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iPhone 15 vs iPhone 16e

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Starting at

£356.39

£799 new

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Starting at

£448.19

£599 new

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iPhone 15Starting at £356.39See options
iPhone 16eStarting at £448.19See options
4.6/5 (12 reviews)
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In a nutshell

They share the same 6.1-inch screen size, the same 48MP main camera and the same 60Hz refresh rate. The iPhone 16e has the lower launch price, longer OS support until about 2032 (est.) and Apple Intelligence. The iPhone 15 counters with a brighter 2000-nit screen and an ultrawide camera.

At 128GB, the iPhone 15 launched at £799 and the iPhone 16e at £599.

Available models

iPhone 15

Capacity

Condition grades in stock

Pristine, Excellent, Great, Good

iPhone 16e

Capacity

Condition grades in stock

Pristine, Excellent, Great, Good

Durability

iPhone 15 76/100
iPhone 16e 89/100

The iPhone 16e should be supported for longer, with OS updates until about 2032 (est.) against about 2030 (est.) on the iPhone 15.

Software support:The iPhone 15 should get OS updates until about 2030 (est.) and the iPhone 16e until about 2032 (est.). That gives the iPhone 16e the longer support window.

Weight:The iPhone 15 weighs 171g and the iPhone 16e 167g, so the iPhone 16e is the lighter phone.

Water and dust:Both are rated IP68, the same protection against dust and water.

Frame:Both use the same aluminium frame.

Released

2023
2025Newer

Updates until (est.)

2030
2032Supported for longer

Water resistance

IP68
IP68

Frame

Aluminium
Aluminium

Weight

171g
167gLighter

Release date

22 September 2023
28 February 2025

Front glass

Ceramic Shield
Ceramic Shield

Dimensions

147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm

Biometrics

Face ID
Face ID

Repairability

EU repairability class C
EU repairability class C

Performance

iPhone 15 69/100
iPhone 16e 85/100

The iPhone 16e has the newer chip, the A18.

Chip:The iPhone 15 runs the A16 Bionic and the iPhone 16e the A18. The A18 is the newer chip, from 2025.

Memory:The iPhone 16e has 8GB of RAM against 6GB on the iPhone 15, which helps keep more apps open in the background.

AI features:Only the iPhone 16e supports Apple Intelligence. The iPhone 15 does not.

Storage:Both launched in the same 128GB, 256GB and 512GB sizes.

Chip

A16 Bionic
A18

RAM

6GB
8GBMore memory

Storage options

128GB, 256GB, 512GB
128GB, 256GB, 512GB

AI features

No
YesHas AI features

Screen quality

iPhone 15 68/100
iPhone 16e 62/100

The same 6.1-inch size and the same 60Hz refresh rate on both.

Panel:The iPhone 15 uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel at 2556 x 1179 and the iPhone 16e a Super Retina XDR OLED panel at 2532 x 1170.

Brightness:The iPhone 15 peaks at 2000 nits against 1200 on the iPhone 16e, by the makers' figures, so it is easier to read in bright sun.

Screen size

6.1"
6.1"

Screen type

Super Retina XDR OLED
Super Retina XDR OLED

Refresh rate

60Hz
60Hz

Resolution

2556 x 1179
2532 x 1170

Peak brightness

2000 nits (maker figure)
1200 nits (maker figure)

Camera

iPhone 15 48/100
iPhone 16e 35/100

The same 48MP main camera on both, so everyday shots start from the same resolution.

Ultrawide:Only the iPhone 15 has an ultrawide camera, a 12MP one. The iPhone 16e has none.

Zoom:Neither has a telephoto lens, and both offer the same 2x crop from the main sensor.

Selfies:Both have the same 12MP selfie camera.

Video:Both record video at up to 4K 60fps Dolby Vision, the same top setting.

Main camera

48MP
48MP

Ultrawide

12MPMore megapixels
None

Telephoto

None
None

Optical zoom

None
None

Front camera

12MP
12MP

Video recording

4K 60fps Dolby Vision
4K 60fps Dolby Vision

2x zoom

Crop from the main sensor, no telephoto lens
Crop from the main sensor, no telephoto lens

Battery

iPhone 15 58/100
iPhone 16e 63/100

The iPhone 16e lasts longer on Apple's figures, up to 26 hours of video against 20.

Battery life:Apple rates the iPhone 15 at up to 20 hours of video playback and the iPhone 16e at up to 26 hours.

Capacity:The iPhone 16e has the bigger battery, 4005mAh against 3349mAh.

Wireless charging:For wireless charging, the iPhone 15 supports MagSafe 15W, Qi2 and the iPhone 16e Qi.

Battery

3349mAh
4005mAhBigger battery

Wireless charging

MagSafe 15W, Qi2
Qi

Video playback (maker)

Up to 20 hours
Up to 26 hours

Connectivity

iPhone 15 64/100
iPhone 16e 64/100

Both have 5G and the same Wi-Fi 6.

Port:Both have the same USB-C (USB 2, 480Mb/s) port.

SIM:Both take the same Nano-SIM + eSIM setup.

Bluetooth:Both have the same Bluetooth 5.3.

5G

Yes
Yes

Port

USB-C (USB 2, 480Mb/s)
USB-C (USB 2, 480Mb/s)

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi 6
Wi-Fi 6

SIM

Nano-SIM + eSIM
Nano-SIM + eSIM

Bluetooth

Bluetooth 5.3
Bluetooth 5.3

Our verdict

Buy the iPhone 15 if you want a brighter 2000-nit screen and an ultrawide camera. Buy the iPhone 16e if you want the lower launch price and longer OS support until about 2032 (est.).

Buy the iPhone 15 if

  • You want a brighter 2000-nit screen
  • You want an ultrawide camera
Shop from £356.39

Buy the iPhone 16e if

  • You want the lower launch price
  • You want longer OS support until about 2032 (est.)
  • You want Apple Intelligence
Shop from £448.19

FAQs

The iPhone 15 should get OS updates until about 2030 (est.) and the iPhone 16e until about 2032 (est.). That gives the iPhone 16e the longer support window.

Every Reboxed phone has a minimum of 80% battery health. If you want the closest thing to new, some phones offer our New Battery Upgrade, professionally installed before your phone is dispatched. If it's available, you'll see it on the product page.

Pristine, Excellent, Great and Good. Pristine has zero blemishes and at least 90% battery health. Good can show noticeable wear on the casing but works perfectly. Every grade is TechCheck certified and comes with a 12-month warranty.

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