Amongst the announcement of the new iPhone 15 during Apple’s latest event, Apple also announced their new Apple Watch Series 9 as well as an updated pair of AirPods Pro that now come with a USB-C charging case.
So, looking at Apple’s iPhone lineup right now, you’ll see that they have the iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro as well as the 15 Pro Max, they’ll also still have the last gen iPhone 14, iPhone 13 and finally the 3rd generation of the iPhone SE. Although the iPhone 15 lineup won’t be available to the public till the 22nd of September, you’re able to preorder it now, from the 15th of September, with the prices starting at $799.
All of the new iPhones in the new iPhone 15 lineup come with a USB-C port as well as a Dynamic Island to replace the notch that previous iPhones had. You’ll also get the extremely powerful all new A17 Pro chip with the purchase of the iPhone 15 Pro as well as the 15 Pro Max, with these two more premium phones you’ll also get an Action Button as well as 10Gbps transfer speeds.
Although all of these new features and upgrades are pretty exciting to say the least, do they really justify the price? Well in today’s article you’ll get a breakdown of how the iPhone 14 models compare the the entire iPhone 15 lineup, so that you’ll be able to make an informed decision on what phone may be best for you.
The Price and Size
Let’s begin by addressing a pivotal aspect – the pricing differences across the various models. The 6.1-inch iPhone 14 is now available at a reduced cost, starting at $699, whereas the iPhone 15 starts at $799. Similarly, the iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 15 Plus are priced at $799 and $899, respectively, and both feature a larger 6.7-inch display.
Moving up to the pro models, the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro starts at $999, while the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro Max commences at $1,199. Beyond their price distinctions, the Pro models offer enhanced capabilities, a facet we’ll delve into shortly. Additionally, they provide the option for 1TB of storage, a feature not available in the base iPhone 14 and 15 models.
The Design and Display
Now, let’s delve into the screen enhancements. In this iteration, Apple has replaced the notch seen in the lower-tier iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus with the innovative Dynamic Island. Originally reserved solely for the premium iPhone 14 models (the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max), this feature serves as a movable, pill-shaped cutout that provides real-time notifications, alerts, and activity updates.
Speaking of display improvements, each phone within the iPhone 15 lineup boasts a brighter screen compared to the iPhone 14, achieving a peak brightness of 2,000 nits. In theory, this enhancement should render the display more visible in outdoor settings, although we’ll provide a more detailed assessment after rigorous testing. Furthermore, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max go a step further by offering an always-on display, a feature notably absent from the base iPhone 14 and 15 models.
There are also noteworthy distinctions in design. Specifically, only the iPhone 15 and Pro Max models incorporate a titanium frame, which not only enhances durability but also contributes to a lighter overall build. Additionally, these models exclusively introduce the Action Button, effectively replacing the conventional ringer button. This Action Button can be personalised to trigger shortcuts, activate the camera, and perform various other tasks, providing users with an added level of convenience and control.
The Battery Life and Charging
As expected, the adoption of USB-C stands out as a noteworthy enhancement this year. Across the iPhone 15 lineup, each device now incorporates a USB-C port at the base, a departure from Apple’s proprietary Lightning connector, still retained by the iPhone 14 lineup. This long-anticipated shift is poised to facilitate faster charging and heightened data transfer rates. This transition holds particularly true for the iPhone 15 Pro, which Apple proudly designates as the pioneer in offering impressive 10Gbps transfer speeds. Consequently, this promises a significantly swifter experience when transferring substantial files, encompassing photos and videos.
When it comes to battery performance, both the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 offer a maximum runtime of 20 hours. In contrast, the iPhone 15 Pro Max surpasses them all, boasting an impressive 29-hour battery life. As for the Plus models, they provide up to 26 hours of video playback. Notably, the iPhone 15 Pro presents a slightly shorter duration, capping out at 23 hours, which presents an intriguing variation in battery longevity within the lineup.
Cameras
Now, turning our attention to the camera systems, the base iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models share a dual-camera setup, incorporating a 12-megapixel ultra wide lens. However, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus have raised the bar by featuring an upgraded 48-megapixel primary camera, precisely the same high-resolution main camera seen in the Pro models. In contrast, the iPhone 14 houses a lower-resolution 12-megapixel main camera. Moreover, the new iPhone 15 series introduces noteworthy enhancements to both night mode and portrait mode. Notably, portrait mode will now engage automatically when capturing images of individuals or animals.
In contrast to the entry-level models, the premium iPhone 15 models boast a triple-camera configuration, which includes an additional 12-megapixel telephoto lens. Additionally, users now have the flexibility to switch between main camera lenses on the Pro models, enabling shooting at multiple focal lengths, specifically 24mm, 28mm, and 35mm. The iPhone 15 Pro Max stands out with its innovative 5x tetraprism zoom lens, featuring a substantial 120mm focal length. This marks Apple’s most extensive zoom range yet, surpassing the 3x 77mm focal length offered by the iPhone 15 Pro.
Significant enhancements also extend to video recording capabilities. All phones in the lineup offer a cinematic mode capable of recording in 4K resolution at 30fps and 4K at 24fps. However, the 15 Pro models introduce the ability to capture “spatial video” later this year, essentially 3D videos compatible with Apple’s forthcoming Vision Pro headset. Moreover, they facilitate shooting in 4K60 ProRes video and, owing to their USB-C support, enable video recording directly onto external storage devices, enhancing flexibility for videography enthusiasts.
Performance
When it comes to performance, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus rely on the A15 Bionic chipset, which is definitely adequately fast. However, it’s worth noting that it may exhibit slightly less responsiveness than the A16 chipset that is featured in the entry-level iPhone 15 models, with the contrast becoming more noticeable when compared to the premium phones. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are powered by the new A17 Pro chip, a significant leap forward that Apple claims to be among the fastest chips available in the market.
Complementing this advanced chipset, Apple has integrated an upgraded GPU, positioning the new smartphones as highly proficient for resource-intensive tasks, including gaming. This means that when you use the iPhone 15 Pro to play your mobile games, you’ll notice immediately how well it handles every game.
Now, moving on to the chip technology inside of these iPhones, the iPhone 15 introduces a second-generation ultra-wideband chip, mirroring the inclusion in the new Apple Watch Series 9. This updated component enhances the precision of tracking when using Apple’s Find My network, simplifying the process of locating friends and family members who also own an iPhone 15. Furthermore, it augments connectivity with other devices equipped with the same chip, even when they are situated at a greater distance, promising a more seamless and efficient user experience.
So Should You Buy The iPhone 15?
In conclusion, Apple’s recent product lineup expansion offers a diverse array of choices, but the spotlight undoubtedly shines on the iPhone 15 series. With various models catering to different needs, the decision-making process can be a bit challenging. The revamped design, dynamic displays, enhanced camera systems, and advanced performance chips make the iPhone 15 lineup a compelling upgrade, not to mention the adoption of USB-C and the innovative Dynamic Island feature.
However, it’s important to consider whether these upgrades justify the price point, especially when comparing them to the previous iPhone 14 models. Ultimately, your choice should align with your individual preferences, needs, and budget. So, hopefully this article was able to give you the information that you may have needed to make an informed decision for yourself. Whether you opt for the base models or the premium Pro series, Apple’s latest offerings promise to deliver a blend of innovation, style, and functionality to suit a wide range of users.
