Other Which 6.1" iPhone to upgrade to?

[carswell]

Am finally planning to replace my beloved iPhone X. Have been hanging onto it because I love the form factor but it’s stuck running iOS 16, which means there are an increasing number of apps and features inaccessible to me. I’d also like a better camera setup, in particular the ability to take low-light and macro photos.

Question is: what to upgrade to? I’d been considering the 16 Pro but find it too big for my hand and pocket, which also means waiting for the iPhone 17 is a no-go (assuming the rumours about its having a 6.3” screen are true).

Since USB-C is a non-negotiable, I’m currently thinking either a reconditioned 15 Pro or a new 16. The former appeals due to the better camera array and higher refresh rate but I also read comments about overheating and poor battery life. Also, like all the Pro models, it feels top heavy. The 16 has a lot going for it and I don’t hate the way it feels in the hand (at least without a case) but also expect it’s going to soon seem outdated once the entire lineup switches to a higher refresh rate.

I should note that I’m not a power user, never play games and suspect I’ll be turning off Apple Intelligence just like I’ve turned off Siri. That said, since my phone will be the only camera I use going forward, a higher-end camera array is something I’m willing to pay a premium for.

iPhone 15 Pro? iPhone 16? Something else? What would you recommend? Thanks!

 

[Yimbaz]

You'll find a lot of hemming and hawing online about the "low" refresh rate of the non-Pro phones, but as someone who went from a 13 Pro to a 16 you really won't notice it. It makes for a great demo when the two phones are side by side, but the two phones side by side is the only context in which it stands out. In daily usage it won't make a difference.

If it helps, the rumors right now still put the base 17 model at 6.1". 6.3" is still just for the Pro. Of course that's just the rumor mill, and we're still 8 months out from the announcement, so it's a bit of a gamble. But there's a chance there might be a 6.1" ProMotion phone on the horizon which sounds like it would be perfect for you.

 

[Apple_Robert]

The 15 pro doesn't overheat. Either phone would be fine to buy.

 

[ab2c4]

If weight matters to you, both phones are the same size but the 15 Pro is considerably heavier than the 16. I say that since some people prefer heavy phones, and some prefer light phones to carry around.

I think those two phones are your best choices although if it were me and knowing what I know now I would keep using the X, its a far superior design than anything we have available now.

 

[snipr125]

Get the 15 Pro you know you want to, and it does not overheat at all (that was a bug in the first version of ios 17, affecting all phones at the time). ProRaw images are incredible, close in quality to my Canon 1200D DSLR.

 

[Andy_2341]

As the owner of a 15 Pro, I love it. It does a great job of everything I've thrown at it, and the heat issue is really blown out of proportion. The 120hz screen is great, but it is only noticeable to some or if you look for it. Camera, which is the main reason I upgraded from an SE3, is really good and takes really clean pictures. If you can get a nice one, go for it. I don't think you'll be disappointed at all.

 

[Weldor7]

My wife’s 15 pro has only overheated on her once, and that was while she was recording a video in the direct sunlight on a 95degree day. It’s been a flawless phone. It really is the perfect size and weight of a phone, and the 3x optical zoom seems more useful than the 5x of this years pros.

 

[ubinko]

If you want a lighter, faster phone with better battery life, the regular 16 beats the 15 Pro.

Also, if I'm not wrong, the new “photographic styles” are exclusive to the 16 and have a great impact for things like tone mapping and preserving shadows without having to edit RAW.

 

[QCassidy352]

Am finally planning to replace my beloved iPhone X. Have been hanging onto it because I love the form factor but it’s stuck running iOS 16, which means there are an increasing number of apps and features inaccessible to me. I’d also like a better camera setup, in particular the ability to take low-light and macro photos.

Question is: what to upgrade to? I’d been considering the 16 Pro but find it too big for my hand and pocket, which also means waiting for the iPhone 17 is a no-go (assuming the rumours about its having a 6.3” screen are true).

