Key differences between iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max

Event thirst for miracles from Apple is over and we already know all the features of the new product iPhone 15. This year, the endless rumors and leaks we’ve been sifting through leading up to smartphone launches have proven particularly accurate. So, with a few exceptions—like the ability to record spatial video on Pro models—there weren’t too many surprises in the official announcement.

Indeed, Apple’s four mobile phone variants share common characteristics. The 6.1-inch screen size remains on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, and the 6.7-inch screen size on the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Additionally, all models now feature Dynamic Island technology, which was reserved for the iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max last year. And port acceptance USB-C the replacement of the old Lightning also affected all versions.

However, there are notable differences—both internal and external—that are worth considering. That’s why we want to take the opportunity to tell you below what each one is.

A17 Pro chip comes into action

As expected, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are equipped with a new chip called A17 Pro. Designed on a 3nm process, it promises significant performance improvements at both the CPU and GPU levels. It also includes an AV1 decoder, especially for those who use their mobile phone to stream videos. But that’s not all, because it also supports ray tracing via hardware.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus come with the A16 Bionic chip, which was introduced in 2022 in the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. Below is a breakdown of both processors:

Aluminum vs. Titanium

Another important difference worth mentioning is the materials chosen to make the new iPhone 15. The Standard and Plus versions include an aluminum design with a tinted glass back. In addition, they are available in 5 colors: black, blue, green, yellow and pink.

For iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, Apple chose titanium design which makes them lightweight and durable. According to Cupertino, the alloy used has one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios of any metal. It’s worth noting that inside the device is a new recycled aluminum design that not only helps dissipate heat, but also makes the textured frosted glass back cover easy to replace. These models are available in 4 colors: black titanium, white titanium, blue titanium and natural titanium..

Action button on iPhone 15 Pro

The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are the first to get this feature. action button, a feature inherited from the Apple Watch Ultra. It replaces the traditional mobile phone mute switch that is still present on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus.

A notable fact is that by default the action button is set to mute or unmute the sound on the mobile phone. However, users can configure it to perform other types of tasks, from activating the camera or flashlight to using shortcuts to trigger more specific actions.

Storage options

While the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus have the same storage options of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, there are differences between the Pro and Pro Max models. The iPhone 15 Pro will continue to be offered in a 128GB base version. but not the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the initial configuration of which will start at 256 GB. What is preserved in both models bonus This is the 1 TB option.

Cameras

The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus feature camera improvements over their predecessors, which now feature a 48-megapixel primary sensor. However, this is not the same lens used on the Pro and Pro Max models, which are also 48MP..

In fact, as we said at the outset, one of the coolest new features of the iPhone 15 Pro is that it can record spatial video for playback on Apple Vision Pro, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts an exclusive 5x telephoto feature up to 120 millimeters.

Below are the official specifications:

Implementing USB-C on iPhone 15

As we said at the beginning, the use of USB-C instead of the Lightning port was one of the greatest innovations of the iPhone 15. However, it is important to note that The implementation of this specification is not identical across the entire range. There were rumors about this even before the Apple event and, unfortunately, have now been confirmed.

If you buy an iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Plus, data transfer will be limited to USB 2.0 speeds. Specifically, up to 480 Mbit/s. This means that both models will still have the same performance as the older Lightning cables and connectors.

In the case of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, the story is different. The A17 Pro chip includes a USB 3 controller that enables data transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps using a compatible cable.. Thunderbolt 4 support has not been rumored in recent weeks, but it is certainly a radical improvement for users. Especially for those who use iPhones bonus Take professional quality photos or record videos. Although it’s still a shame that “non-professional” models continue to be captive to Apple’s whims.

Weight and dimensions of iPhone 15

It may seem a little strange, but the weight and dimensions of the iPhone 15 are not the same among models with the same screen size. This is certainly due to the fact that the Pro and Pro Max versions now have the thinnest edges on the market without changing panel inches.

ProMotion remains exclusive to Pro models

Finally, a fact we didn’t want to lose sight of. Although this is nothing new, considering that ProMotion was already exclusive to the iPhone Pro and Pro Max models. History repeats itself with iPhone 15.

While the Standard and Plus versions use Super Retina Display XDR OLED screens of the same size and resolution as the Pro and Pro Max, the adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz is retained only on the high-end models. Although Apple doesn’t specify this, “Non-Pro” variants of the iPhone 15 will still be locked to 60Hz..