Apple unveiled four new iPhone models for the 15 series at its recently concluded “Wonderlust” event. The lineup consists of the base iPhone 15, the bigger iPhone 15 Plus, the premium iPhone 15 Pro, and the expensive and bigger iPhone 15 Pro Max.
In this guide, we’ll do a brief comparison of the iPhone 15 vs iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro Max to determine which one is the most suitable for you.
The iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Plus are a part of the standard lineup packed with basic features and minimal upgrades, whereas the Pro models bring truly revolutionary changes. All models in the iPhone 15 lineup have introduced a USB-C charging port, but there’s a difference in their charging speeds.
There are some similarities and a lot of differences among all four iPhone 15 models. Let’s explore them.
What are the Similarities in the iPhone 15 Models?
We’ll start with having a look at the similarities among all four iPhone 15 models since the list isn’t long. The first and the most discussed change in this year’s lineup is the inclusion of a USB-C charging port available across all devices and also on the newly launched AirPods Pro (2nd Generation).
Another key similarity among the iPhone 15 series is the availability of Dynamic Island. Last year, the innovative notch was exclusively available on the iPhone 14 Pro series, but it has been included in the base and Plus variants this year. It’s a cool feature that also adds up to the design element of the iPhone.
Apart from these, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are fairly different from the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. The former two are base variants for budget buyers, while the latter are more premium and higher-end models.
iPhone 15 & 15 Plus vs iPhone 15 Pro & 15 Pro Max:
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are built with regular aluminum enclosure with a color-infused glass back while the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are made from aerospace-grade titanium with a textured matte glass back. There is a slight weight difference among the models as titanium is lighter than aluminum.
There are also different color options available for both base, Plus, and Pro models. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are available in vibrant and softer colors, including pink, yellow, green, blue, and black. Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 Pro models are available in classic shades like black, dark blue, white, and natural titanium beige.
Another major differentiating factor between the base iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Pro models is the “Action Button” which is exclusively available on Pro models. Additionally, all four devices feature a USB-C port, but only the Pro models have access to USB 3.0 charging and data transfer speeds.
Coming to the display, all four iPhone 15 models have a Super Retina XDR display. However, the Pro series boasts ProMotion technology, which gives a variable refresh rate between 10Hz and 120Hz for smoother motion in videos, games, and casually using the device as compared to the base model’s 60Hz refresh rate.
The Pro models will lower the refresh rate to conserve battery life when you’re streaming videos or playing games. The iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max also have an always-on display that keeps it on and dimmed while charging. However, it’s not available on the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus.
Base iPhone 15 vs iPhone 15 Pro- Comparing the Camera:
Just like the previous generations, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus feature two cameras on the back, and the Pro models have a three-camera setup. There is a 48MP Main camera on all models with a 12MP ultrawide lens. The third 12MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom is exclusively available on the iPhone 15 Pro series.
The iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max allow users to shoot at multiple focal lengths, such as 24mm, 28mm, and 35mm. There’s also an exclusive 5x optical zoom, which is the most for any iPhone. All four models have a Night Mode, but only the Pro variants can capture Night Mode shots in portrait.
There are several other camera perks available on the iPhone 15 Pro series. We’ll compare the exact shots side-by-side once the phones start shipping on September 22nd. Currently, we can only differentiate based on the hardware and features where the Pro models are the clear winner.
Comparing the Battery Life of All iPhone 15 Models:
Apple claimed at “Wonderlust” that the new iPhone 15 lineup is more power efficient, but they haven’t really upgraded the battery life on either of the models. All four models have a similar battery life to their predecessors released last year, but the duration varies among themselves.
The iPhone 15 gives a video playback of up to 20 hours and an audio playback of up to 80 hours, while the iPhone 15 Pro offers a video playback of up to 23 hours and audio playback of up to 75 hours. The size of the unit is not known for any model, as Apple doesn’t generally reveal the mAh capacity of its devices.
Meanwhile, the bigger variants iPhone 15 Plus, gives a video playback of up to 26 hours and audio playback of up to 100 hours, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max gives a video playback of up to 29 hours and audio playback of up to 95 hours. The difference in battery life is due to the upgraded processor and display on Pro models.
The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are powered by the A16 Bionic chip, while the Pro models feature an all-new A17 Pro chip. The latter is better suited for higher graphics and gaming and is more power efficient.
