iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus overview: Time to improve

It’s a reasonably main yr for the usual iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. Despite the Pro-level handsets having fun with all of the headlines, the extra reasonably priced smartphones in Apple’s lineup take pleasure in a slew of recent options beforehand unique to the priciest fashions.

This time round, Apple has refined the flat-edged case design, included the quicker A16 Bionic chipset unique to the Pro-level fashions final yr, improved the dual-rear digicam with 2x lossless zoom and an upgraded Portrait Mode. Rounding out the enhancements are USB-C charging, Dynamic Island, and speedier connectivity.

So, with a lot squeezed into the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus – is it time to ditch your present iPhone and make the change to one thing new? If you need to see how these handsets examine to the dearer Pro fashions this yr, we have got an in-depth iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max review with the entire solutions.

Ready to make the leap? Our in-depth guides to the best iPhone 15 deals and best iPhone 15 Pro deals are full of affords. We’ve additionally rounded up the best iPhone 15 cases and best iPhone 15 Pro cases.

Or scroll down for our in-depth ideas on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus…

Apple’s design staff has spruced up the looks of the iPhone 15 this yr, and we actually like what they’ve achieved. The rear case is now constructed from colour-infused glass that provides a mushy sheen matte end with an embossed Apple brand.

The enjoyable however subtle shades – Green, Blue, Pink and Black – have all been created utilizing a color that is embedded immediately right into a single piece of sturdy again glass. It’s a genuinely good replace and likewise means the digicam bump blends in so a lot better than on earlier fashions.

Get them in your hand and the curved contoured edges make these units really feel far more snug to carry. The new iPhone fashions proceed to make use of a toughened Ceramic Shield end, which ought to assist keep away from these horrifying cracks when issues slip out of your fingers and crash on the ground.

SPOILER ALERT – a case remains to be advisable as whereas Ceramic Shield is sweet, it will not cease display smashes if dropped from a top onto a concrete pavement.

The normal iPhone 15 is certainly simpler to deal with than the larger Plus system however you do, after all, get rather more display actual property (and a much bigger battery) if you happen to plump for that super-sized improve. The Plus options an expansive 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR show in comparison with the 6.1-inch panel discovered on the iPhone 15.

Both screens are vibrant and vibrant (they’re additionally brighter this yr), plus they now embrace the intelligent Dynamic Island notch. We’ve been utilizing that mini interactive show on the Pro fashions for the previous yr and it is received loads of helpful features that iPhone 15 customers will now have the ability to entry.

For instance, begin a timer and the countdown will seem contained in the ever-changing black bar, hop on a flight and you will see how lengthy is left with out opening apps or web sites. Music, soccer scores, reside F1 race positions and extra can all be swiped into this notch which magically modifications form as you work together with it.

Many app builders now supply Dynamic Island assist and this characteristic continues to enhance and get extra helpful by the month – it is nice to see it arrive on the iPhone 15 vary.

There are few faults with the design of the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, however one obtrusive omission is the refresh charge of that show. Apple nonetheless hasn’t boosted the OLED display from a measly 60Hz, and it is actually noticeable particularly if you happen to’ve used a 120Hz ProMovement display discovered on the Pro-level iPhone fashions, choose iPad and MacBook fashions, and virtually all mid/top-end Android telephones.

Swiping by means of the grid of apps and widgets in your homescreen and scrolling by means of lists, every little thing feels laggy and gradual.

Of course, if you happen to’re switching from a present iPhone 12, 13 or 14 you will not discover the distinction however this actually did really feel like the precise yr for Apple to lastly carry its good ProMovement tech to its normal fashions. We’ve little doubt that ultimately, ProMovement will come to all iPhone fashions, however you will have to plump for the £999 iPhone 15 Pro to get that beautiful display expertise.

Apple has caught with a dual-lens set-up on the iPhone 15, however this yr you will discover an improved 48-megapixel essential lens on the rear case. It’s able to taking some wonderful pictures with minimal fuss.

This yr’s digicam additionally affords a bunch of upgrades together with a helpful 2x lossless zoom and the choice to shoot after which regulate the main target in Portrait Mode after the picture is taken. Being in a position to tweak issues later is a good addition to the iPhone and it really works seamlessly with simply a few faucets on the display permitting you to regulate focal factors.

Night pictures get higher as does the Portrait Mode and indoor efficiency of those units.

Apple nonetheless consists of its 4K Cinematic Mode for Hollywood-style films and the mind-boggling Action Mode means that you can run with the digicam and get virtually wobble-free footage.

You can take a look at our check pictures under however this can be a good digicam enhance from Apple that ought to please those that merely desire a system that may level and shoot.

It is price noting that the Pro vary (particularly the Pro Max) takes smartphone images up one other notch with much more spectacular zoom capabilities and the choice to shoot in ProUncooked codecs.

If you need the easiest snapper on an iPhone you are going to want to save lots of up and go Pro.

The A16 Bionic was first launched on final yr’s iPhone 14 Pro and now it arrives on Apple’s cheaper vary of units.

That’s actually good news with this processor in a position to blast by means of duties corresponding to 4K video enhancing with plain ease.

This was the agency’s first chip constructed on a 4-nanometer course of, which mainly permits the cellphone to be extra environment friendly whereas boosting the facility. The A16 Bionic chipset is what has allowed Apple to introduce that Dynamic Island characteristic with out drastically impacting battery life.

