iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro: Both Won Best Camera — Which to Buy?
Back-to-back Best Camera winners at MKBHD's Smartphone Awards: iPhone 16 Pro won 2024, iPhone 15 Pro won 2023. The 16 Pro has bigger improvements than usual due to the new 48MP ultrawide and Camera Control button. Now that both are discounted, which is the smarter buy?
Updated · Verdict based on MKBHD Smartphone Awards results and spec analysis.
iPhone 16 Pro
Apple · 2024 · From $999
iPhone 15 Pro
Apple · 2023 · From $999
Round wins
iPhone 16 Pro: 4 · iPhone 15 Pro: 1 ·Ties: 2
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 15 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.3-inch OLED, 120Hz ProMotion | 6.1-inch OLED, 120Hz ProMotion |
| Processor | Apple A18 Pro | Apple A17 Pro |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB |
| Camera | 48MP main + 48MP ultrawide + 12MP 5x telephoto | 48MP main + 12MP ultrawide + 12MP 3x telephoto |
| Battery | 3,582 mAh | 3,274 mAh |
| OS | iOS 18 | iOS 17 |
| Starting price | $999 | $999 |
| Released | 2024 | 2023 |
Round-by-round breakdown
Camera
Winner: iPhone 16 ProiPhone 16 Pro adds a 48MP ultrawide (was 12MP on 15 Pro), improved 5x telephoto, and the Camera Control button. Material improvement for serious photographers.
Performance
Winner: iPhone 16 ProA18 Pro in the 16 Pro is ~25% faster than A17 Pro in the 15 Pro, with better thermals.
Display
TieBoth 6.3-inch ProMotion OLED at 120Hz. 16 Pro is marginally brighter.
Apple Intelligence
TieBoth fully support Apple Intelligence. Same on-device features.
Battery
Winner: iPhone 16 ProiPhone 16 Pro has a slightly larger battery and the more efficient A18 Pro. Roughly 1 hour more screen-on time.
Software longevity
Winner: iPhone 16 ProiPhone 16 Pro has 1–2 more years of iOS support runway.
Price
Winner: iPhone 15 ProiPhone 15 Pro: now $599–$699 refurbished. iPhone 16 Pro: $899 (down from $999 launch). The 15 Pro is the value pick.
Final verdict
Buy the iPhone 16 Pro at $899 — the camera improvements are real (48MP ultrawide is materially better) and you get 1–2 more years of iOS support. The iPhone 15 Pro at $599–$699 refurbished is a strong value pick if you don't shoot ultrawide much. Both are excellent and both support Apple Intelligence.
Frequently Asked Questions
iPhone 16 Pro vs 15 Pro: which has the better camera?
iPhone 16 Pro — particularly for ultrawide shooters (48MP vs 12MP). For main + telephoto, both are excellent and both won MKBHD's Best Camera awards in their year.
Is the iPhone 15 Pro still worth buying in 2026?
Yes — at $599–$699 refurbished, it's one of the best values for serious mobile photographers. Won MKBHD's 2023 Best Camera, supports Apple Intelligence, and has 4+ years of iOS updates remaining.
Should I buy iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro?
iPhone 16 Pro at $899 is the better value — same fundamental camera pipeline as the 17 Pro at $200 less. Buy the 17 Pro only if you need the latest A19 Pro chip or maximum battery life.