iPhone 14 vs 16 Features
The features and upgrades that the two non-Pro iPhone 16 models are expected to deliver later in 2024 are the subject of more than a dozen distinct rumors that have been circulating for more than a year.
Since many consumers upgrade every two years, the features added to both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 will accumulate, even if the improvements that the iPhone 16 delivers over the iPhone 15 will probably be the focal point of Apple’s marketing approach later this year. Using data from a variety of trustworthy sources that they have already covered, the following list contains every difference that the iPhone 16 models are anticipated to have in comparison to their two immediate predecessors. As new rumors surface in the next months, they will update this post.
While the iPhone 14 vs 16 are the main subjects of this guide, you may read their other comparison post to find out how they believe the iPhone 14 Pro will outperform the iPhone 16 Pro.
Design
It is anticipated that the design of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus would mostly remain the same. The resulting iPhone 16, with its frosted glass back, vertical rear camera setup to aid in spatial video recording, and somewhat softened edges, will represent a reasonably substantial advancement over the iPhone 14. Other significant design changes are anticipated, such as the addition of a brand-new “Capture” button and the elimination of the mute switch in favor of the Action button that was added to the Pro versions of last year.
iPhone 14 vs 16 Design
| iPhone 14 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|
| Aluminum chassis with squared-off edges | Aluminum chassis with contoured edges |
| Glossy glass back | Color-infused frosted glass back |
| “Notch” TrueDepth camera array | Dynamic Island |
| Diagonally arranged rear camera array | Vertically arranged rear camera array to support spatial video capture |
| Ring/Silent switch | Action Button |
| “Capture Button” to trigger photography and videography features | |
| Lightning port | USB-C port |
Displays
The iPhone 16 will provide owners of the iPhone 14 with many of the display improvements from the previous generation, along with an OLED screen that is more efficient because of micro-lens technology.
iPhone 14 vs 16 Displays
| iPhone 14 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|
| More efficient OLED display with brighter micro-lens technology | |
| 800 nits max brightness (typical) | 1,000 nits max brightness (typical) |
| 1,200 nits peak brightness (HDR) | 1,600 nits peak brightness (HDR) |
| 2,000 nits peak brightness (outdoor) |
Cameras
The 48-megapixel camera of the iPhone 14 Pro was replaced by the iPhone 15, which marked a significant camera boost for Apple’s mainstream smartphone range. Along with many other enhancements including spatial video recording, the iPhone 16 is anticipated to represent a major camera improvement over the iPhone 14.
iPhone 14 vs 16 Cameras
| iPhone 14 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|
| 12-megapixel main camera with ƒ/1.5 aperture | 48-megapixel main camera with ƒ/1.6 aperture |
| 0.5x and 1x optical zoom options | 0.5x, 1x, and 2x optical zoom options |
| 24- and 48-megapixel super-high-resolution photos | |
| Smart HDR 4 | Smart HDR 5 |
| Portrait mode with Focus and Depth Control | Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control |
| Night mode and Night mode portraits | Improved Night mode and Night mode portraits |
| Spatial video capture |
Memory, Chip, and Internet
The next iPhone 16 models may provide a significant performance boost over the 2021-released iPhone 14, which uses the A15 Bionic CPU. It is reported that the new versions would use the same A18 chip as the Pro variants. Notable changes include the inclusion of 2GB of RAM and a second-generation Ultra Wideband processor.
iPhone 14 vs 16 Memory, Chip, and Internet
| iPhone 14 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|
| A15 Bionic chip (TSMC’s “N5P” enhanced 5nm process) | A18 chip (TSMC’s “N3E” enhanced 3nm process) |
| 16-core Neural Engine | Neural Engine with “significantly” more cores to support new AI features |
| 6GB memory | 8GB memory (+33%) |
| Wi-Fi 6 connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E connectivity |
| First-generation Ultra Wideband chip | Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip (connects from 3x further away) |
| Precision Finding for Find My friends |
Power Sources and Charging
With denser batteries and better charging speeds, the iPhone 16 models may see some significant advancements in battery technology. Although it’s unclear how this will impact real battery life, it’s important to note that the iPhone 16 Plus is reported to have a smaller battery than its predecessors.
iPhone 14 vs 16 Power Sources and Charging
| iPhone 14 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|
| Single-layer battery technology | Stacked battery technology for increased energy density and prolonged lifespan |
| iPhone 14: 3,279 mAh battery iPhone 14 Plus: 4,325 mAh battery | iPhone 16: 3,561 mAh battery iPhone 16 Plus: 4,006 mAh battery |
| Up to 27W wired charging | Up to 40W wired charging (48% faster) |
| 15W charging via MagSafe | 20W charging via MagSafe (33% faster) |
| Setting to prevent charging above 80% | |
| Battery manufacture date, first use, and cycle count information in Settings |
Other Elements and Modifications
Although there are rumors that many Apple devices may get new AI-based features via software upgrades later this year, the iPhone 16 models are anticipated to surpass these with unique features made possible by an enhanced microphone and a more potent Neural Engine in the A18 processor.
iPhone 14 vs 16 Other Elements and Modifications
| iPhone 14 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|
| Upcoming support for new AI features in iOS 18 | Upcoming support for new AI features in iOS 18, plus a suite of device-exclusive AI features |
| Microphone | Upgraded microphone with improved signal-to-noise ratio and water resistance, designed to support new AI features |
| Improved audio quality on phone calls |
Does Upgrading Make Sense?
A more contemporary design including the Dynamic Island, a USB-C connector, and a 48-megapixel camera made the iPhone 15 a rather considerable advance from the iPhone 14 in 2023. These improvements will be furthered by the iPhone 16, which will come with the capturing and Action buttons, AI capabilities, and spatial video capturing. Many existing owners of the iPhone 14 will feel that upgrading to the iPhone 16 is beneficial, if not necessary, given the over thirty updates that are reportedly in the works.