Even although this processor is now a yr outdated, there are not any Android telephones that come near beating it in velocity exams which is fairly spectacular.

There is only one factor to notice earlier than getting too excited in regards to the A16 Bionic coming to the iPhone 15. Just like final yr, Apple’s new Pro fashions are getting one thing even higher with these units now powered by the A17 Pro chipset.

This takes issues up one other notch with these premium smartphones now providing PS5-style gaming and laser-fast picture seize.

If you need the last word energy then it appears Pro remains to be the way in which to go.

The A16 Bionic was first launched on final yr’s iPhone 14 Pro and now it arrives on Apple’s cheaper vary of units.

That’s actually good news with this processor in a position to blast by means of duties corresponding to 4K video enhancing with plain ease.

This was the agency’s first chip constructed on a 4-nanometer course of, which mainly permits the cellphone to be extra environment friendly whereas boosting the facility. The A16 Bionic chipset is what has allowed Apple to introduce that Dynamic Island characteristic with out drastically impacting battery life.

Even although this processor is now a yr outdated, there are not any Android telephones that come near beating it in velocity exams which is fairly spectacular.

There is only one factor to notice earlier than getting too excited in regards to the A16 Bionic coming to the iPhone 15. Just like final yr, Apple’s new Pro fashions are getting one thing even higher with these units now powered by the A17 Pro chipset.

This takes issues up one other notch with these premium smartphones now providing PS5-style gaming and laser-fast picture seize.

If you need the last word energy then it appears Pro remains to be the way in which to go.

Both the iPhone 15 and Plus begin with 128GB of storage which will be boosted to 512GB for a worth. For instance, the 128GB iPhone 15 prices £799 however this rises to £1,099 if you happen to max issues out. It’s price contemplating what number of films, apps and photographs you are going to be storing in your cellphone earlier than hitting the purchase button as there isn’t any approach to enhance issues at a later date.

If you suppose you will want greater than 512GB then you definately’ll have to modify to the Pro fashions with these dearer telephones pushing issues to 1TB.

Other extras on the iPhone 15 vary embrace Crash Detection, Satellite textual content messaging and full entry to 5G knowledge speeds plus there’s the addition of a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip.

This means that you can discover issues, together with mates who even have an iPhone 15, from an extra distance away which could possibly be useful if you happen to lose your mates at a live performance and need to monitor them down.

Apple has additionally added some intelligent Voice Isolation expertise which suggests you will be heard even if you happen to’re chatting from the center of Piccadilly Circus. It’s actually intelligent and ends the nightmare of calls in busy cafes or avenue corners.

As we talked about earlier than one of many essential issues that is actually lacking from these units is the ProMovement show.

There’s additionally solely a normal USB-C port relatively than the quicker model discovered on the Pro fashions which makes knowledge transfers a lot faster. Apple additionally introduced a neat Roadside Assistance by way of satellite tv for pc improve which suggests you may nonetheless name for assist even when you do not have a cell sign – sadly, that is a USA unique for now.

Other than that, you get a really feature-packed expertise from these telephones and there are many causes to think about upgrading.

Despite the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus having fun with a swathe of recent upgrades, Apple hasn’t elevated costs in 2023 (in distinction to final yr, when the 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max hit new heights).

That means you can pocket the usual mannequin for £799, or improve to the larger iPhone 15 Plus for £899. Trade-in offers are additionally out there to assist carry the worth down if you happen to already personal an iPhone and are blissful handy it over to Apple.

For instance, give the agency your iPhone 12 and you will stand up to £230 off the newest name makers.

All of the key networks are additionally providing month-to-month offers, we have put collectively a complete information to the best iPhone 15 deals. And as at all times, the arrival of a brand new iPhone implies that costs on the older fashions have loved a drop. If you are not satisfied by the newest additions, it could be price having a look on the best iPhone 14 deals.

If you have not upgraded your iPhone in a number of years, this ought to be the yr to take a position. This next-generation system affords an abundance of options that make it virtually nearly as good because the iPhone 14 Pro – however at a less expensive worth.

For £799, you will pocket a tool with the blisteringly-fast A16 Bionic processor, improved 48-megapixel digicam, Dynamic Island notch redesign, and a complicated tweak to the design that provides a splash of pastel color and a softer really feel in your hand.

Battery life is sweet, plus there’s now a extra versatile USB-C charging port. There are helpful extras, corresponding to that second-generation Ultra Wideband chip and Voice Isolation expertise for a lot clearer calls.

Clearly, the iPhone 15 Pro vary is even higher, because of its 3x (or 5x on the Pro Max) lossless telephoto digicam, A17 Pro chipset, titanium body, and ProMotio screens. But these flagship handsets value not less than £200 greater than the usual iPhone 15 fashions. And for our cash, the iPhone 15 arrives with the upgrades that most individuals will discover helpful day-to-day.

If we had one main gripe it could be the 60Hz display which actually does really feel effectively previous its sell-by date – come on Apple, it is time to scrap that display!

Some quicker wired charging speeds from the USB-C port would’ve been good and we would in all probability advocate choosing the 256GB mannequin, which can value you extra however means you are unlikely to expire of house over the following two or three years.

We’re actually impressed by this yr’s iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. They are quick, feature-packed, tremendous fashionable, and very easy to advocate.