The Apple iPhone 15 is here! Offering a slew of new features and specs, it’s now the top iPhone on the market.
The iPhone 15 offers a new 48MP main camera, making it the best camera sensor ever put on a base-model iPhone. There are also exciting new safety features like Roadside Assistance via satellite. Finally, and perhaps most incredibly, Apple finally killed the lightning port and adopted USB-C technology for charging. This will allow quicker charging speeds and faster data transfers with wired connections.
Just based on the specs, the iPhone 15 is an incredibly powerful device. That said, it may not be worth upgrading early if you already have an iPhone 14 Pro model, as these devices share a lot of features. Read on to learn more about the new iPhone 15 and decide if it’ll be your next smartphone.
Is the Apple iPhone 15 right for you?
The iPhone 15 adopts many of the premium features we’ve come to know and love from the previous iPhone 14 Pro series, including the same A16 Bionic processor, 48MP camera, and Dynamic Island display. Still, there are new features exclusive to the 15 lineup, like a new portrait mode and charging via USB-C.
iPhone 15 pros and cons:
Pros
- 48MP main camera
- A16 Bionic processor
- USB-C charging
Cons
- Similar to iPhone 14 Pro series
- Few exclusive features
- Best specs limited to 15 Pro models
The essentials
- Performance: Performance: A16 Bionic processor
- Battery: Battery: Up to 20 hours video playback
- Screen: Screen: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED
- Camera: Camera: 48MP main camera (ƒ/1.6 aperture), 12MP ultrawide camera (ƒ/2.4 aperture)
90/100
What to know about the iPhone 15
48MP main camera
For the iPhone 15, Apple has added a 48MP main camera to a base-model iPhone for the first time. This camera size is normally reserved for Apple’s Pro models, so it’s a massive step forward for the quality of iPhone photography. This has led to major improvements in the iPhone’s Portrait Mode and low-light photography capabilities. Combined with the 12MP ultrawide camera, the iPhone 15’s camera array can snap stunning 24MP photos with double the resolution of previous models.
A16 Bionic processor
The base-model iPhone 15 received the A16 Bionic processor, which is the same generation running the iPhone 14 Pro series. It’s an excellent 6-core chip that was the most powerful processor on the market when it premiered last year. The A16 offers fast performance and smooth graphics so everything from mobile gaming to video chatting works great. That said, you should note Apple’s newest processor–the A17 Bionic–is reserved for iPhone 15 Pro models.
USB-C
You may not believe me, but this is one of the best upgrades to come with the iPhone 15. After a mandate from the EU, Apple has finally moved away from the lightning charging port for its iPhones. Instead, it uses a USB-C port, which has become the global standard for charging ports. This means the iPhone 15 will charge and transfer data through wired connections much faster than previous models. Plus, this means for the first time you can charge other devices using your iPhone’s battery. If your AirPods’ battery gets low, you can plug the case into your phone for a quick charge.
If you’re worried about having to purchase a new USB-C cord, look at some of your other devices. You’ve likely already got one, as USB-C is the global standard for charging pretty much all non-Apple devices, like a pair of headphones, an old Android phone, or a laptop. Essentially, this move means universal charging compatibility for all phones. The same cord that charges your iPhone can also charge an Android or computer. They're cheaper to buy and better for the environment since you’ll need fewer cords.
Similar to iPhone 14 Pro series
The iPhone 15 may be the best Apple device on the market right now, but the base models borrow heavily from the iPhone 14 Pro series. They share a 48MP main camera, the Dynamic Island feature, and run off the same A16 Bionic processor. This isn’t necessarily a knock against the 15, as the iPhone 14 Pro is a fantastic device. It is, however, pointing out that there aren’t a ton of new features on the base-model iPhone 15, which begs the question of whether it’s worth the money to upgrade if you already have a 14 Pro or Pro Max.
Few exclusive features
Put simply, the iPhone 15 isn’t really breaking new ground. Most of its exclusive improvements are specific to hardware, like camera improvements or connectivity; all other features are also available in the iPhone 14. Even one of its most touted new safety features, AAA Roadside Assistance via satellite, will also be available to the iPhone 14 series with iOS 17. Voice Isolation Mode, which Apple pitched in the iPhone 15 premiere, is available on any iPhone that can run iOS 16. While the iPhone 15 might capitalize on these features better than previous models, they still aren’t exclusives that you can only get by upgrading.
