01Same body, different holes
An iPhone 15 case will slide onto an iPhone 16, which is why so many people assume it fits. It doesn't. The outside dimensions match to the tenth of a millimeter, but everything the case has to cut around moved.
Apple lists both phones at 147.6 mm tall, 71.6 mm wide and 7.80 mm deep. The weight differs by a single gram. So the shell of the case grips fine. The problems are the camera opening on the back and the two buttons on the sides, and both matter more than a snug fit does.
| Spec | iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 | Case impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Height x width x depth | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80 mm | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80 mm | None |
| Weight | 171 g | 170 g | None |
| Camera layout | Two lenses, diagonal in a square block | Two lenses, vertical in a tall pill | Opening doesn't match |
| Left-side switch | Ring/Silent switch | Action button | Different shape of opening |
| Right side | Side button | Side button + Camera Control | No cutout on 15 cases |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C | None |
02Fit checker: iPhone 14, 15 and 16
Choose your phone and the model your case was made for. We've included the 15 Pro, because a lot of people try their partner's case too.
03The three changes that break an iPhone 15 case
1. The camera went vertical
The iPhone 15 puts its two lenses on a diagonal inside a square block. The iPhone 16 stacks them one above the other in a taller, narrower pill. Put the 16 in a 15 case and the lower lens sits at the edge of the opening, where the case wall can creep into frame or press against the lens ring.
2. Camera Control has no cutout
Every iPhone 16 model has Camera Control, a sapphire-covered button on the lower right that you press, light-press and swipe. A 15 case covers it with solid plastic, so it either doesn't respond or needs a hard push. That's the one change you'll notice every time you open the camera.
3. The switch became a button
On the 15, a small toggle above the volume buttons flips between ring and silent. On the 16, that spot holds the Action button, which you press and hold. Cases for the 15 have a slot shaped for a slider. It works in a pinch, but it isn't comfortable.
Because the body sizes match, a 15 case won't damage a 16 if you use it while you wait for a new one. Just keep an eye on the lower lens in your photos and don't rely on it in a hard drop.
04Which iPhone 15 accessories still work
Most of what you bought for the 15 moves straight across:
- Screen protectors. Both have a 6.1-inch display on the same body, so a protector for one generally fits the other. Check the listing names both models.
- USB-C cables and chargers. Both phones use USB-C.
- MagSafe-compatible gear. Wallets, grips, stands and chargers snap on the same way. The iPhone 16 can charge faster on newer magnetic chargers; our MagSafe charging speeds article explains.
What doesn't: cases and camera lens protectors, since the lens positions changed.
05Getting the right iPhone 16 case
Since the 15 and 16 are the same size, you'll see some listings that cover both. That only works if you can choose a 15 or 16 version with its own camera opening, so pick your exact model in the options. Our case compatibility chart shows every generation.
Pick iPhone 16 in the options on each listing, even ones that also list the 15.
Not totally sure which model you're holding? Find My Phone remembers it for you, and the store filters to gear that fits.
Questions people ask
Are the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 the same size?
Yes. Apple lists both at 147.6 mm tall, 71.6 mm wide and 7.80 mm deep, with a 6.1-inch screen. The iPhone 16 is 1 gram lighter. The camera layout and side buttons are what differ.
Will an iPhone 16 case fit an iPhone 15?
It'll go on, but the camera opening is shaped for the 16's vertical lenses, not the 15's square block, and there'll be an open Camera Control hole on the side. Buy a case made for the iPhone 15.
Do iPhone 15 screen protectors fit the iPhone 16?
Generally yes. Both have a 6.1-inch display on an identical body. Check that the listing names both models, since a few protectors are cut differently around the sensors.
Does Camera Control work through a case?
Only through a case designed for it, either with an open cutout or a special conductive cover. An iPhone 15 case has neither, so Camera Control won't respond properly underneath it.
Do iPhone 15 Pro cases fit the iPhone 16?
No. The 15 Pro's case is cut for a three-lens camera block, and it was made for a different body. Stick to cases labeled for the base iPhone 16.