iPhone 16 Plus 256GB
A18 · iOS · 256GB
iPhone 15 Plus 256GB
A16 · iOS · 256GB
iPhone 16 Plus 256GB takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, iPhone 16 Plus 256GB lands at 88 and iPhone 15 Plus 256GB at 87. That puts iPhone 16 Plus 256GB ahead by 1 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick iPhone 16 Plus 256GB if…
- ✓iOS ecosystem
- ✓Long update support
- ✓Polished hardware
Pick iPhone 15 Plus 256GB if…
- ✓iOS ecosystem
- ✓Long update support
- ✓Polished hardware
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testPhotography
TieStills and video quality across lenses
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Battery life
TieScreen-on time and charging
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Performance
TieChipset speed for gaming and heavy apps
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Display
TiePanel quality, brightness, refresh rate
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Value for money
TieSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Effectively tied — similar score-per-dollar at MSRP.
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | iPhone 16 Plus 256GB | iPhone 15 Plus 256GB |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A18 | A16 |
| Storage | 256GB | 256GB |
| OS | iOS 18 | iOS 17 |
| Release year | 2024 | 2023 |
iPhone 16 Plus 256GB
- +iOS ecosystem
- +Long update support
- +Polished hardware
- −Premium pricing
- −Limited customization
- −Lightning/USB-C split across generations
iPhone 15 Plus 256GB
- +iOS ecosystem
- +Long update support
- +Polished hardware
- −Premium pricing
- −Limited customization
- −Lightning/USB-C split across generations
FAQ: iPhone 16 Plus 256GB vs iPhone 15 Plus 256GB
Which is better, iPhone 16 Plus 256GB or iPhone 15 Plus 256GB? +
iPhone 16 Plus 256GB scores 88 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 1. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is iPhone 16 Plus 256GB worth the price? +
At $999, iPhone 16 Plus 256GB delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in cpu.
Is iPhone 15 Plus 256GB worth the price? +
At $999, iPhone 15 Plus 256GB delivers a Specdex score of 87 — strongest in cpu.
Does iPhone 16 Plus 256GB or iPhone 15 Plus 256GB last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.