Tim Cook-led tech giant Apple just launched the iPhone 16 series on September 10, 2024. This has sparked mixed reactions from iPhone fans and tech enthusiasts. While some are eager to get their hands on the latest iOS smartphone, others don’t feel it has much to offer. Our team at GadgetsToUse did a complete comparison, and in this article, we will see why the iPhone 15 Pro (or 15 Pro Max) is a better buy than the iPhone 16 series.
iPhone 16 Features and Price in India
In all honesty, the iPhone 16 series brings several notable upgrades worth discussing. The standard iPhone 16 and 16 Plus now feature the powerful A18 chip, bringing AI capabilities previously reserved for Pro models. The new 48MP main camera on these models is a significant improvement, offering better low-light performance and the ability to capture 24MP photos. The introduction of the Camera Control button across all models enhances the photography experience, allowing for quick access to camera features and settings.
The Pro models take things further with larger displays (6.3″ for Pro and 6.9″ for Pro Max), the more powerful A18 Pro chip, and an impressive 48MP ultra-wide camera. The ability to record 4K video at 120fps in both standard and slow motion on the Pro models is a game-changer for videographers. Additionally, the new Apple Intelligence features promise to revolutionize how we interact with our devices, offering advanced language processing, image recognition, and productivity enhancement.
When it comes to pricing, Apple has finally made some good choices with the iPhone 16 series in India. The standard iPhone 16 starts at Rs 79,900, while the iPhone 16 Plus begins at Rs 89,900, maintaining the same price points as their predecessors. This pricing strategy makes the new models particularly attractive, considering the significant upgrades they offer. The Pro models, however, see a slight price adjustment, with the iPhone 16 Pro starting at Rs 1,19,900 and the Pro Max at Rs 1,44,900.
While these prices might seem steep, they actually represent a decrease from the previous generation, making the Pro models more accessible to a wider audience. Given the substantial improvements in display size, camera capabilities, and processing power, the Pro models offer excellent value for those willing to invest in cutting-edge technology.
Is iPhone 15 Pro, Pro Max Better than iPhone 16?
But why is the iPhone 16 a bad option if both pricing and features are great? While the iPhone 16 series brings some improvements, they aren’t significantly major when compared to the iPhone 15 Pro. Both 15 Pro and Pro Max still offer excellent value and performance, and with the launch of their successors, they will soon be available for sale. Here are a few pointers as to why they might be a better choice for many users.
Why Is the iPhone 15 Pro Better?
1. Upcoming Sale: Popular online retailers such as Flipkart and Amazon have their Big Billion Days, and Amazon’s Great Indian Sale is soon to go live, making the iPhone 15 Pro (and Pro Max) much more affordable. While these models are no longer available on the official Apple website, they can still be purchased until the sale ends on these online stores. Additionally, there seems to be more chance of previous-gen iPhone prices dropping when a newer one is launched. Be sure to check it out.
2. AI features and compatibility: Both the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 16 series will receive most of the new AI features through software updates, making them almost at par with each other in this category.
3. Processor Usage: The new iPhone 16 is powered by the A18 processor chipset, which is great. However, the A17 Pro chip in the iPhone 15 Pro models is still powerful and capable of handling all tasks smoothly.
4. Missing Capture Button: The iPhone 16 series comes with a new capture button with a rather inconvenient placement and smaller area, making it not a MAJOR upgrade to feel missed out on. Conversely, the iPhone 15 Pro has impressive camera capabilities.
Why is the iPhone 16 Pro Better?
Despite the advantages of the iPhone 15 Pro models, the iPhone 16 series does offer some improvements:
1. Larger displays: The increased screen sizes may appeal to users who prefer more screen real estate.
2. Improved performance: The A18 and A18 Pro chips offer better performance and efficiency.
3. Enhanced camera features: The new Camera Control button and improved ultra-wide camera on Pro models provide more versatility for photography enthusiasts.
