Do iPhone 15 Cases Fit iPhone 16?

Camera Module Shape and Position

One of the most visually striking changes from iPhone 15 to 16 is the rear camera island design. On the iPhone 15/15 Plus, the dual cameras sit in a diagonal arrangement within a rounded square bump (a continuation from iPhone 14)  . In the iPhone 16/16 Plus, Apple redesigned the bump into a vertical stack, the two lenses are aligned one above the other instead of diagonally. (See image below.) This vertical orientation makes the iPhone 16’s camera module narrower but taller than before, and the bump shape is no longer a “square” cutout. The new layout is also flush to the back panel (the lenses sit in a smooth housing with minimal gap)  .

Figure: The iPhone 16 & 16 Plus dual-camera system is vertically stacked, versus the diagonal layout on the iPhone 15 & 15 Plus. This change means iPhone 15/Plus cases designed for the older square bump will not match the iPhone 16/Plus vertical camera cutout.

For the Pro models, the triple-lens island remains in the upper-left corner, but some details are shifted. The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max both introduce a new 48 MP Main (wide) sensor and a 5× Telephoto lens on every Pro model  (the iPhone 15 Pro had a 12 MP Main and only the Pro Max had 3× tele). While Apple’s specs don’t list bump dimensions, the larger sensor and long tele lens suggest a slightly larger camera block on the back of the 16 Pro devices. In any case, the lens positions within the island remain in a triangular cluster, but the relative size of the rings may differ. In summary, Pro-case cutouts keyed for the 15 Pro’s smaller main lens may not fully clear the larger lenses on the 16 Pro.

Both generations maintain the flash and LiDAR/ToF sensor in the same general area, but note the new Spatial Video capability of iPhone 16 (enabled by this rearranged camera geometry) . In practice, the main physical takeaway is that a case molded for the iPhone 15’s camera bump (square, diagonal lenses) will not precisely fit the iPhone 16’s revised island (vertical lenses on non-Pro, altered cluster on Pro).

Buttons and Ports Layout

Apart from dimensions, the side controls and ports are crucial for proper case fit. On the iPhone 15 models (non-Pro), Apple retained the traditional Ring/Silent toggle switch on the left side.

In contrast, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus replace the mute switch with an Action Button, following the iPhone 15 Pro's design. This button remains in the same position but offers customizable functions such as launching the camera, turning on the flashlight, and more.

Additionally, the iPhone 16 models introduce a brand-new hardware control: the Camera Control slider. This shutter-like button is designed specifically for quickly taking photos or recording videos.

On the right side, button and port placements remain largely unchanged.

iPhone Side and Port Layout Changes: iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 16

When it comes to case compatibility, it's not just about dimensions, button and port placements are equally critical. Here's a breakdown of the key hardware control differences between iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models:

• iPhone 15 (non-Pro):

  • Left side: Volume buttons with the traditional Ring/Silent switch positioned above them.

  • Right side: Standard Side (Power) button.

• iPhone 16 (non-Pro):

  • Left side: Volume buttons remain, but the Ring/Silent switch is removed. It’s replaced by the new Action Button, located in the same upper-left position.

  • Right side: A new Camera Control button is introduced, placed just below the Side (Power) button.

• iPhone 15 Pro:

  • Left side: Volume buttons and the Action Button (replacing the mute switch).

  • Right side: Standard Side (Power) button.

• iPhone 16 Pro / Pro Max:

  • Features a similar titanium frame as the 15 Pro.

  • Left side: The Action Button remains in the same location; there is no mute switch.

  • Right side: A new Camera Control button is added next to the Side (Power) button.

  
  

Across all iPhone 15 and 16 models, the USB-C port remains centered along the bottom edge, a change introduced with iPhone 15. The speaker and microphone grilles continue to flank the port, with no significant positional changes.

Apple’s official documentation highlights these changes, especially the repositioned Camera Control and Action Button, which are important considerations for case design (eg. See This iPhone 16 Case) and compatibility.

Other Notable Design Differences

Beyond size and controls, a few design touches could affect fit. All iPhone 16 models have slightly thinner screen bezels than the 15, but the overall glass front footprint is the same size (6.1″/6.7″). The frame material for Pro models is now titanium (same as 15 Pro), while non-Pro models use aluminum. The back glass is “color-infused” on standard models and matte on Pro – these don’t affect case fit but speak to surface grip. The curvature of the back and edge radius appear virtually unchanged between generations, so cases that cup the chassis edges will still align around the sides. Water/dust resistance remains IP68 on both lines. In practice, the biggest “other” design note is the iPhone 16 Plus being slightly lighter by a gram or two, but this has no impact on case attachment.

Case Compatibility Summary  

Which iPhone 15 case fits which iPhone 16? The bottom line is:

• iPhone 15 → iPhone 16 (and 15 Plus → 16 Plus):  The dimensions of the iPhone 15 and 16 (non-Pro) models are exactly the same, and the same goes for their Plus counterparts. In theory, a 15 (or 15 Plus) case can physically snap onto a 16 (or 16 Plus) because the overall size and shape are identical. However, the camera bump and side buttons have changed. The iPhone 16 features a vertically reoriented camera layout and a new side button, meaning the iPhone 15 case’s camera cutout and switch opening won’t align properly. In practical terms, a 15 (Plus) case will either be loose or block part of the camera on a 16 (Plus).

  Conclusion: iPhone 15 cases are not truly compatible with iPhone 16, only in a loose, imperfect way.

• iPhone 15 Pro → iPhone 16 Pro:  The iPhone 16 Pro is larger in both height and width, so a 15 Pro case simply can’t fit around the bigger frame. Additionally, the camera island has been updated with larger lenses, and the new Camera Control button on the right side adds another misalignment.

  Bottom line: iPhone 15 Pro cases do not fit the iPhone 16 Pro.

• iPhone 15 Pro Max → iPhone 16 Pro Max:  Likewise, the 16 Pro Max is taller and slightly wider than the 15 Pro Max. Its repositioned triple-camera bump and additional side button make alignment issues even more pronounced. A 15 Pro Max case can’t fully enclose the larger 16 Pro Max, and key cutouts for ports, buttons, and cameras will not match.  

  Conclusion: No compatibility between 15 Pro Max and 16 Pro Max cases.

In short: only the non-Pro and Plus models share identical outer dimensions, but even they have incompatible cutouts. Every iPhone 15 case (of any style) will misalign with the iPhone 16’s new vertical cameras and button positions. For accurate protection and access, each iPhone 16 model requires its own case design.