New iPhone 16 vs Refurbished iPhone 15: Is it Worth it to Upgrade?
Latest and greatest iPhone 16 or refurbished iPhone 15? On one hand, the brand-new iPhone 16 offers cutting-edge features, incredible processing power, and a wondrous unboxing experience. On the other hand, the high-quality refurbished iPhone 15 offers nearly the same core functions/features at a much cheaper price.
This article will explore the significant differences between each option, helping you make the most informed decision based on your needs and budget. But before that, let’s clear the air on what exactly a refurbished iPhone is.
Brief Overview: What Is a Refurbished iPhone?
A refurbished iPhone isn’t simply a used iPhone. It’s a device that has been returned to the manufacturer or a certified third-party refurbisher for various reasons, such as customer returns, minor defects, or trade-ins. These devices then undergo a rigorous process to ensure they meet specific quality standards.
These devices are tested, repaired if needed, and cleaned up to make sure everything in the phone works as well as new iPhones. So, contrary to the common misconception, refurbished iPhones can be as reliable as new ones, especially when you buy from certified and reliable vendors like SmartphonesPLUS.
We go into much more detail about refurbished phones in our Ultimate Guide to Refurbished Phones.
Specifications of the iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15
| New iPhone 16 vs Refurbished iPhone 15 Specs | ||
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone 15 |
| Weight | 170g | 171g |
| Internal Storage | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM |
| Rear Camera | 48 MP Wide
12 MP Ultrawide |
48 MP Wide
12 MP Ultrawide |
| Front Camera | 12 MP Wide | 12 MP Wide |
| Processor | Bionic A18(3 nm) | Bionic A16(4 nm) |
| Display | Super Retina XDR OLED
6.1 inches, 1179 x 2556 pixels. Ceramic Shield glass (2024 gen) |
Super Retina XDR OLED
6.1 inches, 1179 x 2556 pixels. Ceramic Shield glass |
Camera
The new iPhone 16 and refurbished iPhone 15 feature a very similar set of cameras with almost identical features. Both iPhones sport 48MP wide + 12MP ultrawide dual camera setups. On the main camera side, typically, both iPhones take excellent images and videos with little to no difference between both in normal lighting. But as expected, the newer iPhone 16 does pull ahead ever so slightly when it gets dark. Moving on to the ultra-wide, both the refurbished iPhone 15 and the new iPhone 16 use a 12MP sensor, but the newer iPhone uses a slightly faster aperture (f/2.2 now vs. f/2.4 before), allowing more light to enter the sensor. For the first time on the base iPhone, you can now take macro shots thanks to autofocus support on the ultra-wide lens on the new iPhone 16.
Other differences include new photographic styles on the new iPhone 16 along with the ability to change/edit those styles after the shot is taken. Also, the new iPhone 16 supports spatial video and photos, which you’ll need an Apple Vision Pro to truly appreciate this feature.
Lastly, there’s the new Camera Control button on the iPhone 16. This button allows you to quickly jump into your camera and control most of its features using the button alone. There have been a lot of contrasting opinions and thoughts on this new button, so I’d advise you to check it out yourself physically to decide if it’s a feature worth having.
Performance
| Benchmark | A18(iPhone 16) | A16 Bionic (iPhone 15) |
| Geekbench 6 | Single-Core Score
3309 Multi-Core Score 8137 |
Single-Core Score
2540 Multi-Core Score 6315 |
The iPhone 16 and refurbished iPhone 15 are only one generation apart in name, but their processors are separated by a whole two years of tech! Why? In 2023, Apple decided the iPhone 15 didn’t deserve the newest chip—that was reserved for the Pros. An attempt to widen the gap between the models and make more money. Thankfully, they changed their minds, and the iPhone 16 has the latest and greatest chip.
So what’s the difference?
Power
First and foremost, the A18 processor significantly outperforms the A16 in the refurbished iPhone 15 to the point that it can actually run console games quite smoothly. But in everyday tasks and even in some resource-heavy tasks and apps, you’ll barely notice those differences.
Cooling
Another performance upgrade is that the newer iPhone has a better cooling system, so it can perform better for longer without overheating.
Battery Life
The new Apple iPhone 16 has better battery life than the iPhone 15; according to Apple, the iPhone 16 can push out 22 hours of video playback compared to just 20 hours on the iPhone 15.
When you add “refurbished” to that mix, it becomes a bit more nuanced. Brand new iPhones come out of the box with 100% battery health. But that’s rarely the case for refurbished iPhones. The standard in the refurbished market is 80% battery health and above. So most refurbished iPhones are sold with around 80-90% battery health. So knowing how to extend your battery life will help a lot.
Display
There’s really not much to say here—both the new iPhone 16 and the refurbished iPhone 16 have almost exactly the same display, down to the 60Hz refresh rate that Apple refuses to upgrade. Same screen size, with the same 2000 nits peak brightness packaged with slightly thinner bezels.
