iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15: All the expected differences

Updated: Aug 23, 2024, 2:24 AM

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iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15: All the expected differences

Intro

In just a few weeks, on September 10th, 2024, Apple is expected to unveil the new iPhone 16 series, bringing new features and improving the world's most popular smartphone series.

In this article, we want to focus on the regular iPhone 16 model and all the changes coming to it, compared to the previous iPhone 15 model.

We also have similar breakdowns of the differences between other iPhone 16 models, so if you are more interested in learning about the iPhone 16 Pro vs 15 Pro changes, or what will be new in the iPhone 16 Pro Max we have those covered separately.

So, let's now focus on the iPhone 16. This model is expected to remain the base one in the lineup and the most affordable of the four new iPhone 16 versions. We expect it to be priced at about $800, as before, however a small price increase is also possible.

On the list of changes you will see a slightly tweaked design with a new pill-shaped rear camera island, a faster chipset with more RAM, not one, but two new physical buttons, and a few other improvements.

Read more: iPhone 16: what pre-order deals to anticipate

Will it be worth upgrading from the iPhone 15? Well, let's dive in and find out!

iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15 expected differences:

iPhone 16	iPhone 15
Same 6.1-inch form factor	6.1-inch size
New Action Button in place of Mute Switch New Capture Button for camera	Older Mute Switch only
Newer and faster chipset, either Apple A18 or A18 Pro	Apple A16 Bionic chipset
More memory, 8GB RAM	6GB RAM
Support for AI	Does not support AI
Same storage options	128 / 256 / 512GB storage models
New vertical camera with support for Spatial Video	Diagonal camera layout
Same-ish 48MP main camera	48MP main camera
12MP ultra-wide camera with macro support	12MP ultra-wide camera
Rumored 6% battery size increase	3,349 mAh battery
20W charging, or faster (uncertain)	20W wired charging speed
15W MagSafe, or faster (uncertain)	15W MagSafe wireless charge
New color options like Purple expected	Blue, Pink, Green, Yellow, and Black

Table of Contents:

Design and Display
Performance and Software
Camera
Audio Quality
Battery and Charging
Specs
Which one should you buy?

Design and Display Quality

New pill-shaped camera on the back and a couple of new buttons

Apple is not changing much with the iPhone 16 when it comes to its size and shape. Just like the previous iPhone 15, we have a 6.1-inch form factor on the newer model, and it will likely be crafted in a similar manner with an aluminum frame, with slightly tapered edges and a matte glass finish on the back.

Some slight reduction in the bezel size around the screen is possible, but not very likely as those thinner bezels are a feature Apple likes to keep for the iPhone Pro models.

What is changing, however, is the camera styling. Apple is switching to a new vertical camera arrangement on the iPhone 16. We had something like that in the past, last seen on the iPhone 12 series. So the cameras on the iPhone 16 will be in this new pill-shaped enclosure. The reason for the change this time is purely practical and related to a new feature, Spatial Video. This new 3D video format that looks stunning on the Vision Pro requires the camera lenses to be arranged in a line to work.

Rumors also say that all iPhone 16 models, including the base iPhone 16, will get an Action Button (which replaces the mute switch), as well as a brand new "Capture Button" for quickly launching the camera. This Capture Button will work like a shutter key on a camera, so it will focus on a slight press and take a picture once you press it all the way in.

So the Action Button will be on the left side, above the volume keys. Then the Capture Button will be on the right, below the Power Button. This is where Apple placed the mmWave antenna previously, so that will now have to move to the bottom left side, below the volume keys.

The rest is pretty much the same: if there is any change in size and weight, it will be barely noticeable. And of course, you will still have a USB-C port on the iPhone 16, and IP68 water and dust protection.

Oh, and in terms of colors, we expect six different color options, some of them familiar, but some new like a Purple version, which is rumored to be in the works.

