The "1-Minute" Review
Verdict
The phone offers useful features and solid cameras, but its display may feel dated next to competitors.What's good
- Dynamic Island feature
- Improved main camera
- USB-C charging
- Comfortable in-hand feel
- Decent battery life
What's bad
- 60Hz display
- Lacks telephoto camera
- No always-on display
- USB 2.0 speeds
- Color options pale
Design
The iPhone 15 design takes subtle leaps to improve comfort. Reviewers note its slightly softer edges are more comfortable in hand compared to previous models. These changes create a more forgiving grip, reducing sharpness and adding elegance without altering the signature flat edges.
Experts highlight that the rear glass now sports a smooth, frosted matte texture. This choice over clear glass aesthetics makes the phone less grippy, yet somehow easier to handle one-handed. This thoughtful design tweak also sidesteps fingerprints, maintaining a clean look throughout use.
Display(s)
The display shines bright outdoors at 2000 nits, making it easy to view even in direct sunlight. This means you can see more detail in bright light. Thanks to this display, you'll enjoy watching videos and playing games with vivid clarity.
The lack of a 120Hz refresh rate like the Pro models might be noticeable if you appreciate smoother scrolling. As "experts have pointed out, 'The iPhone 15 screen keeps the refresh rate at 60Hz, making it feel dated' in a world of faster displays," reports Insider.
Despite this setback, the Dynamic Island enriches the experience with dynamic notifications, adding value to this appealing screen.
Performance
The heart of the iPhone 15's performance is its A16 Bionic chip, initially found in last year's Pro models. With a 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU, it seamlessly handles demanding apps and games, providing a high-speed user experience that modern smartphone users appreciate.
Despite being a year behind the latest Pro models, the iPhone 15's processing power holds up well even for intensive tasks, making it a future-proof choice for everyday use. On this, experts have observed that it "outperforms far pricier Android phones," showcasing its excellent value.
Even in real-world scenarios like switching between apps or editing photos, you’ll find its operations fluid and responsive. Overall, the iPhone 15 is built to last and performs consistently, ensuring satisfaction for years ahead.
Software & Storage
The iPhone 15 introduces the Dynamic Island, transforming the notch into an interactive feature that displays notifications and status updates seamlessly.
This smarter interface allows you to handle music playback or check a timer without switching apps, making multitasking more intuitive and efficient.
The interface remains user-friendly, providing a more accessible experience for those familiar with Apple's straightforward design while adding new interactive capabilities as highlighted by multiple reviews. According to one source, "The Dynamic Island is a stepping stone to a clearer, all-screen experience," making it a key attraction for those upgrading from older models.
Cameras
The iPhone 15's camera brings a 48MP main sensor, a major upgrade from the 12MP in previous models. It captures more detail and delivers rich, accurate colors in varying light conditions. Expert reviewers highlight the phone's ability to turn regular photos into Portrait mode images post-capture, adding an artistic touch.
The camera's low light performance is notably better than its predecessors, thanks to the improved sensor. You can achieve optical-quality 2x zoom without having a dedicated telephoto lens, broadening your photo-taking possibilities. While it's missing some features found in the Pro model, the iPhone 15's camera setup provides a versatile and satisfying experience for everyday photography.
Battery
The battery life of the iPhone 15 remains solid, similar to what you expect from previous models, comfortably lasting through a busy day with mixed usage. If you're familiar with the battery capabilities of phones with a similar size, this won't be much different.
Perhaps the most noticeable change is the new USB-C charging port, replacing the older Lightning connector, a move towards standardization. This shift means easier cable management, as many gadgets now incorporate USB-C. Charging times are more or less similar, reaching 50% in around 30 minutes with a 20W charger, though some may wish for faster speeds.
"While it's a necessary evolution," as experts highlight, "Apple's inclusion of USB-C doesn't significantly enhance charging speed when compared with previous Lightning port standards." Wireless charging and MagSafe support continue to offer versatile charging options.
Audio
Experts praise the iPhone 15 for its exceptional audio quality, especially when streaming movies or playing games. The speakers deliver clear and rich sound, making watching your favorite shows a delight.
For calls, the precise microphones ensure your voice is heard clearly, even in bustling environments. Reviewers from Insider note,"When making calls, the iPhone 15's microphones pick up your voice clearly," which enhances everyday communication.
Whether for entertainment or essential conversations, the audio improvements create a better, more engaging audio experience.
The Bottom Line
This phone brings good value by incorporating some features from premium models, like the improved 48MP camera and Dynamic Island. Reviewers appreciated the move to USB-C, simplified notifications with Dynamic Island, and a matte finish that resists fingerprints.
As others have noted, its 60Hz screen lags behind competitors' screens and lacks always-on functionality, potential drawbacks if smooth visuals matter to you.
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Antonio Villas-Boas, Business InsiderThe iPhone 15 offers the best balance of performance, features, user experience, and price in Apple's current lineup. While it isn't the most advanced iPhone, its pro-like attributes will more than satisfy most people.
- David Price, MacworldThe iPhone 15 isn’t an exciting product, thanks to its old-fashioned design and similarity to last generation’s iPhone 14. But it is a very solid smartphone with a strong feature set at (by Apple’s standards) an affordable price.
- Mike Andronico, CNNAs great as last year’s iPhone 14 is, I called it “more evolution than revolution” when I first reviewed it. I was expecting to feel the same about the iPhone 15 at first blush, and while it, too, doesn’t reinvent the iPhone, its subtle upgrades all combine for a significant step forward. The improv...
- Wesley Hilliard, Apple InsiderIt's an above-average offering with room for improvement. Apple has done great with differentiating features year-over-year, but pro models get more bang for your buck.
- DxOMarkThe Apple iPhone 15 battery experience improved slightly over its predecessor, showing mostly similar overall behavior. Although Apple iPhone batteries are known to have comparably less capacity than other current smartphones on the market, the iPhone 15 managed to maintain autonomy of more than two...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
Apple iPhone 15 prices will vary depending on retailer, age, special offers and whether or not it's purchased with a service plan. If purchased with a 2 year service contract for example, you would likely pay much less for the phone itself up front. Apple's suggested retail price is $799.00. You can compare iPhone 15 prices from around the web here on The Informr.
Apple backs up the iPhone 15 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your iPhone 15 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Apple support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Apple's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
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