The iPhone 15 is here, and it’s packed with new features and improvements over the previous generation. But is it worth upgrading from your old iPhone, or even from the iPhone 14? In this article, I’ll go over the main aspects of the iPhone 15, such as its design, display, performance, camera, battery life, and more. You will be able to tell if a new iPhone is what you need.
iPhone 15 Specs
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone 15 Plus | iPhone 15 Pro | iPhone 15 Pro Max |
| Price | Starting at $799 | Starting at $899 | Starting at $999 | Starting at $1,199 |
| Display | 6.1-inch OLED | 6.7-inch OLED | 6.1-inch OLED | 6.7-inch OLED |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | 120Hz Adaptive | 120Hz Adaptive |
| CPU | A16 Bionic | A16 Bionic | A17 Pro | A17 Pro |
| Storage Options | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Rear Cameras | 48MP Main & 12MP Ultra-Wide | 48MP Main & 12MP Ultra-Wide | 48MP Main, Ultra-Wide, Telephoto (3x Zoom) | 48MP Main, Ultra-Wide, Telephoto (5x Zoom) |
| Front Camera | 12MP | 12MP | 12MP | 12MP |
| Battery Capacity (rumored) | Up to 20 Hours | Up to 25 Hours | Up to 24 Hours | Up to 28 Hours |
| Charging Port | USB-C(USB 2.0) | USB-C(USB 2.0) | USB-C(USB 3.0) | USB-C(USB 3.0) |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm | 146.6 x 7065 x 8.25 mm | 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25 mm |
| Weight | 171g | 201g | 187g | 221g |
What’s New In iPhone 15?
iPhone 15 Pro Exclusive: Action Button
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the first generation to feature a new Action button replacing the old mute button.
The Action button allows you to quickly access features on your iPhone without unlocking the screen.
One of the main functions of the Action button is to toggle between ring and silent modes on your iPhone. This is similar to how the mute switch worked on previous iPhone models.
Another function of the Action button is to launch a specific feature. You can customize what the Action button does by going to Settings > General > Action Button. There, you will see a list of nine possible actions that you can assign to the Action button like Accessibility, Shortcuts, Camera, Flashlight, Focus, Magnifier, Translate, Voice Memos, and Silent Mode.
USB-C
Apple has finally decided to use USB-C, and we couldn’t be happier. It means we can use the same cable to charge our MacBook, iPad, and iPhone, and soon I’ll be able to do the same for our AirPods Pro with a USB-C charging case.
These are some new features that the iPhone 15 has to offer, but they are not the only ones. The new 2023 phone also has some improvements in design, camera, battery, and performance. Let’s take a closer look at what they are.
Design and Colors
This year’s iPhone has a similar design to the previous version, with a flat-edged aluminum frame and a glass back. However, there are still some noticeable differences that make it stand out.
A new color-infused back glass gives the phone a stunning, textured matte finish. The colors are more vibrant and saturated than before, and they look great in different lighting conditions.
Another difference is that the iPhone 15 has a new contoured edge on the frame that makes it more comfortable to hold and less prone to slipping. The contoured edge also adds some visual flair to the phone, as it reflects light differently depending on the angle.
Display
The display of the iPhone 15 is one of its main selling points. It’s a Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 2532 x 1170 pixels and a pixel density of 460 ppi. It supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision for enhanced contrast and colors, True Tone for adaptive white balance, Haptic Touch for contextual menus, and Ceramic Shield for improved durability.
It is brighter than the iPhone 14, with a peak brightness of up to 1200 nits. This makes it easier to see in bright sunlight or dark environments.
Unfortunately, the iPhone 15 still has the same 65Hz refresh rate as the iPhone 14. While the Pro and the Pro Max versions still are the only exclusive option for 120Hz.
Performance
The iPhone 15 is powered by the powerful A16 Bionic chip. This means that it can handle demanding tasks much smoother.
In addition to the A16 chip, Apple’s latest smartphone also has a new second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip, which is a low-power radio technology that enables precise location and communication with other UWB-equipped devices. The UWB chip can be used for features such as AirDrop, AirTag, CarKey, Apple Watch unlocking, NFC interactions, and Precision Finding for Find My Friends.
For the Pro and Pro Max versions, they have a different chip: the A17 Pro. The A17 Pro chip is a more powerful version of the A16 Bionic chip, with 8 cores: 4 high-performance cores and 4 high-efficiency cores.
