iPhone 15 Plus vs 16 Plus: What’s Really Changed?

Apple’s Plus model often sits in an interesting spot: large screen, flagship design, but without the full Pro-level features. With the iPhone 16 Plus, Apple has followed its familiar pattern of small, thoughtful upgrades rather than big leaps. At first glance, it might seem almost identical to the iPhone 15 Plus, but there’s more going on under the surface than it appears. Let’s break it down and see if the new model is worth the switch.

Design and Build

When you put both phones side by side, it’s hard to tell which is which. The iPhone 16 Plus keeps the same flat aluminum frame, glass back, and overall shape as the iPhone 15 Plus. Apple’s focus this year was refinement, not reinvention.

However, there are subtle tweaks. The new Capture Button makes its debut, sitting just below the power button. It’s a pressure-sensitive control for photography and video recording, giving the Plus a little of that Pro flavor. Color options have also shifted slightly softer pastel shades this year to replace last year’s brighter tones.

In short, if you liked the feel of the iPhone 15 Plus, you’ll feel right at home here. But if you wanted a fresh new look, the 16 Plus might feel a little too familiar.

Display

Both models sport a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, with the same resolution, brightness, and refresh rate. Once again, Apple has left ProMotion out of the Plus series, meaning you’re still getting a 60Hz panel a bit behind competitors in this price range.

That said, the color accuracy, HDR performance, and outdoor visibility remain excellent. The iPhone 16 Plus doesn’t change the screen specs, but it benefits slightly from improved thermal management, which helps the display stay bright for longer during extended use.

So, display-wise, it’s more of a “refined repeat” than a real upgrade.

Performance and Chipset

Here’s where the real change happens. The iPhone 16 Plus gets Apple’s new A18 chip, replacing last year’s A16 Bionic in the iPhone 15 Plus. It’s not just faster, it’s smarter. Built to handle Apple Intelligence features, the new chip brings better efficiency and future-proofing for on-device AI tasks.

Day-to-day performance feels snappier, especially in multitasking and graphics-heavy apps. Gaming also benefits from improved GPU power, though the difference won’t be dramatic for most users. Still, the A18 gives the iPhone 16 Plus a noticeable edge in performance longevity.

For anyone planning to hold onto their phone for several years, that upgrade alone might make the 16 Plus the better pick.

Cameras

At first, the camera system looks the same, a dual 48MP + 12MP setup on both. But under the hood, the iPhone 16 Plus improves image processing and low-light performance thanks to the A18’s enhanced ISP (Image Signal Processor).

Photos have slightly better contrast and tone mapping, with more accurate colors in tricky lighting. Video quality remains outstanding, with smoother transitions when switching lenses.

There’s also support for the new Capture Button, which allows for better control over focus and zoom while shooting. It’s a small but meaningful change that makes photography on the 16 Plus more enjoyable.

So, while it’s not a camera revolution, the refinement is noticeable for anyone who loves shooting photos or videos.

Battery Life and Charging

Apple claims both phones deliver “all-day battery life,” and in practice, that’s accurate. The iPhone 16 Plus continues the Plus tradition of having one of the longest-lasting batteries in the lineup.

However, the A18 chip’s efficiency brings an extra hour or so of screen-on time in mixed use compared to the 15 Plus. Charging speeds are unchanged 20W wired, 15W MagSafe, and 7.5W Qi.

So while you won’t get faster charging, you’ll likely notice the 16 Plus lasting just a bit longer before you reach for the cable.

Software and Features

Both phones run iOS 18, but the iPhone 16 Plus has access to Apple Intelligence, Apple’s new suite of on-device AI tools. Features like enhanced Siri, Smart Summaries, and text rewriting are built to work directly on the A18 chip, giving the newer model an edge.

Unfortunately, these AI features won’t be fully available at launch in all regions, but having a device that supports them ensures better longevity and future updates. The iPhone 15 Plus, with its A16 chip, misses out on some of these advanced tools.

Pricing and Value

Pricing remains similar; the iPhone 16 Plus starts at the same point as last year’s model, making the decision trickier. For someone coming from an older iPhone, both are excellent options. But if you already own the iPhone 15 Plus, the upgrade might feel too minor unless Apple Intelligence and the Capture Button really appeal to you.

Apple is playing it safe here, focusing more on steady refinement than risk-taking.

Verdict

The iPhone 16 Plus refines what the iPhone 15 Plus started with; it’s smoother, smarter, and slightly more future-ready. The A18 chip and Capture Button are meaningful upgrades, while everything else remains comfortably familiar.

If you’re buying a new large-screen iPhone, the 16 Plus is the obvious pick. But if you already own the 15 Plus, you can confidently skip this generation your phone still holds up beautifully.

See Also iPhone 12 vs iPhone 14 Comparison: Worth the Jump?

FAQs (iPhone 15 Plus vs 16 Plus)