Unleash the Future: Apple iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15 Challenge
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15: A Comprehensive Comparison
The wait is over, and the iPhone 16 series is finally here. As the new model hits the market, it’s natural to wonder how it stacks up against its predecessor, the iPhone 15. In this article, we’ll delve into the key differences between the two, exploring what’s new, what’s improved, and whether the iPhone 16 is worth the upgrade.
Size Comparison
One of the first things you’ll notice about the iPhone 16 is that it’s identical in size to the iPhone 15, measuring 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm. While this may not seem like much, it’s a testament to Apple’s commitment to a design that’s both sleek and functional.
Durability and New Features
The iPhone 16 boasts improved durability, thanks to its new generation of Ceramic Shield front glass, which is 50% tougher than its predecessor on the iPhone 15. You’ll also find two new buttons on the iPhone 16 – the Action key, previously exclusive to iPhone Pros, and the Camera Control.
Display Comparison
The iPhone 16’s display is identical to the iPhone 15’s – a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED with excellent HDR capabilities and a 60Hz standard refresh rate. Both panels can produce an impressive 1,000 nits of typical brightness and up to 2,000 nits of maximum brightness. In our display measurements, we noticed a minor 50-nit difference between the two panels, but for all intents and purposes, the screens are equally bright.
Battery Life and Charging Speed
The iPhone 16’s 3,500mAh battery (3,561mAh to be exact) may seem marginally larger than its predecessor, but it’s the improved efficiency of the new Apple A18 chipset and possible under-the-hood iOS 18 updates that make the real difference. The result is a noticeable jump in active use score, with the iPhone 16 offering 7 hours more call time, 4 hours more web browsing, and 1.5 hours more video streaming than the iPhone 15.
The iPhone 16 supports fast wired charging, with Apple refusing to reveal the maximum power rating. However, it’s quoted as 50% charge in 30 minutes using a 20W USB-PD charger. Wireless charging is also supported, with the new MagSafe charger capable of reaching speeds of up to 25W when paired with a 30W+ power adapter. The iPhone 15’s MagSafe wireless charging tops out at 15W.
Speaker Test
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 share identical stereo speakers, featuring a hybrid arrangement where the earpiece serves as one of the speakers. Our loudness test resulted in a "Very Good" mark for the iPhone 16, while the iPhone 15 scored a slightly more modest "Good". The difference is marginal, but both sets of speakers sound great.
Performance
The Apple A18 chipset is a significant upgrade over the A16 found in the iPhone 15. This new chip boasts a faster 6-core processor, a 5-core GPU with improved hardware raytracing, and increased RAM, now set at 8GB. The A18 CPU is touted to be 30% faster than its predecessor, while the GPU is 40% speedier.
Camera Comparison
The iPhone 16’s camera setup is largely identical to the iPhone 15’s, featuring a 48MP primary sensor, 1/1.56" size, 1.0µm individual pixels, and sensor-shift OIS. The selfie camera remains a 12MP shooter with phase detection autofocus. However, the new ultrawide camera now boasts autofocus, allowing for macro photography and spatial audio recording.
Verdict
The Apple iPhone 16 starts at €949 and is an excellent premium compact phone, delivering on design, screen, battery life, speakers, performance, and camera capabilities. It’s the faster phone of the two, with a better ultrawide camera and faster wireless charging. The battery life has also received a boost, and the durability has been improved, thanks to Apple’s claims.
While the iPhone 15 is roughly €200 cheaper and still offers a largely identical user experience, the iPhone 16 is the objectively better phone. Whether or not it’s worth the upgrade depends on your budget and whether you value the added features of the iPhone 16.