The A17 Pro chip delivers up to 25% faster CPU performance, up to 50% faster GPU performance, and up to 70% faster machine learning performance than the A16 Bionic chip in the iPhone 15. This means that the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max can handle even more demanding tasks compared to the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max.
The Pro and Pro Max versions also have a new third-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip, which is an improved version of the second-generation UWB chip in their Plus counterpart. The UWB chip can be used for the same features as before but with a longer range and better accuracy.
Camera
The camera is another major upgrade over the previous generation. The iPhone 15 has a dual-camera system on the back, consisting of a main camera and an ultra-wide camera. The main camera has a new sensor with larger pixels and a wider aperture, which allows it to capture more light and detail in low-light conditions. The main camera also has a new optical image stabilization (OIS) system that uses sensor-shift technology, which means that the sensor itself moves to compensate for camera shake, rather than the lens. This results in sharper and more stable photos and videos.
The ultra-wide camera has a new lens with a larger field of view (120 degrees vs. 115 degrees), which lets you capture more of the scene in your shots. The ultra-wide camera also has a new autofocus system, which makes it easier to focus on close-up objects and create macro shots.
You can record 4K video at up to 60 frames per second (fps) with both cameras, and it supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision for enhanced dynamic range and colors.
The front-facing camera of the new iPhone is also a 12-megapixel camera with an f/2.2 aperture and a fixed focus. It can record 4K video at up to 60 fps, and it supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision. The front-facing camera also has a new center stage feature, which automatically pans and zooms the camera to keep you in the frame when you’re on a FaceTime call or recording a selfie video.
Battery Life
The battery life of the iPhone 15 has improved over the previous generation, thanks to the larger battery capacity, the efficient A16 Bionic chip, and the variable refresh rate display. The iPhone 15 can last up to 20 hours of video playback, up to 65 hours of audio playback, or up to 22 hours of internet use on a single charge.
For the iPhone 15 Plus, it is even better, thanks to the larger battery capacity. The iPhone 15 Plus can last up to 25 hours of video playback, up to 80 hours of audio playback, or up to 25 hours of internet use on a single charge.
With a more powerful A17 Pro Bionic chip, the battery life of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max can last much longer. The iPhone 15 Pro can last up to 24 hours of video playback, up to 75 hours of audio playback, or up to 24 hours of internet use on a single charge. The iPhone 15 Pro Max can last up to 28 hours of video playback, up to 95 hours of audio playback, or up to 28 hours of internet use on a single charge.
Price and Availability
Pricing
The price of the iPhone 15 varies depending on the storage option and the country.
In the US, the iPhone 15 starts at $799 for the 128 GB model, $899 for the 256 GB model, and $1,099 for the 512 GB model.
The iPhone 15 Plus starts at $899 for the 128 GB model, $999 for the 256 GB model, and $1199 for the 512 GB model. In other countries, the price may be higher due to taxes and fees.
The price of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max is higher as they have more advanced features and specifications. In the US, the iPhone 15 Pro starts at $999 for the 128 GB model, $1099 for the 256 GB model, $1299 for the 512 GB model, and $1499 for the 1 TB model.
The pricing of the iPhone 15 Pro Max also varies depending on the storage option and the country. In the US, the iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at $1199 for the 256 GB model, $1399 for the 512 GB model, and $1599 for the 1 TB model.
Release Date
The iPhone 15 models are available for pre-order starting from September 17, 2023, and will start shipping from September 24, 2023. You can order them online from Apple’s website or app, or from your carrier or retailer of choice. You can also visit an Apple Store location to try them out in person and get assistance from Apple’s experts.
If you want to buy Apple’s latest models with monthly payments, you can choose from various installment plans offered by Apple or your carrier. For example, you can use the Apple Card Monthly Installments program, which lets you pay for your iPhone over 24 months with 0% interest and no fees. You can also use the iPhone Upgrade Program, which lets you get a new iPhone every year with AppleCare+ included. You can check the eligibility and availability of these programs on Apple’s website or app.
Conclusion
The iPhone 15 is a great smartphone that offers a lot of improvements and innovations over the previous generation. It has a beautiful design, a stunning display, a powerful performance, a versatile camera, and a long battery life.
So, is the iPhone 15 worth it? The answer depends on your needs, preferences, and budget. But if you ask me, I would say yes. If the release matches the testing, the iPhone 15 would be one of the best smartphones on the market.
