Original release date: September 22, 2023 | Memory capacity: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Screen size: 6.1 inches | Features: A17 Pro chip, Always-on 120Hz ProMotion display, USB-C port (USB 3.0), Titanium frame, 3x telephoto lens | Color options: Natural Titanium, Blue, White, Black | Dimensions: 5.77 x 2.78 x 0.32 inches | Weight: 6.60 oz
The iPhone 15 Pro It’s currently the model we recommend for most people. Yes, its $999 starting price might be steep, but the smartphone is a long-term investment. If the question is “which iPhone will make you happier over the next three to five years,” we think the iPhone 15 Pro’s advantages over the standard iPhone 15 and 15 Plus will be worth the extra $200.
First, the iPhone 15 Pro’s textured titanium frame feels higher quality than the aluminum in the base iPhone 15. It’s also slightly heavier than the standard 15 at 6.60 ounces, but overall it’s light and its slightly curved edges are nice to hold. It runs on the faster A17 Pro chip, which won’t make a huge difference in day-to-day tasks, but is more future-proof. Like some graphics intensive games anyway Death Stranding and Resident Evil Village only works on Pro series. There’s also a new Action button that replaces the old mute key and can be customized to quickly perform tasks like launching the camera or turning on the flashlight. While every iPhone 15 has a USB-C charging port, the Pro models support faster data transfer speeds (with the right cable).
Both the iPhone 15 Pro and the standard 15 have 6.1-inch OLED displays that are equally sharp and bright. However, the Pro’s display has an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz. It can make web page scrolling, gaming and video streaming noticeably smoother. Not everything will play at 120Hz, but once you see it, it’s hard to deny the effect. The display is also always on, allowing you to view notifications at a glance without physically touching the device.
Another big improvement is the camera system. The iPhone 15 Pro has triple rear cameras: a 48-megapixel primary camera, plus 12-megapixel ultra-wide and telephoto cameras. The latter is a big one, as the regular iPhone 15 doesn’t have a fully dedicated telephoto lens. The Pro’s main camera also has a larger sensor, which is slightly better in low-light environments, and it portrait mode at night. You get it too macro mode for close-ups and other amateur features such as the ability to draw ProRAW. If none of this terminology means anything to you, the regular iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are still great cameras. But the 15 Pro is better, especially if you take your photos with a little more intention.
