Apple releases a more lightweight flagship smartphone every year. Here to draw comparisons between the iPhone 16 Pro and its predecessor, this time around. So, we are going to compare the Apple iPhone 15 Pro and 16 Pro. Though the new model does have some improvements. these two smartphones are very similar in many other aspects. Specifically in the camera division, that is.
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First, let’s go over each smartphone’s specifications. We will then compare their designs, displays, battery life, performance, cameras, and audio output. We will make every effort to provide you with as much information as possible so that, depending on your circumstances, you can decide whether upgrading is a good idea or whether purchasing the older model is a good idea. Now let’s get going.
Specifications
Comparing the respective Apple iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro
Screen size:
- 6.3-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED with HDR (flat, 120Hz, maximum brightness of 2,000 nits)
- 6.1-inch ProMotion-enabled Super Retina XDR display (2,000 nits, 120 Hz, HDR10)
Display resolution:
- 2622 x 1206
- 2796 x 1290
SoC:
- Apple A18 Pro (3nm)
- Apple A17 Pro
RAM:
- 8GB
Storage:
128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB (NVMe)
Rear cameras:
48MP (wide, f/1.8 aperture, 1/1.28-inch sensor, 1.22um pixel size, sensor-shift OIS), 48MP (ultrawide, f/2.2 aperture, 0.7um pixel size, PDAF), 12MP (periscope telephoto, f/2.8 aperture, 1/3.06-inch sensor, 1.12um pixel size, 3D sensor-shift OIS, 5x optical zoom)
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12MP (ultrawide, f/2.2 aperture, 120-degree field of view, macro photography), 12MP (telephoto, f/2.8 aperture, 3x optical zoom), and 48MP (f/1.78 aperture, second-generation sensor-shift OIS)
Front cameras:
- 12MP with a 1/3.6-inch sensor size, f/1.9 aperture, PDAF, and OIS
- 12MP (f/1.9 aperture) + TrueDepth
Charging:
7.5W Qi wireless, 5W reverse wired, 25W MagSafe wireless, 15W Qi2 wireless, and 38W wired
20 watts wired, 15 watts MagSafe wireless, 7.5 watts Qi wireless, and 4.5 watts reverse wired (no charger included).
Battery:
- 3,582mAh
- 3,274mAh
Dimensions:
- 149.6 x 71.5 x 8.3 mm
- 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.25mm
Weight:
- 199 grams
- 187 grams
Connectivity:
5G, LTE, NFC, Wi-Fi, USB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.3
OS:
- iOS 18
- iOS 17 (upgradable)
Security:
Face ID (3D facial scanning)
Price:
- $999+
- $999+ (could be considerably) lower now)
Design: Apple iPhone 16 Pro vs Apple iPhone 15 Pro
These two smartphones have remarkably similar designs, at least visually. You’ll notice some differences once you manage to hold both of these phones in your hands with a 6.3-inch display as opposed to a 6.1-inch display, the iPhone 16 Pro has a slightly larger screen. It also weighs a little bit more and has marginally thinner bezels. It weighs 199 grams as opposed to the iPhone 15 Pro’s 187 grams. In addition it is marginally wider and taller, but the two phones are precisely the same thickness.
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Both of these phones are composed of glass and titanium, but the iPhone 16 Pro has more aluminum in its construction to help with heat dissipation. Both phones have a pill-shaped cutout on the front, and their shapes are identical. Apple calls it ‘Dynamic Island’. There is an additional button on the right side of the iPhone 16 Pro. It has a Camera Control button in addition to a power/lock key. The scenario is the same on the left, both phones have an action button and volume rocker buttons.
Both smartphones feature a flat frame on all sides. However, it does curvature slightly towards the edges. In case you were wondering the sides on the front and back are likewise flat. On the back, you’ll notice very similar-looking camera islands in the top-left corner. Both have three cameras and essentially the same design. However, the cameras themselves are different. That is, the primary one; the other two aren’t. Later, more on that.
Considering their construction materials, it is entirely understandable that both of these phones are fairly slick. Additionally, both of them have an IP68 certification proving their resistance to dust and water.
Display: Apple iPhone 16 Pro vs Apple iPhone 15 Pro
The 6.3-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED display on the iPhone 16 Pro measures 2622 x 1206. With an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz, that flat panel has both features. Both Dolby Vision and HDR10 content are supported. The display, aspect ratio is 19.5:9 and the screen brightness increases to 2,000 nits. With the Ceramic Shield glass protecting this display. The screen-to-body ratio is approximately 90%.
A 6.1-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel, however, is featured on the iPhone 15 Pro. That’s 2556 x 1179 pixels in resolution. Together with being flat, that display can adjust its refresh rate to as high as 120 Hz. The maximum screen brightness remains at 2,000 nits and HDR10 and Dolby Vision are also supported. 88% of the screen is in contact with the body, and the aspect ratio of the display is 19.5:9. This display, though an older model, is also shielded by the Ceramic Shield glass.
