Smartphone Comparison

iPhone 16 vs Xiaomi 15 Ultra

Verdict
iPhone 16 vs Xiaomi 15 Ultra: Xiaomi 15 Ultra is the faster phone

Head-to-head specifications

MetriciPhone 16Xiaomi 15 UltraDifference
AnTuTu v10 score1,622,1182,758,993-41.2%
ChipsetApple A18Snapdragon 8 Elite
Display6.1" 60 Hz6.7" 120 Hz
Battery (mAh)3,561600+493.5%
Rear cameras48+12 MP50+200+50+50 MP
Front camera (MP)1232
RAM / storage (base)8 GB / 128 GB12 GB / 256 GB
Max configuration8 GB / 512 GB16 GB / 1024 GB
Weight (g)170225-24.4%
Connectivity / unlock5G · No - Face ID5G · Under-display
Launch price (USD)$799–$1,099$1,299–$1,549-38.5%
  • Xiaomi 15 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 41% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A18 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite).
  • iPhone 16 is the cheaper option at launch pricing.

Verdict: iPhone 16 or Xiaomi 15 Ultra?

Our recommendation
These two are closely matched — the right pick comes down to which specific strengths you value and the price you actually pay.

iPhone 16 advantages

  • Battery capacity (+83%)
  • Lightness (+24%)
  • Affordability (+38%)

Xiaomi 15 Ultra advantages

  • Raw performance (+41%)
  • Display smoothness (+50%)
  • Camera resolution (+76%)
  • Memory (+33%)

Which should you choose?

  • Choose the iPhone 16 if you need all-day (or two-day) battery life.
  • Choose the Xiaomi 15 Ultra if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
  • Choose the iPhone 16 if you want a lighter phone for one-handed use.

Value for money

Xiaomi 15 Ultra delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.

iPhone 16 vs Xiaomi 15 Ultra: 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.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra — Xiaomi Android 15 smartphone (2025) with a 6.73-inch 120 Hz LTPO AMOLED, Snapdragon 8 Elite, 600 mAh battery and 200MP main camera, scoring about 2,758,993 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $1,299.

iPhone 16 vs Xiaomi 15 Ultra: Xiaomi 15 Ultra is the faster phone. Xiaomi 15 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 41% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A18 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite). iPhone 16 is the cheaper option at launch pricing.

Performance and everyday use

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is the faster device on raw benchmarks (2,758,993 vs 1,622,118 on AnTuTu v10), running the Snapdragon 8 Elite against the Apple A18. 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 120 Hz LTPO AMOLED on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. Batteries are 3,561 and 600 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 50+200+50+50 MP, with 12 MP and 32 MP front cameras. Base configurations start at 8 GB / 128 GB and 12 GB / 256 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 Xiaomi 15 Ultra?

These two are closely matched — the right pick comes down to which specific strengths you value and the price you actually pay. Xiaomi 15 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 41% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A18 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite).

What is the main difference between the iPhone 16 and the Xiaomi 15 Ultra?

Xiaomi 15 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 41% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A18 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite). iPhone 16 is the cheaper option at launch pricing.

Which is better value?

Xiaomi 15 Ultra 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 need all-day (or two-day) battery life. Choose the Xiaomi 15 Ultra if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.

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.

ER
EquivalentTo Research
Data & Benchmarks Team

We compile published benchmark results (Cinebench 2024, Geekbench 6, AnTuTu v10, 3DMark), manufacturer specifications and market pricing from nine regions into normalized, comparable datasets. Every figure traces to a named public source listed on each page.

Benchmark leaderboard compilationMulti-market pricing normalizationUnit & currency conversion
✓ Reviewed by EquivalentTo Editorial Review, Data Quality & Methodology.
Last updated 2026-07-01
iPhone 16 profile → Xiaomi 15 Ultra profile → Compare something else

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