What are the major differences between the iPhone 14 (2022), iPhone 15 (2023), and iPhone 16 (2024)? Aren't these iPhone models basically the same?

There are more than a dozen different variants of the iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16, but this EveryiPhone.com Q&A primarily covers collective differences to make it straightforward to determine which device is best for you.

First, it definitely would be an overstatement to say that the iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 models are the same, but it is clear that the pace of innovation has slowed and the differences between these lines are smaller than the year-over-year differences between lines in some past years.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Left to Right: iPhone 14, iPhone 15, iPhone 16)

In very basic terms, although there are specific part differences, these iPhone models have internals that have much in common with the iPhone "Pro" models from the year before and externals and feature support that are closer to improvements from the previous year's entry-level option. If you're the cynical type, you might say that Apple is doing just enough to try and keep users on the upgrade treadmill and no more.

Nevertheless, because these differences can be small, if anything, it makes a detailed analysis particularly worthwhile. Apple sells all three models as new simultaneously, and some users may prefer to save a bit of money and buy an older iPhone 14 or iPhone 15 rather than just buy the latest iPhone 16 model.

External Design & Functionality Differences

The iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 models all use a rounded rectangle design with a glass front and back and an aluminum case with flat edges. All three models have a "Ceramic Shield" over the display for durability and are waterproof to the IP68 standard for up to 30 minutes of water exposure to a depth of six meters.

All three models also have stereo speakers, magnetic "MagSafe" charging capability, support for "wireless" charging, and Face ID authentication. Models sold outside of the United States also have a side-mounted access panel for physical SIM access (US models only support eSIM).

Other capabilities and features are a bit different. The iPhone 14 has a Lightning port whereas the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 both have a USB-C port. The iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 have a simple ring/silent toggle switch whereas the iPhone 16 has both a physical programmable "Action" button and introduces a new physical "Camera Control" button -- essentially a modern take on a camera shutter release -- to make photography potentially easier. The iPhone 14 has a "notch" at the top of the display whereas the other two models have the newer "Dynamic Island" interface feature.

All three models have very similar, quality displays -- a 6.1" OLED HDR "Super Retina XDR" display, but the resolution of the iPhone 14 is slightly smaller and not quite as bright (2532x1170, 800 nits max brightness, 1200 nits peak brightness HDR) than those provided by the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 (2556x1179, 1000 nits max brightness, 1600 nits peak brightness HDR, 2000 nits peak brightness outdoors). The iPhone 16 also adds a 1 nit minimum brightness capability for potentially reduced eyestrain.

These differences, along with the very similar dimensions and weight, are below:

	iPhone 14	iPhone 15	iPhone 16
Material:	Aluminum/Glass	Aluminum/Glass	Aluminum/Glass
Port:	Lightning	USB-C	USB-C
Button:	Ring/Silent	Ring/Silent	Action
Camera Control:	No	No	Yes
Display:	6.1" OLED	6.1" OLED	6.1" OLED
Resolution:	2532x1170	2556x1179	2556x1179
Max Brightness:	800 nits	1000 nits	1000 nits
HDR Brightness:	1200 nits	1600 nits	1600 nits
Outdoors:	N/A	2000 nits	2000 nits
Min Brightness:	N/A	N/A	1 nit
Screen Notch:	Yes	No	No
Dynamic Island:	No	Yes	Yes
Speakers:	Stereo	Stereo	Stereo
Inductive:	Yes (Qi/Qi2)	Yes (Qi/Qi2)	Yes (Qi/Qi2)
MagSafe:	Yes	Yes	Yes
Dimensions (In):	5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31	5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31	5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31
Weight:	6.07 oz. (172 g)	6.02 oz. (171 g)	6.0 oz. (170 g)

Housing Color Differences

The iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 all have a variety of colors options, but except for black, which is more-or-less the same (albeit formally "Midnight" on the iPhone 14), they are not the same colors.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone 14 Colors)

The iPhone 14 (above) originally was offered in in five colors (left to right) --"Midnight" (black), "Starlight" (a warm gray), (PRODUCT) RED, (pale) Blue, and (pale) Purple. A sixth option, Yellow, was added on March 7, 2023.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone 15 Colors)

The iPhone 15 (above) is offered in five colors (left to right) -- Black in addition to muted, pastel shades of Blue, Green, Yellow, and Pink.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone 16 Colors)

The iPhone 16 (above) is offered in five different colors (left to right) -- Black and White as well as vibrant shades of Pink, Teal, and "Ultramarine" (Blue).

The available colors are quite different between lines. Black always is a safe, albeit maybe a little boring, option. We are most partial to the more subdued colors provided by the iPhone 14, but some people really love the more vibrant choices provided by the iPhone 16. Color definitely is a personal choice.

