iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15: Should You Upgrade in 2026?
iPhone 16 won Best Small Phone at MKBHD's 2024 Smartphone Awards. iPhone 15 didn't place but is now widely discounted. The biggest functional difference: Apple Intelligence support, which the iPhone 15 does NOT have.
Updated · Verdict based on MKBHD Smartphone Awards results and spec analysis.
iPhone 16
Apple · 2024 · From $799
iPhone 15
Apple · 2023 · From $799
Round wins
iPhone 16: 5 · iPhone 15: 1 ·Ties: 2
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch OLED, 60Hz | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz |
| Processor | Apple A18 | Apple A16 Bionic |
| RAM | 8GB | 6GB |
| Camera | 48MP main + 12MP ultrawide | 48MP main + 12MP ultrawide |
| Battery | 3,561 mAh | 3,349 mAh |
| OS | iOS 18 | iOS 17 |
| Starting price | $799 | $799 |
| Released | 2024 | 2023 |
Round-by-round breakdown
Apple Intelligence
Winner: iPhone 16iPhone 16 fully supports Apple Intelligence. iPhone 15 does NOT (only the 15 Pro/Pro Max do). Decisive for long-term value.
Performance
Winner: iPhone 16A18 chip in the iPhone 16 is roughly 25% faster than A16 in the iPhone 15. Material gap for AI workloads.
Camera
Winner: iPhone 16iPhone 16 has improved computational photography and the new Camera Control button. iPhone 15 cameras are competent but show their age in low light.
Display
TieBoth 6.1-inch OLED at 60Hz. ProMotion still requires the Pro on both generations.
Battery
Winner: iPhone 16iPhone 16 has slightly larger battery and the more efficient A18. Roughly 30 minutes more screen-on time.
USB-C / connectivity
TieBoth have USB-C. Functional parity.
Software longevity
Winner: iPhone 16iPhone 16 has roughly 2 more years of iOS support runway than iPhone 15.
Price
Winner: iPhone 15iPhone 15: now $499 refurbished. iPhone 16: $599–$699 (down from $799 launch). 15 is cheaper but you give up Apple Intelligence.
Final verdict
Buy the iPhone 16 — Apple Intelligence support alone justifies the price difference. The iPhone 15 is a competent phone but it's stuck without Apple's main 2025–2026 software story. If you're price-sensitive, the iPhone 16 at $599–$699 (now widely discounted) is a much better long-term buy than the iPhone 15 at $499.
Frequently Asked Questions
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15: which to buy?
iPhone 16 — won MKBHD's 2024 Best Small Phone, supports Apple Intelligence, and has 1–2 more years of iOS support. The price gap of $100–$200 is well worth the long-term value.
Does iPhone 15 get Apple Intelligence?
No — only iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max and all iPhone 16 and 17 models. The base iPhone 15 is the latest non-Apple-Intelligence iPhone.
Is iPhone 15 still worth buying in 2026?
Only if budget caps below $500 and Apple Intelligence isn't important to you. For longer-term value, stretch to the iPhone 16 instead.