PhoneLifespan

iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 16 Pro

vs

Winner

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

The iPhone 16 Pro wins this one, taking software longevity and performance decisively. Against the iPhone 15 Pro it's also the sounder buy at $7.81 per month of safe use.

Value Score: iPhone 15 Pro 63 · iPhone 16 Pro 73 — methodology

The lifespan decider

When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro $620
Safe to buy$12.08/mo
2023◆ Buy-by Sep 20282030
Apple iPhone 16 Pro $494
Safe to buy$7.81/mo
2024◆ Buy-by Sep 20292031

Category by category

Display
iPhone 15 Pro 80iPhone 16 Pro 80

Both displays are effectively the same class.

Performance
iPhone 15 Pro 88iPhone 16 Pro 95

The iPhone 16 Pro's Apple A18 Pro is simply the faster chip.

Camera
iPhone 15 Pro 74iPhone 16 Pro 74

Camera systems are comparable on paper — pick by sample photos.

Battery
iPhone 15 Pro 45iPhone 16 Pro 52

3,582mAh vs 3,274mAh — the iPhone 16 Pro lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity
iPhone 15 Pro 61iPhone 16 Pro 75

The iPhone 16 Pro is supported until Sep 2031 — 12 months longer than the iPhone 15 Pro.

Value
iPhone 15 Pro 63iPhone 16 Pro 73

Overall value goes to the iPhone 16 Pro at $7.81 per month of safe use.

Full spec table
SpeciPhone 15 ProiPhone 16 Pro
Price (street)$620$494
Display6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz ProMotion, Always-On, Dynamic Island, up to 2000 nits peak6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion 1–120Hz, up to 2000 nits peak
ChipsetApple A17 ProApple A18 Pro
RAM8GB8GB
Storage128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB
Battery3,274 mAh3,582 mAh
ChargingWired ~50% in 30 min with 20W+; MagSafe 15W wirelessWired fast charge — 50% in ~30 min with a 20W+ adapter; MagSafe wireless up to 25W
Rear cameras48MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto48MP main, 48MP ultra-wide, 12MP periscope 5x
Dimensions146.6 × 70.6 × 8.25 mm149.6 × 71.5 × 8.25 mm
Weight187 g199 g
Water resistanceIP68IP68
Supported untilSep 2030Sep 2031
iPhone 15 Pro full verdict →iPhone 16 Pro full verdict →Longevity master board →

Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.