Camera Differences

The rear cameras in the iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 are a notable point of differentiation.

Front Cameras

The front-facing camera on all of these models -- which Apple calls "TrueDepth" -- support Face ID authentication, augmented reality (AR), still photos, and video, but the software features are a bit more advanced in each subsequent model than its predecessor. The hardware itself is quite similar:

	iPhone 14	iPhone 15	iPhone 16
Megapixels:	12 MP	12 MP	12 MP
Aperture:	f/1.9	f/1.9	f/1.9
Video:	4K	4K	4K

Rear Cameras

The rear cameras in the iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 all shoot 4K video and stills and have dual cameras, but the hardware on each is more capable than its predecessor, with the most significant jump between the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15:

	iPhone 14	iPhone 15	iPhone 16
Megapixels:	12 MP/12 MP	48 MP/12 MP	48 MP/12 MP
Main:	f/1.5	f/1.6	f/1.6
Ultra Wide:	f/2.4	f/2.4	f/2.2
Telephoto:	None	None	None
Dolby Vision:	4K	4K	4K
Digital Zoom:	2x-5x	2x-10x	2x-10x

By combining an image from both cameras, these models all emulate a 2x optical zoom. The iPhone 14 provides a 5x digital zoom and the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 provide a 10x digital zoom.

The iPhone 16 adds more advanced support for Macro photography and Spatial photos, as well.

Identification Differences

The iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 are easy to mix up with each other and other iPhone models, as well. It is not possible to visually identify specific iPhone 14, iPhone 15, or iPhone 16 models, either.

Accordingly, one relatively simple way to uniquely identify the exact iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 is by the Model Number listed on the cardboard shipping box and within the iOS "Settings" app as well as other locations.

Consequently, for the purpose of this Q&A, it is sufficient to note that the following model numbers refer to these iPhone devices:

iPhone Model	Model No
iPhone 14 (US)	A2649
iPhone 14 (CA/MX/JP/SA)	A2881
iPhone 14 (Global)	A2882
iPhone 14 (China)	A2884
iPhone 14 (Russia)	A2883
iPhone 15 (US)	A2846
iPhone 15 (CA/MX/JP/SA)	A3089
iPhone 15 (Global)	A3090
iPhone 15 (China)	A3092
iPhone 16 (US)	A3081
iPhone 16 (CA/MX/JP/SA)	A3286
iPhone 16 (Global)	A3287
iPhone 16 (China)	A3288

EveryiPhone.com's Ultimate iLookup feature also can precisely identify these iPhone models by Order Number (referred to as "Model" within the iOS "Settings" app under General > About).

Battery Life Differences

The iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 all have excellent battery life, but the iPhone 16 is the best of the three:

	iPhone 14	iPhone 15	iPhone 16
Streamed Video:	16 Hours	16 Hours	18 Hours
Video Playback:	20 Hours	20 Hours	22 Hours
Audio Playback:	80 Hours	80 Hours	80 Hours

Wireless Connectivity & Data Differences

There are specific 5G band differences for different iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 models depending on where either is sold, but they all support fast 5G connectivity.

All three models also support dual SIMs, but specifics vary. Models sold in the United States support dual eSIMs and models sold in China support dual physical Nano SIM. Models sold just about everywhere else have dual eSIMs and a single physical Nano SIM.

The newer iPhone 16 additionally supports the newer Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) standard compared to Wi-Fi 6 for the earlier models.

Internal Differences

The iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 have significantly different internal specs:

	iPhone 14	iPhone 15	iPhone 16
Clockspeed:	3.2 GHz	3.5 GHz	4.0 GHz
Processor:	Apple A15 Bionic	Apple A16 Bionic	Apple A18
CPU:	6 Cores	6 Cores	6 Cores
GPU:	5 Cores	5 Cores	5 Cores
RAM:	6 GB	6 GB	8 GB
Storage:	128/256/512 GB	128/256/512 GB	128/256/512 GB

In benchmark tests, the iPhone 15 is about 9% to 10% faster than the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 16 is about 22% to 24% faster than the iPhone 15. The most substantial internal difference is the additional RAM for the iPhone 16, though.

iOS Support Differences

The iPhone 14 originally shipped with iOS 16, the iPhone 15 with iOS 17, and the iPhone 16 with iOS 18.

