iPhone 15 review: A bigger step from the iPhone 14
The iPhone 15 is the latest addition to Apple's line of smartphones, and it comes with a range of innovative designs and features that set it apart from its predecessors. In terms of design, the iPhone 15 follows a similar aesthetic to previous models, featuring a sleek and minimalistic design with rounded edges and a glass back. It is available in a range of colors, including the classic silver, space gray, and gold options, as well as some new vibrant shades.
The move to the iPhone 15 is a much bigger step than the iPhone 14 was and is a return to what an Apple phone looks like for the rest of us.
One of the standout features of the iPhone 15 is its advanced display technology. It boasts a Super Retina XDR display, which offers stunning visuals with vibrant colors and deep blacks. The screen is also larger than previous models, with a 6.1-inch or 6.7-inch display, depending on the variant. This provides users with a more immersive viewing experience, whether they are browsing the web, streaming videos, or playing games.
Frankly, the iPhone 14 launch was disappointing compared to the rest of the annual parade. Instead of any serious upgrades, it added a slightly better main camera and crash detection – and that's about it.
While the iPhone 14 Pro moved to the A16, the iPhone 14 stuck with the iPhone 13's A15.
At the time, it was believed that Apple had decided to hold back the standard iPhone versions so that there would be more differentiation from the Pro lineup in the coming years. The working theory was that once the Pro became sufficiently advanced than the regular models, Apple could then move some of its features over to the following year.
It appears that the predictions were correct.
After this year-long hiatus to separate the two models, the iPhone 15 sees a processor improvement in 2023, and some other concessions from the Pro devices in 2022.
iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus review - external appearance
When looking at the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus from the front with the displays off, there's very little difference in design other than materials and color choices versus the iPhone 14. Closer inspection shows that the TrueDepth camera system is a little lower, but that's all you need to get from the front.
Around the back, Apple is using the same type of glass backing as before, except this time it's a color-filled version with a matte finish. There's also a contoured bezel on the aluminum case that Apple provided for these models.
Colors are poor in every possible respect. The glass is well made, but it reminds me a lot of a frosted shower door from the 80s, with very muted pastel colors to match.
Apparently, many people in Cupertino are not fans of color saturation and decided to just wave the color swatch in front of the iPhone glass during the dyeing process, rather than put in the actual coloring effort. This is an exaggeration of course, as there is a faint hint of color - but we couldn't say this more clearly, it is just a hint.
This won't matter much to the "my iPhone has to have a case on it" crowd, but the color choices in the iPhone 15 lineup are nice and unremarkable.
Photography in different colors is also difficult. In very bright or very dim light, the entire group appears white. In fact, when I opened the box for this review, I had to double-check the documentation I was provided that the box was properly packed with the correct color phone.
We got it. Choosing materials is difficult, and choosing materials paired with the scratch resistance Apple wants from colored coatings is difficult. But, wow, are these colors clear?
Anyway, there's not much to say about size and weight, although the new models are a bit lighter and larger. The iPhone 15 is 5.81 inches long and 2.82 inches wide, which is fractionally longer than the iPhone 14, while the iPhone 15 Plus measures 6.33 inches by 3.06 inches.
Both are 0.31 inches thick, reflecting the 2022 releases. What's different is the weight, with the iPhone 15 now weighing 6.02 ounces and the Plus at 7.09 ounces, versus 6.07 ounces and 7.16 ounces, respectively, for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro.
The big design change is at the base. After a year of rumors, Lightning has been ditched in favor of USB-C.
iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus - USB-C connectivity
On the connectivity front, the headline is the introduction of USB-C, with Apple finally removing Lightning from its flagship models.
There's a misconception that Apple had to do this with the iPhone 15, and that's not entirely true. It takes 20 to 30 months from iPhone creation to delivery, and given the architectural differences with USB-C, this kind of introduction would be too early in the design process.
Two years ago, EU law mandating USB-C on newly available devices wasn't really a consideration. And he will only be “forced” to get the iPhone 16.
There have always been a lot of benefits to USB-C, assuming you embrace it. The main criticism of this is that this now means that many Lightning-based accessories will only work if you use an adapter.
Fortunately, there's an adapter for that, as there have been countless cable specifications that have been around since the dawn of computing.
But, as always, not all USB-C devices are created equal. While the Pro models get USB-C with 10Gbps data transfers, the A15 Bionic chip in the iPhone 15 doesn't have native USB 3 capability, so data transfers are limited to USB 2.0 speeds.
Opinions vary on how important this is, with opinions depending largely on how often a particular user transfers data over the cable. Apple's iCloud covers most of the data transfer needs of the general public - assuming the user seeks larger storage capacities.
In terms of performance, the iPhone 15 is powered by Apple's latest A15 Bionic chip, which is designed to deliver faster and more efficient performance than ever before. This allows for smooth multitasking and fast app launches, ensuring that users can seamlessly navigate through their devices. Additionally, the iPhone 15 comes with an improved camera system, with enhanced low-light capabilities and advanced computational photography features. This means that users can capture stunning photos and videos, even in challenging lighting conditions.
In conclusion, the iPhone 15 offers a range of designs and features that make it a standout device in the smartphone market. Its sleek and minimalistic design, coupled with the vibrant display and advanced camera system, provides users with an unparalleled user experience. Additionally, the powerful A15 Bionic chip ensures that the device performs seamlessly, allowing for smooth multitasking and fast app launches. Overall, the iPhone 15 is a top-of-the-line smartphone that combines style, functionality, and performance.
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