How the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 6s Cameras Compare a Decade Apart

A look at how Apple’s camera technology has evolved over a decade.

Apple’s latest iPhone 16 Pro is earning recognition as a photography powerhouse, blending features for prosumers with accessibility for everyday users. Its Photographic Styles system, 4K/120fps video capture, and advanced audio mixing represent a new era for smartphone photography. To assess the progress Apple has made, a decade-old iPhone 6s was brought into the comparison—offering a fascinating glimpse into how far the company’s camera technology has come.

The iPhone 6s, a flagship released in 2015, was a trailblazer in its time. As the first iPhone with a 12-megapixel camera sensor, it introduced 4K video capture, Live Photos, and an image signal processor (ISP) designed by Apple. It also featured the last iPhone with a headphone jack. While not a revolutionary leap over competitors like the LG G4 or Samsung Galaxy S6, the 6s was a reliable performer, setting standards for its era.

Fast forward to today, and the iPhone 16 Pro’s camera showcases major advancements. Its superior stabilization, HDR capabilities, larger sensor, and computational photography techniques dramatically enhance image quality. However, the iPhone 6s still manages to deliver respectable results in the right conditions, surprising many with its resilience.

Comparing the Generations

The iPhone 16 Pro handles strong highlights, shadows, and exposure far better than the 6s. While the older model struggles with edge softness, crushed shadows, and inconsistent exposure, it can still produce sharp images with careful framing. In low-light conditions, the limitations of the 6s become apparent, with increased noise and muted colors. However, its results can often be salvaged with basic edits.

Surprisingly, the iPhone 6s holds its own in certain scenarios. For example, in shots of a fire extinguisher, it captures colors more naturally, while the 16 Pro’s algorithm produces over-saturated tones. Similarly, macro shots from the 16 Pro, aided by dedicated processing, still face competition from the 6s, which achieves impressive close-ups despite lacking a macro mode.

Evolution of Photography Technology

Over the years, Apple has revolutionized smartphone photography with innovations like the Deep Fusion and Photonic Engine. By combining multiple exposure frames, newer iPhones deliver images with enhanced depth, texture, and color vibrancy. However, this AI-driven approach occasionally creates overly processed results that diverge from what the eye perceives, especially in daylight shots.

The iPhone 6s, in contrast, offers a film-like character with natural grain and noise, appealing to those who favor a vintage aesthetic. With filters and minimal edits, it still delivers striking images for social media or artistic photography.

A Decade Apart

Although the iPhone 16 Pro undeniably excels in hardware and software, the iPhone 6s proves to be more than just a relic. It serves as a reminder of Apple’s steady evolution in camera technology and remains a capable device for casual or experimental photography.

For enthusiasts with a creative eye or those interested in retro-style urban photography, the iPhone 6s offers a delightful challenge. Its performance, though limited by modern standards, highlights the significant strides made by Apple in transforming smartphone cameras into professional-grade tools.

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