iPhone 16 and 16 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max: What’s New and What’s Not?

If you're wondering whether to upgrade from your iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max to the iPhone 16 series, here's the truth: not much has changed. 

Sure, Apple introduced some nice touches, but nothing revolutionary.

This is a pattern. The truth is there's not much room to go anywhere from where we are right now, which is peak smartphone. previous year’s model can feel… underwhelming. That’s not by accident. Apple’s strategy is all about incremental upgrades—subtle tweaks and refinements rather than reinventing the wheel each year. And this year’s iPhone 16 lineup is no different.

Why Apple Does This Every Year (And Why You Don’t Always Need to Upgrade)

Apple’s annual iPhone updates generate excitement, but the truth is, most users won’t experience massive improvements year after year. Apple follows a well-established pattern: major redesigns or groundbreaking features (like Face ID or 5G) tend to come every 3-4 years, with smaller enhancements in between. The goal is to keep existing users engaged while giving those with older models a reason to upgrade, without necessarily pressuring everyone to jump to the latest version every year.

This also helps Apple manage its production cycle more smoothly and maintain consistency across its product lines. Each year’s iPhone is a little bit faster, a little bit sharper, and has a few more features, but for the average user, these changes don’t always make a noticeable difference.

Let us break it down for you in a super simple way so you can make an informed decision without listening to the marketing hype and influencer hyperbole.

What’s new?

The iPhone 16 and 16 Pro bring a few updates, but they're mostly minor unless you're a pro photographer or videographer.

• Camera Button: On the Pro and Pro Max, there's now a dedicated camera button. Cool, right? But let’s be real—it's not a game-changer. It’s a convenient touch if you’re constantly taking photos, but not a reason to upgrade.
• Camera Rearrangement on iPhone 16: On the base iPhone 16, they’ve switched up the camera layout from diagonal to vertical. It's mostly cosmetic and doesn’t impact performance, though it does give the phone a sleeker look.
• Improved Ultra-Wide Camera (Pro and Pro Max): The ultra-wide lens now has better resolution on the iPhone 16 Pro models. It's nice if you’re a pro photographer, but most casual users won’t notice the difference.
• 4K at 120 FPS Video: If you’re into shooting pro-level videos, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max now offer 4K video at 120 frames per second. It’s amazing for video pros, but for everyday TikTok or Instagram videos, it’s not something you’ll really need.

What’s the Same?

For the most part, the iPhone 16 feels a lot like the iPhone 15—and that’s not a bad thing. Both models are top-tier phones, but the upgrades from 15 to 16 are more incremental than groundbreaking.

• Titanium Build: Both the iPhone 15 Pro series and iPhone 16 Pro series have that premium titanium build. It’s lightweight, feels great in the hand, and is super durable. But, if you’re coming from the 15, this is old news.
• A17 Chip: The iPhone 16 Pro still uses the same A17 Pro chip that debuted with the iPhone 15 Pro. It’s fast, powerful, and great for gaming or heavy-duty tasks, but if you’re already on a 15 Pro, you won’t notice a huge speed boost.
• Apple Intelligence Focus: Apple is leaning into AI-powered features, but much of this is software-driven, which means most of the smarts that the iPhone 16 has will also roll out to the iPhone 15 with future iOS updates.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Should You Upgrade?

If you already own an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max, the iPhone 16’s new features are nice-to-haves, but they’re not game-changers. The camera button is cool, and the improved ultra-wide lens will appeal to photographers, but for everyday users, the differences are marginal.

The 4K 120FPS video is awesome if you're a videographer, but for the average user, it’s not a must-have. Most people won’t notice a significant difference between the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 in day-to-day use.

The iPhone 14: An Even Better Bargain

Now, here's a side note worth considering: the iPhone 14 is still an incredible deal, especially if you're looking for a budget-friendly option without sacrificing performance. The gap between the iPhone 14 and the newer models is smaller than you'd think, mainly because the jump from the iPhone 14 to iPhone 15 was already pretty minimal.

• A15 Chip Still Performs: The iPhone 14’s A15 Bionic chip still handles most tasks like a breeze, and you’re unlikely to feel a massive speed difference unless you’re doing high-end gaming or video editing.
• Solid Camera Setup: The iPhone 14’s camera system is more than capable for everyday use. The improvements in the iPhone 15 and 16 are nice, but not essential unless you’re a pro photographer.
• Price: The biggest win for the iPhone 14? Price. You can grab a refurbished iPhone 14 for around 30-40% less than a new iPhone 16. It’s a killer deal, especially when you consider how small the performance gap is between the 14 and the newer models.

Side-by-Side Comparison

So should you upgrade?

While the iPhone 16 offers some incremental improvements, they’re not enough to justify upgrading if you already own an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max. The new camera button, improved ultra-wide camera, and 4K 120FPS video are nice touches, but they’re really only appealing if you’re a pro photographer or videographer.

On the other hand, if you're rocking an iPhone 14 or earlier, don’t overlook the option of a refurbished iPhone 15 or 15 Pro Max, which offers many of the same features at a significantly reduced price. And if you want to save even more, the iPhone 14 is an excellent option that still packs plenty of power and value.