Since the iPhone split into the “regular” and “Pro” ranges, each generation has iterated on what each concept means. The brand tells us that the iPhone should be consistently powerful and feature-rich across its generation, and this year they make it even clearer by bringing many features from the Pro models to the iPhone 15. The iPhone 15 is a model that takes the best from both Pro worlds, inheriting many functionalities from the iPhone 14 Pro, with an updated design and interesting improvements in the cameras and display.
iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, technical specifications:
– Dimensions and weight:
– iPhone 15: Height: 14.76 cm, Width: 7.16 cm, Thickness: 0.78 cm, Weight: 171 g
– iPhone 15 Plus: Height: 16.09 cm, Width: 7.78 cm, Thickness: 0.78 cm, Weight: 201 g
– Display:
– iPhone 15: 6.1-inch OLED display (diagonal)
– iPhone 15 Plus: 6.7-inch OLED display (diagonal)
– Processor: Apple A16 Bionic
– Storage: 138 / 256 / 512 GB
– Rear cameras:
– Main: 48 MP, ƒ/1.6 aperture
– Ultra-wide: 12 MP, ƒ/2.4 aperture
– Software: iOS 17
– Connectivity: 5G (sub-6 GHz) with 4×4 MIMO
Design of the iPhone 15:
Taking the design of the iPhone 15 Pro as a starting point, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus also feature comfortable rounded edges. The titanium edges are replaced by aluminum with a glass back, tinted in a special process that makes it more durable. Physically, it is an attractive device, thanks to the new range of colors that personally seem more appealing than those of the iPhone 14. Pink, yellow, green, blue, and black. The construction and materials match these colors very well and are less flashy than the previous generation.
The display has substantially improved, with increased brightness up to 1000 nits of typical maximum brightness (800 nits in the iPhone 14) and peak HDR brightness of 1600 nits (1200 nits in the previous model). Additionally, like the iPhone 15 Pro, the display can reach a very high 2000 nit brightness outdoors, which makes it perfect for using Maps under the sun or taking photos in daylight.
The matte finish on the back has a slightly rough texture and is mechanically and chemically treated with the finishes previously reserved for the Pro range. In fact, in terms of touch, both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro feel very similar in the hands and are less prone to fingerprints. The front glass is a Ceramic Shield glass, exclusive to iPhones, which the brand claims is the most durable among all smartphones. It also has an IP68 rating, making it water-resistant up to six meters for 30 minutes, as well as resistant to accidental liquid splashes.
It is a compact design of premium quality, with a more Pro appearance than the “base” range of the generation. In this case, there is no physical home button, but the traditional switch to silence the iPhone that we already know. The display, although it does not have the same reduced bezels as the Pro model, fits perfectly within the visual style of this design and looks great both in hand and on a table. The new color tinting system of the casing through the glass and the coloring of the metal parts (such as the camera lenses) during the construction process result in matte colors that slightly change in different lighting conditions. In my opinion, the pink color will become a best-seller due to its warm tone on the device without being too flashy. It’s definitely my favorite color for this generation of the iPhone 15.
They have a minimalist appearance, with more pastel colors that contribute to this aesthetic, but they are elegantly detailed. This year, we have a very Pro look in the design of these devices, which, thanks to their rounded edges, bear many similarities to the iPhone 15 Pro. Probably one of the best designs in the “base” range since the iPhone 12, with absolutely premium construction.
USB-C, almost Lightning, but with new possibilities:
Undoubtedly, one of the most sought-after changes in this generation is the inclusion of a USB-C connector across the entire range. In the iPhone 15, the USB-C connector uses the USB 2 protocol with speeds of up to 480 Mbps, which is exactly the same speed as Lightning. In these models, even if you use a cable with higher speed than the one included, the limit will always be 480 Mbps. Apple has not changed this because the USB 3.2 controller is designed within the A17 Pro chip as part of its microarchitecture, which is only available on the iPhone 15 Pro. This improves latency and maximizes the communication bus of the Apple Silicon architecture but leaves out these iPhone 15 models from utilizing the faster speeds. Essentially, in terms of speed, it has the same capabilities as Lightning, regardless of the USB-C cable you use. However, this doesn’t mean that USB-C in the iPhone 15 doesn’t have advantages; on the contrary, it allows you to use the phone as an external battery to charge other devices, supporting the maximum power that the iPhone 15 Pro (4.5W) can deliver to charge any other accessory (whether from Apple or not) that supports USB Power Delivery charging. iPhone 15 with USB-C can also connect to monitors with 4K60 video output. This means you can connect the iPhone to a monitor and use it as a secondary display for video applications or mirror what you see on the iPhone. If you have any other accessories connected to the monitor, such as a keyboard, the iPhone 15 can use them immediately.
Improved cameras for everyday use:
Without a doubt, a phone like the iPhone 15 is meant for everyday use, and one of the things we do most in our day-to-day lives is take photos or record videos. In this generation, Apple has significantly improved the cameras on both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus (which only differ in screen size and battery). The improved quad-pixel sensor and Photonic Engine enhance the photography experience, supported by machine learning processing.
Now, the iPhone 15 features a new 48 MP camera with a new quad-pixel sensor to improve low-light image capture. It allows for photos with incredible resolution, resulting in better detail in textures and image nuances. What has surprised me the most about these iPhone 15 models is the balance between colors, light, and contrast in image capture. Just like its big brother, the iPhone 15 Pro, the enhanced Photonic Engine uses a 48 MP capture by merging a low-light image with a 12 MP image and grouping the pixels in sets of four to enhance light capture. The 48 MP image utilizes each individual pixel to create a new native resolution: 24 MP, achieved through computational logic using machine learning. This is the native resolution of the camera for any shot without the need for any prior settings. On initial use, the iPhone 15 produces spectacular results.
In conclusion…
