iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Plus

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Apple iPhone 16 Plus

The iPhone 16 Plus wins this one, taking battery decisively. Against the iPhone 16 it's also the sounder buy at $10.31 per month of safe use.

Value Score: iPhone 16 59 · iPhone 16 Plus 64 — 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 16 $699

Safe to buy$11.09/mo

2024◆ Buy-by Sep 20292031

Apple iPhone 16 Plus $650

Safe to buy$10.31/mo

2024◆ Buy-by Sep 20292031

Category by category

Display

iPhone 16 50iPhone 16 Plus 50

Both displays are effectively the same class.

Performance

iPhone 16 92iPhone 16 Plus 92

Performance is a wash — same chip tier.

Camera

iPhone 16 62iPhone 16 Plus 62

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

Battery

iPhone 16 51iPhone 16 Plus 73

4,674mAh vs 3,561mAh — the iPhone 16 Plus lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

iPhone 16 75iPhone 16 Plus 75

Both phones' support windows end around the same time.

Value

iPhone 16 59iPhone 16 Plus 64

Overall value goes to the iPhone 16 Plus at $10.31 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	iPhone 16	iPhone 16 Plus
Price (street)	$699	$650
Display	6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz, up to 2000 nits peak	6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz, Dynamic Island, up to 2000 nits peak
Chipset	Apple A18	Apple A18
RAM	8GB	8GB
Storage	128GB/256GB/512GB	128GB/256GB/512GB
Battery	3,561 mAh	4,674 mAh
Charging	Wired fast charge — 50% in ~30 min with 20W+ adapter; MagSafe wireless up to 25W	Wired ~50% in 30 min with 20W+; up to 25W MagSafe with 30W adapter
Rear cameras	48MP main, 12MP ultra-wide	48MP main, 12MP ultra-wide
Dimensions	147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm	160.9 × 77.8 × 7.80 mm
Weight	170 g	199 g
Water resistance	IP68	IP68
Supported until	Sep 2031	Sep 2031

iPhone 16 full verdict →iPhone 16 Plus 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.