iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone XS
Quick answer
The iPhone XS is 6.9 millimetres0.27 inches narrower and 17.3 millimetres0.68 inches shorter than the iPhone 16 Plus.
The iPhone XS on Amazon (paid link) has stopped getting iOS updates, so it’s stuck on an old version while the iPhone 16 Plus (paid link) runs the latest. You will feel the battery difference immediately; the Plus lasts significantly longer without charging. For a few hundred dollars renewed, the Plus is the only logical choice for daily use. If you want something smaller, the iPhone 16 (paid link) is also a great option.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: iPhone XS
Pocket: iPhone XS
Weight difference: Noticeable
iPhone 16 Plus
from $899 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)iPhone XS
from $999 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (paid link)
Paid link.
TRUE SCALE · 1.3 PX/MM
TRUE SCALE · 2.1 PX/MM
Hand: US Army ANSUR II, 2012 (sex-balanced median). Pockets: The Pudding, 2018. Card: ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1.
iPhone 16 Plus: 160.9 by 77.8 by 7.8 millimetres, 199 grams. iPhone XS: 143.6 by 70.9 by 7.7 millimetres, 177 grams.
16 Plus, XS shown at 2.1 pixels per millimetre.
iPhone 16 Plus
from $899 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)iPhone XS
from $999 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (paid link)
Paid link.
Height: 16 Plus 160.9 millimetres, XS 143.6 millimetres.Height: 16 Plus 6.33 inches, XS 5.65 inches.Width: 16 Plus 77.8 millimetres, XS 70.9 millimetres.Width: 16 Plus 3.06 inches, XS 2.79 inches.Depth: 16 Plus 7.80 millimetres, XS 7.70 millimetres.Depth: 16 Plus 0.31 inches, XS 0.30 inches.Weight: 16 Plus 199 grams, XS 177 grams.Weight: 16 Plus 7.02 ounces, XS 6.24 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 16 Plus | XS |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 160.9 millimetres6.33 inches | 143.6 millimetres, 17.3 millimetres less5.65 inches, 0.68 inches less |
| Width | 77.8 millimetres3.06 inches | 70.9 millimetres, 6.9 millimetres less2.79 inches, 0.27 inches less |
| Depth | 7.80 millimetres0.31 inches | 7.70 millimetres, 0.10 millimetres less0.30 inches, the same |
| Weight | 199 grams7.02 ounces | 177 grams, 22 grams less6.24 ounces, 0.78 ounces less |
| Volume | 97.6 cubic centimetres5.96 cubic inches | 78.4 cubic centimetres, 19.2 cubic centimetres less4.78 cubic inches, 1.17 cubic inches less |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 88 percent | 83 percent, 5 percent less |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.7 inches | 5.8 inches, 0.9 inches less |
| Resolution | 1290 × 2796 | 1125 × 2436 |
| Pixel density | 460 pixels per inch | 458 pixels per inch, 2 pixels per inch less |
| Cutout | Dynamic Island | Notch |
| Rear main | 48MP | 12MP |
| Rear ultra-wide | — | — |
| Rear telephoto | — | — |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Chip | A18 | A12 Bionic |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 27 hrs | 14 hrs |
| Port | USB-C | Lightning |
| Wireless | 5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth | 5G · Wi-Fi 6 · Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Water resistance | IP68 (6m for 30 min) | IP67 (1m for 30 min) |
| Storage | 128 – 512 GB | 64 – 512 GB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 899 dollars | 999 dollars, 100 dollars more |
| Released | Sep 2024 | Sep 2018 |
| Status | Current | Legacy |
Dimensions
The iPhone XS is 17.3 mm (0.68 in) shorter, 6.9 mm (0.27 in) narrower, 0.10 mm thinner and 22 g (0.78 oz) lighter than the iPhone 16 Plus. The iPhone 16 Plus measures 160.9 × 77.8 × 7.80 mm (6.33 × 3.06 × 0.31 in) and weighs 199 g (7.02 oz). The iPhone XS measures 143.6 × 70.9 × 7.70 mm (5.65 × 2.79 × 0.30 in) and weighs 177 g (6.24 oz).
Also compared with iPhone 16 Plus
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- iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 16e
- iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17 Air
- iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17
- iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17e
- iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone Duo
- iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 18 Pro Max
- iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 18 Pro
Questions about these phones
How much bigger is iPhone 16 Plus than iPhone XS?
iPhone 16 Plus is 17.3 mm taller and 6.9 mm wider than iPhone XS. The iPhone 16 Plus also has a 0.9 inch larger screen.
Which phone is lighter between iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone XS?
iPhone XS is 22 grams lighter than iPhone 16 Plus. The weight difference is noticeable when holding them.
What is the screen size difference between iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone XS?
iPhone 16 Plus has a 6.7 inch display while iPhone XS has a 5.8 inch display. This makes the iPhone 16 Plus screen nearly an inch larger.
Is iPhone 16 Plus or iPhone XS better for one-handed use?
iPhone XS is easier to use with one hand because the phone is smaller and lighter. An average adult hand finds iPhone XS more manageable.
Do iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone XS fit in a jeans pocket?
Both phones fit in a typical men's jeans pocket but neither fits a typical women's jeans pocket. iPhone XS is more pocketable due to its smaller dimensions.
Is upgrading from iPhone XS to iPhone 16 Plus worth it for size?
A size only upgrade is not considered worth the change based on the comparison. The iPhone 16 Plus is significantly larger and heavier than iPhone XS.