What is the difference between 15 pro and 16 pro?
As of late 2024 the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max have been announced so we can compare them to the iPhone 15 Pro. The differences are evolutionary but significant for power users. Design: The 16 Pro models are slightly larger (6.3" and 6.9" vs. 15 Pro's 6.1" and 6.7") and feature a new "Capture Button" on the side dedicated to camera controls. The back glass has a matte texture and the frames remain titanium.
Camera: This is the biggest leap. The 16 Pro gets the new 48MP Ultra Wide camera (up from 12MP) better low-light performance and enhanced computational photography powered by the A18 Pro chip. Spatial Video recording is improved. Performance: The A18 Pro chip is faster and more importantly has a vastly upgraded Neural Engine for AI tasks. Battery: Slightly larger batteries and more efficient chip lead to better battery life. Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 support (vs. Wi-Fi 6E) for faster wireless speeds. AI Features: The 16 Pro series debuts Apple Intelligence features on-device like advanced photo editing smarter Siri and writing tools. So the 15 Pro is still an excellent phone but the 16 Pro is for those who want the best camera future-ready AI and the latest connectivity. Apple's official compare page lays it all out.
I just upgraded from the 15 Pro Max to the 16 Pro Max. The everyday feel isn't massively different but the specifics add up. The new Capture Button is actually super handy for quickly launching the camera and taking shots without fumbling. The photos especially in tricky lighting are noticeably better—more detail in shadows and less noise.
The screen is brighter outdoors which helps. The AI features (Apple Intelligence) are cool if you use them like summarizing articles or cleaning up photos. But honestly if you have a 15 Pro and are happy with it you don't *need* to upgrade. The 15 Pro is still blazing fast. The upgrade is more compelling if you're coming from an older model or are a photography enthusiast. The thermal management is also better on the 16 Pro so it throttles less during long gaming or video editing sessions. It's an incremental but well-rounded update.