Specs & Features of All Models in iPhone 15 Lineup:
Here is a detailed comparison of the specs and features of all four models in the iPhone 15 series:
| iPhone 15 | iPhone 15 Plus | iPhone 15 Pro | iPhone 15 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate, brightness | 6.1-inch OLED; 2,556×1,179 pixels | 6.7-inch OLED; 2,796×1,290 pixels | 6.1-inch OLED; 2,556×1,179 pixels; 120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate | 6.7-inch OLED; 2,796×1,290 pixels; 120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 460 ppi | 460 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Dimensions (inches) | 2.82 x 5.81 x 0.31 in. | 3.06 x 6.33 x 0.31 in. | 2.78 x 5.77 x 0.32 in. | 3.02 x 6.29 x 0.32 in. |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | 71.6 x 147.6 x 7.8 mm | 77.8 x 160.9 x 7.8 mm | 70.6 x 146.6 x 8.25 mm | 76.7 x 159.9 x 8.25 mm |
| Weight (grams, ounces) | 171 g (6.02 oz.) | 201 g (7.09 oz.) | 187 g (6.6 oz.) | 221 g (7.81 oz.) |
| Mobile software | iOS 17 | iOS 17 | iOS 17 | iOS 17 |
| Camera | 48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) | 48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) | 48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 12-megapixel telephoto (3x optical) | 48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 12-megapixel telephoto (5x optical) |
| Front-facing camera | 12-megapixel | 12-megapixel | 12-megapixel | 12-megapixel |
| Video capture | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K |
| Processor | A16 Bionic | A16 Bionic | A17 Pro | A17 Pro |
| RAM/storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Expandable storage | None | None | None | None |
| Battery | Undisclosed: Apple claims up to 26 hours of video playback (20 hours streamed) | Undisclosed: Apple claims up to 23 hours of video playback (20 hours streamed) | Undisclosed: Apple claims up to 29 hours of video playback (25 hours streamed) | Undisclosed; Apple claims up to 29 hours of video playback (25 hours streamed) |
| Fingerprint sensor | None (Face ID) | None (Face ID) | None (Face ID) | None (Face ID) |
| Connector | USB-C (USB 2.0) | USB-C (USB 2.0) | USB-C (USB 3.0) | USB-C (USB 3.0) |
| Headphone jack | None | None | None | None |
| Special features | 5G (mmw/Sub6), IP68 rating, MagSafe, Dynamic Island | 5G (mmw/Sub6), IP68 rating, MagSafe, Dynamic Island | 5G (mmw/Sub6), Action Button, Always-On display, IP68 rating, MagSafe, Dynamic Island, 3x optical zoom | 5G (mmw/Sub6), Action Button, Always-On display, IP68 rating, MagSafe, Dynamic Island, 5x optical zoom (120mm equivalent) |
| US Price off-contract | $799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB) | $899 (128GB), $999 (256GB), $1,199 (512GB) | $999 (128GB, $1,099 (256GB), $1,299 (512GB), $1,499 (1TB) | $1,199 (256GB), $1,399 (512GB), $1,599 (1TB) |
| UK Price | £799 (128GB), £899 (256GB), £1,099 (512GB) | £899 (128GB), £999 (256GB), £1,199 (512GB) | £999 (128GB), £1,099 (256GB), £1,299 (512GB), £1,499 (1TB) | £1,199 (256GB), £1,399 (512GB), £1,599 (1TB) |
| Australia Price | AU$1,499 (128GB), AU$1,699 (256GB), AU$2,049 (512GB) | AU$1,649 (128GB), AU$1,849 (256GB), AU$2,199 (512GB) | AU$1,849 (128GB), AU$2,049 (256GB), AU$2,399 (512GB), AU$2,749 (1TB) | AU$2,199 (256GB), AU$2,549 (512GB), AU$2,899 (1TB) |
Conclusion:
This was our in-depth comparison among the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Now you know which device has what to offer. If you’re looking for the perfect piece, then it’s definitely the 1TB iPhone 15 Pro Max. However, the most suitable device varies for every user.
A lot of users wouldn’t like the bigger size and weight of the iPhone 15 Pro Max and would pick the iPhone 15 Pro over it. There will also be users who would prefer the base iPhone 15 over other devices due to better affordability, vibrant color options, and the presence of sufficient features.
You’ll have to realize your preferences first in order to select the best iPhone for you. It could also be from older generations. That’s all for this guide. You can shoot your queries and concerns in the comments. We’ll be glad to address them.
Frequently Asked Questions:
The major difference between the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max is the size of the screen. The former features a 6.1-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2,556×1,179 pixels, while the latter has a 6.7-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2,796×1,290 pixels. Another essential difference is that the iPhone 15 Pro Max doesn’t have a 128GB storage variant and starts at 256GB.
There are several key differences between the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Pro. Both iPhones have different build materials and quality, processors, cameras, battery life, and features. The iPhone 15 is built with traditional aluminum with color-infused back glass, while the 15 Pro is made using tough titanium.
On paper, the 1TB iPhone 15 Pro Max is the best and the most expensive device in the lineup. However, the best iPhone from series 15 varies according to a user’s preferences and requirements. Some would find the iPhone 15 the best, while others would choose the iPhone 15 Plus or the iPhone 15 Pro above others.
The 1TB iPhone 15 Pro Max is the most expensive model in the lineup. It costs US$1,599/ £1,599/ AU$2,899 and will be available for pre-orders starting September 15th, 2023, and will start shipping on September 22nd. Meanwhile, the 128GB base iPhone 15 is the least expensive model which costs only $799.
This is Saquib, a technology and social media expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. With a passion for staying up-to-date on the latest developments and trends in the tech and social media world and as a writer, I have been creating informative and engaging content that is easy for readers to understand and enjoy, also published in several leading tech and social media publications and is a regular speaker at industry events. In addition to my writing and speaking engagements, I also work as a consultant, helping businesses grow with the ever-changing tech and social media niche.