Since USB-C is a non-negotiable, I’m currently thinking either a reconditioned 15 Pro or a new 16. The former appeals due to the better camera array and higher refresh rate but I also read comments about overheating and poor battery life. Also, like all the Pro models, it feels top heavy. The 16 has a lot going for it and I don’t hate the way it feels in the hand (at least without a case) but also expect it’s going to soon seem outdated once the entire lineup switches to a higher refresh rate.

I should note that I’m not a power user, never play games and suspect I’ll be turning off Apple Intelligence just like I’ve turned off Siri. That said, since my phone will be the only camera I use going forward, a higher-end camera array is something I’m willing to pay a premium for.

iPhone 15 Pro? iPhone 16? Something else? What would you recommend? Thanks!

The 16 Pro is 3 mm taller and .9 mm wider than the 15 Pro. It is 2 mm taller and .1 mm narrower than the 16. (It’s 6 mm taller and .6 mm wider than the iPhone X). The idea that the 16 Pro is “too big” but the 15 Pro or 16 would be just the right size seems… hard to believe.

That said… if you are truly convinced that a 2-3 mm height difference is going to make or break your new phone experience, I’d go 15 Pro because of the better camera setup as compared to the 16.

But really… just get the 16 pro.

 

[ubinko]

The 16 Pro is 3 mm taller and .9 mm wider than the 15 Pro. It is 2 mm taller and .1 mm narrower than the 16. (It’s 6 mm taller and .6 mm wider than the iPhone X). The idea that the 16 Pro is “too big” but the 15 Pro or 16 would be just the right size seems… hard to believe.

That said… if you are truly convinced that a 2-3 mm height difference is going to make or break your new phone experience, I’d go 15 Pro because of the better camera setup as compared to the 16.

But really… just get the 16 pro.

"too big" - no.

"too heavy" - yes (for me, anyway).

 

[JuicyGoomba]

You'll find a lot of hemming and hawing online about the "low" refresh rate of the non-Pro phones, but as someone who went from a 13 Pro to a 16 you really won't notice it. It makes for a great demo when the two phones are side by side, but the two phones side by side is the only context in which it stands out. In daily usage it won't make a difference.

If it helps, the rumors right now still put the base 17 model at 6.1". 6.3" is still just for the Pro. Of course that's just the rumor mill, and we're still 8 months out from the announcement, so it's a bit of a gamble. But there's a chance there might be a 6.1" ProMotion phone on the horizon which sounds like it would be perfect for you.

It's a huge difference

Telling someone they won't notice it just because you apparently don't is disingenuous at best.

I feel physically sick whenever low power mode kicks in as the difference in refresh rates does not sit well with my eyes. It's like motion sickness.

I tried tricking myself into thinking 60hz was fine, but it's not. It's embarrassing that Apple sell any devices with such an abhorrent low refresh rate.

In daily usage it makes a huge difference. It literally makes your phone screen more responsive and enjoyable to use at 120hz. 60hz is best left to 2010 where it belongs.

 

[FlyingDutch]

Am finally planning to replace my beloved iPhone X. Have been hanging onto it because I love the form factor but it’s stuck running iOS 16, which means there are an increasing number of apps and features inaccessible to me. I’d also like a better camera setup, in particular the ability to take low-light and macro photos.

Question is: what to upgrade to? I’d been considering the 16 Pro but find it too big for my hand and pocket, which also means waiting for the iPhone 17 is a no-go (assuming the rumours about its having a 6.3” screen are true).

Since USB-C is a non-negotiable, I’m currently thinking either a reconditioned 15 Pro or a new 16. The former appeals due to the better camera array and higher refresh rate but I also read comments about overheating and poor battery life. Also, like all the Pro models, it feels top heavy. The 16 has a lot going for it and I don’t hate the way it feels in the hand (at least without a case) but also expect it’s going to soon seem outdated once the entire lineup switches to a higher refresh rate.

I should note that I’m not a power user, never play games and suspect I’ll be turning off Apple Intelligence just like I’ve turned off Siri. That said, since my phone will be the only camera I use going forward, a higher-end camera array is something I’m willing to pay a premium for.

iPhone 15 Pro? iPhone 16? Something else? What would you recommend? Thanks!

