iPhone 16e vs iPhone 15: the complete comparison (common points, differences, price, our opinion)

With its iPhone 16th released in February 2025, Apple transformed its iPhone range. The machine, presented as an “economical” version of the iPhone 16, issold € 719 initially. Its merger with the iPhone 15 is therefore rather logical. But in reality, is it an iPhone powerful enough to compete with a modelPositioned still 150 € more expensive?Answer in this detailed comparison.

• Read also:iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16e, what is the economical model worth in the original?

With the iPhone 16th, Apple officially says goodbye to the iPhone SE. The iPhone "Special Edition" therefore stop, in favor of a much more complete device, equipped with the latest innovations both software and hardware. Apple also insisted a lot on this point during the announcement:The iPhone 16th is not a new iPhone SE, it is a different model, with a completely different objective.

By offering a state -of -the -art smartphone, the apple brand wants to do as well as the iPhone 15, released in 2024. Already in terms of design, it is about two boxes with two boxes withA 6.1 inch OLED screen. They are each equipped with the ID face and a USB-C load port (compulsory in Europe). Be careful all the same, the iPhone 16th screen is less bright (only 800 nits).

The two machines have the right to 5G (but not with the same modem) and wireless recharge (even if the iPhone 16th is not compatible Magsafe, while it supports the Qi standard in slow recharge) . As such, it is less good than the iPhone 12, released in 2020.

The main differences

Camera

With the iPhone 16th, Apple had to compromise. The first, which is obvious, concerns the photo block. This new smartphone has only one goal. This "fusion" camera described as "2 in 1" allows you to take clichés in 48 Mpx and 4K videos in 60 i/s, like the iPhone 15. But the latter is distinguished from the iPhone 16th with the presence of 'An ultra-large-angle sensor.He's the big absent from the iPhone 16th.

Autonomy

Another very interesting difference, this time in favor of the iPhone 16th, the crucial question of autonomy. The iPhone 16th has the "best autonomy for an iPhone of 6.1 inch". With26 hours announced in video reading, it's much better than the iPhone 15 (20 hours) and even the iPhone 16 (24 hours). No difference on recharging, the two Apple smartphones can go from 0 to 50 % in 30 minutes with a quick load in 20 W.

Performance

The biggest difference between the iPhone 15 and the 16th concerns performance. The two phones have, so to speak, nothing to do.The iPhone 16th is compatible with Apple Intelligence,A real feat on the part of Apple. With his chip A18, he easily surpasses the iPhone 15 (and his chip A16). The latter cannot take advantage of homemade AI.

Another size change, even history, Apple introduces its "C1" chip on the iPhone 16th. This 5G modem designed by Apple is simply a new component on an iPhone. Apple ensures that the gain in autonomy on the iPhone 16th is largely linked to this new component.

Dimensions and colors

Finally, with regard to the size of the two phones, the iPhone 16th isslightly smaller(1 mm less in height and 0.1 mm less in width). Ditto for weight. The iPhone 16th displays 167 grams on the scale, against 171 g for the iPhone 15 (and 170 g for the iPhone 16).

Regarding the colors, the victory is there without appeal. This is one of the weak points of the iPhone 16th,Available only in white and black. The iPhone 15 is sold in 5 shades, ranging from blue to black through pink, yellow and green.

Prix

Upon purchase, despite its age, the iPhone 15 remains more expensive than the iPhone 16th. It is available on the Apple website for € 869. The iPhone 16th is sold for € 719, so it'sA difference of 150 euros.Users wanting to tighten the belt will undoubtedly opt for the iPhone 16th, much cheaper.

The only clear advantage of the iPhone 15 on the 16th is the presence of an ultra-large-angle sensor, but this may not be enough to convince Mr. and Madame everyone to turn to this model.

Here is the detailed price table according to the storage option:

• 128 Go :€ 719 for the iPhone 16th, € 869 for the iPhone 15
• 256 Go :€ 849 for the iPhone 16th, € 999 for the iPhone 15
• 512 Go :€ 1099 for the iPhone 16th, 1249 for the iPhone 15

Our opinion

No doubt, unless you find an iPhone 15 in second hand or on the reconditioned market at really good price (maximum € 500), we advise you toBring everything on the iPhone 16th.Sold € 719 and sometimes less with some merchants as part of special promotions, he has nothing to envy to the iPhone 15.

Admittedly, the latter enjoys the Magsafe and an additional photo lens. But for the majority of uses, the iPhone 16th will be largely satisfactory, with aMany more affordable prize. And then, two important points must be noted: on the one hand, some shells incorporate a magnetic ring to make the iPhone 16th compatible with any Magsafe accessory, on the other hand, the iPhone 16thSupport Apple Intelligence, unlike the iPhone 15. This is a major argument, which, even if it does not convince you for the moment, could play greatly in the future, when Apple's AI will have to gain capacity.

In the iPhone 15 vs iPhone 16th match,The iPhone 16th comes out of the winner in our opinion.