The iPhone 16 Pro has arrived, bringing with it some exciting new features. The base models now boast features that were previously exclusive to the Pro models of last year, and the entire lineup benefits from the addition of the Camera Control feature. But what about those of us who already own the iPhone 15 Pro? Is the upgrade to the iPhone 16 Pro worthwhile? Let’s dive into the details and compare these two powerful phones.
Design and Display
While the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro share a similar design language – titanium construction, flat edges, and a triple-lens camera setup – the iPhone 16 Pro introduces a key hardware addition: Camera Control. This physical button, located on the bottom right of the titanium frame, offers a new level of control with its integrated touch sensor for slide gestures. The iPhone 16 Pro’s display also sees a slight size bump to 6.3 inches from the iPhone 15 Pro’s 6.1 inches, thanks to reduced bezels. Both models feature the Super Retina XDR display with always-on capabilities, ProMotion technology (120Hz refresh rate), and a peak brightness of 2,000 nits for outdoor use. However, the iPhone 16 Pro allows for a minimum brightness of 1 nit in low-light environments, enhancing viewing comfort in dim conditions. Additionally, the iPhone 16 Pro incorporates the latest generation Ceramic Shield, offering enhanced drop resistance.
Cameras
The iPhone 16 Pro boasts significant camera improvements. While the iPhone 15 Pro features a 48MP primary camera, a 12MP ultrawide camera, and a 12MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, the iPhone 16 Pro steps up with a 48MP Fusion camera, a 48MP ultrawide camera, and a 12MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. This upgrade delivers better clarity and zoom capabilities, especially in the ultrawide and telephoto ranges. The iPhone 16 Pro also introduces new photography and videography features, including 48MP macro photography, 4K Dolby Vision video recording, an improved four-mic array for studio-quality audio, and enhanced wind noise reduction. If you’re a serious video enthusiast, the iPhone 16 Pro’s camera capabilities are a significant upgrade.
Software and Performance
Both phones ship with iOS 17 and are eligible for iOS 18, with Apple providing ongoing software support for around five years. The iPhone 15 Pro packs the A17 Pro chip and 8GB of RAM, which meet the minimum requirements for Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18. However, the iPhone 16 Pro introduces the A18 Pro chip, promising a 20% increase in memory bandwidth, double the hardware-accelerated ray tracing performance, and a 20% improvement in sustained performance. The A18 Pro also boasts enhanced power efficiency. Furthermore, the iPhone 16 Pro leverages the Camera Control to enable Visual Intelligence, a Google Lens-like feature powered by Apple Intelligence and Siri, which is not available on the iPhone 15 Pro.
Battery Life and Charging
The iPhone 15 Pro packs a 3,274mAh battery, offering approximately 23 hours of streamed video playback. While Apple hasn’t disclosed the iPhone 16 Pro’s battery size, it appears to be slightly larger, with a claimed 27 hours of streamed video playback. Combined with the A18 Pro chip’s power efficiency, the iPhone 16 Pro is expected to deliver longer battery life. In terms of charging, the iPhone 16 Pro maintains the same wired charging speed as its predecessor (50% charge in 30 minutes with a 20W adapter). However, it now supports up to 25W wireless MagSafe charging, an upgrade from the iPhone 15 Pro’s 15W wireless charging.
Verdict
For owners of the iPhone 15 Pro, upgrading to the iPhone 16 Pro might not be an absolute necessity. The iPhone 15 Pro remains a capable phone, offering solid performance and features. However, if you value the new Camera Control button, its associated Visual Intelligence feature, the enhanced 48MP ultrawide camera, and the 5x optical zoom, the iPhone 16 Pro presents a compelling upgrade path. Additionally, if you can snag a trade-in deal offering significant discounts on the iPhone 16 Pro, the upgrade becomes even more tempting. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your individual needs and budget, and whether the iPhone 16 Pro’s new features are worth the investment.
