‘Wonderlust’ was the title of the 12th September Apple event where the new Watch Series 9, Watch Ultra 2, and iPhone 15 lineup was announced. This overview highlights the Apple iPhone 15 specifications.
In this article:
Apple iPhone 15 Series
The new Apple iPhone 15 Series is again made up of four different models: iPhone 15 and 15 Plus as the standard-level devices, and then the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, with the latter boasting higher specs, performance, and a higher asking price.
All the news ahead of the Wonderlust event focused on Apple’s long-awaited move from its Lightning Connector port over to USB-C, forced on them due to a previous EU court ruling.
However, many had hoped Apple would take this change and run with it, going instead to ThunderBolt, which uses the same connector type and can make use of USB-C cables, but paired with the correct cable, would offer much faster data transfer speeds and additional features, compared to standard USB-C.
Apple iPhone 15 & 15 Plus
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus introduce several exciting new features. First, the phones showcase a stunning design with a colour-infused back glass and a contoured edge in five vibrant colours.
This design evolution offers a premium, textured matte finish and increased durability, making them visually appealing and robust, even if the styling has remained primarily unchanged.
I feel Apple’s best new feature in recent years is the Dynamic Island, first made available on last year’s 14 Pro & 14 Pro Max models. For the 15 series, Dynamic Island can be found on all four models.
Improved Camera
These iPhones have a powerful 48MP Main camera and a 2x Telephoto option, allowing users to capture high-resolution photos with impressive zoom capabilities.
Apple says that the introduction of next-generation portraits, enhanced Night mode, and improved HDR rendering elevates the photography experience, making it easier for users to take remarkable photos in various conditions.
iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus represent a huge leap forward with exciting camera innovations that inspire creativity, the intuitive Dynamic Island, and features like Roadside Assistance via satellite that make a real difference in users’ lives
Apple
As mentioned, the iPhone 15 lineup emphasises connectivity and convenience. It adopts the USB‑C connector for charging and data transfer, supports MagSafe, and features the second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for extended range and improved location tracking.
Additionally, the introduction of Roadside Assistance via satellite adds a valuable safety feature for users in remote areas, connecting them to AAA when they encounter car trouble without cellular or Wi-Fi coverage.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro & 15 Pro Max
Powered by the A17 Pro, the industry’s first 3-nanometer chip, the iPhone 15 Pro & Pro Max will offer impressive performance upgrades and, Apple claims, is up to 10% faster than previous CPUs.
For travellers who enjoy gaming on the go, the pro-class GPU is up to 20% faster and supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing, delivering smoother graphics and immersive AR experiences. The iPhone 15 Pro brings console-level gaming to your fingertips, with titles like Resident Evil Village, Resident Evil 4, Death Stranding, and Assassin’s Creed Mirage.
The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max offer an advanced camera system with the equivalent of seven pro lenses, all powered by the A17 Pro chip. The 48MP Main camera system allows for a new 24MP super-high-resolution default, delivering stunning image quality without compromising file size.
Powerful camera upgrades enable the equivalent of seven pro lenses with incredible image quality, including a more advanced 48MP Main camera system that now supports the new super-high-resolution 24MP default, the next generation of portraits with Focus and Depth Control, improvements to Night mode and Smart HDR, and an all-new 5x Telephoto camera exclusively on iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Apple
The Main camera allows users to switch between three popular focal lengths, making it versatile for various photography scenarios. In addition to 48MP ProRAW, the Main camera supports 48MP HEIF images with 4x more resolution.
Both models will use the USB-C connector, providing a universally accepted standard for charging and data transfer. You can charge your iPhone, Mac, iPad, and even updated AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with the same cable.
More Safety Features
As with the previous Pro models, the 15 Pro series will have Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via satellite, along with the introduction of Roadside Assistance via satellite. Users in the US can now connect to AAA when they experience car trouble in areas with no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage.
