Apple’s annual Wonderlust fall event concluded today. The Cupertino-based tech giant took the wraps off its next-generation iPhone 15 series along with other devices at the event. Notably, the latest iPhone 15 models arrive with significant upgrades since the iPhone 11 that debuted way back in 2019. This is not surprising given that Apple updates its iPhone lineup every three to four years, based on historical trends. This time too, the brand has distinguished the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus from the Pro and Pro Max variants.
Last year, Apple was widely criticized, with many people outraged when the company released the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, which were essentially the same as the iPhone 13, with a few minor improvements here and there. However, this time, the non-pro variants become more intriguing, which is great news for previous iPhone owners (making it worth upgrading to the new models).
Dynamic island, Dynamic island, Dynamic island!
Apple introduced the Dynamic Island for the iPhone 14 Pro models last year, which made every tech enthusiast go gaga over the feature. The reason – Dynamic Island is essentially a pill-shaped cutout that houses the front camera sensor and the sensors responsible for Face ID. Personally, I feel it looks ugly; however, in Apple’s case, it does more than just appear as a dormant Black cutout. The company has intelligently optimized the software UI to work with Dynamic Island. It is an interactive element that can display various information like incoming calls, notifications, turn-by-turn navigation, music playback, and more. That’s not all; Dynamic Island can also expand to a larger size to access different functions or launch applications, hence serving as a multitasking shortcut.
Coming back to the topic, Apple’s latest iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus now feature Dynamic Island. This means that the brand has ditched the traditional notch that was introduced on the iPhone X in 2017. It remains to be seen if Apple moves ahead with the Dynamic Island for all future iPhones, including the SE too.
Goodbye Lightning port, Hello USB-C
11 years! That’s how long Apple stuck to its proprietary Lightning port, introduced way back in 2012. The entire iPhone 15 lineup now has a USB-C port to comply with the norms set by the European Union. Oh, and Apple is bundling a color co-ordinated USB-C braided cable with the iPhone 15. The switch to a new connector means that the next time your iPhone runs out of juice, you just have to ask somebody for a USB-C cable, which is pretty much used for charging most devices today.
For those unaware, Apple has been working on streamlining its devices across various categories for more efficient and deeper integration within the ecosystem. The company’s custom silicon chipset is a prime example that has made its way to Macs and iPads. Apple already switched to USB-C ports on its computers and tablets in 2015 and 2019, respectively. Now with the iPhone 15 series getting the connector, the transition seems complete on the connectivity front.
Substantial camera upgrades
Another area where Apple upgrades the latest-generation non-pro iPhone 15 is in the camera department. The Cupertino-based tech giant has stuck to a 12MP main sensor on its previous devices for years. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus now feature a massively upgraded 48MP Sony sensor with an f/1.6 aperture and a 2x telephoto option that should offer higher-resolution images and improved details. The secondary ultra-wide-angle lens and the front-facing selfie snapper remain unchanged with 12 MP sensors. Machine learning will now automatically detect whether a person or pet are in frame and switch over to add the bokeh effect.
More power
Under the hood, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are equipped with Apple’s A16 Bionic processor. While this is not a newly announced chipset (the A17 has been reserved for the Pro models), it is still a welcome upgrade over the A15 that was found on last year’s variants, and it is also two years old now. The A16 Bionic that powers the iPhone 14 Pro models is said to be 7 percent faster than the A15.
Frosted glass back panel
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus now flaunt a frosted glass back panel. This was exclusively limited to the Pro models, while the non-Pro variants had a glossy finish. With the presence of frosted glass, the iPhone 15 duo will be resistant to fingerprints and smudges. It will also give a more premium look and feel.
Pricing
The first iPhone, when it came out in 2007, was priced at $499, which was a lot back then. Since then, the price of the iPhones has increased steadily, however, it is not consistent or predictable. Much of the pricing factor is attributed to improved technology and features, consumer demand, competitive pressures, etc. Additionally, the prices of the iPhones vary based on the market region.
The good news? Apple has kept the starting price tags of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus the same as their predecessors. The former starts at $799, whereas the latter retails at $899 for the base models.
Moment of Truth
Is it worth upgrading to the iPhone 15 or 15 Plus?
Absolutely, if you have been waiting to upgrade from an iPhone 13 or older. If you currently own the iPhone 14 or 14 Plus, it’s still worth considering the upgrade to the latest models. This is because you might get a good resale value or even a trade-in offer for a one-year device, which will only become devalued as it ages further.
iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Plus: Which is the most sensible choice?
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are nearly identical to each other. What really separates the two variants is only in terms of display size and battery capacity. Pricing is another factor to consider aside from the core specifications.
The demand for smaller phones has dwindled over time, with the base iPhone (including the SE) and the ASUS Zenfone phones remaining the last of the lot to offer a compact form factor with top-tier specifications. If you’re somebody (like me) who prefers less bulky devices and one-hand usage sans media consumption, the iPhone 15 is without any doubt a hands-down recommendation.
The iPhone 15 Plus is overall an excellent choice if the larger form factor does not bother you. It offers more bang for the buck with a larger screen estate and significantly longer battery life, which should aid in media consumption and other uses.