Best specs limited to Pro models
This is a yearly complaint, but it’s still not fun to have the best new Apple innovations locked behind a more expensive device. However, this year is especially frustrating. Not only did the Pro series get the A17 Bionic processor, but the newest camera lens is only available on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. It includes a 5x telephoto zoom option that essentially gives the phone a 120mm camera lens. Pricing for the Pro Max starts at $1,199, which also makes this one of the most expensive Pro models ever made.
iPhone 15 models and pricing
There are four models in the iPhone 15 series. You can see how the pricing for each starts below:
iPhone 15 models and prices
| Model | Storage | Price |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15 | 128GB 256GB 512GB |
$1,129 $1,279 $1,579 |
| iPhone 15 Plus | 128GB 256GB 512GB |
$1,279 $1,429 $1,729 |
| iPhone 15 Pro | 128GB 256GB 512GB 1TB |
$1,449 $1,599 $1,899 $2,199 |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | 256GB 512GB 1TB |
$1,749 $2,049 $2,349 |
The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus come in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage options, while the Pro adds a 1TB capacity option. The Pro Max starts at 256GB and tops out at 1TB. If you pick a device with a larger storage capacity, you’ll pay a higher price. There were concerns that Apple would increase the price of the iPhone for this year’s release. Luckily, it seems the only device that got a price increase was the Pro Max model.
iPhone 15 features
Like most new releases, the iPhone 15 came with exciting features. Here are a few of the ones we were most impressed with.
Camera improvements
In addition to the 48MP main camera, Apple has also improved the device's 12MP telephoto lens to give it an optical-quality 2x zoom. Frankly, iPhones have always had a reputation for having lackluster zooming capabilities. This feature allows for much closer zooming and higher-quality images, which is a welcome change.
The larger sensor for the iPhone 15 and new stabilization features also improve low-light photography. This is another area where Samsung and Google have consistently beaten Apple, so it’s nice to see Apple trying to change that dynamic.
Connectivity
The USB-C is not the only connectivity advancement for the iPhone 15. It also introduces a second-generation ultra-wideband chip, which emits location signals from your phone that travel three times farther than previous models. Not only will this be great for tracking AirTags, but it also powers the new Precision Finding feature for Find My Friends. This allows your iPhone to give specific directions to a friend's device instead of simply showing you a map.
Colors
Pink is back, and we couldn’t be more excited. There’s always a new color with each iPhone launch that people gravitate towards. This year, it’s the iPhone 15’s pink color (do we have Barbie to thank for this renaissance?). If pink isn’t your style, the iPhone 15 also comes in yellow, green, blue, and black.
In a new twist, the color of the phone is infused directly into the glass on the back of the device, giving a sleek and polished look to the iPhone 15.
iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 14 series
| iPhone 15 | iPhone 14 | iPhone 14 Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cameras | |||
| Processor | |||
| Display | |||
| RAM and storage | |||
| Software | |||
| Battery life and charging | |||
| Pricing | |||
| View details | View details | View details |
As the newest Apple device, it’s pretty easy to say the iPhone 15 is the winner here compared to the base model iPhone 14. The new 48MP camera is larger than the iPhone 14’s 12MP camera. The iPhone 15 runs off the A16 Bionic processor, while the iPhone 14 uses the A15 Bionic processor from the iPhone 13 generation. As for the display, the iPhone 15 has a higher peak brightness and includes the Dynamic Island feature. The battery life between these devices is exactly the same, but the USB-C charging port likely means the iPhone 15 can charge faster.
That said, the iPhone 15 is tied or narrowly loses against the iPhone 14 Pro in most categories. Both devices include a 48MP main camera. From there, the iPhone 14 Pro offers a triple-camera array, so it has an extra 12MP telephoto lens. On the other hand, the iPhone 15 has a second-generation portrait mode the 14 Pro lacks, so it's difficult to say one camera is obviously better than the other.
Both devices also share the same A16 Bionic processor. As for the display, the iPhone 15 received the Dynamic Island feature from the 14 Pro, but it did not get the Always On display setting, which is still limited to Pro models. The iPhone 14 Pro also offers a larger 1TB storage size. Still, the iPhone 15 does have a USB-C charging port and is the cheaper device. The iPhone 14 Pro will likely run for $899 from most carriers, which is more expensive than the $799 iPhone 15.
