Does the iPhone 15 Pro have 5x telephoto?

No, only 3x optical. 5x tele is on the 15 Pro Max — and from the 16 Pro onwards also on the regular Pro.

Worth upgrading from 15 Pro to 16 Pro?

If you shoot a lot, yes. Otherwise the 200-300 € premium is hard to justify.

Which Pro gets longer iOS support?

Both get years more support. iPhone 15 Pro through iOS 20-21, iPhone 16 Pro through iOS 21-22.

iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 16 Pro refurbished — Is the Pro upgrade worth it?

The iPhone 15 Pro was the quiet star: titanium, A17 Pro, USB-C 3. The 16 Pro answers with 5x tele and 48 MP ultrawide — features previously exclusive to the Pro Max.

What sets the 16 Pro apart

5x optical telephoto — used to be Pro Max only. Now in the regular Pro.

48 MP ultrawide instead of 12 MP. Real improvement for landscape and architecture shots.

Bigger 6.3" display instead of 6.1".

A18 Pro vs A17 Pro — a bit more performance and efficiency.

Apple Intelligence (the 15 Pro supports it too, but the 16 Pro was built around it).

What stays better on the 15 Pro

Titanium frame. The 16 Pro shifts to a modified frame; the look is taste.

Price: the 15 Pro refurbished is usually 200-300 € cheaper mid-2026.

Slightly lighter (187 g vs 199 g) and smaller.

Current refurbished gap

15 Pro starts refurbished at 550-650 € (128 GB). 16 Pro at 750-850 €.

On the Pro Max the gap widens — also 200-350 €.

Spec comparison

Spec	iPhone 16 Pro	iPhone 15 Pro
Chip	A18 Pro	A17 Pro
Display	6,3" ProMotion OLED · 120 Hz	6,1" ProMotion OLED · 120 Hz
Main camera	48 MP Weit + 48 MP Ultra + 12 MP Tele 5x	48 MP Weit + 12 MP Ultra + 12 MP Tele 3x
Camera system	Triple-Kamera Pro mit 5x Tele	Triple-Kamera Pro
Battery	ca. 27 h Video	ca. 23 h Video
Weight	199 g	187 g
Released	2024	2023
iOS support	iOS 21+	iOS 20+

Our verdict

If you shoot or plan to hold long-term, the 16 Pro is the better 2026 Pro. 5x tele and 48 MP ultrawide are real upgrades.

If you want a Pro and want to save, the 15 Pro refurbished is the quiet price-performance king — titanium, A17 Pro, USB-C 3, 120 Hz.

→ Compare current prices

Models from this article

iPhone 15 Pro

A17 Pro

iPhone 16 Pro

A18 Pro

Frequently asked

Does the iPhone 15 Pro have 5x telephoto?: No, only 3x optical. 5x tele is on the 15 Pro Max — and from the 16 Pro onwards also on the regular Pro.
Worth upgrading from 15 Pro to 16 Pro?: If you shoot a lot, yes. Otherwise the 200-300 € premium is hard to justify.
Which Pro gets longer iOS support?: Both get years more support. iPhone 15 Pro through iOS 20-21, iPhone 16 Pro through iOS 21-22.