iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15: What Really Changes in Apple’s Latest Model

Apple has just released its latest iPhone, the iPhone 16. But is it really worth the upgrade if you already own an iPhone 15? Or perhaps an even older model? Let’s try to break it down together.

The first impression when looking at the visuals and dimensions: it looks a lot like the iPhone 15. Same screen size, same general shape.

Comparison: iPhone 15 vs iPhone 16

Characteristic	iPhone 15	iPhone 16
Screen Size	6.1 inches	6.1 inches
Screen Type	Super Retina XDR OLED	Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution	2556 x 1179 pixels	2556 x 1179 pixels
Pixel Density	460 ppi	460 ppi
Dimensions	147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm	147.6 x 71.6 x 7.6 mm
Weight	171 g	170 g

Characteristic	iPhone 15 Plus	iPhone 16 Plus
Screen Size	6.7 inches	6.7 inches
Screen Type	Super Retina XDR OLED	Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution	2796 x 1290 pixels	2796 x 1290 pixels
Pixel Density	460 ppi	460 ppi
Dimensions	160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm	160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm
Weight	201 g	199 g

But wait, there are two key changes that stand out (or rather, can be felt).

First, the long-standing silent switch is gone. In its place, Apple has introduced the Action Button. This button is customizable, allowing you to quickly launch your favorite app, turn on the flashlight, or even trigger a shortcut. While practical, it may take some time to adjust to this new feature. It’s been available on the iPhone 15 Pro, but few users have made advanced use of it.

The other new feature is a dedicated camera button, located just below the unlock button, called Camera Control. Apple tells us that it will revolutionize the way we take photos.

In real life? It’s nice, as it allows for easier zooming or focusing. You can go further with additional controls to change functions. For example, you can activate background blur in portrait mode. But will it change your life? Probably not.

On the color front, Apple is adding ultramarine blue and teal blue to the palette. They look nice.

Under the hood: more power

Apple is touting the merits of its new A18 chip.

On paper, it’s impressive: 30% faster and 30% more energy-efficient. But in real life, unless you’re a hardcore gamer or doing 4K video editing on your phone, you probably won’t notice a huge difference day-to-day. The iPhone 15 is already a powerhouse for most uses.

We can still expect better energy efficiency and, therefore, improved battery life. Why? Part of the answer lies in the manufacturing process. The A18 is built using second-generation 3-nanometer technology, like the Apple A17 Bionic. This allows it to be both more powerful and more efficient. For comparison, the A18 can deliver the same performance as the A16 while consuming 35% less energy.

So, the iPhone 16 lasts a bit longer than the 15. Battery life increases from 20 to 22 hours of video playback. It’s an improvement, but it’s not a dramatic difference. Charging is also a bit faster. Overall, it’s a plus.

Where it could get interesting is with the future arrival of Apple Intelligence, Apple’s new in-house AI. But be aware, it’s not coming right away.

Photography: Incremental Improvements

In terms of photography, there are no groundbreaking changes. The rear still features a dual camera setup. The main update is that the ultra-wide lens should perform better in low light. Apple also promises improved macro photos.

There’s also talk of a “Fusion Camera” for the main camera. What exactly is this? The idea is to combine data from two different sensors—a 48-megapixel and a 12-megapixel—to produce a final 24-megapixel photo.

Why? To enhance image sharpness and quality, even when zooming. The 2x digital zoom is expected to see a notable improvement in clarity.

Here’s a comparative table to better understand what changes (or not):

Feature	iPhone 15	iPhone 16
Main Camera	48 MP, f/1.6	48 MP (Fusion Camera), f/1.6
Ultra Wide	12 MP, f/2.4	12 MP, f/2.2
Optical Zoom	2x	2x
Portrait Mode	Yes	Yes, improved
Night Mode	Yes	Yes, improved
Macro	No	Yes
Dedicated Button	No	Yes

As you can see, the improvements are there, but they’re quite subtle. If you’re a mobile photography enthusiast, you might appreciate these small upgrades. However, for most of us, the differences will probably be barely noticeable in daily use.

It’s good, but let’s be honest: the iPhone 15 already took excellent photos. Unless you’re a very demanding photographer, you might not see a huge difference day-to-day.

AI: The Real Game Changer? Not So Fast…

The big promise of the iPhone 16 is Apple Intelligence. This integrated AI is supposed to work wonders: intelligently sort your notifications, rewrite your texts, generate images, create personalized emojis… all while respecting your privacy.

It sounds great on paper, but here’s the catch: it’s not coming right away. Apple Intelligence won’t be available at the launch of the iPhone 16. Its rollout is planned in stages, and it likely won’t begin until early 2025.

Moreover, many of these functions can already be performed with third-party apps on the iPhone 15. True, native integration will likely be smoother, but is it really revolutionary? Not so sure.

So, should you upgrade or not?

In the end, the iPhone 16 brings some improvements: slightly better battery life, marginally better photos, and the promise of integrated AI… someday. But let’s be honest: if you already have an iPhone 15, the upgrade isn’t massive.

If your iPhone 15 is starting to show signs of aging, then you might have a problem. Is your storage space running out?

With the delayed rollout of Apple Intelligence, it might not be the best time to rush into a new phone. Unless you’re really, really excited about that new camera button.

Price: No Change

Good news for your wallet: Apple hasn’t decided to hike prices this year. The prices for the iPhone 16 remain the same as the iPhone 15 at its launch.

Here’s a quick recap of the pricing for the different models:

Model	iPhone 15	iPhone 16
Standard (128 GB)	$909	$909
Plus (128 GB)	$1,059	$1,059