iPhone 16/Plus Debating 16 vs 15: A18 two generations ahead?

[OSXphoto]

Hi all,
Geekbench for iPhone 16/15/14 shows:
3322 vs 2544 vs 2255 single core,
8188 vs 6324 vs 5528 multi core.
I tend to keep my phones until the final iOS update. I am still on 8 plus.

So based on geekbench the 16 seems two generations ahead of its predecessor instead of one, in terms of CPU, and consequently should add an extra two years of service (and iOS updates) instead of one.

Seems like a no brainer for my use case.

Any caveats I need to look out for when moving to the iPhone 16?

Thanks!
Pete

 

[aihpcfl]

I think there is a lot of personal preference here. Not one size fits all. But for what it's worth, my preference is to buy new and use as long as possible. I would buy the newest top of the line model. That's my size. I don't have any caveats to offer.

 

[Reverend Benny]

The extra CPU power don't add extra support (software updates). Apple will slash support anyway when its old enough.
The 16 has more memory which is more important than CPU in most cases.

The 16 is a solid buy, the latest version of iOS 18 is running well on most devices.
Even if AI isn't something you are interesting in today it might be a few years down the road, then iPhone 16 will support it.

So as you say, its a no brainer, get the 16

 

[Homme]

The 16 is worth it especially since the 15 plus/16 are like the same price but the A18 is miles ahead than the A16 as well as everything else ( the colors especially)

But I wouldn’t recommend the 14 lineup, not even the 14 plus due to lightning, 500 cycle counts, mute switch, Smart HDR 4 compared to 5 on the 15 and the A16 kills 500 cycle counts of its battery more quickly on the Pro than the Pro Max hence 1000 cycle counts for the 15 is better for A16 to handle

 

[FeliApple]

I keep devices for a while. I also don’t sell them. I don’t update them. I’m not a frequent upgrader (iPhone Xʀ on iOS 12 to iPhone 16 Plus). In your situation, which in terms of years of use is similar to mine, I wouldn’t hesitate. Get the newest one. I’d go for whichever 16 version you like. I’ve been using it since March, 4.5 months now. No caveats.

 

[now i see it]

8 Plus is plenty fast on iOS 16. Keep it until you cant stand using it anymore - is my suggestion

 

[Andeddu]

8 Plus is plenty fast on iOS 16. Keep it until you cant stand using it anymore - is my suggestion

The 8 is still a good phone. It’s my most used secondary device and the battery life is way better than the 6S with a much faster processor. It is good enough to be a daily driver even in 2025. I’d still upgrade though because I am a bit of a tech nerd… I am even planning to pick up a 17 Pro to replace my 13 for no reason other than it’s new, shiny and is considerably more powerful (for AAA games).

 

[OSXphoto]

Thanks all!
Just a few notes in response to your kind feedback:
The 8 plus (actually it’s my daughter’s) isn't in the best shape anymore: the glass backside is shattered, consequently some moisture came in from the rain, as a consequence now the battery is getting worse. Also, her digital needs now exceed the 64GB storage. So the upgrade is quite timely.
Thanks for sharing your iPhone 16 experiences, that helps us (her) to decide. As a fresh student her budget is tight and she was debating 14 vs15, but I just might make a small contribution to push her to the 16.

 

[SmOgER]

I think it’s a no brainer solely because of the design alone. Regular 16 is arguably the most modern looking iPhone currently on sale, at least looking at the back glass. That’s something you will feel and notice and what is gonna resemble the newer models as well, as for performance… that is never bad, though I doubt you will REALLY need that considering what phone you are upgrading from.

 

[OSXphoto]

@SmOgER : well, design is of course a matter of taste. For my daughter, the new darker iPhone 16 colours aren’t as nice as the pastel shades of the previous generations. So in fact that’s a small minus.
As for performance: for those of us that aim to keep our devices for a very long time, to squeeze out all the life that’s in them, more performance at the start equals longer life span.
This, of course, is based on a pattern of always upgrading to the newest iOS versions. The point where Apple marks a model to stop receiving upgrades is usually determined by the CPU and RAM configuration. Thus, better Specc’ed models will eventually be able to run a higher iOS version.

 

[Moreplease]

If she wants a 16 but her budget is 14 or 15, she should know that waiting a few weeks will likely see lower prices on the 16 (when Apple releases the 17 in September).

 

[OSXphoto]

Yes thanks for that advice, we’re on it . Coincidentally this is the time to renew her plan for another two years and for renewal they always provide specials to draw folks in and keep em in. the carrier has the 16 w/ 256 storage on offer for €854, just dropped down from €912. The 15/256 is still €792. Prices may drop even further.
As a reference, Apple.com/nl sells the 16/256 for €1099 so even if Apple drops to €999 as soon as the 17 is released, it won’t match the €854.

 

[Moreplease]

Then it looks like the carrier is already discounting the 16 in anticipation of the 17 launch. I’m sure the prices carriers pay Apple for phones follow some kind of logical market-forces curve rather than the sudden drops that end users see at the Apple Store when a new model comes out.

 

[FeliApple]

As for performance: for those of us that aim to keep our devices for a very long time, to squeeze out all the life that’s in them, more performance at the start equals longer life span.
This, of course, is based on a pattern of always upgrading to the newest iOS versions. The point where Apple marks a model to stop receiving upgrades is usually determined by the CPU and RAM configuration. Thus, better Specc’ed models will eventually be able to run a higher iOS version.

