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WhichPhoneToBuy

Apple iPhone 15 vs Apple iPhone 16 Plus

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus comes out ahead on 5 counts and the Apple iPhone 15 on 3.

Which should you buy?

Pick the Apple iPhone 15 for

  • Lighter: 171 g vs 199 g (28 g less)
  • More compact: 13.3 mm shorter
  • Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $899

Pick the Apple iPhone 16 Plus for

  • Bigger battery: 4,674 vs 3,349 mAh (40% more)
  • Faster wireless charging: 25 W vs 15 W
  • Bigger screen: 6.7" vs 6.1"
  • More RAM: up to 8 GB vs 6 GB
  • Newer: launched September 2024

Size comparison

The Apple iPhone 15 is 13.3 mm shorter, 6.2 mm narrower and 28 g lighter than the Apple iPhone 16 Plus. Its screen is 0.6" smaller.

  • Apple iPhone 15147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm
  • Apple iPhone 16 Plus160.9 × 77.8 × 7.8 mm

Specs side by side

LaunchApple iPhone 15Apple iPhone 16 Plus
AnnouncedSeptember 12, 2023September 9, 20241
ReleasedSeptember 22, 2023September 20, 20241
Launch price$7991 (better)$8991
BodyApple iPhone 15Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Size147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm160.9 × 77.8 × 7.8 mm
Thickness7.8 mm7.8 mm
Weight171 g (better)199 g
FrameAluminum—
BackColor-infused glassglass1
Water resistanceIP68IP68
ColoursBlack, Blue, Green, Yellow, PinkUltramarine, Teal, Pink, White, Black1
DisplayApple iPhone 15Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Size6.1"6.7"
TypeSuper Retina XDR OLEDSuper Retina XDR OLED
Resolution1179 × 25561290 × 2796 (better)
Refresh rate60 Hz60 Hz
Peak brightness2,000 nits2,000 nits1
ProtectionCeramic Shield—
Performance and softwareApple iPhone 15Apple iPhone 16 Plus
ChipsetA16 BionicApple A18
CPU6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores6-core (2 performance + 4 efficiency)1
Process4 nm1—
Ships withiOSiOS 18
OS updates5 years (to Sep 2028)1—
MemoryApple iPhone 15Apple iPhone 16 Plus
RAM6 GB18 GB1 (better)
Storage128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB
Card slotNo1—
CamerasApple iPhone 15Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Rear48 MP Main, OIS 12 MP Ultrawide48 MP Main, OIS 12 MP Ultrawide
Main camera48 MP48 MP
Optical zoomNoneNone
Front12 MP12 MP
Video4K Dolby Vision at 60 fps4K at 60 fps1
BatteryApple iPhone 15Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Capacity3,349 mAh14,674 mAh1 (better)
Wired charging20 W1—
Wireless charging15 W25 W (better)
ConnectivityApple iPhone 15Apple iPhone 16 Plus
5GYesYes1
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMOWi-Fi 71
Bluetooth5.35.31
NFCYesYes1
USBUSB-C with USB 2 (up to 480Mb/s) and DisplayPortUSB-C: USB 2.0 480 Mbit/s
Headphone jackNo1—
eSIMYesYes1
Satellite messagingYesYes1

Highlighted: the better value where one is clearly better. Sources for each phone are listed on the Apple iPhone 15 and Apple iPhone 16 Plus pages.

Quick answers

Is the Apple iPhone 15 bigger than the Apple iPhone 16 Plus?
The Apple iPhone 15 is 13.3 mm shorter, 6.2 mm narrower and 28 g lighter than the Apple iPhone 16 Plus. Its screen is 0.6" smaller.
Which has the bigger battery, the Apple iPhone 15 or the Apple iPhone 16 Plus?
The Apple iPhone 16 Plus has the bigger battery: 4,674 mAh against 3,349 mAh. Real battery life also depends on the chip and screen.
Which was cheaper at launch?
The Apple iPhone 15 launched at $799, against $899 for the Apple iPhone 16 Plus (US launch prices; street prices drop over time).

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