iPhone 15 Plus Vs iPhone 16e

iPhone 15 Plus
iPhone 15 Plus
Starting at

Refurbished price:421.00

Versus €979.00 new

See options
iPhone 16e
iPhone 16e
Starting at

Refurbished price:387.00

Versus €719.00 new

See options

Ratings

The iPhone 15 Plus, released in September 2023, and the iPhone 16E, introduced in early 2025, represent different approaches within Apple's smartphone lineup. While the iPhone 15 Plus offers a larger display and extended battery life as part of the standard flagship series, the iPhone 16E is positioned as a more recent, essential model, likely incorporating newer internal components and potentially a more streamlined design. Both devices operate on Apple's iOS, ensuring a consistent software experience, but they cater to users with varying priorities regarding screen size, performance, and overall feature sets.

Scores

Durability

When considering the longevity of these devices, both the iPhone 15 Plus and the iPhone 16E are designed for extended software support and physical resilience, typical of Apple products. The iPhone 15 Plus, released in late 2023, benefits from Apple's commitment to several years of iOS updates, ensuring access to new features and security patches for a considerable period. The iPhone 16E, being a newer model from early 2025, is expected to receive software updates for an even longer duration, potentially extending its usable lifespan by an additional year or more.

  • Software Updates: The iPhone 16E, as a more recent release, is anticipated to receive iOS updates for a longer period than the iPhone 15 Plus, offering extended access to new features and security enhancements.
  • Physical Durability: Both models feature Ceramic Shield front covers and aluminum frames, contributing to their resistance against drops and scratches. The iPhone 15 Plus demonstrated strong performance in durability tests, with its aluminum frame proving resilient.
  • Water and Dust Resistance: Both devices carry an IP68 rating, indicating resistance to dust and submersion in water up to 6 meters for 30 minutes, which contributes to their overall practical lifespan.

Year of Release

2023

2025

OS

iOS

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance is a key differentiator, with the iPhone 16E benefiting from a newer generation of internal processing power compared to the iPhone 15 Plus. The iPhone 15 Plus is equipped with a capable processor that handles demanding applications and multitasking smoothly, providing a responsive user experience for everyday tasks and gaming. The iPhone 16E, however, is expected to feature a more advanced processor, offering enhanced speed and efficiency for even more intensive applications and future software capabilities.

  • Processing Power: The iPhone 16E is likely to incorporate a newer generation processor, providing a performance advantage for complex tasks, advanced gaming, and future software demands compared to the iPhone 15 Plus's robust, but older, chip.
  • Multitasking Capability: Both devices offer ample memory to support fluid multitasking and app switching, ensuring a smooth user experience even with multiple applications open simultaneously.
  • Battery Efficiency: While the iPhone 15 Plus is renowned for its exceptional battery life, often lasting over a full day of heavy use, the iPhone 16E's newer, more efficient processor may contribute to optimized power consumption, potentially offering comparable or improved endurance despite a possibly smaller physical battery.

Memory (GB)

6 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on both iPhones is characterized by vibrant displays, though there are distinctions in size and potential refresh rate. The iPhone 15 Plus features a large 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, known for its deep blacks, accurate colors, and high brightness levels, making it suitable for media consumption and outdoor visibility. The iPhone 16E is expected to feature a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, offering similar visual fidelity but in a more compact form factor.

  • Display Technology: Both models utilize Super Retina XDR OLED technology, delivering excellent contrast and color reproduction for a rich viewing experience.
  • Brightness Levels: The iPhone 15 Plus offers high peak brightness, ensuring good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. The iPhone 16E is expected to offer comparable brightness for clear outdoor viewing.
  • Refresh Rate: The iPhone 15 Plus features a standard 60Hz refresh rate. The iPhone 16E is also anticipated to maintain a 60Hz refresh rate, which provides a smooth experience for most users, though it does not offer the ultra-smooth scrolling of higher refresh rate displays found in Pro models.

Resolution

1290 x 2796

2532x1170

Audiovisual

Both the iPhone 15 Plus and the iPhone 16E offer advanced camera systems capable of capturing high-quality photos and videos, with a focus on computational photography enhancements. The iPhone 15 Plus features a dual-camera system with a 48-megapixel main sensor and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens, capable of 2x optical-quality telephoto shots through sensor cropping. The iPhone 16E is expected to build upon this foundation, likely incorporating a similar or enhanced 48-megapixel main camera with advanced image processing.

  • Main Camera Performance: Both devices feature a 48-megapixel main camera that excels in capturing detailed images with accurate colors, and offers improved low-light performance.
  • Versatile Photography: The inclusion of an ultra-wide lens on both models allows for expansive landscape shots and fitting more into the frame. The 2x optical-quality telephoto capability on both provides flexibility for portraits and zooming without significant loss of detail.
  • Video Recording: Both iPhones are capable of recording high-quality 4K video, offering excellent stabilization and detail, making them suitable for capturing memorable moments.

Front camera

12 megapixels

TrueDepth 12MP

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements distinguish these two iPhones, impacting daily usability and connectivity. Both devices have transitioned to the universal USB-C port, simplifying charging and data transfer. However, there might be differences in data transfer speeds. The iPhone 15 Plus offers standard USB 2.0 speeds through its USB-C port. The iPhone 16E, being a newer model, may offer faster data transfer capabilities.

  • Connectivity Standards: The iPhone 15 Plus supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3. The iPhone 16E is expected to feature newer wireless technologies, potentially including Wi-Fi 7, offering faster and more reliable connections.
  • Biometric Security: Both models rely on Face ID for secure authentication and unlocking, providing a convenient and robust biometric solution.
  • Design and Handling: The iPhone 15 Plus, with its 6.7-inch display, offers a larger form factor, which can be beneficial for media consumption and productivity. The iPhone 16E, with its expected 6.1-inch display, provides a more compact and potentially easier-to-handle design for single-handed use.

Weight

171 g

167 g

Screen size (in)

6.7

6.1

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

eSIM

eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C (USB 2)

USB-C

User sentiment for the iPhone 15 Plus frequently highlights its exceptional battery life and large, vibrant display as major advantages, making it a strong choice for users who prioritize media consumption and extended usage without frequent charging. Some users have noted that while the camera is excellent, the USB 2.0 transfer speeds via USB-C are a point of criticism. For the iPhone 16E, common praise is likely to center on its updated internal components and the benefits of a more recent release, offering a balance of modern features in a potentially more compact design.

Users prioritizing a larger screen and industry-leading battery life will find the iPhone 15 Plus well-suited to their needs. Those who prefer a more recent model with the latest processor and potentially faster connectivity, in a slightly more compact form factor, may lean toward the iPhone 16E. Both devices offer a robust iOS experience and strong camera capabilities. For those seeking a quality-assured refurbished option, both the iPhone 15 Plus and the iPhone 16E can be considered as sustainable choices, providing excellent performance and longevity.

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