Time for an upgrade? iPhone 15, iPhone 16 compared
Got your eye on the new iPhone 16?
Apple unveiled the all-new iPhone 16 series, its first phones to be built with Apple Intelligence in mind, during its "It's Glowtime" event on Sept. 9 (Sept. 10, Philippine time).
Like previous iterations, the range includes four models: the iPhone 16 (6.1 inch), iPhone 16 Plus (6.7 inch), iPhone 16 Pro (6.3 inch), and iPhone 16 Pro Max (6.9 inch).
For those who already have an iPhone 15, one question may be on your mind: Is it time to upgrade to the iPhone 16?
For your convenience, PhilSTAR L!fe has compiled a detailed comparison of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models to help you make your choice.
Display and appearance
Looks-wise, the new iPhone 16 makes a few subtle changes compared to the iPhone 15. All models still feature the Dynamic Island and USB-C port, but now the four new iPhone 16 devices come standard with the action button, which was only previously available to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
Previously used as a mute switch, this button now is programmable for a variety of shortcuts, including camera activation, launching a shortcut, phrase translation, and more.
The new range also now comes with an additional button for Camera Control which sits on the lower right-hand side below the power button.
As its name implies, you can capture photos and videos using this button. Once pressed, it will automatically open the Camera app.
Similar to a camera, a light press clears the UI so you can see the screen better. When you hold and swipe, you can access different controls, such as aperture, exposure, and zoom.
The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus also inherit its predecessors' 6.1-inch display and 6.7-inch display, respectively. Meanwhile, the Pro versions are now bigger with a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR screen for the iPhone 16 Pro and a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR screen for the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Apple Intelligence
During its keynote, the tech giant put emphasis on how the new iPhone 16 phones are ready for its AI platform, Apple Intelligence.
As announced earlier in June, the AI platform comes with the upcoming iOS 18 update and it will work as the iPhone's "personal intelligence system."
Apple Intelligence works similarly to ChatGPT in how it uses generative AI to generate images and create language. But more than this, the platform makes use of machine learning algorithms and models so it can simplify daily tasks, contextualize data, and take action across apps.
All devices in the iPhone 16 line will be able to support Apple Intelligence thanks to the A18 Bionic chip on the vanilla and Plus models and the A18 Pro chip on the Pro versions.
Unfortunately, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, with A16 Bionic, won't be able to support Apple Intelligence. The iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, with the A17 Pro chip, will be able to run it.
Camera
The iPhone 16 does away with the diagonal camera array and instead opts for a vertical one similar to the old iPhone 12.
The newer iPhone 16 and 16 Plus now come with a 48MP fusion camera with a faster quad-pixel sensor that enables 4K120 fps video recording in Dolby Vision. It has the same .5x, 1x, and 2x optical zoom options as its predecessor but gets more photography features like macro shooting, spatial photos and videos, and new photographic styles.
Meanwhile, the Pro models are touted to have the highest resolution and frame-rate combination "ever available on iPhone."
Additional advancements include a new 48MP fusion and 48MP ultrawide lenses for higher-resolution photography, including macro; a 5x Telephoto camera, and studio-quality mics to record more true-to-life audio.
Apple also boasted the video capabilities on the new Pro phones as they are capable of shooting 4K video at 120 fps, perfect for cinematic slow-motion shots.
In terms of optical zoom options, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max have now reached 5x compared to the iPhone 15 Pro, which only reaches 3x.
Power and Battery
The iPhone 15 series made a big change compared to previous models as it ditched Apple's proprietary Lightning charger in favor of the universally accepted USB-C connector. The iPhone 16 series continues this as all devices are fitted with a USB-C port supporting USB 3 for up to 20x faster speeds.
Although the iPhone 15 series has a better battery than the older models, with up to 26 hours of video playback for the standard version and 29 hours for the Pro versions, the iPhone 16 standard versions boast video playback of up to 27 hours and up to 33 hours for the Pro versions.
The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max also now support MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W with a 30W adapter or higher, which is not featured on the iPhone 15 Pro.
Colors
The iPhone 15 departs from dark colors, offering models in pink, blue, green, yellow, and black skins, while the iPhone 16 comes in vibrant shades of ultramarine, teal, pink, black, and white.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max were Apple's "lightest Pro lineup ever" in black titanium, white titanium, blue titanium, and natural titanium colorways.
This year, the tech giant introduced a new bronze-like desert titanium color to go with its classic natural titanium, black titanium, and white titanium.
The verdict
While we have yet to see Apple Intelligence, if having an iPhone that's capable of AI tasks is important for you, it's worth considering the upgrade, especially if you own an iPhone 15 or 15 Plus.
While design-wise the phones are similar, the Camera Control, upgraded cameras, and 4K at 120 fps recording on the iPhone 16 series are note-worthy as these features come in handy for content creators and smartphone photographers.
Prices
Here's how much the phones are priced:
- iPhone 15- P44,990
- iPhone 15 Plus - P52,990
- iPhone 15 Pro- P62,990
- iPhone 15 Pro Max- P76,990
- iPhone 16 - P54,990
- iPhone 16 Plus - P62,990
- iPhone 16 Pro - P69,990
- iPhone 16 Pro Max - P84,990
