iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15 Plus
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | iPhone 16 | iPhone 15 Plus | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu v10 score | 1,622,118 | 1,445,704 | +12.2% |
| Chipset | Apple A18 | Apple A16 Bionic | — |
| Display | 6.1" 60 Hz | 6.7" 60 Hz | — |
| Battery (mAh) | 3,561 | 4,383 | -18.8% |
| Rear cameras | 48+12 MP | 48+12 MP | — |
| Front camera (MP) | 12 | 12 | — |
| RAM / storage (base) | 8 GB / 128 GB | 6 GB / 128 GB | — |
| Max configuration | 8 GB / 512 GB | 6 GB / 512 GB | — |
| Weight (g) | 170 | 201 | -15.4% |
| Connectivity / unlock | 5G · No - Face ID | 5G · No - Face ID | — |
| Launch price (USD) | $799–$1,099 | $899–$1,199 | -11.1% |
- iPhone 16 leads on raw performance by about 12% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A18 vs Apple A16 Bionic).
- iPhone 16 is the cheaper option at launch pricing.
Verdict: iPhone 16 or iPhone 15 Plus?
iPhone 16 advantages
- Raw performance (+11%)
- Memory (+25%)
- Lightness (+15%)
- Affordability (+11%)
iPhone 15 Plus advantages
- Battery capacity (+19%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the iPhone 16 if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
- Choose the iPhone 15 Plus if you need all-day (or two-day) battery life.
- Choose the iPhone 16 if you multitask heavily or keep many apps alive.
Value for money
iPhone 16 delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15 Plus: which should you choose?
iPhone 16 — Apple iOS 18 smartphone (2024) with a 6.1-inch 60 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED, Apple A18, 3561 mAh battery and 48MP main camera, scoring about 1,622,118 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $799.
iPhone 15 Plus — Apple iOS 17 smartphone (2023) with a 6.7-inch 60 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED, Apple A16 Bionic, 4383 mAh battery and 48MP main camera, scoring about 1,445,704 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $899.
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15 Plus: iPhone 16 is the faster phone. iPhone 16 leads on raw performance by about 12% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A18 vs Apple A16 Bionic). iPhone 16 is the cheaper option at launch pricing.
Performance and everyday use
The iPhone 16 is the faster device on raw benchmarks (1,622,118 vs 1,445,704 on AnTuTu v10), running the Apple A18 against the Apple A16 Bionic. For messaging, browsing and social apps both feel instant — the gap matters most for gaming and long-term headroom.
Display and battery
iPhone 16 carries a 6.1-inch 60 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED against a 6.7-inch 60 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED on the iPhone 15 Plus. Batteries are 3,561 and 4,383 mAh — though software tuning and chipset efficiency shape real-world endurance as much as capacity.
Cameras, storage and price
Rear arrays are 48+12 MP versus 48+12 MP, with 12 MP and 12 MP front cameras. Base configurations start at 8 GB / 128 GB and 6 GB / 128 GB. The iPhone 16 is the more affordable at about $799 launch price, which may matter more than a small spec gap.
The verdict
Both are credible choices in the smartphone comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the iPhone 16 better than the iPhone 15 Plus?
iPhone 16 takes the overall edge, though iPhone 15 Plus wins in specific areas worth weighing. iPhone 16 leads on raw performance by about 12% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A18 vs Apple A16 Bionic).
What is the main difference between the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 15 Plus?
iPhone 16 leads on raw performance by about 12% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A18 vs Apple A16 Bionic). iPhone 16 is the cheaper option at launch pricing.
Which is better value?
iPhone 16 delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Which should I choose?
Choose the iPhone 16 if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates. Choose the iPhone 15 Plus if you need all-day (or two-day) battery life.
Methodology
Smartphones are compared on AnTuTu v10 benchmark scores, chipset, display size and refresh rate, battery capacity, rear and front camera resolution, RAM and storage across launch variants, weight, and launch pricing (USD). Each model shows its base variant with the top-spec configuration noted where multiple variants exist. Benchmark scores reflect the listed chipset variant; real-world battery life and camera quality depend on software tuning, not just hardware numbers.