Apple iPhone 15 Plus vs Apple iPhone 16 Plus
The Verdict
Both phones share the same $899 price point and 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED displays, but iPhone 16 Plus delivers meaningful upgrades. Performance improvements come via the A18 chipset paired with 8GB RAM (versus A16 Bionic with 6GB), providing noticeably faster processing and better multitasking. Battery capacity increases from 4383mAh to 4674mAh, while wireless charging jumps to 25W MagSafe versus 15W. Wi-Fi 7 connectivity and iOS 18 further future-proof the newer model. Camera systems remain identical across both generations. Weight reduction of 2 grams provides marginal real-world benefit. iPhone 15 Plus remains competent but iPhone 16 Plus justifies selection through superior performance, charging speeds, and software features without price premium.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 15 Plus if…
- →Outstanding battery life from large 4383 mAh cell
- →Dynamic Island replaces notch on a non-Pro model
- →48 MP main camera is a major upgrade over iPhone 14 Plus
Buy the Apple iPhone 16 Plus if…
- →Excellent battery life from large 4674 mAh cell
- →A18 chip supports Apple Intelligence
- →New Camera Control button
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
Pros
- Outstanding battery life from large 4383 mAh cell
- Dynamic Island replaces notch on a non-Pro model
- 48 MP main camera is a major upgrade over iPhone 14 Plus
- First USB-C port on a standard Plus model
- Large display great for media consumption
Cons
- Capped at 60Hz with no ProMotion upgrade
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 transfer speeds
- No telephoto camera
- No always-on display
- Bulky and heavy for everyday use
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Pros
- Excellent battery life from large 4674 mAh cell
- A18 chip supports Apple Intelligence
- New Camera Control button
- Bright 2000-nit display
- More affordable than Pro Max
Cons
- Still locked to 60Hz refresh rate
- No telephoto camera
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 speeds
- No always-on display
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Apple iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 17 | iOS 18 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 201 g | 199 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 48 MP |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4383 mAh | 4674 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 20W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 25W MagSafe |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2796 x 1290 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 2000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Hexa-core |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Apple GPU (5-core) |
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic | Apple A18 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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