camera, with the two sensors aligned vertically rather than positioned staggered on the iPhone 15. With this arrangement reminiscent of the iPhone X and XS, Apple launches the “Camera Fusion” allowing the taking of spatial photos and videos. For lenses, the ultra-wide angle is now entitled to a maximum resolution of 48 Mpxcompared to 12 Mpx on the iPhone 15.

The iPhone 16 also has a better opening (ƒ/2.2) against f/2.4 on the iPhone 15. In addition to spatial photos and videos, macro mode is arriving on the iPhone 16.

The camera control button

Finally, the big news of this iPhone 16 is the arrival of the camera control button. The latter allows you to launch the camera with a single click. You can slide your finger across the button to change the shooting settings. Apple allows you to adjust the zoom, exposure and even the filters used to take a photo. A long press can also launch a video.

This functionality should make it possible to take photos more “simply” according to Apple. It is of particular interest to users who like to use their smartphone as a camera. However, you need some knowledge to be able to dive into these settings with mastery.

And on video?

Regarding video, the main differences are found in the arrival of space videos and a macro mode (with the possibility of slow motion or fast motion.) Apple has also worked on sound capture. Intelligent wind noise reduction is coming to iPhone 16.

Once the video is taken, it is possible to edit the audio with the audio mix functionality.

Autonomy and recharging

Autonomy

Recharge

Prix (2024)

The prices are the same between the two iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 ranges, on their release date, within one or two euros.

iPhone 16 :

• 128 Go : 969 €
• 256 Go : 1 099 €
• 512 Go : 1 349 €

iPhone 16 Plus :

• 128 Go : 1 119 €
• 256 Go : 1 249 €
• 512 Go : 1 499 €

iPhone 15 :

• 128 Go : 970,95 €
• 256 Go : 1 100,95 €
• 512 Go : 1 350,95 €

iPhone 15 Plus :

• 128 Go : 1 120,95 €
• 256 Go : 1 250,95 €
• 512 Go : 1 500,95 €

Bonus : Apple Intelligence

The advantage of the iPhone 16 is mainly with the integration of the big new thing for 2024 on the iOS side: Apple Intelligence. Apple’s in-house AI works on the iPhone 16 as well as this year’s and last year’s Pro models. The iPhone 15 is the first loser in a long list. In several interviews, Apple executives explained that the introduction of Apple Intelligence in the iPhone 15 (and earlier models) was not possible for performance reasons. The A16 Bionic chip was not able to underpin such technology locally.

The features found on the iPhone 15 and 16

iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15: who emerges victorious from the duel?

Best in photo, raw power, video, battery life, features (Action and camera buttons, and with Apple Intelligence support), the iPhone 16s are a step ahead of the iPhone 15s. But do these differences merit another checkout? Just one year after purchasing an iPhone 15?

If the answer to this question is yours, we would tend to advise an iPhone 15 owner to stay on their machine. If, on the other hand, you have an older iPhone and you are hesitating between the 15 and 16, the €130 difference between these two models should not be an obstacle.

The iPhone 16 is the first of a new erathat of Apple Intelligence. It will take years before it becomes obsolete on the Cupertino side. The iPhone 15, for its part, concludes a cycle. It is a good option only if the price screen between the two devices is significant, and therefore, if you find it at a preferential price as part of a special promotion or a refurbished/second-hand offer.

The prices displayed by Apple on its online store do not seem interesting enough to us to give interest to the iPhone 15 compared to the iPhone 16 today.

Where to buy the iPhone 16?

However, you could find good deals with the iPhone 15. Don’t hesitate to take a look at our comparison below. The latter brings together the best offers for this model. With already a year under its belt, the iPhone 15 can often be found on sale.

For the iPhone 16, our pricing chart may be even more one to watch. Apple will not be discounting this model until the iPhone 17 is released, so any discount available from one of these third-party sellers is a godsend. Don’t hesitate to keep an eye on these prices, especially during annual reduction periods, to sniff out a good deal.