Apple iPhone 15 Pro vs Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Both phones deliver flagship performance but target different priorities. iPhone 15 Pro's 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with 120Hz LTPO refresh and 2000 nits brightness edges the 16 Plus's larger 6.7-inch 60Hz panel, making scrolling noticeably smoother. Processor-wise, the A17 Pro slightly outperforms the A18 in peak performance, though real-world differences are negligible. Camera diverges significantly: the 15 Pro includes a 3x telephoto lens absent in the 16 Plus, crucial for serious mobile photography. However, the 16 Plus compensates with superior battery life (4674mAh vs 3274mAh), faster 25W wireless charging, and more affordable pricing at $899. Storage maxes at 512GB versus 1TB. Aluminum construction on the 16 Plus feels less premium than titanium but weighs slightly more. For photographers prioritizing optical zoom and premium feel, choose the 15 Pro. For everyday users valuing battery endurance and value, the 16 Plus offers better practicality.
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 15 Pro | Apple iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 17 | iOS 18 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 187 g | 199 g |
| Material | Titanium frame | Aluminum frame |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.25 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 |
| Telephoto | 12 MP 3x | — |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3274 mAh | 4674 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 20W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 25W MagSafe |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED, LTPO | Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 2796 x 1290 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 2000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Hexa-core |
| GPU | Apple GPU (6-core) | Apple GPU (5-core) |
| Chipset | Apple A17 Pro | Apple A18 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 15 Pro
Pros
- Lightweight titanium design
- Powerful A17 Pro chip
- USB-C with USB 3 speeds
- Customizable Action button
- Compact but feature-packed
Cons
- Only 3x telephoto vs Pro Max's 5x
- Battery life trails Pro Max
- Slow charging speeds
- Some early thermal issues
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
Related Comparisons
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