PhoneLifespan

iPhone 15 vs iPhone 16 Pro

vs

Winner

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

The iPhone 16 Pro wins this one, taking display and performance decisively. Against the iPhone 15 it's also the sounder buy at $7.84 per month of safe use.

Value Score: iPhone 15 62 · 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 $430
Safe to buy$8.41/mo
2023◆ Buy-by Sep 20282030
Apple iPhone 16 Pro $494
Safe to buy$7.84/mo
2024◆ Buy-by Sep 20292031

Category by category

Display
iPhone 15 50iPhone 16 Pro 80

The iPhone 16 Pro's screen is the better one — 6.3-inch super retina xdr oled, promotion 1–120hz, up to 2000 nits peak.

Performance
iPhone 15 80iPhone 16 Pro 95

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

Camera
iPhone 15 62iPhone 16 Pro 74

The iPhone 16 Pro has the stronger camera system (3 real rear lenses vs 2).

Battery
iPhone 15 47iPhone 16 Pro 52

3,582mAh vs 3,349mAh — the iPhone 16 Pro lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity
iPhone 15 61iPhone 16 Pro 75

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

Value
iPhone 15 62iPhone 16 Pro 73

Overall value goes to the iPhone 16 Pro at $7.84 per month of safe use.

Full spec table
SpeciPhone 15iPhone 16 Pro
Price (street)$430$494
Display6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz, Dynamic Island, up to 2000 nits peak6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion 1–120Hz, up to 2000 nits peak
ChipsetApple A16 BionicApple A18 Pro
RAM6GB8GB
Storage128GB/256GB/512GB128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB
Battery3,349 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-wide48MP main, 48MP ultra-wide, 12MP periscope 5x
Dimensions147.6 × 71.6 × 7.80 mm149.6 × 71.5 × 8.25 mm
Weight171 g199 g
Water resistanceIP68IP68
Supported untilSep 2030Sep 2031
iPhone 15 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.