Apart from size, these two displays are nearly identical. They have good viewing angles, rich blacks, and are both highly detailed. They have good protection as well as being extremely touch-responsive. No matter where you use them, both panels do get sufficiently bright. However, if high-frequency PWM dimming is important to you, they do not provide it. But these two displays will satisfy the vast majority of people just fine.
Performance: Apple iPhone 16 Pro vs Apple iPhone 15 Pro
The Apple A18 Pro is the processor behind the iPhone 16 Pro. That is a 3nm chip, the newest processor from Apple. In addition to NVMe storage, Apple also fitted this phone with 8GB of RAM. Conversely, the Apple A17 Pro chip, a 3nm processor as well powers the iPhone 15 Pro. NVMe storage and 8GB of RAM support that chip as well. Although the new chip has more power. The difference is not very noticeable.
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The main point is that these two phones are incredibly potent. They essentially perform at the same level daily. It will be difficult for you to notice the performance difference. They are equally adept at opening apps quickly, navigating between them, messaging, processing images and videos, and pretty much anything else you can think of. Yes, video games fall under this as well.
Almost any game available in the App Store can be played without any issues on either of these smartphones. Currently, it is difficult to discern the advantage of the iPhone 16 Pro, because they can run them just as well. However, that phone does have better cooling, so going forward that might matter. However, it’s important to note that neither device overheated while playing. Still, the iPhone 16 Pro remained somewhat colder constantly.
Battery: Apple iPhone 16 Pro vs Apple iPhone 15 Pro
The iPhone 16 Pro is equipped with a 3,582mAh battery. However, the 3,274mAh, battery in the iPhone 15 Pro is different. Apple did enlarge the display on the new model, so it appears, that there is some additional battery capacity, which is fantastic. Nonetheless, there is undoubtedly a discernible difference in battery life. The iPhone 16 Pro provided us with some excellent battery life levels.
That phone was able to provide a very good battery life, almost as good as what the iPhone 15 Pro Max offers. Nearly there, but not quite at that calibre. It was not at all difficult to surpass the 7-hour screen-on time limit. The iPhone 15, Pro can occasionally reach that level. But there is a noticeable difference in the battery life. Undoubtedly, Apple made improvements to that aspect of the new model. Naturally, though your mileage may differ.
This year, charging is another area that has improved. There is faster wired and wireless charging available with the iPhone 16 Pro. In addition to 25W MagSafe wireless, 15W Qi2 wireless, 7.5W Qi wireless, 38W wired and 4.5W reverse wired charging are all supported. The iPhone 15 Pro on the other hand, offers 20W wired charging, 15W MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging, 7.5W Qi wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wired charging.
Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro vs Apple iPhone 15 Pro
These two gadgets have three rear-facing cameras. However, the telephoto and ultrawide camera hardware of the new model is improved. Both smartphones have a 48-megapixel primary camera with a 1/1.28-inch sensor, a 24mm lens, and an f/1.8 aperture. In addition, sensor-shift OIS, dual-pixel PDAF support and 1.22um pixel size are features of that camera. That being said, the narrative from the other two cameras is distinct.
48-megapixel ultrawide and 12-megapixel periscope telephoto cameras (with a 1/3.06-inch sensor, 3D sensor-shift OIS and a 5x optical zoom) are featured on the iPhone 16 Pro. Twelve megapixels of ultrawide (120 degrees field of view) and telephoto (12 megapixels of 1/3.5-inch sensor, OIS, three times optical zoom) are included in the iPhone 15 Pro. About the only difference between the iPhone 16 Pro and the “Pro Max” is the periscope camera.
The primary camera’s images are remarkably similar. Considering, that we’re looking at the same hardware, that shouldn’t come as a huge surprise. They tend to use warmer color tones and provide a great deal of detail. Additionally, both cameras are excellent at bringing light into shadowy areas during the day, which results in slightly less contrasty images, than those produced by some rivals.
If you look closely, the new model’s ultrawide camera shots have more detail. but the iPhone 16 Pro’s periscope telephoto camera can take better high-zoom pictures. Even at a factor of three, the iPhone 15 Pro remains superior.
Audio
Both of these phones do include stereo speakers. Both phones have loud enough speakers, however, the iPhone 15 Pro has slightly more volume than the other. It’s possible that you won’t even be able to hear it. Both phones have good sound output in terms of quality.
An audio jack is something absent from both phones. Nonetheless, you can connect your wired headphones to both phones’ Type-C ports on the underside. Additionally, they have Bluetooth 5.3 installed for wireless music.
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