Body and Build
The body and build of the refurbished iPhone 15 and new iPhone 16 are quite similar. Both feature an aluminum frame, only a gram difference in weight (iPhone 16: 170 g, iPhone 15: 171 g), the same Corning-made back glass, and ceramic shield front glass (though the newer iPhone 16 has the latest Gen ceramic shield glass on top).
Where more differences can come in between the new iPhone 16 and refurbished iPhone 15 depends on the grade of the refurbished phone. Top-grade/flawless refurbished iPhone 15s look as good as new. Lower-grade refurbished iPhone 15s have more blemishes like scratches, dents, scrapes, etc.
Sustainability and Environmental Friendliness
One of the biggest benefits amongst the many reasons to buy refurbished phones is that they allow us to get the best without any damage to our environment.
By going for a refurbished iPhone 15 over a new iPhone 16, you get a premium device that’s nearly identical to the latest and greatest in a lot of ways. Cost savings thanks to it being an older model, plus the fact that it’s a refurbished device means it’s way cheaper than usual. All this while you’re also saving the environment from toxic e-waste. A win-win situation.
Apple Intelligence
The new iPhone 16 takes a clean sweep here. The new iPhone 16 fully supports all Apple Intelligence features, including those that are yet to come, while the refurbished iPhone 15 has no Apple Intelligence features despite only being a generation apart.
The reason for this is the refurbished iPhone 15 lacks sufficient RAM to run Apple Intelligence features.
You see, AI features need a lot of RAM to run well, and the refurbished iPhone 15’s 6GB of RAM can’t handle it. That’s why Apple had to increase the RAM on the iPhone 16 to 8GB.
Pros and Cons of the New iPhone 16
Pros:
Latest technology and features.
By going for the latest and greatest iPhone 16, you’re guaranteed to have all the latest tech and features Apple has to offer (at least till September).
Full manufacturer warranty.
Another perk of getting the new iPhone 16 over the refurbished iPhone 15 is that you’ll have the full manufacturer warranty, which covers you for 1-2 years longer than what most refurbished iPhone vendors have to offer.
Access to the latest software updates for a longer period.
The Apple iPhone 16 will receive software updates for at least a year longer than the refurbished iPhone 15.
Cons:
High upfront cost
A brand-new iPhone 16 doesn’t come cheap. So buying one is a significant financial investment.
Environmental impact
The production of a new phone contributes to electronic waste (e-waste) and has an environmental impact.
Pros and Cons of Refurbished iPhone 15
Pros:
Significant cost savings compared to a new model
The iPhone 15 is a generation older, so it’s cheaper, added to the fact that refurbished iPhones offer substantial discounts, making the refurbished iPhone 15 a much more budget-friendly option.
A powerful and capable smartphone
The refurbished iPhone 15 is still a very capable device for anybody. Also, refurbished iPhones undergo rigorous testing and refurbishment processes, ensuring they function as well as new devices with minimal differences.
Reduced environmental impact
By choosing a refurbished iPhone, you’re going for a more sustainable choice. You’re reducing electronic waste and minimizing the environmental impact of manufacturing a new device.
Often comes with some form of warranty
While the warranty period may be shorter than for a new phone, refurbished iPhones from credible sellers like SmartphonesPLUS come with warranty coverage, providing peace of mind.
Cons of A Refurbished Apple iPhone 15
May have minor cosmetic imperfections
Refurbished iPhones have different grades that categorize their condition. The highest grade, Excellent/Grade A, usually looks as good as new iPhones. The lower the grade, the more cosmetic issues it’ll have, like minor scratches, dents, or other blemishes.
Shorter warranty period
The warranty coverage for a refurbished iPhone is usually shorter than for a brand-new device.
Risk of encountering refurbished iPhone 15 units with hidden issues: Although uncommon, there’s a risk of encountering a refurbished phone with undisclosed issues that may surface later.
This is why we recommend you only purchase refurbished devices from tested and trusted vendors like SmartphonesPLUS.
May not have access to the latest software updates for as long
The refurbished iPhone 15 most likely won’t receive the latest software updates for as long as the new iPhone 16. This is mainly due to the refurbished iPhone 15 being an older-gen model.
Where to Buy Refurbished iPhones?
The best place to buy refurbished iPhones and even Androids like Samsung is SmartphonesPLUS.com.
At SmartphonesPLUS we value quality and simplicity. That’s why we go the extra mile to make sure any item you purchase from us is the absolute best quality. And we make this buying process extremely simple and transparent.
Still not sure if you should upgrade? Read our article on signs you need to upgrade to get more clarity.
Lastly, if you decide to upgrade, don’t forget to recycle or trade-in your old phone for money.
