Apple iPhone 16vsApple iPhone 15 Plus
TOO CLOSEUpdated September 8, 2026
Your call
Verdict
Too close to call — it comes down to your priorities
Apple iPhone 16 and Apple iPhone 15 Plus trade category wins — Apple iPhone 16 in Camera; Apple iPhone 15 Plus in Price. Decide by the category you actually use most, then check the price.
- Apple iPhone 16 takes Performance — led by ram (8 GB).
- Apple iPhone 15 Plus takes Display — led by screen size (6.7 in).
- Apple iPhone 16 takes Camera — led by video score (94 pts).
- Apple iPhone 15 Plus takes Battery — led by battery (4,383 mAh).
- Too close to call between Apple iPhone 16 and Apple iPhone 15 Plus.
Scores follow our published methodology · v2026.09
In plain English
Choose Apple iPhone 16 if you want…
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 if you want a faster phone for apps and games — 1,400,000 pts vs 1,300,000 pts.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 if you want more apps open at once — 8 GB vs 6 GB.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 if you want better video quality — 94 pts vs 93 pts.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 if you want a better camera — 142 pts vs 141 pts.
Choose Apple iPhone 15 Plus if you want…
- Choose Apple iPhone 15 Plus if you want a bigger screen — 6.7 in vs 6.1 in.
- Choose Apple iPhone 15 Plus if you want longer battery life — 4,383 mAh vs 3,561 mAh.
At a glance
- Apple iPhone 16
- Apple iPhone 15 Plus
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Best price now
Full record
Every spec, side by side — winners get a check and a proportional bar. Ties share the badge.
Performance score
Approximate benchmark score of the chipset — higher is faster for apps, games and AI.
Chipset
The processor inside — shown for reference, never decides a winner.
RAM
More RAM keeps more apps alive in the background.
Storage
Base onboard storage for photos, apps and media.
Screen size
Diagonal screen size — bigger is better for media, smaller is easier to hold.
Pixel density
Sharpness of the screen — above ~400 ppi looks crisp.
Refresh rate
How smooth scrolling and motion feel. 120 Hz is the modern standard.
Peak brightness
Peak brightness in sunlight — higher stays readable outdoors.
Main camera
Resolution of the primary rear camera — photo quality is judged by the Camera quality score, not megapixels.
Selfie camera
Resolution of the front camera.
Telephoto
A dedicated zoom lens for distant subjects without quality loss.
Video score
Composite video rating — stabilisation, 4K/8K support and colour.
Camera score
Composite camera quality from independent testing — how good the photos actually are.
Battery
Battery capacity — higher generally lasts longer.
Charging speed
Wired charging speed — higher refills faster.
Wireless charging
Whether the phone charges wirelessly.
Price
Typical MSRP in US dollars — lower is better value.
Which one should you buy?
Apple iPhone 16
Choose Apple iPhone 16 if camera matters most. It costs USD 799, the lowest price in this group.
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
Choose Apple iPhone 15 Plus if price matters most. It costs USD 799.
Pros & cons
Apple iPhone 16
- A18 speed
- Camera Control button
- Strong resale value
- 60 Hz display
- Slow 20 W charging
- No telephoto lens
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
- Great battery life
- Large 6.7-inch screen
- Solid cameras
- 60 Hz display
- A16 chip is aging
- Slow charging