One month after being announced at 'Wonderlust,' one of the most anticipated events of the year, the iPhone 15 is already becoming one of the best-selling smartphones in Portugal.

It's certain that the latest Apple smartphone has been a topic of conversation, mainly because it abandons the Lightning connector (Apple's proprietary) and introduces the USB Type-C, due to pressure from the European Union.

But what has changed with the iPhone 15 compared to previous generations? What are the new features? How much do the different versions cost? Is it worth the upgrade? If you're curious about these questions, you've come to the right place. Let's explore and give you all the details.


iPhone 15 Launch

Apple unveiled the iPhone 15 on September 12, 2023, at the 'Wonderlust' event, showing fans of the brand the impressive features of the smartphone for the first time, as well as other new products and gadgets from the American giant. If you were paying attention to the launch, even better, but we still have news for you!

Unlike the iPhone 14, which stood out mainly for improvements in its camera, the iPhone 15 brings several significant changes.

This new generation from Apple was launched with four variants:

• iPhone 15
• iPhone 15 Plus
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro Max

There are significant differences between the Pro and non-Pro iPhones, which we will explore below.

Contrary to some early rumors, Apple did not introduce the 'Ultra' variant this time. Perhaps it will appear in the iPhone 16? We'll have to wait until 2024.

What Has Changed with the iPhone 15?

Although at first glance it may seem that little has changed with this new Apple release, the new iPhone generation introduces several changes, both in terms of functionality and design. Let's take a look at what's new with the iPhone 15.

Hardware of the iPhone 15

Let's start with the most important part: everything that has changed in the hardware of the new generation of iPhone.

In terms of the processor, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus use the same A16 Bionic processor as the iPhone 14 Pro series, so they offer similar performance to last year's flagship phones. The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, on the other hand, feature Apple's latest A17 Pro processor, about 14% faster than the one used in the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max (Geekbench 6 benchmarks). The new hardware in the Pro variants also leads to improved gaming performance, especially thanks to hardware-accelerated ray tracing technology.

Now let's talk about the much-discussed USB-C port, which has replaced the Lightning port in both the base and Pro versions. Although the charging speed remains the same at 18-20W, it is now possible to use the iPhone to charge another device with a USB-C cable. Note that the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus only support USB 2.0 transfer speeds (60 MB/s), while the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max come with the faster USB 3.2 Gen 2 technology, with a maximum speed of 1.25 GB/s.

Storage of the iPhone 15

As usual, the entire iPhone 15 lineup offers various storage options, which differ between the base and Pro versions:

• iPhone 15: 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB of storage
• iPhone 15 Plus: 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB of storage
• iPhone 15 Pro: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB of storage
• iPhone 15 Pro Max: 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB of storage

Check the price of each of these options on our online store!

Cameras of the iPhone 15

Let's move on to another point highly valued by most iPhone fans: camera quality.

Fortunately, all versions of the iPhone 15 come with significant camera improvements. In the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, the main camera's resolution has increased from 12 MP to 48 MP and offers 2x zoom.

In the Pro versions, there are some novelties. While the iPhone 15 Pro comes with the usual 3x zoom lens, the iPhone 15 Pro Max introduces Apple's new 5x zoom lens with a 120mm focal length.

For those curious about benchmarks, the DXOMark results are already known:

• iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max: 154 points (2nd in the overall ranking)
• iPhone 15 and 15 Plus: 145 points (12th in the overall ranking)

iPhone 15 Design

All iPhone 15 models have received Apple's latest design, with smoother contoured edges, unlike the more pronounced edges of the iPhone 14 generation. The new rounded edges are expected to provide a more comfortable feel in hand for the iPhone 15 generation.

The shiny polished steel is replaced by a titanium frame with a brushed metal look on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, contributing to an overall lighter weight:

• iPhone 15 Pro: 187 g (instead of the iPhone 14 Pro's 206 g)
• iPhone 15 Pro Max: 221 g (instead of the iPhone 14 Pro Max's 240 g)

On the screen, the thinner screen bezels of the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max and the titanium frame stand out, giving it a more premium look.

An interesting side effect of the new iPhone Pro generation could be easier (and less costly) repairs, thanks to the glass back, which is easier to remove.

And what about colors? The standard iPhone 15 series features Apple's new matte-finish colored glass back, available in five colors: pink, yellow, green, blue, and, of course, black.

 

The smartphones in the Pro series are available in four colors: natural titanium, blue titanium, white titanium, and black titanium, highlighting the use of titanium in the structure of these premium variants.

As always, it's important not to forget the importance of protective accessories! Take a look at the protective cases and screen protectors for the iPhone 15.

Price of the iPhone 15

Now that we've covered the main features and changes in the iPhone 15 lineup, it's also important to consider the prices. Let's take a look at the launch prices:

• iPhone 15: starting at €989
• iPhone 15 Plus: starting at €1139
• iPhone 15 Pro: starting at €1249
• iPhone 15 Pro Max: starting at €1499

As has been the trend in recent years, these are relatively high prices that correspond to the premium quality that Apple has accustomed us to. But don't worry! Check the price of the iPhone 15 on our online store, and you may be pleasantly surprised!

Is It Worth Upgrading to the iPhone 15?

So, let's address the most important question of all: Is it worth upgrading?

The answer is not straightforward and will always depend on your starting point. If you're coming from an iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max, the upgrade may not be very significant. But if you're coming from an iPhone 14 or 14 Plus, previous iPhone generations, or an Android device, it's likely to be an excellent upgrade!

The introduction of USB-C, the new lighter titanium frame, and camera improvements are all compelling reasons to consider making the jump to the new iPhone generation.

Our recommendation? Explore the entire range of iPhone 15 models in our online store for yourself.

If you prefer to experience these models in person, visit one of our physical stores in Porto or Braga. We're always ready to welcome you and provide advice!