We can’t help it – we love it when Apple release a new iPhone. Every time there’s a little more tech, a smart feature or two, and a whole new range of colours to ogle. But there’s also that niggling question in the back of your brain – do I really need it? If you’re wondering whether it’s worth upgrading from iPhone 14 to iPhone 15 (or even from an earlier model if you decided to wait it out last year) then we’ve got the answers. Sort of.
Here’s everything that Apple have updated on the latest iPhone 15, and everything that’s stayed the same. Whether or not it’s enough of a change for an upgrade is up to you (although we like the 15’s chances!)
What’s new with the display?
A little of this, a little of that.
Overall, Apple have stuck with what they know best – and what they know we love – about iPhone when it comes to display, which means iPhone 15 has the same 6.1-inch OLED display as iPhone 14 had last year. Bad news if you were hoping for a big update, but good news because we already know how epic and reliable the setup is. Of course, if you want a slightly higher resolution or larger screen, you know iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 15 Pro Max can deliver it for you.
What has changed, however, is one of our favourite features. iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max saw the introduction of Dynamic Island, and Apple have done exactly as we’d hoped by adding this nifty little feature to the entire iPhone 15 family. If you’re a fan of the classic “notch”, you might find this a little sad, but the cool way that Dynamic Island helps you stay up-to-date and manage your apps without interrupting what you’re doing will soon make up for it. We promise.
How has the design changed?
Every year we get a gorgeous new range of colours when the new iPhone range is released – that’s a given. And some years we get extras as time goes on, like the stunning Yellow shade released earlier in 2023. This year, those colour options have gone pastel, and you can choose from Blue, Green, Yellow (yes, it stuck!) and Pink – as well as the ever-classic Black.
But a change-up of the colours is par for the course – what else is new, we hear you ask? Well, there have been some subtle changes to the aluminium frame of iPhone 15 that make for a phone that’s visually similar to the 14 range but is actually more comfortable to hold. It’s not as extreme as the shift to titanium we’ve seen from the Pro devices, but it’s still nice to know Apple are looking out for those of us who spend a lot of time on our devices (so basically everyone, right?)
There is one pretty huge change that’s worth mentioning too – because after years of the infamous Lightning port, Apple have finally gone with the crowd and switched over to a USB-C port on all four of the devices in the new range. Which, you may or may not know, actually brings the range in line with the rest of Apple’s tech, from Mac to iPad.
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Has the performance changed?
While iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max got the biggest changes when it comes to silicon this year, the regular iPhone 15 has still been given a nice upgrade that we think users will appreciate – the A16 Bionic chip that was exclusive to Pro models in 2022. This means you can expect a pro-grade performance from your device, even if you don’t opt for the Pro models themselves.
What’s changed in the camera setup?
Apple have been pretty stubborn about sticking with a 12MP main camera lens for years now – in fact, you’d need to go back almost ten years to find an iPhone that didn’t include one. But clearly someone high up in the hierarchy has been making big moves this year, because alongside switching to USB-C, Apple have finally relented and given us a bigger, better camera. And it’s a whopping four times better.
Yup, iPhone 15 has a 48MP main camera with a 12MP Ultra Wide thrown in too. There’s a high-resolution mode that you can use to make the most of your 48MP, but you’ll find that in the default settings, your camera will stick with 12MP files, combining pixels to keep the noise down on your shots.
So… is it worth upgrading to iPhone 15?
Honestly, it’s a pretty solid upgrade. Yes, the display and design are largely similar to iPhone 14 – but we don’t like to see too much change in the familiar from Apple when it comes to a new iPhone anyway. They’ve hit the nail on the head with a timeless look, and we’re here for it – especially now we get to play with Dynamic Island, too.
As for performance and camera upgrades, you can’t argue with the improvements. A Pro-level piece of silicone powering everything we do? Yes, please. And Apple’s first big camera upgrade since 2014? Sign us up!
It’s true, you might have to invest in a new cable to charge up – but all in all, iPhone 15 offers a grounded, gorgeous upgrade to the latest tech from Apple. And we’ve got plenty of awesome deals on to make sure you can get on the Apple train for the best possible price. So, we reckon… go for it!