Dimensions difference between 16 Pro and 15 Pro are negligible.
If money are driving your choice, I would buy an iPhone 16 anyway: 8 GB RAM vs 6 GB RAM will make the 15 Pro “outdated” sooner than a 60 Hz refresh (you are not a power user, you probably wont notice any difference).

 

[FlyingDutch]

The 16 Pro is 3 mm taller and .9 mm wider than the 15 Pro. It is 2 mm taller and .1 mm narrower than the 16. (It’s 6 mm taller and .6 mm wider than the iPhone X). The idea that the 16 Pro is “too big” but the 15 Pro or 16 would be just the right size seems… hard to believe.

That said… if you are truly convinced that a 2-3 mm height difference is going to make or break your new phone experience, I’d go 15 Pro because of the better camera setup as compared to the 16.

But really… just get the 16 pro.

I agree. It is hardly any wider and 3 mm taller…

It's a huge difference

Telling someone they won't notice it just because you apparently don't is disingenuous at best.

I feel physically sick whenever low power mode kicks in as the difference in refresh rates does not sit well with my eyes. It's like motion sickness.

I tried tricking myself into thinking 60hz was fine, but it's not. It's embarrassing that Apple sell any devices with such an abhorrent low refresh rate.

In daily usage it makes a huge difference. It literally makes your phone screen more responsive and enjoyable to use at 120hz. 60hz is best left to 2010 where it belongs.

DO you realize your iPhone is not always working at 120 Hz ?
I agree every iPhone 16 should have a ProMotion display, considering the price, but to define that a “huge difference” is debatable at best.

 

[Yimbaz]

It's a huge difference

Telling someone they won't notice it just because you apparently don't is disingenuous at best.

I feel physically sick whenever low power mode kicks in as the difference in refresh rates does not sit well with my eyes. It's like motion sickness.

I tried tricking myself into thinking 60hz was fine, but it's not. It's embarrassing that Apple sell any devices with such an abhorrent low refresh rate.

In daily usage it makes a huge difference. It literally makes your phone screen more responsive and enjoyable to use at 120hz. 60hz is best left to 2010 where it belongs.

So did you just not use an iPhone at all before the 13 Pro, since a 60FPS screen makes you physically sick? I'd recommend having a doctor check that out.

All kidding aside, you’re describing exactly what I was talking about. If you’re used to ProMotion, static 60FPS is obviously not as nice. But a week into using a 60FPS phone, you won't notice it at all.

 

[ubinko]

It's a huge difference

Telling someone they won't notice it just because you apparently don't is disingenuous at best.

I feel physically sick whenever low power mode kicks in as the difference in refresh rates does not sit well with my eyes. It's like motion sickness.

I tried tricking myself into thinking 60hz was fine, but it's not. It's embarrassing that Apple sell any devices with such an abhorrent low refresh rate.

In daily usage it makes a huge difference. It literally makes your phone screen more responsive and enjoyable to use at 120hz. 60hz is best left to 2010 where it belongs.

Low power mode on a Pro is not the same as 60hz on the standard 16.

Ironically, ProMotion causes me motion sickness - I think it might be the variable refresh rate that does it. This is just a theory, but I think my brain prefers a constant refresh rate to anchor to.

 

[Andy_2341]

So did you just not use an iPhone at all before the 13 Pro, since a 60FPS screen makes you physically sick? I'd recommend having a doctor check that out.

All kidding aside, you’re describing exactly what I was talking about. If you’re used to ProMotion, static 60FPS is obviously not as nice. But a week into using a 60FPS phone, you won't notice it at all.

It interestingly depends on the device for me. I don't notice the 60hz on my iPad Mini 6 or iPhone SE3. Even using the Mini and my 15 Pro side by side, I don't notice it. However, the second I put my Pro into Low Power Mode, I notice it and cannot stand it. It just looks horrible. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[SmOgER]

It interestingly depends on the device for me. I don't notice the 60hz on my iPad Mini 6 or iPhone SE3. Even using the Mini and my 15 Pro side by side, I don't notice it. However, the second I put my Pro into Low Power Mode, I notice it and cannot stand it. It just looks horrible. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Weird. The second I pick up 13 or my old X I do notice the lower refresh rate immediatelly. For me it looks exactly like a low power mode on 16 pro.

