iPhone 15 Pro vs. iPhone 16 Pro: 30+ Rumored Upgrades Compared

After over a year of rumors, the iPhone 16 Pro and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max are set to launch next month. There are now more than 30 changes and improvements expected to be offered by the new flagship models, so here’s everything we’re expecting.

All of the changes the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models are expected to feature compared to their direct forerunners are listed below, using information from a wide range of reliable sources that we have previously covered here on MacRumors. We will continue to update this article as more rumors emerge prior to Apple’s “It’s glowtime” event on Monday, September 9.

Displays

Both ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models are expected to feature larger displays than their predecessors, pushing the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max to be the biggest iPhone ever offered. There are also reportedly improvements to the underlying OLED technology in store.

iPhone 15 Pro

‌iPhone 16 Pro‌

6.1- or 6.7-inch display

6.3- or 6.9-inch display

Thinner borders around the display

More efficient OLED display with brighter micro-lens technology

Chip, Thermals, and Connectivity

Under the hood, the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models are rumored to bring notable improvements in processing power, thermal management, and connectivity. From a more powerful “A18” chip to advanced thermal designs and enhanced connectivity options including the latest Wi-Fi standards, these changes promise to further update the ‌iPhone‌’s basic specifications.

‌iPhone 15 Pro‌

‌iPhone 16 Pro‌

A17 Pro chip (TSMC’s “N3B” 3nm process)

A18 chip (TSMC’s “N3E” enhanced ‌3nm‌ process)

16-core Neural Engine

Enhanced neural Engine with “significantly” more cores to support Apple Intelligence more effectively

Thermal design with copper heatsink and black foil battery casing

New thermal design with graphene heatsink and metal battery casing

Snapdragon X70 5G modem

Snapdragon X75 5G modem

Wi-Fi 6E connectivity

Wi-Fi 7 connectivity

Cameras

The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models are slated to receive a range of substantial camera enhancements, such as a larger main camera sensor, a 48-megapixel sensor on the ultra wide camera, and a dedicated hardware button for photography and videography on the side of the device.

‌iPhone 15 Pro‌

‌iPhone 16 Pro‌

1/1.28-inch main camera sensor

iPhone 16 Pro: 1/1.28-inch main camera sensor

iPhone 16 Pro Max: 1/1.14-inch main camera sensor (12% larger)

Sony IMX-803 main camera sensor

iPhone 16 Pro: Sony IMX-803 main camera sensor

iPhone 16 Pro Max: Sony IMX-903 main camera sensor with stacked design for better performance, a 14-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) for high-quality image data conversion, and Digital Gain Control (DCG) for better dynamic range and noise control

7P main camera lens

8P main camera lens

iPhone 15 Pro: Telephoto camera with second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization

iPhone 15 Pro Max: Telephoto camera with larger sensor, folded tetraprism design, optical image stabilization, and autofocus 3D sensor-shift module

Telephoto camera with larger sensor, folded tetraprism design, optical image stabilization, and autofocus 3D sensor-shift module

iPhone 15 Pro: 77mm maximum focal length

iPhone 15 Pro Max: 120mm maximum focal length

120mm maximum focal length

iPhone 15 Pro: 0.5x, 1x, 2x, and 3x optical zoom

iPhone 15 Pro Max: 0.5x, 1x, 2x, and 5x optical zoom

0.5x, 1x, 2x, and 5x optical zoom

4P telephoto camera lens

5P telephoto camera lens

12-megapixel ultra wide camera with f/2.4 aperture

48-megapixel ultra wide camera with f/2.2 aperture, 48-megapixel ProRaw support, and improved low-light performance

5P ultra wide camera lens

6P ultra wide camera lens

Support for new JPEG-XL format

Support for 3K video at 120 fps with Dolby Vision

Capacitive “Capture Button” with force-sensitive half-press and sliding gestures to trigger photography and videography features

Batteries and Charging

The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models could receive some major improvements in battery technology and charging, sporting bigger, denser batteries and faster charging capabilities.

‌iPhone 15 Pro‌

‌iPhone 16 Pro‌

Single-layer battery technology

Stacked battery technology for increased energy density and prolonged lifespan

iPhone 15 Pro: 3,274 mAh battery

iPhone 15 Pro Max: 4,422 mAh battery

iPhone 16 Pro: 3,577 mAh battery (+9.25%)

iPhone 16 Pro Max: 4,676 mAh battery (+5.74%)

Up to 27W wired charging

Up to 40W wired charging

15W charging via MagSafe

20W charging via ‌MagSafe‌

Other Features and Changes

While many of Apple’s devices are set to receive Apple Intelligence via software updates later this year, the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models are expected to take these further with exclusive capabilities and an upgraded microphone.

‌iPhone 15 Pro‌

‌iPhone 16 Pro‌

Apple Intelligence support with iOS 18.1

Apple Intelligence support with iOS 18.1, plus a suite of exclusive AI features

Microphone

Upgraded microphone with improved signal-to-noise ratio and water resistance

Up to 1TB of storage

Up to 2TB of storage

Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, and Blue Titanium color options

Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, and Desert Titanium color options

Brushed titanium frame

Glossy titanium frame

Dimensions

To accommodate the devices’ larger displays, both ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models are rumored to grow in height and width, but no changes to the depth are anticipated.

‌iPhone 15 Pro‌

‌iPhone 16 Pro‌

iPhone 15 Pro: 146.6mm height

iPhone 15 Pro Max: 159.9mm height

iPhone 16 Pro: 149.6mm height

iPhone 16 Pro Max: 163.0mm height

iPhone 15 Pro: 70.60mm width

iPhone 15 Pro Max: 76.70mm width

iPhone 16 Pro: 71.45mm width

iPhone 16 Pro Max: 77.58mm width

iPhone 15 Pro: 187g weight

iPhone 15 Pro Max: 221g weight

iPhone 16 Pro: 194g weight

iPhone 16 Pro Max: 225g weight

Release Date

The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max are expected to be announced at Apple’s “It’s glowtime” event on Monday, September 9. Pre-orders are likely to open on Friday, September 13, with launch following one week later on Friday, September 20. For more information about the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models, see our comprehensive roundup.

Will It Be Worth Upgrading?

The ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ was a fairly significant upgrade over the iPhone 14 Pro in 2023, introducing a new design with a titanium frame, slimmer bezels, the Action button, a USB-C port, and more. Based on what we know so far, the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌’s upgrades will likely not be as substantial as those offered by its predecessor. Most ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ users will probably have little reason to upgrade, but some who would appreciate a slightly larger display, better cameras, and a dedicated button for photography and videography features may find it worthwhile.

This article, “iPhone 15 Pro vs. iPhone 16 Pro: 30+ Rumored Upgrades Compared” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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