Apple iPhone 15 Pro vs Apple iPhone 16e

Our Verdict: Apple iPhone 16e is the easier recommendation for a lower current starting price, about £359 versus £468, while Apple iPhone 15 Pro answers with its mix of price, software and hardware. Apple iPhone 16e is currently cheaper to buy outright by roughly £109. Apple iPhone 16e lists the larger battery capacity at 4005mAh. In short, the Apple iPhone 16e suits buyers trying to keep the upfront or SIM-free spend lower, while the Apple iPhone 15 Pro suits buyers who will use its extra hardware advantages.

Over a full contract, the 16e works out around £481 all-in, about £148 less than the 15 Pro 5G.

Expert Rating
4.3
12 reviews
3.7
12 reviews
Screen
6.1" 6.1"
Display
LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution
1179 x 2556 1170 x 2532
Pixels Per Inch
461 457
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A17 Pro Apple A18 (3 nm)
Battery
3,274 mAh 4,005 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
OS
Apple iOS Apple iOS
SIM Type
Nano SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6
Bluetooth
5.3 with A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
146.6 x 70.6 x 8.3 mm 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm
Weight
187 grams 167 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts
£23.50/mo (£20.00 upfront) £14.99/mo (£99.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£419.99 £359.99

Prices updated 26 July 2026

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Apple iPhone 15 Pro Apple iPhone 16e Apple iPhone 16e
Expert Rating 4.3
12 reviews
3.7
12 reviews
Screen 6.1" 6.1"
Display LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution 1179 x 2556 1170 x 2532
Pixels Per Inch 461 457
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A17 Pro Apple A18 (3 nm)
Battery 3,274 mAh 4,005 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
OS Apple iOS Apple iOS
SIM Type Nano SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6
Bluetooth 5.3 with A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.3 mm 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm
Weight 187 grams 167 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts £23.50/mo
£20.00 upfront
£14.99/mo
£99.00 upfront
SIM-free £419.99 £359.99
Prices updated 26 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 15 Pro
Apple iPhone 15 Pro

24 Months

128GB

Black Titanium

Refurbished

1GB

Data

£23.50 per month, £20 upfront.

Apple iPhone 16e
Apple iPhone 16e

24 Months

128GB

White

Refurbished

Unlimited

Data

£14.99 per month, £99 upfront.

Use code: SAVING10 (£10)

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 15 Pro or Apple iPhone 16e cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 16e is cheaper on contract at £481.16 over the life of the deal from £14.99 per month with £99.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro or Apple iPhone 16e?

Both phones have a similar screen size at around 6.1", both screens are similarly sharp at around 461 pixels per inch, and the Apple iPhone 15 Pro uses a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Apple iPhone 16e has a Super Retina XDR OLED.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro or Apple iPhone 16e?

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Apple iPhone 16e has a 48 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro or Apple iPhone 16e?

The Apple iPhone 16e is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £359.99.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 15 Pro and Apple iPhone 16e?

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, while the Apple iPhone 16e comes in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 15 Pro and Apple iPhone 16e use?

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro is powered by the Apple A17 Pro , while the Apple iPhone 16e uses the Apple A18 (3 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro or Apple iPhone 16e?

It's a trade-off: the Apple iPhone 16e is lighter but the Apple iPhone 15 Pro is more compact. It's 20g lighter at 167 grams, though the Apple iPhone 15 Pro is actually the more compact phone at 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.3 mm, the Apple iPhone 16e is slimmer at 7.8mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro or Apple iPhone 16e?

Both phones share the same water resistance rating of IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins).

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 15 Pro and Apple iPhone 16e run?

Both phones run Apple iOS.