Apple launched its latest lineup of iPhones just lately, and it’s time to decide. It’s possible you’ll be considering one in every of two questions: Both you have already got the iPhone 15 and also you’re questioning if the iPhone 16 is definitely worth the improve; or, since Apple nonetheless sells the iPhone 15, you need a new iPhone basically and also you wish to evaluate the 2. Each are very affordable situations. When trying on the iPhone 15 versus iPhone 16, there’s so much to learn about each gadgets.
iphone 15-vs-iphone 16-Evaluate-2024
One key factor to notice is that Apple has a historical past of supporting its iPhones for a very long time. Not solely are assist choices accessible for older iPhones, however Apple tends to maintain its telephones updated with the most recent software program for a few years. Must you determine to go together with the iPhone 15, you’ll nonetheless have fairly a number of software program upgrades in your future.
However the iPhone 16 bought plenty of upgrades over its predecessor, together with two new buttons, and naturally, that’s not one thing any quantity of software program upgrades could make up for. So, do you have to get the most recent and biggest from Apple, or do you have to avoid wasting money and go together with final yr’s iPhone 15? Right here’s what it is advisable know.
iPhone 15 Vs. iPhone 16: Design
Shut, However Some New Options Could Sway You
The iPhone 15 and the iPhone 16 have a number of options in widespread together with the very same top, very shut weight (lower than .1 ounces) and related display screen dimension. Once I examined each cameras, the photographs seemed shut intimately and high quality. Apple says it modified up the {hardware} and picture pipeline. On paper, they each have a 48MP most important digital camera, 12MP ultrawide digital camera, and 12MP selfie digital camera. The iPhone 16’s ultrawide digital camera has autofocus, which implies higher macro photographs—one thing the iPhone 15 doesn’t have.
The iPhone 15, left, and the iPhone 16, proper, look almost an identical. Notice the digital camera design that … [+]
You’ll be able to nonetheless purchase the identical storage configurations from 128GB all the way in which as much as 512GB. In addition they each have plenty of the identical specs relating to Bluetooth, NFC and the like, although the iPhone 16 provides Wi-Fi 7 compatibility. Notably, each telephones even have USB-C ports for charging and knowledge, and each telephones have the dynamic island surrounding the selfie digital camera/Face ID sensors. These had been each huge differentiators between the iPhone 14 versus iPhone 15.
iPhone 15 Vs. iPhone 16: Motion Button
It Makes A Distinction—If You Plan To Use It
The iPhone 15 sacrificed the Motion button to the Professional customers—however that’s now not the case. This yr, all 4 iPhone fashions bought the Motion Button, which is an enormous win for non-pro customers. The Motion Button lets you set off sure actions with the press of a devoted, programmable button.
It’s price noting that the consumer interface the place you choose your motion is wholly distinctive from all the pieces else Apple has to supply, and it feels odd. However you may choose the flashlight, a voice recorder or some other of a few dozen actions that may be paired to the button. But it surely will get much more versatile whenever you affiliate the button with a shortcut.
It is troublesome to inform the iPhone 15 versus the iPhone 16 aside at first look. After testing, … [+]
You’ll be able to configure shortcuts to launch a menu of actions, and even customise the motion that occurs primarily based on what Focus Mode you’re in. It’s fairly cool, and I personally discover it an ideal addition to the iPhone 16 that the iPhone 15 doesn’t have.
iPhone 15 Vs. iPhone 16: Digicam Management
It (Lastly) Comes To Non-Professional iPhones
The iPhone 16 gives Digicam Management, a further button that provides you full management over your digital camera. A single press launches the digital camera, no matter what app you’re at present utilizing on the cellphone. A second press of the button captures a photograph. Press and maintain, and you may seize a video; this shaves valuable seconds off your response time from grabbing a shot on the fly.
As soon as launched, you may slide your finger over the capacitive button to regulate settings within the digital camera akin to zoom stage, photographic types, depth of discipline and extra. The gestures concerned take some getting used to. A double half-press of the button helps you to change what the Digicam management adjusts.
The brand new iPhone 16 is available in jewel tones this yr.