All three support iOS 18, the current version of the iOS, but only the iPhone 16 supports the Apple Intelligence (AI) feature. It's always hard to know for sure whether this restriction is an artificial limitation to encourage new -- and/or more expensive -- hardware purchases, but if it is a genuine technical requirement, the extra RAM in the iPhone 16 may be the necessary difference.

iPhone 14, iPhone 15 & iPhone 16 Comparison Chart

These differences as well as other details and pricing information is summarized below:

	iPhone 14	iPhone 15	iPhone 16
Introduced:	Sep 2022	Sep 2023	Sep 2024
Discontinued:	Current	Current	Current
Processor:	3.2 GHz A15	3.5 GHz A16	4.0 GHz A18
RAM:	6 GB	6 GB	8 GB
Storage:	128/256/512 GB	128/256/512 GB	128/256/512 GB
Battery Life:	16-80 Hours	16-80 Hours	18-80 Hours
Display Type:	OLED	OLED	OLED
Display Size:	6.1"	6.1"	6.1"
Resolution:	2532x1170	2556x1179	2556x1179
Brightness:	800 nits	1000 nits	1000 nits
Front Camera:	12 MP	12 MP	12 MP
Rear Camera:	2 (12 MP)	2 (48/12 MP)	2 (48/12 MP)
Material:	Alum/Glass	Alum/Glass	Alum/Glass
Dynamic Island:	No	Yes	Yes
Action Button:	No	No	Yes
Camera Control:	No	No	Yes
Port:	Lightning	USB-C	USB-C
MagSafe:	Yes	Yes	Yes
SIM Card:	Nano/eSIM x2	Nano/eSIM x2	Nano/eSIM x2
5G Cellular:	Yes	Yes	Yes
Wi-Fi:	6	6	7
Thread:	No	No	Yes
Original iOS:	iOS 16	iOS 17	iOS 18
Maximum iOS:	iOS 18	iOS 18	iOS 18
Apple AI:	No	No	Yes
Original* (US):	US$799 US$899 US$1099	US$799 US$899 US$1099	US$799 US$899 US$1099
Current* (US):	US$599 US$699 US$899	US$699 US$799 US$999	US$799 US$899 US$1099

* Note that these prices are for devices unlocked and paid in full upfront. Carrier subsidized options also are available. On September 12, 2023, Apple cut the price of the iPhone 14 to as little as US$699, US$799, and US$999; and again on September 9, 2024, to as little as US$599, US$699, and US$899. On September 9, 2024, Apple cut the price of the iPhone 15 to as little as US$699, US$799, and US$999.

For pricing in dozens of countries, see the "Global Prices" on the specs page for each iPhone as well as the "By Global Original Prices" section of EveryiPhone.com.

So, which is for me? Should I buy an iPhone 14, iPhone 15, or iPhone 16?

Just between the iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 (and ignoring other models), it can be a challenging choice because they are all capable and also quite similar in many respects.

Unusually, it probably is best to start with the point of software differentiation. If you want Apple Intelligence (AI) capability, the iPhone 16 is the cheapest new iPhone with this functionality (you alternately also could consider a used iPhone 15 Pro).

Even if Apple Intelligence is not of critical importance to you, the iPhone 16 has (1) the best cameras of the three -- as well as the potentially useful Camera Control button -- and it also is (3) fastest and has (4) the most RAM. This extra RAM in particular likely will mean that it will support the current version of the iOS the longest and probably would end up being the cheapest on an annual usage basis for someone who takes good care of their hardware.

The iPhone 15 is only US$100 cheaper than the iPhone 16, but if Apple Intelligence is not important to you, you're not really giving up that much else, either. The (1) lower RAM capacity and (2) roughly 22% slower performance are the main downsides, but both the display and rear camera are very similar. It also has (3) a bit less battery life, (4) a slightly older, but still fast, Wi-Fi standard, and (5) lacks the potentially useful physical "Action" and "Camera Control" buttons.

The iPhone 14 is another US$100 cheaper than the iPhone 15 -- or US$200 cheaper than the iPhone 16 -- but it is showing its age more significantly. The best reason to consider an iPhone 14 really would be if you have an expensive Lightning-equipped dock, stereo, or other accessories and would like to keep using Lightning for a while longer before upgrading your other hardware to USB-C. Compared to the iPhone 15, you also are giving up (1) a significantly better camera, (2) a slightly larger and brighter display, (3) about 8%-10% extra speed, and (4) the "Dynamic Island" interface enhancement. Because it is older already, you also (5) likely will not have current iOS support for as long.

Of course, for those on a budget, any number of other iPhone models will be cheaper on the used market and are well worth considering, too.

In the US, site sponsor Other World Computing sells used and refurbished iPhone models with free shipping. On the other hand, if you need to sell an iPhone, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older iPhone with an instant quote and prompt payment.

In Australia, site sponsor Mac City likewise has a variety of used iPhone models sold at low prices and available with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.

Please also see EveryiPhone.com's Ultimate iComparison feature to dynamically compare any iPhone model to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad.