Head to head · October 2026
iPhone 15 vs iPhone 16
iPhone 16 has 2 more hours of video compared with iPhone 15.
Pick iPhone 15 for
Compare current prices and your preferred features
No longer sold new
Pick iPhone 16 for
- Battery first
- Keeping it for years
From $799
Our verdict
Which one should you buy?
Choose iPhone 15 if…
It has no clear advantage on the figures Apple publishes.
Choose iPhone 16 if…
- battery life comes first: up to 22 hours of video against 20.
- you keep phones for years: the newer A18 chip will get software updates for longer.
Side by side
Next to each other, to scale.
Screen size
6.1″ vs 6.1″
Both have a 6.1-inch screen. iPhone 15 is 2556 × 1179 pixels at 460 ppi; iPhone 16 is 2556 × 1179 at 460 ppi.
| Screen | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Diagonal | 6.1″ | 6.1″ |
| Approx. area | 91.3 cm² | 91.3 cm² |
| Resolution | 2556 × 1179 | 2556 × 1179 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
Price
— vs $799
Apple no longer sells iPhone 15 new; iPhone 16 starts at $799 at Apple in the US. Refurbished and second-hand prices vary by condition and storage.
| Storage | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| 128 GB | — | $799 · $6.24/GB |
Full specifications
Every figure, side by side.
| Spec | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Introduced | 2023 | 2024 |
| Apple sells it new | No | Yes, from $799 |
| Height | 147.6 mm | 147.6 mm |
| Width | 71.6 mm | 71.6 mm |
| Thickness | 7.8 mm | 7.8 mm |
| Weight | 171 g | 170 g |
| Display | 6.1″ | 6.1″ |
| Resolution | 2556 × 1179 at 460 ppi | 2556 × 1179 at 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Top of screen | Dynamic Island | Dynamic Island |
| Unlock | Face ID | Face ID |
| Chip | A16 Bionic | A18 |
| Rear cameras | Dual 48MP | Dual 48MP |
| Video playback | Up to 20 h | Up to 22 h |
| RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB |
| US price by storage | Not sold new | 128 GB $799 ($6.24/GB) |
| Colors | 5: Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink | 5: Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine |
Sources: Apple technical specifications for iPhone 15 and iPhone 16; US prices from apple.com, checked October 2026. Apple does not publish RAM; it comes from Apple's Xcode device data as reported by MacRumors, or Wikipedia's list of iPhone models for older phones.
What reviewers say
15 or 16?
Their conclusions, in our words. Follow the links for the full reviews.
CNET · Apr 2026
For everyday use you likely won't feel a huge difference; the 17's gains are a 48MP ultrawide, an 18MP Center Stage selfie camera and a brighter screen.
iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 16: Should You Upgrade? ↗Macworld · Oct 2025
If you already own an iPhone 16 you can keep it, but if you're upgrading from something older there is no reason to choose the 16 over the 17.
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: The differences are astonishing ↗PCMag · Sep 2025
The iPhone 17 wins on display (120 Hz, brighter), cameras and battery; the 16 only wins on price, and it starts with half the storage.
Apple iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 16: The Choice Is Clear ↗
FAQ
Questions people ask
- Are iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 the same size?
- Yes. Both measure 147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm. iPhone 15 is 1 g heavier (171 g vs 170 g). Case compatibility also depends on camera openings and button positions; check that the case maker lists both models.
- Will an iPhone 16 case fit iPhone 15?
- The two bodies measure the same to within 0.3 mm, but the camera openings and buttons can still sit in different places. Check that the case maker lists both models before you rely on it.
- Which has better battery life, iPhone 15 or iPhone 16?
- iPhone 16. Apple rates it for up to 22 hours of video playback against 20 hours for iPhone 15.
- Do iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 have the same screen size?
- Both have a 6.1-inch screen. iPhone 15 is 2556 × 1179 pixels at 460 ppi; iPhone 16 is 2556 × 1179 at 460 ppi.
- Which is lighter?
- iPhone 16 weighs 170 g, 1 g less than iPhone 15 (171 g).
- Can I still buy iPhone 15 new from Apple?
- No. Apple no longer sells iPhone 15 new; you will find it refurbished or second-hand.
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