The iPhone 15 series, launched by Apple in September 2023, marks a significant evolution in the company’s smartphone lineup.
When Apple CEO Tim Cook said the iPhone 15 lineup was “the best and most capable iPhones we’ve ever made,” some people rolled their eyes. But Cook was right, these are the best iPhones Apple’s made to date. With great cameras, long battery life, vibrant screens and beautiful industrial design, the iPhone 15 lineup significantly improves on its predecessors.
There are four models in the lineup:
And not a dud among them. The iPhoen 15 lineup are the first iPhones with a USB-C port — a landmark breakthrough after being tethered to Lightning for years.
The biggest change in the iPhone 15 series is the transition to USB-C charging ports, replacing the long-standing Lightning connector.
This shift not only aligns with industry standards but also addresses regulatory requirements in Europe.
The new design features thinner bezels and a more refined aesthetic, particularly in the Pro models, which boast a premium titanium frame. This material not only enhances durability but also reduces the overall weight of the devices, making them easier to handle despite their larger screen sizes.
The iPhone 15 features significant upgrades in terms of hardware and software. The biggest features of the iPhone 15 and Plus are:
As in previous years, the upper-tier models have advanced features not included in the less-expensive models. The biggest features of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are:
The A17 chip, made using 3-nanometer technology, is exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, while the iPhone 15 models have the A16 chip that’s the same in the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max.
All iPhone 15 models feature Dynamic Island and move from Lightning to USB-C, but the iPhone 15 Pro models have an improved USB-C port that offers USB 3 transfer speeds — up to 20x faster than USB 2.
And the iPhone 15 Pro Max has a new periscope lens that enables 5x optical zoom, an improvement over the 3x zoom on the iPhone 14 Pro models.
Camera capabilities have seen a significant upgrade across all models. Each device is equipped with a 48-megapixel main camera and a **12-megapixel ultrawide camera, ensuring high-quality photos in various lighting conditions.
The Pro models introduce advanced zoom options through innovative “tetraprism” technology, allowing for up to 5x optical zoom on the Pro Max model.
Additionally, an automatic Portrait Mode feature detects faces and pets, applying background blur without manual adjustments. These enhancements are powered by Apple’s new Photonic Engine, which improves image processing and low-light performance.
The iPhone 15 series is powered by Apple’s latest chipsets, promising improved performance and efficiency.
Battery life has also been enhanced, with estimates suggesting an increase of up to 15% across different models. This improvement ensures users can enjoy extended usage without frequent recharging.
Furthermore, the integration of USB-C has opened up new accessory possibilities, including faster data transfer and charging options that were previously unavailable with Lightning connectors.
Apple has continued to refine its user interface with features such as an enhanced Dynamic Island, which was first introduced in the iPhone 14 Pro lineup. This feature now includes an integrated proximity sensor that enhances user interactions by providing more intuitive notifications and controls.
Pricing for the iPhone 15 series reflects its premium positioning in the market. The base model starts at approximately $799, while the Pro and Pro Max models begin at $1,099** and $1,199, respectively. This pricing strategy aligns with Apple’s tradition of offering high-quality devices at a premium price point.
iPhone 15
iPhone 15 Plus
iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro Max
The introduction of USB-C has not only transformed charging but has also expanded accessory compatibility. Users can now take advantage of a wider range of peripherals designed for USB-C connections, enhancing functionality beyond just charging. Popular accessories include USB-C flash drives for additional storage and high-quality external video capture devices.
Here’s Cult of Mac‘s hands-on review of the iPhone 15, plus roundups of reviews from other sources.
The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus include the best features of last year’s Pro models. We go hands on with Apple’s new standard models.
Review roundups:
Our iPhone 15 buyer’s guides help you decide whether to buy an iPhone 15 or not, and what model to choose.
The move to USB-C means all new cables and possibly chargers too. Here are our guides to the best cases, screen protectors, USB-C cables and chargers for the iPhone 15 lineup.
