Design: Fresh and Comfy
The iPhone 15 feels like a breath of fresh air compared to my iPhone 14 Pro. It’s got softer, rounded edges that make it super comfortable to hold, unlike the sharper edges on the 14 Pro. At 171 grams, it’s lighter than the 14 Pro’s 206 grams, which I notice when I’m carrying it around all day. The back has this matte glass finish that feels almost soft to the touch and doesn’t show fingerprints as much as the 14 Pro’s glossy back. The phone’s built with an aerospace-grade aluminum frame and Ceramic Shield glass, so it’s tough—I’ve dropped it once or twice (clumsy me) and it’s still scratch-free. It’s also IP68-rated, meaning it can handle a splash or a dunk in water up to 6 meters for 30 minutes.
| Additional details |
| Operating System | iOS 17 |
| Processor Type | A16 Bionic Chip, 6 Core Processor Processor • |
| Display Size | 15.49cm (6.1 inch) |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 128 GB , 256 GB , 512 GB |
| Colour | Black , Blue , Green , Pink |
| Camera | 48MP + 12MP + 12MP | 12MP Front Camera |
| Form Fator | Smartphone |
| Biomatric Security Feature | Face Recognition |
| Sim Card Size | Nano + eSIM |
| Water Resistance Level | Water Resistant |
The iPhone 15 comes in fun colors: Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, and Pink. I picked the Pink, and it’s a subtle, classy shade that stands out without being too loud. Unlike the iPhone 14 series, there’s no Product Red option, which was a bummer since I liked that color on my old phone. The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display is gorgeous, with a 2556 × 1179 resolution (460 PPI). It’s just as sharp as the 14 Pro’s screen, and it gets super bright—1000 nits typical, 1600 nits for HDR, and 2000 nits outdoors. I can see it clearly even in bright sunlight. The big upgrade is the Dynamic Island, which was exclusive to the 14 Pro. It’s this pill-shaped cutout that shows notifications, music controls, or app alerts. It’s handy for checking flight updates or skipping songs without opening the app, though I find it more fun than life-changing.
One major change is the switch to USB-C from Lightning, thanks to EU rules. I love that I can use the same cable for my MacBook and iPad, but the USB-C is limited to USB 2.0 speeds (480 Mbps), slower than the 14 Pro’s USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps). Transferring big video files takes a while, which is a bit annoying. Also, there’s no Action Button like on the 15 Pro—just the classic mute switch, which I’m fine with since I use it all the time.
Performance: Snappy and Reliable
The iPhone 15 uses the A16 Bionic chip, the same one that powered the iPhone 14 Pro. I was worried it might feel like a downgrade, but it’s just as fast. With a 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine, it handles everything I do—gaming, scrolling social media, or editing videos—without breaking a sweat. It’s got 6GB of RAM, like the 14 Pro, but the newer iPhone 16 models bumped up to 8GB, so it’s the last iPhone with 6GB. Storage options are 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. I went with 256GB since I take a ton of photos, and it’s been perfect.
The phone supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.3, so connections are speedy. It’s got a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, which makes finding nearby AirTags or sharing files via AirDrop easier. Like the 14 Pro, it has Emergency SOS via satellite for contacting emergency services without signal and Crash Detection, which can call for help if I’m in a car accident. I haven’t needed these, but they’re great to have for peace of mind.
One downside? The iPhone 15 doesn’t support Apple Intelligence, the AI features introduced in iOS 18.1, unlike the 15 Pro. My 14 Pro also missed out on this, so it’s not a huge loss for me, but it’s something to consider if you want AI goodies like advanced Siri or photo editing.
Cameras: Pro-Level Snaps
The iPhone 15’s camera is a huge upgrade from the standard iPhone 14 and feels close to the 14 Pro’s. It’s got a 48MP main camera (f/1.6 aperture) with sensor-shift stabilization, just like the 14 Pro, and a 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.4, 120° field of view). The 48MP sensor takes super detailed shots, and by default, it outputs 24MP photos for better dynamic range. I’ve snapped some stunning landscape photos, and zooming in shows details like individual leaves. Low-light shots are impressive too, thanks to the Photonic Engine, though the 14 Pro’s slightly larger sensor gives it a tiny edge in super dim conditions.
The coolest camera feature is the auto-Portrait mode. If I take a photo of a person or pet, the phone saves depth data, so I can turn it into a Portrait with a blurred background later in the Photos app. I’ve done this with candid shots of my dog, and the results are pro-level. The 12MP front camera has autofocus, making selfies sharp, and Cinematic mode for 4K HDR videos adds a movie-like vibe. Action mode keeps videos steady when I’m moving, which was great for filming a friend skateboarding. The 14 Pro has a telephoto lens for 3x zoom, which the iPhone 15 lacks, but it uses the 48MP sensor for a 2x digital zoom that’s surprisingly good.
Software and Battery
Running iOS 17 at launch (now on iOS 18.3), the iPhone 15 is smooth and customizable. I love the lock screen widgets and Contact Posters for personalizing calls. Battery life is solid—3349 mAh gives me about 20 hours of video playback or a full day of heavy use. It’s slightly better than the 14 Pro’s 3200 mAh, probably because there’s no always-on display eating power. The 20W fast charging gets to 50% in 30 minutes, but you need to buy a charger. MagSafe wireless charging at 15W is convenient, and I use it with a magnetic stand.
Price and Final Thoughts
I got my iPhone 15 for $799 (128GB), but as of May 2025, it’s down to around $599 in India (~₹59,900) on sites like Amazon. Compared to the iPhone 14 Pro, which started at $999, the iPhone 15 gives you Dynamic Island, a 48MP camera, and USB-C for less money. You miss out on the 14 Pro’s 120Hz ProMotion display, always-on screen, and telephoto lens, but for most people, the iPhone 15 feels just as premium. The 60Hz refresh rate is a bit of a letdown when scrolling, and the USB-C speed is slow, but those are my only gripes.
Overall, the iPhone 15 is a fantastic phone. It’s fast, takes amazing photos, and looks great with its new design. If you’re coming from an older iPhone or even a 14 Pro like me, it’s a solid upgrade that balances price and features. For anyone who doesn’t need the Pro’s extras, the iPhone 15 is a no-brainer in 2025.