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iPhone 15
The September 2023 launch of the iPhone 15 generated less buzz compared to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, which introduced significant changes like a titanium frame and an advanced zoom camera on the Max model. However, the iPhone 15 still brings noteworthy upgrades, such as a new 48 MP main camera, even though it doesn’t feature the same sensor as the iPhone 14 Pro as initially expected. Additionally, all models in the iPhone 15 lineup now include the Dynamic Island cutout, which was previously exclusive to the iPhone 14 Pro series.
Design and Colors
Apple is known for its subtle design updates, and the iPhone 15 follows suit. The most notable design change is the Dynamic Island—a feature introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro—where the notch at the top of the display has evolved into a pill-shaped cutout. The phone also boasts a newly designed frame with rounded edges, making it more comfortable to hold and less prone to digging into your palm.
Another enhancement is the matte-finish back glass panel, which not only feels sleek but also helps minimize fingerprints. The overall design remains clean and refined. The inclusion of a USB-C port at the bottom is a major change, though we’ll delve into its impact on charging speeds later. The iPhone 15 is available in five colors: Pink, Blue, Green, Yellow, and Black. The Black variant, in particular, offers a sleek and appealing aesthetic.
Display
The iPhone 15’s display comes with mixed impressions. It inherits the Dynamic Island feature, previously exclusive to the Pro models, allowing access to real-time updates such as navigation, music controls, and sports scores through Live Activities. This makes Dynamic Island a more integral part of the iPhone experience.
However, Apple has kept the display refresh rate capped at 60Hz, likely to preserve processing power for the more premium models. Despite this, the iPhone 15 can now reach up to 1600 nits of peak HDR brightness and 2000 nits for outdoor visibility, making it highly usable even in bright sunlight. The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display remains unchanged in size and quality, offering a resolution of 2532 x 1170 pixels and a pixel density of 457 PPI.
Camera
The iPhone 15’s camera system is where we see some of the most exciting upgrades. It now features a 48 MP main camera, delivering highly detailed shots, especially when using the full 48 MP mode. By default, the camera uses pixel-binning technology to produce 24 MP images, which balance file size with improved image detail compared to previous models. While these 24 MP images take up more space than the 12 MP images of older models, the difference isn’t too drastic.
Thanks to the increased megapixel count, the iPhone 15 offers a superior 2x zoom by cropping into the sensor. However, it’s worth noting that this is not equivalent to having a dedicated telephoto lens. A new addition is the automatic Portrait mode, which now intelligently detects people or pets in the frame and automatically captures depth information without requiring manual activation.
Overall, the iPhone 15’s camera is competitive with the best models on the market, though it lacks some of the advanced features found in the Pro variants.
Performance
Unlike last year’s iPhone 14, which used the same chipset as the iPhone 13, the iPhone 15 is powered by the A16 Bionic, the same chip used in the iPhone 14 Pro models. In day-to-day use, the iPhone 15 feels similar to its predecessor, and the A16 chip doesn’t offer a noticeable performance jump over the A15. However, it remains one of the fastest processors available today.
The A16’s GPU performance is only marginally better than the A15’s, but it still competes well with other high-end processors, including those powering Android flagships like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The 6GB of RAM remains unchanged, but for most users, this won’t be a limitation. The iPhone 15 ensures a smooth and fast user experience for all but the most demanding tasks, making it a solid performer in its category.
Battery and Charging
In terms of battery life, the iPhone 15 doesn’t quite match the longevity of the iPhone 14 in light-use scenarios like web browsing or watching YouTube. This is likely due to the A16 chip consuming more power than the A15. However, for more demanding tasks, like gaming, the A16 Bionic is more power-efficient.
Despite the addition of a USB-C port, charging speeds remain limited to 20W for wired charging, which is disappointing. Wireless charging via MagSafe also remains unchanged at 15W. This, combined with the absence of a higher refresh rate display, are the two major drawbacks of the iPhone 15.
Final Thoughts
The iPhone 15 offers enough upgrades to make it feel like a genuine next-generation model, especially when compared to last year’s iPhone 14. The improved 48 MP main camera is a significant boost for the base model, and the long-awaited switch to a USB-C port is a welcome change. However, some compromises, such as the lack of a faster display refresh rate and the modest charging speeds, may leave some users wanting more. Nonetheless, the iPhone 15 remains a strong contender in the flagship smartphone space.