Also read: iPhone 16 colors: all the rumored shades

But what about the screen? Expect the same 6.1-inch screen size, OLED with perfect blacks, but rumors say Apple will be using a new micro-lens technology to give it a brightness boost and to lower its power consumption.

These changes will be good to see, but the one display improvement that people actually want will not arrive on the iPhone 16.

We are talking about the 60Hz screen of course, or more specifically the lack of 120Hz ProMotion on the non-Pro iPhone models. The iPhone 16, as per all rumors, will run at 60Hz, just like the iPhone 15. And that is nowhere nearly as smooth as ProMotion. Rumors say the coveted feature will finally arrive with the vanilla iPhone 17 model in 2025, if that's any consolation.

Performance and Software

New iPhone, new chip

The iPhone 16 is expected to run on a new and faster chipset.

For context, the iPhone 15 runs on the A16 Bionic chip, while the iPhone 16 is expected to be the first vanilla iPhone model to use a 3nm processor. This new chipset could be called the Apple A18 (different than the A18 Pro chipset coming to the Pro versions).

So far, we only know that this new chipset will be all about AI optimizations. Apple missed the AI hype train last year, but it's fully invested in the technology and we expect to hear the words "AI" often in the context of the iPhone 16.

And speaking of AI, the iPhone 16 will also get 8GB of RAM, up from 6GB RAM on the iPhone 15. Most AI tasks seem to require extra RAM and that's probably the number one reason for the upgrade. What this also means, however, is that it's possible that at least some AI features will not be available on the older iPhone 15.

Also read: iPhone 16 AI features: Here is what to look forward to

We don't expect any changes to the storage tiers, though, so you will be able to choose between 128GB, 256GB or 512GB of native storage.

The iPhone 16 will probably also use the same modem as the iPhone 15, the Snapdragon X70. It's a perfectly good solution, just not quite as advanced as the expected upgraded modem in the iPhone 16 Pro. That Pro model will likely get the X75 version with improved carrier aggregation, and a combined sub-6GHz and mmWave chip that takes up 25% less space on the board and uses 20% less power.

Camera

Spatial Video, baby

With a new pill-shaped camera system, the iPhone 16 will look different than before, but apart from the new styling it could be a less exciting camera upgrade than last year's iPhone 15.

All iPhone 16 versions are also getting a new physical Capture Button, which will be placed below the power key. This new Capture Button will be a capacitive one, meaning that it will only register a press when you push it with your finger, so it won't get accidentally triggered in your pocket. You will be able to customize it to work with various camera apps, including third-party ones.

And when you are in a camera app, a half press would allow you to lock exposure or focus, while a full press would capture an image or start recording a video. We are very happy with this change, as it will make it just a bit easier to not miss that important moment and capture it faster with a press of a button.

Interestingly, since this is a capacitive button, you will also be able use it as a trackpad in a way. For example, one possible feature is you could slide your finger to zoom in and out. It could also control the amount of background blur for portraits, or quickly cycle through filters. Neat!

As for the camera hardware, the iPhone 15 was the first base model iPhone to get a 48MP main camera, a huge upgrade in both detail and low light imagery compared to the 12MP snapper used in previous iPhones.

This year, with the iPhone 16, it seems that there will be no big hardware changes as Apple will stick with two cameras (so again, no dediated telephoto lens for the base models). The 48MP main camera will have the same f/1.6 aperture and ability to provide nearly lossless quality at 2X zoom via sensor crop.

As for the ultra-wide camera, it is said to keep the 12MP sensor, but use a slightly faster aperture (f/2.2 now vs f/2.4 before) that will allow more light to reach the sensor, and for the first time on a base iPhone, Apple will add support for macro photography. Only the Pro series have so far had macro support, so it's nice to see this feature coming to the base iPhone models too.

Leaks also mention a new JPEG-XL format that could be added to the current HEIF and JPEG formats, but we have no further details on that.

Of course, some software tweaks will surely be made, but so far, leaks and rumors don't have any more specifics.

