iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro: Which is better and which one should you buy?
Apple has launched the iPhone 16 Pro, raising the question of whether it’s worth upgrading from the iPhone 15 Pro. Both models have their strengths, but key differences in design, performance, and camera capabilities could sway your decision.
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Apple has officially launched the iPhone 16 Pro, while its stores have discontinued the sale of the iPhone 15 Pro. However, with every new release, comparisons between the two are bound to happen. Although Apple no longer sells the iPhone 15 Pro directly, it is still available through third-party retailers such as Amazon, Flipkart, and select offline stores. So, if you are considering an upgrade or looking for a deal on last year’s model, you still have options. The question is, should you get the new iPhone 16 Pro or is the iPhone 15 Pro still worth considering? Let’s understand the key differences.
Design and build quality
The iPhone 16 Pro doesn’t reinvent the wheel when it comes to design, but there are some notable changes compared to the iPhone 15 Pro. The 16 Pro is slightly larger, measuring 149.6 x 71.5 x 8.3mm and weighing 199 grams, making it slightly heavier than the 15 Pro, which weighs 187 grams and measures 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.3mm. This extra size might be a compromise for the slightly larger screen, but it’s not a huge difference.
Both phones feature premium titanium frames and Corning-made glass on the front and back, giving them a sleek and durable finish. They also share the same IP68 dust and water resistance, so you won’t have to worry about accidental splashes.
Display
The first thing you’ll notice about the iPhone 16 Pro is its slightly larger 6.3-inch display compared to the iPhone 15 Pro’s 6.1-inch screen. Both models use LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED displays with a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10, and Dolby Vision support, but the iPhone 16 Pro has a higher screen-to-body ratio (90.1 percent vs 88.2 percent on the 15 Pro). This results in a more immersive viewing experience, although the difference in resolution is minimal: 1206 x 2622 pixels for the iPhone 16 Pro and 1179 x 2556 pixels for the 15 Pro.
If you are a fan of bright displays, both the phones offer excellent brightness levels with 2000 nits HBM (High Brightness Mode), making them perfect for outdoor use.
Display
Performance is always a huge selling point for iPhones, and the iPhone 16 Pro features Apple’s latest A18 Pro chip, which is built on the same 3nm architecture as the iPhone 15 Pro’s A17 Pro. While both are incredibly powerful, the A18 Pro delivers faster CPU and GPU performance with a clock speed of 4.04 GHz, slightly ahead of the 15 Pro’s 3.78 GHz.
Although the 15 Pro is no slouch and can handle any task, including gaming and multitasking, the iPhone 16 Pro will likely feel faster and more efficient, especially when handling future software updates and more demanding apps.
Camera
Apple’s camera upgrades often grab the headlines and that’s the case this year as well. While both models feature a 48 MP main camera and a 12 MP ultrawide sensor, the iPhone 16 Pro’s periscope telephoto lens takes it up a notch. It offers 5x optical zoom compared to the 15 Pro’s 3x zoom. This improvement is particularly useful for capturing detailed photos from a distance, making the 16 Pro a better choice for photography enthusiasts.
Another notable upgrade is in video recording. The iPhone 16 Pro supports 120fps at 4K, while the 15 Pro maxes out at 60fps at the same resolution. This means you’ll get even smoother and crisper videos on the newer model, which is ideal for creators who shoot a lot of video content.
Battery and charging
Battery life is always an important factor when choosing a new phone. While both phones support 50 percent charging in 30 minutes and wireless MagSafe charging, the iPhone 16 Pro has a slight edge with 25W wireless charging (compared to 15W on the iPhone 15 Pro). This means you’ll be able to charge faster wirelessly on the 16 Pro, which is great for those who rely on wireless chargers.
Battery capacity details are still a little vague, but given the slightly larger size of the iPhone 16 Pro, it is expected to have a marginally larger battery than the 15 Pro, presumably offering slightly more all-day endurance.
Connectivity and additional features: Future-proofing your home with Wi-Fi 7
Both phones are equipped with the latest 5G connectivity, but the iPhone 16 Pro brings future-proofing with support for Wi-Fi 7, while the 15 Pro maxes out at Wi-Fi 6E. This might not be a game-changer today, but it will make a difference as Wi-Fi 7 becomes more widespread, providing faster and more stable connections.
Both phones have ultra-wideband (UWB) support, satellite SOS messaging, and USB-C ports, reflecting Apple’s move away from Lightning ports.
Which one should you buy?
Here’s the gist of the matter. If you’re already using an iPhone 15 Pro, the improvements made to the iPhone 16 Pro may seem incremental and not very revolutionary. However, if you want a bigger display, better camera zoom, and the latest A18 Pro chip for better performance for the future, it makes sense to upgrade to the iPhone 16 Pro.
On the other hand, if you’re happy with the great performance, camera quality, and design of your iPhone 15 Pro, you may not feel the need to upgrade just yet. Both phones are extremely capable, and the iPhone 15 Pro will remain a top-tier device for the foreseeable future.
In conclusion, the iPhone 16 Pro has improved, especially in the camera and performance departments, but whether it’s worth the upgrade depends on how much you value those features.