For most individuals, the one press to launch the digital camera and the one press to seize can be sufficient to optimize the digital camera expertise. Those that take the time to be taught what Digicam Management can even do will get much more worth apart from. However once more, that is solely on the iPhone 16 fashions—not the iPhone 15. When you can stay with out this button, then you definately received’t care in case your system doesn’t include this particular characteristic.
iPhone 15 Vs. iPhone 16: Reminiscence And Processor
Two Large Inside Upgrades
Apple additionally made two huge modifications to the internals of the iPhone 16 in comparison with its predecessor. Notably, the incoming iPhone 16 will get 8GB RAM over the 6GB that ships with the iPhone 15. Additionally, the iPhone 16 ships with an A18 bionic processor which is 2 generations newer than the A16 bionic that ships within the iPhone 15.
So, what does this all imply? For the typical consumer, it doesn’t imply a complete lot. You’ll be able to launch apps somewhat sooner, and you may launch extra apps. For avid gamers and people doing heavier duties like video modifying and conversions, these upgrades can be extra noticeable. However, most individuals will agree that is an general quality-of-life/future-proofing enchancment that we will all get on board with, particularly for the reason that new iPhone has the identical price ticket because the iPhone 15 had final yr.
Minor Enhancements In The Digicam And Battery
You’ll wish to think about a number of different minor factors when deciding in your subsequent base mannequin. The iPhone 16 has a bigger battery than its predecessor—roughly about 6.5% bigger. That doesn’t essentially translate into an extended lasting cellphone by itself, however the A18 bionic professor is extra environment friendly, so between the 2, Apple says you must get an additional hour or two of video streaming. Okay, that’s good—nevertheless it’s not an enormous sport changer, because the battery on the iPhone 15 is already fairly highly effective.
Additionally, as I discussed earlier than, Apple added autofocus to the ultrawide digital camera which helps with macro images. When you’re the sort to seize closeups of flowers, or bugs—or bugs on flowers—that’s a pleasant characteristic to have. But when not, you’re in all probability not going to note that distinction. Each of these are minor bumps over the iPhone 15, however they’re nonetheless price mentioning.
iPhone 15 Vs. iPhone 16: Verdict
Collective Enhancements
The iPhone 16 is without doubt one of the largest collective enhancements of 1 era of iPhone over its predecessor is current reminiscence. Apple added two complete buttons to this new cellphone—that’s not one thing to ignore. Each of these buttons convey a ton of worth to the consumer expertise. Add within the processor and reminiscence upgrades and is all that definitely worth the $100 premium you’ll pay for the iPhone 16?
That’s the query you’ll must reply for your self, nevertheless it feels a bit like a no brainer. There are such a lot of upgrades right here, the additional price simply justifies itself. As for whether or not you must improve out of your iPhone 15 to an iPhone 16, that’s the place it will get a bit extra difficult.
When you’re going to make that bounce, do it for the brand new buttons. Digicam Management and the Motion button add plenty of worth to the on a regular basis iPhone expertise, however the remainder of it’s one thing you already personal 90% of. The reply to that query appears to come back again to what sort of trade-in provide you may get or how a lot you may promote the iPhone 15 for. iPhones are inclined to have superb resale worth, so that you would possibly solely find yourself paying an additional $200 of your individual cash to get these upgrades. That is nonetheless a tad steep, however not as bas as shopping for a brand new iPhone 16 outright.
When you have a selection, and you’ve got the finances, get the iPhone 16—no query. If you have already got the iPhone 15, you’re in all probability tremendous so skip this one.
My Experience
I’m a Chicago-based freelance reviewer and have been writing about client electronics for over a decade with a selected concentrate on cell phones and mobile know-how together with the beginning of 5G. I’ve additionally examined most smartphones in the marketplace during the last a number of years, together with the Google Pixel 8 Pro. I even have in contrast prime gadgets, from the Oneplus 12 versus the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra to the iPhone 14 versus iPhone 15. And, in fact, I’ve examined every cellphone’s software program, evaluating Android versus iPhone that will help you make knowledgeable shopping for selections.
Once I’m not testing the most recent and biggest flagship telephones, I’m internet hosting the Benefit of the Doud podcast/YouTube channel with my co-host Clifton M. Thomas and modifying know-how information articles for SlashGear. Along with Forbes and SlashGear, I’ve bylines at Android Central, Reviewed.com, Android Authority, Lifewire and extra.
