iPhone 16 Pro vs. 15 Pro vs. 14 Pro vs. 13 Pro: Which One Reigns Supreme?
Apple introduces a new iPhone every other year to keep its users coming back. However, these sibling devices do not necessarily impress everyone. Some users appreciate the latest ones, while others prefer older versions of the iPhone. Therefore, the ultimate choice can be quite a ride for users planning on switching from Android and people in the constant battle of whether they should upgrade their iPhones.
If you are also breaking a sweat over which iPhone version to purchase, worry no more because, in this iPhone 16 Pro vs. 15 Pro vs. 14 Pro vs. 13 Pro chapter, I will give you a comprehensive review of the generally best-considered iPhone to help you narrow down to an ideal model.
Tech Specs
| Specifications | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 15 Pro | iPhone 14 Pro | iPhone 13 Pro |
| Display | 6.3 inch, 2622*1206 OLED | 6.1 inch 2556*1179 OLED | 6.1 inch 2556*1179 OLED | 6.1 inch 2532*1170 OLED |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| iOS Version | iOS 18 | iOS 17 | iOS 16 | iOS 15 |
| Processor | Apple A18 Pro | Apple A17 Pro | Apple A16 Bionic | Apple A15 Bionic |
| Storage | 128/256/512/1TB | 128/256/512/1TB | 128/256/512/1TB | 128/256/512/1TB |
| Rare Camera | 48 MP ( wide), 48 MP (ultrawide), 12 MP (telephoto) | 48 MP ( wide), 12 MP (ultrawide), 12 MP (telephoto) | 48 MP ( wide), 12 MP (ultrawide), 12 MP (telephoto) | 12 MP ( wide), 12 MP (ultrawide), 12 MP (telephoto) |
| Front Camera | 12 MP | 12 MP | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Video Recording | 4k | 4k | 4k | 4k |
| Dimensions (in) | 5.89*2.81*0.32 | 2.78*5.77*0.32 | 5.81*2.81*0.31 | 5.78*2.82*0.3 |
| Weight | 199g | 187g | 206g | 204g |
| Price range | $999-$1499 | $999-$1499 | $999-$1499 | $999-$1499 |
Design and Appeal
Every iPhone model shares the same premium appeal with a signature design and sizes. The iPhones 13, 14, and 15 Pro have the same 6.1-inch display, but the 16 Pro is 2 inches taller. Now, this can be a deal breaker for people who like larger devices. Therefore, if you want more, go for iPhones 15 or 16 Pro Max. The iPhone 15 Pro Max has 6.7-inch and the 16 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch display.
The major difference between iPhone 14 Pro and 15 comes in charging type. With the Apple iPhone 15 lineup and forward, you will get a USB-C charging port instead of a lightning cable.
Moreover, both iPhone 15 Pro and 16 Pro have a titanium finish. The titanium finish was first introduced last year, so you won’t find it in any of the previous models. Titanium keeps the phone’s weight to a minimum, even with a larger display design. That’s why the iPhone 14 Pro and 13 Pro are heavier than the 15 and 16 Pro.
iPhones have been a part of many memes on social media due to their identical designs, which is quite true, so color is the only thing that counts for the overall appeal of the phone. Every iPhone comes in almost 3 to 4 colors.
You have 5 colors in Pro 13 and 4 in Pro 16, 15, and 14. The golden color was particularly very famous in older iPhones, but iPhone 15 Pro colors were limited to black, blue, silver, and gray. However, the iPhone 16 pro desert titanium has the most luxury appeal, which is a great comeback for people who like goldish color tones.
Display
As for the display, all of the iPhone models have OLED with a 120 Hz refresh rate. iPhone 13 Pro has 2532*1170 resolution. There are no differences between the iPhone 14 Pro and 15 Pro when it comes to display, but the 16 Pro has superior resolution, which is obvious given its latest launch.
However, the newer iPhone 16 Pro has a little less brightness and color accuracy than the 15 Pro, but much better than the 13 and 14 Pro. In outdoor use, the iPhone 15 Pro works with exception and provides great visibility. 15 Pro also beat its predecessor and new models in color accuracy and crispness.
Out of all 4 models, only the iPhone 13 Pro lacks an Always-on Display. This feature was introduced on iPhone 14, and it has made its way to 16. The features come in handy for glancing at custom widgets when the phone is locked without causing much battery drainage.
Cameras
Most people are attracted to the iPhone because of its camera performance and because it does offer great picture quality. However, the sibling phones differ in their camera features and performance.
