Apple introduced the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus during its highly anticipated Wonderlust launch event. The iPhone 15 boasts significant improvements over its predecessor, the iPhone 14, including enhancements to the camera system, a refreshed design, a faster A16 Bionic chip, the inclusion of a USB-C port, and various other noteworthy features. Let’s explore everything you need to know about the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Plus.
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Design
When examining the design of the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, one can immediately spot similarities to the previous model in terms of the rear design. The dual-camera array, arranged diagonally on the back with flat sides, mirrors the design of the iPhone 14. However, a notable change lies in the glass texture. In contrast to the glossy back of the previous non-Pro models, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus now feature a frosted glass texture on the back, accompanied by glossy glass for the camera area, akin to the Pro models.
The absence of the notch is a significant alteration, replaced by Dynamic Island, which we will delve into further in the Display section. In essence, while the design remains largely consistent, Apple has made subtle refinements to impart a more refined appearance. The casing retains its signature brushed aluminium frame, with glass on both the front and back. Furthermore, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus uphold the traditional alert slider, in contrast to the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, which have transitioned to an Action button on the side.
A notable transformation unfolds at the bottom of these devices. Apple has embraced USB-C for the iPhone 15, facilitating the use of the same cable for charging iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Although this feature operates at USB 2 speeds, this shift toward a universal port is warmly welcomed. In terms of durability, the iPhone 15 maintains its IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, ensuring reliability in various environments.
Display
The iPhone 15 retains its familiar 6.1-inch Super Retina HDR OLED display, but it introduces the Dynamic Island feature. Dynamic Island made its debut with the iPhone 14 Pro series last year and has now been extended to the non-Pro models as well. This innovative addition serves as a secondary screen, offering users access to a wide range of functions such as monitoring delivery updates, tracking Uber rides, checking flight information, keeping up with sports scores, and much more.
In the case of the new iPhone 15 Plus, it continues to sport the same 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel as its predecessor. However, in a noteworthy development, Apple has eliminated the notch after several years. Additionally, the iPhone 15 Plus now incorporates the Dynamic Island feature, giving the device a fresh aesthetic and enhancing the practicality of its display.
Battery
Apple has refrained from divulging precise details regarding the battery life of the iPhone 15, but they assert that it will endure an entire day of use. With the new A16 Bionic SoC, boasting a 4nm manufacturing process, we can anticipate at least equivalent, if not enhanced, battery performance. Concerning charging, the iPhone 15 can charge from 0 to 50% in a mere 30 minutes when utilizing a USB-C charger. Additionally, it supports up to 15W MagSafe wireless charging, while Qi-wireless charging is also an option, albeit capped at 7.5W speeds.
On the other hand, the iPhone 15 Plus is poised to surpass its predecessor’s already commendable battery life. Powered by Apple’s latest A16 Bionic SoC, the same chip featured in last year’s iPhone 14 Pro series, it leverages a 4nm manufacturing process to deliver efficiency and heightened performance, particularly benefiting gaming and multitasking experiences.
Regarding battery life, Apple suggests that it should marginally surpass the performance of last year’s flagship model. Although Apple typically withholds specific mAh capacity figures, it’s worth noting that the previous 14 Plus housed a 4,323 mAh cell. Given the size and dimensions of the iPhone 15 Plus, it’s conceivable that a similar battery capacity may be employed.
Camera
A noteworthy enhancement in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus is the introduction of the advanced 48MP primary camera. This feature made its debut with last year’s iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max but is now accessible even in the standard iPhone 15. This camera boasts a quad-pixel sensor with 100% Focus Pixels, ensuring rapid auto-focus. The primary camera now defaults to capturing super-high-resolution 24MP photos, a substantial increase from the 12MP standard on the iPhone 14.
Furthermore, for the very first time on a regular iPhone model, there’s a 2x optical zoom. The iPhone 15 provides users with three zoom options: 0.5x, 1x, and 2x. Apple also asserts that the iPhone 15 excels at producing more detailed and vibrantly coloured portrait shots. Thanks to the new sensor and the A16 Bionic chipset, there have been enhancements to Smart HDR and Night Mode. While we’ll need to conduct thorough testing to validate Apple’s claims, their assurances are undeniably impressive.
Regrettably, the 12MP ultra-wide camera, featuring an f/2.4 aperture and a 120-degree field of view, remains unchanged. Similarly, the selfie camera maintains its 12MP configuration with an f/1.9 aperture. Nevertheless, these cameras stand to benefit from the new chipset, potentially resulting in improved photo quality.