Apple’s much-anticipated iPhone 15 and 15 Plus have finally made their debut, marking a significant shift for the tech giant. The headline-grabbing change is the adoption of the widely-used USB-C port, a departure from Apple’s proprietary Lightning connector. This move comes in response to the European Union’s upcoming regulations, and the iPhone 15 becomes the pioneer in this transition.
Pricing and Availability
The iPhone 15 starts at a competitive $799 for the 128GB model, while the larger iPhone 15 Plus begins at $899 for its 128GB version. Preorders are set to kick off this Friday, with the official release date slated for September 22nd.
Familiar Design with a Few Twists
While the USB-C addition is monumental, those expecting a radical design overhaul might be in for a mild disappointment. The iPhone 15 series maintains the aesthetic blueprint of its predecessor, featuring 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays for the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, respectively.
Dynamic Island and Stunning OLED Display
Dynamic Island Expands Its Presence
All iPhone 15 models come equipped with the Dynamic Island, a distinctive pill-shaped cutout that was first introduced in the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. This feature offers a fresh way to view notifications and interact with apps, enhancing the user experience.
Visual Brilliance with OLED Super Retina
The iPhone 15 boasts an OLED Super Retina display that supports Dolby Vision content and shines with an impressive 1,600 nits of brightness. Under sunlight, it reaches a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, doubling that of the iPhone 14.
Camera Upgrade and Powerful Internals
48-Megapixel Camera and Enhanced Features
One of the standout improvements in the iPhone 15 is the camera system. The main camera now sports a 48-megapixel sensor, a substantial upgrade from the previous 12-megapixel version. Additionally, the 12-megapixel ultrawide lens offers telephoto capabilities, while portrait mode enhancements eliminate the need for manual switching.
Night Mode, Live Photos, and Action Mode
Apple has also enhanced night mode, Live Photos, and action mode in the iPhone 15’s camera. Selfie enthusiasts will appreciate the front camera’s autofocus and portrait lighting features.
Performance and Battery Life
Under the hood, the iPhone 15 houses the A16 chip, the same processor found in last year’s iPhone 14 Pro models. Apple promises “all-day battery life” thanks to a larger battery. The second-generation ultra-wideband chip, similar to the one in the new Apple Watch Series 9, improves connectivity with other devices and enables precision finding in Find My, making it easier to locate friends with the latest iPhone 15 models.
The New “Action Button”
Customizable Action Button
Apple introduces a game-changing feature with the iPhone 15 Pro – the “Action Button.” This button, taking the place of the ring/vibrate switch, can be customized to trigger specific functions. Similar to the Apple Watch Ultra’s functionality, the Action Button can activate the camera, flashlight, Voice Memo, open notes, switch Focus modes, or run custom shortcuts. It also accommodates accessibility options like Magnifier.
Subtle Yet Significant
While the Action Button replaces the ring/vibrate switch by default, maintaining the core functionality, it also provides haptic feedback when switching between modes. Apple has retained the traditional physical switch in the regular iPhone 15 for those who prefer it. Although subtle, the Action Button represents one of the few visually noticeable changes to the iPhone’s exterior, alongside the USB-C port at the device’s bottom.
