The newly launched iPhone 16 lineup brings several design upgrades and cutting-edge features over the last-gen models. While the changes spark excitement amongst users, it also brings an important question — “Will my iPhone 15 case fit the iPhone 16?” If you’re curious to know the same, you have landed at the right place. In this article, we’ll quickly delve into the compatibility of iPhone 15 cases with the iPhone 16.
This will help you figure out if you can use your favorite iPhone 15 or 15 Plus case for the new iPhone 16 or 16 Plus. Let’s begin!
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15: Design Changes
To determine if your iPhone 15 case will fit the iPhone 15, we need to understand the design changes between the two models. Below you can find the major design differences between the iPhone 16 vs 15 and iPhone 15 Plus vs 16 Plus.
- Dimensions: Each year, Apple makes some subtle design changes in its iPhone models, and the same holds true for the iPhone 16 lineup. While both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 models share similar width and depth (2.82 inches and .31 inches, respectively), Apple has made some changes in the height. The iPhone 16 is .03 inches (1.1 mm) taller than the iPhone 15.
| iPhone 16 | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 15 Plus | |
| Size | 6.1-inch | 6.1-inch | 6.7-inch | 6.7-inch |
| Dimensions | Height: 5.81″ Width: 2.81″ Depth: 0.32″ | Height: 5.81″ Width: 2.82″ Depth: 0.31″ | Height: 6.34″ Width: 3.05″ Depth: 0.32″ | Height: 6.33″ Width: 3.06″ Depth: 0.31″ |
| Buttons | Power Key, Volume Up, Volume Down, Action Button, and Capture Button | Power Key, Volume Up, Volume Down, Mute Switch | Power Key, Volume Up, Volume Down, Action Button, and Capture Button | Power Key, Volume Up, Volume Down, Mute Switch |
| Rear Camera Placement | Vertically aligned cameras | Diagonally aligned cameras | Vertically aligned cameras | Diagonally aligned cameras |
- Different Camera Modules: One of the biggest design differences between the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 is the rear camera module. The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus feature a square camera island with diagonally placed lenses. Whereas, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus feature a pill-shaped camera island with vertically stacked lenses. If you try to put an iPhone 15 case on an iPhone 16, it won’t align perfectly with the rear camera.
- New Buttons: Compared to the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus also feature two new buttons. One is the Action button that replaces the Mute switch on the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus. The Mute Switch and Action Button might have the same placement, but they differ in usage. Then, there’s an all-new Capture Button that brings several camera-related features like zoom in/out, adjust focus, and more.
Will the iPhone 15 Case Fit the iPhone 16?
Talking about if the iPhone 15 case will fit the iPhone 16, the answer is “No”. Although the new iPhone 16 features the same size as the iPhone 15, it differs in dimensions ever so slightly.
Moreover, the iPhone 16 has a vertically aligned camera setup on the rear, rather than the diagonal camera setup on the iPhone 15. Due to a new camera design on the iPhone 16, the old iPhone 15 case might not match up and fit well. It might obstruct the camera or fail to protect it properly. Honestly, it will look odd and ugly too.
Also, there’s an Action button and a Capture Button on the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus. Your iPhone 15 case won’t have a cutout for the Capture button. So, you’ll miss out on all the new functions the dedicated camera button brings.
Even if you manage to snap an iPhone 15 case and the Mute switch cutout aligns with the Action Button on the iPhone 16, it won’t deliver the same experience as the case that’s specially designed to accommodate the Action & Capture buttons. And, you would not want to compromise with the new camera module, Action Button, and Capture button just to use an old case. Right?
So, long story short, the iPhone 15 case might work with the iPhone 16, but it won’t fit perfectly to provide a secure feel.
Will the iPhone 15 Plus Case Fit an iPhone 16 Plus?
No, your iPhone 15 Plus case won’t fit the iPhone 16 Plus, and you already know all the reasons why. Besides slight changes in the dimensions, there’s a vertically aligned camera system, an Action Button, and a new Capture button which makes the iPhone 16 Plus quite different from the iPhone 15 Plus. So, an iPhone 15 case won’t fit an iPhone 16 Plus perfectly. Even if you manage to snap one, don’t expect a promising fit.