I think this is the cornerstone of the decision. You will update it as far as it can go, AND you’re seeking maximum longevity. This only makes it clearer, in my view. I think you should get the newest one you can.

Like I said earlier, I seek maximum longevity too. Perhaps starting two major versions ahead of release is already (even if ever so slightly) curtailing the device’s lifespan.

I think, however, that Apple stops giving updates based on both RAM and configuration, like you said, and it’s a question maek whether they take into account performance and/or battery life too heavily.

You see, Apple typically provides similarly specced iPads with one more year versus iPhones. (iPhone 6s with an A9 processor released on Sept 2015 was updated up to iOS 15, the A9X 1st-geniPad Pro got iPadOS 16, likewise with a couple of other models) I speculate this is due to battery life concerns: larger iPad batteries are perhaps more resilient, even if by the end of it battery life is destroyed anyway.

So the strongest evidence is a mix of year of release, specs, and Apple’s immediate decisions. All of which are helped by essentially getting the most powerful device you can.

 

[PPCmike]

I'm on the fence now I have the 12 Pro but looking to get a 15 pro Max 1TB I'm not really into the 16 Pro max like that stupid camera control button was always just a blank cover even going back to my 12 Pro, which is why it's like awkward to use.

The 17 looks odd with the camera bar being stretched out like that.

 

[kiranmk2]

As someone that has typically bought second hand iPhones, my opinion is that you can normally buy an almost pristine iPhone with battery health in the mid-high 90s for about 40-50% of rrp when the new models are launched. For me, avoiding this large depreciation makes it worth the potential for 1 less year of iOS support. The downside is that you need to invest the time finding a suitable second hand model (condition, battery health, seller validity etc).

In the UK we have a chain of pawn/trade-in shops called Cash Convertors that is a great place to pick up second hand iPhones. My most recent phone - an iPhone 15 - was bought for 25% under rrp (£599) about 4 months after launch. It was in perfect condition, with a manufacturing date <60 days prior and 100% battery health. The store also gave a 12 month warranty that also covered the phone being blocked in case of any kind of insurance scam.

 

[OSXphoto]

Absolutely. The problem is that in the Netherlands there are so many unreliable sources. Especially companies that advertise good deals which are in fact problematic units with bad battery. And very bad after sales. I tried twice, but from now on, I will always buy new units.

 

[Homme]

The 8 is still a good phone. It’s my most used secondary device and the battery life is way better than the 6S with a much faster processor. It is good enough to be a daily driver even in 2025. I’d still upgrade though because I am a bit of a tech nerd… I am even planning to pick up a 17 Pro to replace my 13 for no reason other than it’s new, shiny and is considerably more powerful (for AAA games).

I disagree. The A11 had the capability to go to at least iOS 18 and maybe iOS 26 as well ( yes A12 iPhones don’t get OS 26 but the iPad ones get OS 26) and even the A12 iPads exceed expectations with good multitasking support, liquid glass etc) so for A11 iPhones getting stuck at iOS 26 when devices like the A10 iPod Touch and even devices like the iPad Air 2
and the Mini 4 and the budget OG SE had longer software support ( not the Touch) than the A11 iPhones makes the A11 bad, so much so that 6th and 7th gen iPad got better support than it and having the A10. And when it comes to security updates nowadays OS 16 devices get compared to OS 15 are only somewhat enhanced but future patch’s will be the same for both OS’s and definitely not on iOS/ iPadOS 17’s ( more iPadOS 17 because it was the first OS Since iOS 6 to drop an iPad but not an iPhone) but this time its not about hardware overall it’s about iPhone and iPad release dates since iOS 16.

Shame really since the A11 is more closer to the A12 than the A10 in micro architecture and technology. But it will never match the A10X iPads

 

[Andeddu]

I disagree. The A11 had the capability to go to at least iOS 18 and maybe iOS 26 as well ( yes A12 iPhones don’t get OS 26 but the iPad ones get OS 26) and even the A12 iPads exceed expectations with good multitasking support, liquid glass etc) so for A11 iPhones getting stuck at iOS 26 when devices like the A10 iPod Touch and even devices like the iPad Air 2
and the Mini 4 and the budget OG SE had longer software support ( not the Touch) than the A11 iPhones makes the A11 bad, so much so that 6th and 7th gen iPad got better support than it and having the A10. And when it comes to security updates nowadays OS 16 devices get compared to OS 15 are only somewhat enhanced but future patch’s will be the same for both OS’s and definitely not on iOS/ iPadOS 17’s ( more iPadOS 17 because it was the first OS Since iOS 6 to drop an iPad but not an iPhone) but this time its not about hardware overall it’s about iPhone and iPad release dates since iOS 16.

Shame really since the A11 is more closer to the A12 than the A10 in micro architecture and technology. But it will never match the A10X iPads

I would never suggest for anyone to purchase an iPhone 8 today because, as you said, it’s no longer a supported device due to planned obsolescence. I am merely saying that the 8 on iOS 16 is very responsive and all the apps are still supported making it a viable device in 2025. I just wouldn’t purchase one because it’ll only be usable for another 1-2 years before it’ll lose app support.