Apple’s upcoming iPhone SE 4 might bring significant camera upgrades to the budget phone, with plans to incorporate a 48-megapixel main camera and a 12MP TrueDepth front-facing camera, according to a new report.
That, plus other improvements, marks a substantial upgrade over the iPhone SE 3. Unfortunately, that means you can expect the new handset to come with a bit of a price increase, too.
The latest iPhones show the devices’ battery cycle count, helping users track the long-term “health” of the battery. Displaying this data is simple, though it’s somewhat hidden.
In addition, you can check when the iPhone 15 or 16 was manufactured and first activated. (Note: This does not work with previous iPhones.)
Despite nearing its first anniversary, the iPhone 15 was the world’s highest-selling smartphone in Q3 2024. The iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro occupied the second and third positions, respectively.
In total, four iPhones were among the best-selling smartphones in Q3 2024.
Apple came extremely close to becoming the top smartphone vendor in Q3 2024. Reportedly, iPhone shipments reached a record-high in the quarter.
Despite tough competition, Samsung retained its top slot in the worldwide smartphone market.
The iPhone 16 sports a new design, a faster A-series chip, a longer battery life and comes in snazzy new colors. It’s possibly the biggest upgrade to the non-Pro iPhone lineup in the last few years. But are these improvements enough for you to ditch your iPhone 15 and upgrade to iPhone 16? Find out in this iPhone 15 versus iPhone 16 comparison.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models will come in four colors — white, green, pink and blue — according to a new report Friday. The white model reportedly will replace the yellow seen in the iPhone 15 lineup. The current black color option will disappear. And the shades of green, pink and blue used in iPhone 16 will look different from the current versions of those colors.
What exactly will the new iPhone colors look like? We will find out soon. Apple will unveil the iPhone 16 lineup during Monday’s “It’s Glowtime” event.
Normally Amazon bargain site Woot! — now 20 years old, by the way — puts across scads of Apple-related sale items in bursts. But today we found just one true deal. You can get new “Black Box” iPhone 15 models for hundreds off, but only until they sell out.
You can go beyond the basics if you customize the iPhone’s Action button with shortcuts. You can make a fart sound, or get ChatGPT to help you write an email, or just about anything else you dream up.
Apple lets you assign the iPhone’s Action button to one of eight preassigned things — but if you choose Shortcut, you can do much more. Shortcuts offer a way to reach inside an app and automatically run a feature without opening it. With the iPhone 16’s Action button, you have a physical button you can press no matter what you’re doing on your phone, adding quick access to custom actions.
Some power users use the Action button to do incredibly useful (or frivolous) things. I’ll show you how to do the same — and also how you can trick your phone into assigning two or more shortcuts to the single Action button.
Starting in September, Microsoft will require its employees in China to use iPhones for work-related activities, effectively banning Android devices from work use, according to a new report. And of course the irony of a new policy stating that Microsoft employees in China must use Apple devices isn’t lost on us.
If you own an iPhone 14 or iPhone 15, it’s time to test one of its best abilities: Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite service. This allows users of these iOS handsets to exchange messages with emergency services while outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.
Getting a compatible iPhone in contact with a satellite isn’t complicated. But it’s something users should know how to do before they need this potentially lifesaving feature.
Here’s how to use the iPhone’s Emergency SOS via satellite feature.
The new M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air finally make it easy to manage your tablet’s battery heath from the Settings app. iPadOS finally has a Battery Health menu in its 17.5 version, but it only works with the new iPads, not older models.
The new feature lets you limit charges to 80% capacity, which can extend the battery’s lifespan.
A new Find Your Friends ad Apple dropped Friday connects the Find My universe with the Star Wars universe, as Boba Fett uses his iPhone 15 in the video to locate fellow Mandalorians in a crowded mall. Or wait, maybe it’s a convention center.
Yeah, it’s a guy in homemade Mandalorian battle gear going off to find like-minded nerds at a raucous Star Wars convention. It’s pretty funny.
The new “Why Upgrade” page on Apple’s website shows users of some older iOS models what features they’d get if they traded up to the latest iPhone 15 series.