Say goodbye to the Silent Mode switch as the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max introduce a versatile and customisable Action Button. This button lets users personalise its function, providing quick access to features like the camera, flashlight, Voice Memos, Focus mode, and Translate.
With fine-tuned haptic feedback and visual cues, users can easily activate their chosen action, making it a valuable tool for travellers seeking convenience and accessibility.
Finally, the new Pro models are made from Titanium, bringing aerospace-grade durability to the devices, ensuring they can withstand the rigours of daily use and travel while remaining exceptionally lightweight. This combination of strength and reduced weight enhances portability without compromising on robustness.
Apple iPhone 15 Specifications
iPhone 15 | iPhone 15 Plus | iPhone 15 Pro | iPhone 15 Pro Max | |
148 x 72 x 8mm | 161 x 78 x 8mm | Dimensions | 147 x 71 x 8mm | 160 x 78 x 8mm |
171g | 201g | Weight | 187g | 221g |
Black Blue Green Pink Yellow | Black Blue Green Pink Yellow | Colour Options | Black Titanium Blue Titanium Natural Titanium White Titanium | Black Titanium Blue Titanium Natural Titanium White Titanium |
6.1″ OLED Super Retina XDR Dynamic Island | 6.7″ OLED Super Retina XDR Dynamic Island | Display | 6.1″ OLED Super Retina XDR Dynamic Island | 6.7″ OLED Super Retina XDR Dynamic Island ProMotion technology Always-On display |
A16 Bionic | A16 Bionic | Chip | A17 Pro | A17 Pro |
128GB 256GB 512GB | 128GB 256GB 512GB | Storage | 128GB 256GB 512GB 1TB | 256GB 512GB 1TB |
5G Wi‑Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.3 MagSafe USB-C | 5G Wi‑Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.3 MagSafe USB-C | Connectivity | 5G Wi‑Fi 6 Thread networking technology Bluetooth 5.3 MagSafe USB-C | 5G Wi‑Fi 6 Thread networking technology Bluetooth 5.3 MagSafe USB-C |
12MP Retina Flash Smart HDR 5 Night mode Cinematic mode up to 4K | 12MP Retina Flash Smart HDR 5 Night mode Cinematic mode up to 4K | Front Cam | 12MP Retina Flash Smart HDR 5 Night mode Cinematic mode up to 4K ProRes video | 12MP Retina Flash Smart HDR 5 Night mode Cinematic mode up to 4K ProRes video |
48MP Main 12MP Ultra Wide 5x, 1x, 2x, Optical zoom Night mode Photographic Styles | 48MP Main 12MP Ultra Wide 5x, 1x, 2x, Optical zoom Night mode Photographic Styles | Rear Cam | 8MP Main 12MP Ultra Wide 12MP Telephoto .5x, 1x, 2x, 3x Optical zoom Smart HDR 5 Night mode portraits Macro Photography Apple ProRAW | 8MP Main 12MP Ultra Wide 12MP Telephoto .5x, 1x, 2x, 5x Optical zoom Smart HDR 5 Night mode portraits Macro Photography Apple ProRAW |
IP68 | IP68 | Waterproof Rating | IP68 | IP68 |
up to 20 hours Fast-charge capable | up to 26 hours Fast-charge capable | Power | up to 23 hours Fast-charge capable | up to 29 hours Fast-charge capable |
Apple iPhone 15 Pricing
The Apple iPhone 15 starts at $799/£799 for the 128GB model and goes up to $1,199/£1,199 for the 512GB iPhone 15 Plus.
For the Pro and Pro Max, prices start from $999/£999 for the 128GB Pro and rise up to $1,499/£1,599 for the 1TB Pro Max.
Both entry-level handsets get a welcome price freeze matching last year’s iPhone 14 starting prices, but the larger storage models do increase.
As a comparison, instead of purchasing an iPhone 15 Pro Max, you could get the phenomenal new MacBook Air M2 13″ and have $100 left over!