With AI on board the iPhone 16, we expect to see new image editing features: smart resize and smart move of objects in the photos are just some of the tricks Apple might borrow from Samsung's and Google's AI handbook.

As for video quality, chances are Spatial Video would be another upgrade. You cannot truly appreciate these 3D videos on your phone, but you can on a AR/VR headset like the Apple Vision Pro, and having tried that, we are glad to have this option. Realistically, though, not many people own such a headset yet, so it might take a while until Spatial Video gets the appreciation it deserves.

Also read: iPhone 16 camera: All the upgrades we expect

Audio Quality and Haptics

Apple continually improves the audio quality from the iPhone loudspeakers, and we expect another gradual improvement, but nothing major.

And as for haptics, they have been excellent on iPhones ever since the Taptic Engine made its debut on the iPhone 6s! Don't expect anything new on that front.

Battery Life and Charging

Slightly bigger battery and even faster charging (possibly, maybe)

With the iPhone 16 size and form factor roughly the same as the previous iPhone 15, there will be no space for a much bigger battery.

Still, rumors say a slight upgrade is possible.

The iPhone 16 is projected to get a 3,561mAh battery, up from a 3,349mAh battery size on the iPhone 15, or an upgrade of 6%.

So far, that is the only thing we know about the battery equation. Will a 6% bigger battery results in improved real-world battery life? Probably, but chances are these battery gains won't be huge.

Interestingly, it is possible that we see a change in charging speeds, the first one in years for Apple.

Some rumors claim that new iPhones might get 40W fast wired charging (up from 20W currently), and 20W fast MagSafe wireless charging (up from 15W currently).

This is far from certain, and knowing Apple's conservative approach to fast charging, we have our doubts. It is also possible that those changes might only arrive to the Pro models, and not the regular iPhone 16. But right now, it's a rumor and a hope, and not much more.

Also read: iPhone 16 Battery and charging: Here's what to expect

Specs Comparison

And here is a bird eye's view of the expected iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15 specs:

Specs	iPhone 16	iPhone 15
Dimensions	Same or very similar to iPhone 15	147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm
Weight	Same or very similar	171 g
Screen	6.1-inch OLED 60Hz	6.1-inch OLED 60Hz
Processor	Apple A18 3nm	Apple A16 Bionic 4nm
RAM, Storage *Price expectations	8/128GB for $800 8/256GB for $900 8/512GB for $1,100	6/128GB for $800 6/256GB for $900 6/512GB for $1,100
Cameras	Same at 48MP, f/1.6, 26mm 12MP, f/2.2, 13mm 12MP front	48MP, f/1.6, 26mm 12MP, f/2.2, 13mm 12MP front
Battery Size	3,561 mAh	3,349 mAh
Charging Speeds	Upgrade possible, but not certain	20W wired 15W wireless

Should you upgrade?

So... is the iPhone 16 a good upgrade?

The answer to that will have a lot to do with just how big of a difference AI makes on it. After all, this will be the first base model iPhone to support Apple Intelligence.

As for the hardware, the iPhone 16 is not a massive upgrade, but it has a few neat additions. The faster chip and more RAM will not mean much for daily use, but will enable AI. The new Action Button and Capture Button will be two very cool new conveniences. The expected support for Macro photos and Spatial Video will also be nice, but probably not exactly a reason to upgrade. And then you have the possible 6% upgrade in battery life and faster charging.

We feel most let down by the lack of 120Hz ProMotion on the iPhone 16. This will continue to be the one feature designed to nudge you towards the pricier iPhone 16 Pro.

So... let's wait and see all of that upcoming iPhone AI magic, shall we?

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Victor, a seasoned mobile technology expert, has spent over a decade at PhoneArena, exploring the depths of mobile photography and reviewing hundreds of smartphones across Android and iOS ecosystems. His passion for technology, coupled with his extensive knowledge of smartphone cameras and battery life, has positioned him as a leading voice in the mobile tech industry.