 

[QCassidy352]

"too big" - no.

"too heavy" - yes (for me, anyway).

Yes it is heavy (I have one), but it’s 12g heavier than the 15 Pro (199g for the 16 Pro and 187g for the 15 Pro). The 16 is the lightest at 170g.

I care about size and weight in a phone - I had both the 12 mini and 13 mini and loved that form factor way better than my new 16 pro. But to consider the 15 pro and exclude the 16 pro from consideration as too large or too heavy makes little sense to me. It’s just so darn close to the 15 pro that I think people would struggle to tell them apart in a blind test.

 

[ab2c4]

Low power mode on a Pro is not the same as 60hz on the standard 16.

Ironically, ProMotion causes me motion sickness - I think it might be the variable refresh rate that does it. This is just a theory, but I think my brain prefers a constant refresh rate to anchor to.

A few times that I have used my wife's 15 Pro I was feeling Motion Sickness quickly. I guess whenever I get a phone with ProMotion I will have to disable it from the start. What I don't like about ProMotion is how it makes scrolling look so "choppy" and "stuttering", nowhere near as smooth as 60hz scrolling on my 15 Plus. I say choppy/stuttering because that is how it looks when I have seen it on my wife's 15 Pro and my boss's 14 Pro. Now my son's Samsung s24+ is smooth scrolling but I'll have to check if he has 120hz enabled or not.

 

[Fashi2423]

Exciting decision ahead! Both the 15 Pro and 16 have great perks—if the camera is a top priority, the 15 Pro’s advanced array might be worth it despite the potential trade-offs. Hope you find the perfect fit for your needs

 

[SmOgER]

A few times that I have used my wife's 15 Pro I was feeling Motion Sickness quickly. I guess whenever I get a phone with ProMotion I will have to disable it from the start. What I don't like about ProMotion is how it makes scrolling look so "choppy" and "stuttering", nowhere near as smooth as 60hz scrolling on my 15 Plus. I say choppy/stuttering because that is how it looks when I have seen it on my wife's 15 Pro and my boss's 14 Pro. Now my son's Samsung s24+ is smooth scrolling but I'll have to check if he has 120hz enabled or not.

I think you got it backwards.

60hz looks choppy, tearing and stuttering. When you are used to ProMotion. Granted Apple implementation of it and an odd desire to save minimal battery life gains over everything else means it's far from perfect, but it is still much better than any other 60hz implementation.

 

[traveltoromantis]

As someone who places a high importance in weight in my iPhones, I don’t find the 15 pro with an apple silicone case to be top heavy at all (which I found for the 13 pro and 14 pro). Maybe it’s the MagSafe magnets in the case improving the weight distribution.

 

[traveltoromantis]

But to consider the 15 pro and exclude the 16 pro from consideration as too large or too heavy makes little sense to me. It’s just so darn close to the 15 pro that I think people would struggle to tell them apart in a blind test.

The 15 pro is right on the very edge of my comfort zone for length and weight, and the 16 pro pushes it over. I realize it’s close but every little bit adds up.

 

[FlyingDutch]

A few times that I have used my wife's 15 Pro I was feeling Motion Sickness quickly. I guess whenever I get a phone with ProMotion I will have to disable it from the start. What I don't like about ProMotion is how it makes scrolling look so "choppy" and "stuttering", nowhere near as smooth as 60hz scrolling on my 15 Plus. I say choppy/stuttering because that is how it looks when I have seen it on my wife's 15 Pro and my boss's 14 Pro. Now my son's Samsung s24+ is smooth scrolling but I'll have to check if he has 120hz enabled or not.

It is quite strange what you are saying here. If something feels stuttering and choppy, it would be a 60 Hz display. Surely not a ProMotion enabled device 🤔

To be honest I don’t feel stuttering even Apple’s 60 Hz devices (writing this from an iPad 10th gen with a 60 Hz display). going back and forth between my iPad Pro M1 and my iPad is a smooth experience for me.