Is the iPhone 15 Worth Your Investment? In the unveiling of their latest lineup in September 2023, Apple introduced the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, both of which now share the spotlight with the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. As pre-orders are set to kick off on Friday, September 15, it’s natural to wonder if now is the ideal time to consider investing in the iPhone 15 or its larger counterpart, the iPhone 15 Plus.
These two models, sporting 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays respectively, are Apple’s latest flagship offerings, expected to hold their ground in the market for the foreseeable future. This means that, for at least the next 12 months, there won’t be a newer and better iPhone just around the corner.
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus come with a starting price of $799, providing an attractive blend of functionality, longevity, and cost-effectiveness. However, if budget is your primary concern, Apple has other options to consider. The $429 iPhone SE offers a more budget-friendly choice with slightly older technology, while the previous-generation iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus start at $699. Additionally, the two-year-old iPhone 13 is still available, beginning at $599.
If you’re seeking an even more advanced iPhone than the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, Apple offers the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. While these Pro models share the same screen sizes as their standard counterparts, they come with a host of upgrades, including an Always-On display with ProMotion technology, a customizable Action button replacing the traditional ring/silent switch on the side, a swifter A17 Pro chip, an advanced camera system featuring telephoto capabilities, and more.
Picking the right iPhone is a significant decision, and to assist you in making an informed choice, we’ve prepared buyer’s guides to walk you through the selection process. Additionally, be sure to explore our iPhone deals post to secure the best prices available.
iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus Features Guide
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are Apple’s new flagship phones for regular folks, and they start at $799. If you’re looking for fancier options, there’s also the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, which are more advanced and begin at $999.
Just like last year’s iPhone 14 lineup, there are four different models in the iPhone 15 family. Two of them have a 6.1-inch screen, and the other two have a larger 6.7-inch screen. The regular 6.1-inch iPhone 15 and the bigger 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus are for everyday users. On the other hand, the pricier options are the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro and the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro Max, which come with extra features.
The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus come in five different colors: pink, yellow, green, blue, and black. One big change is that they’ve switched from the Lightning port to a USB-C port. However, data transfers on these models are still at the same USB 2.0 speed as before.
In 2023, the non-Pro iPhone lineup gets a feature called the Dynamic Island, which replaces the old notch at the top of the screen. It’s where the front-facing camera and other sensors are housed, and software cleverly hides them. This Dynamic Island can adapt to show important info and allow for user interaction.
Under the hood, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus run on the A16 Bionic chip, which is an upgrade from the previous A15 Bionic chip. It uses less power, performs better, and has more memory bandwidth.
The cameras have also been improved. There’s a new 48-megapixel main camera, which can capture 24-megapixel photos by default. It also has a 2x telephoto option. Taking portrait photos is easier now, as the iPhone 15 can automatically sense when a person, dog, or cat is in the frame. The new camera system brings better detail, colors, and low-light performance, especially in Night mode.
Another cool feature is the second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, which lets iPhones connect over longer distances. It’s handy for things like finding your friends in a crowd using the Precision Finding feature in the Find My app.
The battery life on the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus is similar to their predecessors, with up to 20 hours of video playback on the iPhone 15 and 26 hours on the iPhone 15 Plus. They also support 5G connectivity and use a new Qualcomm X70 modem. In the U.S., these iPhones come without a physical SIM card because carriers now use eSIM technology.
Emergency SOS via satellite was introduced with the iPhone 14 series, and this year, it’s getting even more useful by including Roadside Assistance via satellite. Apple is teaming up with service providers like AAA in the United States, allowing users who encounter vehicle issues in areas without cell signal coverage to request help. This service can be accessed through an AAA membership or for a fee.
The iPhone 15 models are available in three storage options: 128GB, 256GB, and 512 GB. You can charge them using a cable via USB-C or wirelessly using MagSafe and Qi2. These phones also support Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 for improved connectivity.
In terms of pricing, the iPhone 15 models maintain the same cost structure as their predecessors. The standard 6.1-inch iPhone 15 starts at $799, while the larger 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus begins at $899.
Beyond the iPhone 15
Apple has begun preparations for the release of the iPhone 16 series, which is anticipated to launch in 2024. Much like the iPhone 15 lineup, the majority of upgrades are expected to be targeted primarily at the iPhone 16 Pro models. Potential enhancements include larger screen sizes, a speedier A18 chip, support for Wi-Fi 7, and the introduction of a 48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera.
For the standard iPhone 16 models, we can anticipate camera enhancements, the deployment of the A17 chip, and a fresh button design. There’s also speculation about Apple-produced modem chips being integrated across the entire range.
Conclusion
Apple has begun preparations for the release of the iPhone 16 series, which is anticipated to launch in 2024. Much like the iPhone 15 lineup, the majority of upgrades are expected to be targeted primarily at the iPhone 16 Pro models. Potential enhancements include larger screen sizes, a speedier A18 chip, support for Wi-Fi 7, and the introduction of a 48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera.
For the standard iPhone 16 models, we can anticipate camera enhancements, the deployment of the A17 chip, and a fresh button design. There’s also speculation about Apple-produced modem chips being integrated across the entire range.
