iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 15 Plus: How the New ‘Affordable’ Biggest iPhone is Better Than Its Predecessor
Apple unveiled its 2024 iPhone lineup at the ‘It’s Glowtime’ event on September 9. The iPhone 16 series comprises four phones – iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Surprisingly, the Pro models this year are priced lower than their predecessors. The prices of the standard models—iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus—remain the same as last year. Own an iPhone 15 Plus and wondering if you should upgrade? Or are you considering buying an iPhone 16 Plus? Here’s a breakdown of how the iPhone 16 Plus stacks up against the iPhone 15 Plus to help you decide.
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 15 Plus Design
The iPhone 16 Plus maintains the same form factor as its predecessor, the iPhone 15 Plus. It features the familiar aluminum frame design with a matte glass back. However, there’s a notable change in the camera module, as Apple brings back the vertical camera setup with the iPhone 16 Plus.
A major new addition this year is the Action Button on the left side, replacing the Ring/Silent switch. This customizable button serves as a shutter key and a trackpad for camera functions. Apple has also upgraded the Ceramic Shield cover glass, which is now 50% tougher than the previous generation and twice as tough as any other smartphone glass.
The iPhone 16 Plus is available in new Ultramarine and Teal colors, along with Pink, White, and Black. It retains the IP68 water and dust resistance rating.
The 2 Plus Model Display Comparison:
The iPhone 16 Plus retains the same 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with Full-HD+ resolution and 2,000 nits peak brightness. However, the minimum brightness has been reduced to 1 nit (down from 2 nits on the iPhone 15 Plus), improving low-light usage.
The Performance Comparison:
One of the biggest upgrades comes in performance. The iPhone 16 Plus is powered by the new Apple A18 chip, built on second-generation 3nm technology. This 6-core CPU is 30% faster than the A16 Bionic, with a 5-core GPU that is 40% faster and 35% more efficient. The 16-core Neural Engine has also been optimized for AI tasks and Apple Intelligence features.
The A18 is specifically designed with AI optimizations for the support of Apple Intelligence. Storage options remain the same at 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB.
The Camera Comparison Between the 2 Plus Models:
Though the camera upgrades are not as dramatic as the Pro models, the iPhone 16 Plus introduces macro photography, previously exclusive to the Pro lineup. It features a 48MP main sensor with an f/1.6 aperture and 2x zoom via sensor crop. The ultra-wide camera retains a 12MP sensor but now has an improved f/2.2 aperture (vs. f/2.4 on the iPhone 15 Plus).
Another new addition is the Camera Control button, allowing quick access to various camera functions. The iPhone 16 Plus also supports Spatial Video and Spatial Photos, designed for immersive experiences with AR/VR headsets like the Apple Vision Pro.
If you want to find out more about the other models of the iPhone 16, please visit the official Apple website from here.
The Plus Models’ Battery and Charging Comparison:
Apple claims the iPhone 16 Plus delivers 22 hours of video playback, an increase from 20 hours on the iPhone 15 Plus. The battery capacity is rumored to be 3,561mAh, approximately 6% larger than its predecessor.
Wireless charging has been upgraded to 25W MagSafe charging (up from 15W on the iPhone 15 Plus), while wired charging remains at 20W.The Price in the USA
In terms of pricing, the iPhone 16 Plus starts at $899 for the 128GB model in the USA, matching last year’s starting price for the iPhone 15 Plus.
| Model | Storage | Price |
| iPhone 16 Plus | 128GB | $899 |
| iPhone 16 Plus | 256GB | $999 |
| iPhone 16 Plus | 512GB | $1199 |
Specs Comparison Between the Plus Models:
| Feature | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 15 Plus |
| Chip | A18 (3nm) | A16 Bionic |
| CPU | 6-core (30% faster) | 6-core |
| GPU | 5-core (40% faster) | 5-core |
| RAM | 8GB | 6GB |
| Storage Options | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Display | 6.7″ Super Retina XDR | 6.7″ Super Retina XDR |
| Display Resolution | 2796 x 1290 pixels | 2556 x 1179 pixels |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Peak Brightness | 2,000 nits | 2,000 nits |
| Minimum Brightness | 1 nit | 2 nits |
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.6 | 48MP, f/1.6 |
| Ultra-wide Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.4 |
| Macro Photography | Yes | No |
| Front Camera | 12MP, f/1.9 | 12MP, f/1.9 |
| Buttons | Action Button, Camera Control | Ring/Silent switch |
| Battery Life | 22 hours (Video Playback) | 20 hours |
| Wired Charging | 20W | 20W |
| MagSafe Charging | 25W | 15W |
| Wireless Charging | Qi2 | Qi |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Ceramic Shield | Next-gen (50% tougher) | Previous-gen |
| Colors | Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, White, Black | Pink, Yellow, Green, Blue, Black |
| Starting Price (128GB) | $899 | $799 |
| Operating System | iOS 18 | iOS 17 (upgradable to ios 18) |
Check out more about the iPhone 16 plus and other Gadgets here. Visit the official “Apple website” here.
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