The iPhone 13 Pro has a triple 12 MP ultrawide, wide, and telephoto camera setup. The iPhone 16 has 2 48 MP wide and ultra-wide cameras and a 12 MP telephone with 5x zoom.
However, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro cameras have similar setups with 48 MP wide, 12 MP ultra-wide, and 12 MP telephoto. In terms of image quality, the iPhone 16 offers better results.
With more promising sensors come better results. That’s why if you want to upgrade cameras, the iPhone 16 Pro brings in the A game. Its image quality is crisper and brighter, especially in nighttime photography.
You can record 4k videos with all of these iPhone models. However, there is a difference in frame rates. The iPhone 16 Pro offers 120 fps 4k recording and improved editing features in the Photos app as compared to previous models.
Performance
If you buy any Pro model from Apple, you will get upgraded internal components. iPhone 13 Pro has an A15 bionic chip, which is a great performer of its time. Similarly, the iPhone 14 has an A16 chip, which is superior to the A15, and so on. With the latest iPhone 16 Pro specs, you get the more powerful A18 Pro chip, which ensures remarkable performance.
I have performed benchmark tests on each Chip, and A18 Pro tops the charts with the Geekbench 6 Multicore/Single core (8315/3350) scores. Altough each of the Apple devices runs smoothly, the 16 Pro provides enhanced performance and the ability to multitask like a pro without any lags or crashing.
Battery Life
The battery life of almost all Apple devices falls between 10 to 13 hours. Although the company claims that the iPhone 16 Pro has 27 hours of continuous playback, it’s not true at all. In my test, the 16 Pro lasted around 13.5 hours, the iPhone 14 Pro lasted 10 hours and 14 minutes, and the 15 Pro only 11 hours and 10 minutes.
I think this is a sufficient battery life for a mobile that offers an Always-on display feature. Moreover, in practical use, you don’t normally spend your entire day on a single charge, so it’s decent battery timing.
Other Features
With the iOS 18 iPhone, 16 Pro gets upgraded AI features, including Visual Intelligence. You will also be able to get these upgrades and use iPhone 15 Pro’s new features with iOS 18. However, none of the latest features will be available on the previous models.
Another feature that you will get on Pro 16 is the Camera Control Button for effortless access to photos and videos. However, features like Dynamic Island are shared by iPhone 14 Pro, 15 Pro, and 16 Pro as well, but Apple Intelligence-related features will only be accessible to the users of iPhone 15 Pro and above.
iPhone 16 Pro vs. 15 Pro vs. 14 Pro vs. 13 Pro, should you upgrade this year?
Your conclusion of iPhone 16 Pro vs. 15 Pro vs. 14 Pro vs. 13 Pro depends on your preferences. If you want to access a more powerful internal system, AI features, and certainly the best camera system, then you should upgrade to Apple 16. However, if you are satisfied with your current device’s overall performance and upgrading does not really add anything special to your bucket, you can keep using your current model.
For those who want to switch from Android to Apple, their ultimate choice depends on the budget. For a more exclusive and advanced Apple experience, they should go for the Apple 16 Pro, but if they are on a tight budget, the 14 or 15 Pro will make perfect devices because they have a powerful chip, a 48 MP camera, and will get to a new software update. However, you won’t be able to enjoy all of the special features of 16 Pro.
FAQs
1. Should I upgrade to iPhone 15 Pro from 14 Pro?
I don’t see any major differences between iPhone 15 Pro and 14 Pro. They share the same camera setup and design. Obviously, the Chip in 15 Pro is an upgrade over 14 but the practical performance is more or less the same. However, the 15 Pro comes with a titanium finish and is lightweight. It also has Apple Intelligence-related features that enhance the AI experience. So, if you want to use those additional features in a lighter phone, you can go for it, if not, iPhone 14 Pro is a great device to carry.
2. iPhone 14 pro vs iPhone 15 camera, which is better?
Both cameras have similar results with the same triple-camera setup. There is a 48 MP main, 12 MP ultrawide, and 12 MP telephoto with a similar Photonic Engine and 2nd generation sensor shift optical image stabilization.
3. What is the price of the iPhone 16 Pro?
iPhone 16 Pro’s price ranges from $999-$1499 depending on the storage. The 128 GB version is $999 and 1 TB can go around $1500.
4. Is the iPhone 15 better than the 14 Pro?
There is no huge difference between these devices. Both have almost similar features and designs but the 15 is cheaper with USB-C charging but 14 Pro has an extra lens for telephoto, a higher refresh rate, and a stainless steel finish.
5. When was the iPhone 16 Pro released?
Apple 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max were released on 20 September 2024.
