The Battery Life of iPhone 16 Compared to iPhone 15: How much better is it?

Thinking of prioritising iPhone 15 over the new iPhone 16? For all of us battery lovers, Apple’s announcement that the iPhone 16 has improved battery life, thanks to some clever updates, is much welcomed. But how big is the difference, and does it actually change your day-to-day experience? Let’s dive into what’s new and whether it’s worth making the leap.

What’s New with the iPhone 16?

This time, it’s not about size. The upgrade in the iPhone 16 is the A18 Bionic chip, built using a more efficient 3nm process. Translation: the chip is smarter with power, giving you more performance while using less battery. This isn’t just about running things faster; it’s about getting more done without constantly worrying about your battery percentage.

Apple has also made the always-on display even more efficient. So, if you’re someone who likes to keep an eye on notifications or the latest headlines, you can do it without draining your battery as much as before.

How Does Battery Life Compare?

Here's how the iPhone 16 stacks up against the iPhone 15 when it comes to real battery life:

As you can see, it's not a groundbreaking change. A 10% increase in battery life is notable, but it also signals that lithium-ion batteries are reaching their peak, with improvements now focusing more on optimizing performance than on the battery cells themselves.

What’s It Like in Real Life?

Here’s where the iPhone 16’s upgrades really show up. If you’re constantly pushing your phone to its limits with gaming, streaming, or running a ton of apps at once, the new A18 chip helps the battery go the distance. It’s not just about tech specs—it actually keeps you going when you need it most.

If you’re more of a casual user, you’ll appreciate how the iPhone 16 conserves power even when you’re not using it much. Some users can even stretch to nearly two days on a single charge, thanks to smarter power-saving features.

Is Charging Any Different?

Both the iPhone 15 and 16 can charge to 50% in about 30 minutes with a 20W charger, but the iPhone 16 feels quicker because it’s smarter about how it handles power. Better energy management also means your phone stays cooler while charging, which helps keep the battery in good shape over time. Unfortunately, Apple has not yet declared what this “smarter energy management” is, we just have to take their words for now.

Bottom Line: Should You Upgrade?

If you’re fed up with low-battery warnings by the end of the day, the iPhone 16’s battery improvements make it worth a look. It won’t transform how you use your phone, but it will make your life a bit easier and cut down on “battery anxiety.”