4. Longer battery life: The slightly larger batteries in the iPhone 16 series may offer improved endurance.
5. Future-proofing: As the latest models, the iPhone 16 pro may receive hardware-supported iOS updates for a longer period.
6. Newer Colours: The newer iPhone 16 Pro comes in metallic builds in colours of black titanium, natural titanium, white titanium, and desert titanium.
Comparing iPhone 15 Pro vs. iPhone 16 Pro
Display:
The iPhone 16 Pro brings a slightly larger 6.3-inch display, which might appeal to those who found the 15 Pro’s 6.1-inch screen a bit cramped. However, this comes at the cost of increased weight, with the 16 Pro weighing 199g compared to the 15 Pro’s 187g. For some users, this weight difference could be noticeable and potentially uncomfortable.
Camera:
Camera improvements on the 16 Pro seem modest. While it introduces a new Camera Control button and some software enhancements, the core camera hardware appears similar to the 15 Pro. The 48MP ultra-wide camera is a nice addition, but it’s questionable whether it’ll make a significant difference for most users.
Performance:
Performance-wise, the A18 Pro chip in the 16 Pro offers some gains over the A17 Pro in the 15 Pro, but for everyday tasks, the difference may not be noticeable. The improved battery life on the 16 Pro (up to 27 hours of video playback compared to 23 hours on the 15 Pro) could be a compelling reason for some to upgrade.
AI Features:
One of the most significant additions to the 16 Pro is Apple Intelligence, their new AI features. However, many of these features will also be available on the 15 Pro through software updates, omitting this as a reason to upgrade. Here’s a quick table to summarize the specs comparison of the previous and newer iPhone models.
| Feature | iPhone 15 Pro | iPhone 15 Pro Max | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch OLED | 6.7-inch OLED | 6.3-inch OLED | 6.9-inch OLED |
| Chip | A17 Pro | A17 Pro | A18 Pro | A18 Pro |
| Main Camera | 48MP | 48MP | 48MP | 48MP |
| Ultra-wide Camera | 12MP | 12MP | 48MP | 48MP |
| Telephoto Camera | 3x optical zoom | 5x optical zoom | 3x optical zoom | 5x optical zoom |
| Battery Life | Up to 29 hours of video playback | Up to 25 hours of video playback | Up to 30 hours of video playback | Up to 30 hours video playback |
Price in India and Value For Money:
Ultimately, for most 15 Pro owners, the 16 Pro doesn’t offer enough groundbreaking improvements to justify an immediate upgrade. The 15 Pro remains a highly capable device, and with potential price drops following the 16 Pro’s release, it could represent better value for those looking to buy a Pro iPhone.For those coming from older models or entering the Apple ecosystem, the choice between the 15 Pro and 16 Pro will likely come down to personal preferences and budget considerations. The 16 Pro offers the latest features but at a premium, while the 15 Pro still provides excellent performance and may be available at more attractive prices.
| Model | iPhone 15 Pro | iPhone 15 Pro Max | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 128GB | Rs 1,34,900 | Rs 1,54,900 | Rs 1,19,900 | N/A |
| 256GB | Rs 1,44,900 | Rs 1,64,900 | Rs 1,29,900 | Rs 1,44,900 |
| 512GB | Rs 1,64,900 | Rs 1,84,900 | Rs 1,49,900 | Rs 1,64,900 |
| 1TB | Rs 1,84,900 | Rs 2,04,900 | Rs 1,69,900 | Rs 1,84,900 |
Wrapping Up
iOS fans on a budget who are looking to upgrade must keep an eye out for the upcoming sale to get the best value for their next Apple smartphone. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max remain excellent choices, offering similar capabilities at potentially lower prices. However, if you’re looking for the latest features and don’t mind paying a premium, the iPhone 16 series does bring a few improvements and is more future-proof. For more such tech news and updates, follow GadgetsToUse.
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