The tool says “See what you’re missing“ in hopes of convincing shoppers that it’s time to move on from handsets introduced in 2019 or 2020.
iPhone 15 Pro Max Vision is a version of Apple’s premier handset modified so it matches the look of the Vision Pro AR headset. It’s from Dubai-based Caviar, and is actually a beautiful option for someone who uses both devices.
But buyers will need deep pockets. The modification adds tremendously to the cost of the iPhone.
And you have to see Caviar’s crazy mod that turns a Samsung S24 Ultra into a Tesla Cybertruck. Both creations are part of Caviar’s Future collection, designed to reflect “the most prominent futuristic hits,” according to the company.
A flurry of iPhone market outlook reports shows Apple’s juggernaut handset is still the top-seller in Japan while slipping to fourth place in China so far in 2024. And that comes as Apple lowers component shipment targets for the year amid supply chain challenges, pointing to a possibly down year.
For the first time, iPhones captured the top seven out of 10 spots on a list of bestselling smartphones worldwide, according to Counterpoint Research.
And guess what? iPhone 15 series handsets enter the list not at the top, but at No. 5. Many markets place a greater value on less expensive handsets.
The batteries in the iPhone 15 series are even better than Apple realized. It takes twice as many charge cycles to wear one out than previously thought, greatly expanding the time before the battery needs to be replaced.
We already knew Apple’s latest goes a long time without needing a recharge. And now we know the battery itself is good for years of heavy use while remaining healthy.
If you don’t want to go “nearly nude” with your iPhone 15, check out Laut’s supremely stylish and highly protective cases for the handsets.
You can shop all 14 products in the Laut collection, including 11 cases, two screen protectors and one lens protector for iPhone 15, in the Cult of Mac Store. See some highlights below.
Just as Apple overtook Samsung as the worldwide smartphone leader in 2023, iPhone also became China’s favorite smartphone during that timeframe, according to a new report Thursday from International Data Tracker (IDC).
Apple captured 17.3% of China’s smartphone market in 2023, up from 16.8% in 2022 — albeit in a shrinking marketplace where smartphone shipments declined 5% overall, but with signs of recovery showing up late in the year.
Zagg-owned mobile-accessories maker mophie let loose a blast from the past with a fresh twist at CES Monday, rolling out its re-engineered Juice Pack cellphone battery case to keep iPhone 15 series handsets charged anywhere.
And the company, which has made Juice Pack products since the first iPhone launched in 2007, also let everyone know its Qi2 Snap+ Powerstation Mini with Stand won a CES 2024 Innovation Award.
This holiday season, with all the family together, Apple has a new feature that may future-proof the video you take: 3D video that Cupertino calls spatial video. With your iPhone, you can record stereoscopic 3D video that you will one day be able to replay on an Apple Vision Pro headset as an immersive way to relive your memories.
Update to iOS 17.2 and you can start. Here’s how it works.
Want to keep your beautiful iPhone 15 looking fresh? You need to enter this week’s giveaway. Two lucky winners will land an iPhone 15 bundle from MagEasy consisting of a shock-absorbent iPhone case and an ultra-tough screen protector.
The new Nexode 100W 20,000mAh Power Bank lets users fast-charge three devices at once on the go, the company said Tuesday.
And the portable charger’s 65W “rapid recharge” feature lets it fully power itself back up from an empty battery in just 2 hours.
Which iPhone is the best to buy as a gift? We’ll walk you through some of the best choices below, along with great accessories for new iPhone owners, including tough cases and handy MagSafe chargers.
Apple’s decision to finally ditch Lightning in favor of USB-C on iPhone 15 means that you now have infinitely greater flexibility when it comes to connectivity. Whether you want to hook up storage drives, an external display, or even an Ethernet cable, you can do it all with USB-C.
But there is a catch. First, you’ll need a suitable USB-C hub or adapter that lets you connect all the peripherals you want to use through one port. Here are the best USB-C hubs you can buy today for iPhone 15.