The new iPhone 16 is officially available in stores as of September 20, so many iPhone users are probably wondering: is it worth upgrading to the iPhone 16?
Apple officially unveiled the long-awaited iPhone 16 line-up at a September 9 event, where it also launched iOS 18, new Apple Watches, and new AirPods. Apple Intelligence also played a star role in the iPhone 16 launch since it's the first new iPhone since Apple announced its on-device AI platform at WWDC 2024 in June. However, it's worth noting that most Apple Intelligence features won't be available for months.
Many of the rumors we collected about the iPhone 16 ahead of Apple's official announcement ended up being accurate. Now that we know exactly what the iPhone 16 has to offer, it's even easier to compare it to the iPhone 15 and earlier iPhones to determine if it's worth upgrading for (or if you're better off skipping it).
Whether you currently have an iPhone 15, you're thinking about upgrading from an older iPhone, or you're switching from Android, this guide will highlight the main differences between the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 you should know.
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15: Price
It's no secret that iPhones can be pricey, so price is a crucial factor to consider before trading in your phone for an iPhone 15 or 16.
Luckily, Apple's pricing model has been pretty consistent over the past several years. Apple usually offers three generations of iPhone models at a time, reducing the price of previous years' models by $100 when a new generation launches.
Here's a quick breakdown of the prices for each iPhone 16 model:
Similarly, here's a look at the lower prices for the other iPhones in Apple's line-up now that the iPhone 16 has launched. Note that the iPhone 13 has been discontinued. The cost of the iPhone SE could also increase in 2025 when Apple gives it a much-needed refresh.
Where to order the iPhone 16
If the price of the new iPhone 16 is a bit high for your budget, you may be able to get one for a steep discount using deals from different retailers and service providers. For instance, you can get an iPhone 16 for just one cent (yes, really!) using this offer from Boost Mobile on Amazon. Of course, it requires switching to Boost Mobile, but if that's not a big deal to you, you could get the iPhone 16 basically for free.
Here's a quick look at where you can buy the four new iPhone 16 models, including the official Apple Store link and some of the top deals we've found so far:
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15: Specs
The iPhone 16 line-up is powered by Apple's new A18 chip (or A18 Pro in the case of the iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max). The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus run on the A16 Bionic chip while the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are equipped with the more powerful A17 Pro processor.
That processor spec is an important difference and could be the deciding factor for iPhone 15 and 15 Plus users considering upgrading. Right now, the only iPhones capable of running Apple Intelligence, a new collection of on-device AI features, are the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. The A16 chip in the base iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus isn't powerful enough to run Apple Intelligence (more on that below).
Apple Intelligence also pushed Apple to increase the RAM in the iPhone 16 line-up. Chance Miller of 9to5Mac confirmed this in an interview with Johny Srouji, Apple's Senior VP of Hardware Technologies, shortly after the iPhone 16 was announced on September 9.
This may not seem like a big deal, but more RAM can significantly improve overall performance. Apple Intelligence may have been the main motivator for the RAM spec bump, but more RAM will also result in better gaming performance and smoother multi-tasking.
In fact, Apple highlighted improved gaming performance in its presentation on September 9. The entire iPhone 16 line-up includes support for AAA games, such as Assassin's Creed Mirage and Honor of Kings: World. So, if you're a big fan of mobile gaming, the iPhone 16 could offer much stronger performance and game compatibility compared to the iPhone 15.
The iPhone 16 also got a light camera update from last year's model including a new feature: spatial video. This feature was previously only available on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. It allows you to capture 3D videos and photos to view in lifelike augmented reality on the Apple Vision Pro.
That might seem like a niche feature right now, especially since most people buying a base iPhone 16 probably can't afford an Apple Vision Pro headset. But Apple's choice to include this feature on the entire iPhone 16 line-up is likely a precursor to Apple's next headset, which is expected to be much more affordable, perhaps around the price of a MacBook.
So, if you have an older iPhone or even an iPhone 15 and you're interested in spatial video, it may be worth upgrading to get the updated camera on the iPhone 16.
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15: Design
While there have been rumors recently about major design updates coming to the iPhone, like an ultra-thin model and a foldable iPhone, those updates were not part of the iPhone 16 line-up.
The iPhone 16 maintains the overall design aesthetic of the previous iPhone line-up, with some minor aesthetic updates. For example, the iPhone 16 features some vibrant new color options including a bright flamingo pink, teal, and ultramarine blue (my personal favorite).
So, if you've grown tired of the pastel colors Apple has favored over recent years, the iPhone 16 could be a welcome design update.
Apple also tweaked the iPhone 16 Pro color options. As rumors predicted, Apple introduced a new color called "Desert Titanium". It's a muted, yet classy shade that's closer to bronze than rose gold. The Pro models are also available in Natural, White, and Black Titanium colorways.
Besides new color options, the iPhone 16 line-up also includes a couple of new controls: an action button and the camera control.
The action button can be assigned to almost any quick action you want, but it's intended for quickly launching Siri and Apple Intelligence. For instance, tap the action button and point your camera at something you want to search for to quickly get an AI-generated summary on it.
This new button probably isn't a deal breaker if you're on the fence about upgrading to the iPhone 16. However, it is a unique design update that some people may find useful, especially if you often use AI assistants.
The new camera control is a physical touch sensor on the side of the iPhone 16 (on the edge adjacent to the camera bump). You can use it like a shutter button on a conventional camera or use it to easily control zoom, lighting, and other camera settings without having to touch your screen.
Like the action button, this new design feature probably isn't a deal breaker but definitely has its appeal. iPhones have long been among the most popular phones for photography, so the new camera control could be an exciting update for many iPhone users and newcomers alike.
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15: Apple Intelligence
One of the biggest differences between the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 16 is access to Apple Intelligence. Apple's new on-device AI platform was announced at WWDC 2024 in June and is expected to launch with iOS 18.1. But there's a catch. It looks like these new AI features will only be available to certain iPhones due to the processing power requirements for on-device AI.
Right now, the beta version of Apple Intelligence only runs on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max along with the entire iPhone 16 line-up, even the base model. So, starting with the iPhone 16, we can expect all future iPhones to support Apple Intelligence, even non-Pro models.
If you want to use Apple Intelligence, which includes some helpful new features and a Siri upgrade, that alone may make it worthwhile to upgrade to the iPhone 16, even if you currently have an iPhone 15.
Outlook
Whether you're thinking about buying a new iPhone or you're wondering if you should trade in your iPhone 15, the iPhone 16 is certainly worth considering. It may not be the best value for all users, but it depends on which iPhone you already have.
If you currently have an iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, or an older iPhone, trading it in for the iPhone 16 could be worth it. However, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max already have most of the key features of the iPhone 16, particularly access to Apple Intelligence. So, upgrading most likely isn't worth it for people with the 15 Pro or Pro Max.
The new iPhone line-up wasn't the only thing Apple announced at its September event. You can also now upgrade your Apple Watch to the Series 10, which includes some exciting new health features, and trade in your AirPods for the redesigned AirPods 4.
Laptop Mag will be covering the latest updates on Apple's newest releases, so stay tuned for more details.