The iPhone 14 carried the price category, which is one of the most important overall. The iPhone 14’s price dropped, so it starts at $999. It also includes the exact same RAM and storage space options as the iPhone 15. Plus, all three of these devices should be getting most of the same software features. This means the iPhone 14 series will receive the newest iOS versions and any new satellite connectivity features that are also going to the iPhone 15.
Recap: Should I upgrade to iPhone 15?
If you need the newest Apple device on the market, the iPhone 15 is your best choice. It offers solid camera improvements and exciting new connectivity features designed to make your life easier. If you’re due for an upgrade and can get the iPhone 15 for free, this is a great time to jump on board and get a device that can last for years to come. If you do decide to upgrade, compare the iPhone 15 vs. 15 Plus vs. 15 Pro vs. 15 Pro Max to see which Apple handset is right for your needs and budget.
On the other hand, we don’t think upgrading to the iPhone 15 is right for everyone. This is especially true if you have an iPhone 14 Pro and are thinking about upgrading early. Considering the iPhone 15 is virtually a copy of the iPhone 14 Pro, there are not enough new features to justify spending the money to get a new phone. It offers a few minor improvements across the board, but you won’t notice a massive difference between the two devices. Each year the new iPhone generation either redesigns the phone or simply updates the previous year’s model. The iPhone 15 is an update generation. Personally, I have an iPhone 14 Pro and will be waiting to see what the iPhone 16 has to offer before I think about upgrading.
iPhone 15 128GB
| Description | |
|---|---|
| Screen Size | 6.1" |
| Available On | 607 Plans from 11 carriers |
| Available From |
|
| Priced From | $5 per month + $1,009 upfront |
| View Full Details |
Apple's 2023 model featuring their best camera system yet, new A16 Bionic chip, all-day battery life, Dynamic Island, and a sleek design using recycled materials
iPhone 15 5G data plans
If you decide you need the new iPhone 15, there’s a great chance you can snag one for free with an iPhone deal. You might be required to trade in your older device or switch carriers, but it might be worth it to get a free device. If you have an old phone with a low trade-in value, you might have to get the iPhone 15 on an installment plan. No matter how you get the new iPhone 15, you’ll need a data plan with 5G data to get the best experience with it.
iPhone 15 128GB Plans
|
#1
|
Freedom Mobile
$60 5G Unlimited 100GB CA-US plan
$60/mth
+ $1,044 Upfront
|
|
#2
|
Bell
Ultimate 175GB
$90/mth
+ $1,027.08 Upfront
|
|
#3
|
Rogers
Infinite Extra Plan
$90/mth
+ $1,027 Upfront
|
|
#4
|
Telus
Premium Unlimited 5G+ Can-US
$138.21/mth
|
|
#5
|
Videotron
55GB All-Inclusive Cell Phone Plan
$60/mth
+ $1,052 Upfront
|
The iPhone 15 is a 5G iPhone, so it can connect to the fastest data speeds available. Bell, Rogers, Telus, and Freedom Mobile all offer 5G plans and usually have special deals on the newest iPhones. That said, they’re also some of the most expensive options for data plans. Smaller carriers called MVNOs offer service at discounted rates on the larger carrier’s networks. You may not be able to find the iPhone 15 at every MVNO as soon as it comes out, but most will have it soon. Or, you can also purchase an unlocked iPhone 15 directly from Apple and take it to any carrier you want.
For example, you can snag a $40 Unlimited Canada-Wide Talk + Text + 30GB on Telus' 5G network from Public Mobile.
If you want a plan with Bell service, but not its prices, you could try out Virgin Plus (formerly Virgin Mobile). The Virgin Plus $35 plan offers 50GB of data for just $35/month. Plus, it offers everyday deals and discounts on food, fashion, and entertainment through its Member Benefits program.
|
Virgin Plus (previously Virgin Mobile)
$35 Plan with 50GB Data and Unlimited Minutes
$35/mth
|
Customers wanting Rogers service can look into Fido. Fido offers the $45 Data, Talk & Text Plan with 30GB of 4G LTE data on the Rogers nationwide network, a plan we placed among the best cell phone plans in Canada.
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