Apple’s new iPhone 15 includes a number of upgrades that make the base model more attractive than ever. While the iPhone 14 was a minor iterative upgrade over its predecessor, Apple is betting on the regular model this year.
While you don’t get the ProMotion display (only on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max), there are plenty of upgrades worth talking about. Here’s what you need to know if you’re wondering the difference between the iPhone 15 and iPhone 14 and whether you should upgrade.
iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 14: specifications
iPhone 15 | iPhone 14 | |
Size | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm |
Weight | 171 grams | 172 grams |
Screen size | 6.1″ OLED Super Retina display | 6.1″ OLED Super Retina display |
Permission | 2532 x 1170 pixels (460 pixels per inch) | 2532 x 1170 pixels (460 pixels per inch) |
OS | iOS 17 | iOS 16 (upgradeable to iOS 17) |
Storage | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
MicroSD slot | No | No |
One-touch payment services | Apple Pay | Apple Pay |
CPU | Apple A16 Bionic | Apple A15 Bionic |
RAM | 6 GB | 4GB |
Camera | 48 MP main; 12 MP ultra-wide angle; 12 MP telephoto lens on the front | 12 MP main; 12 MP ultra-wide angle; 12 MP telephoto lens on the front |
video | 4K up to 60fps, 1080p at 240fps | 4K up to 60fps, 1080p at 240fps |
Bluetooth version | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
Ports | USB-C | Lightning |
Fingerprint sensor | No, only Face ID | No, only Face ID |
Waterproof | IP68 | IP68 |
Battery | Fast charging (20W charger sold separately)
MagSafe wireless charging (15W) Qi wireless charging (7.5W) |
Fast charging (20W charger sold separately)
MagSafe wireless charging (15W) Qi wireless charging (7.5W) |
Application Market | Apple App Store | Apple App Store |
Network support | Major companies | Major companies |
Colors | Pink, yellow, green, blue, black | Midnight, Purple, Starlight, Blue, Red, Yellow |
Prices | From $699 | From $799 |
iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 14: design and display
The iPhone 15 is slightly longer than the previous generation iPhone (5.81 inches versus 5.78 inches). Both devices have an aluminum body with a glass back, but the new iPhone has an updated color design. It maintains IP68 protection against dust and water, so it can be submerged up to 6 meters for up to 30 minutes.
The most noticeable design change can be seen on the front with the introduction of Dynamic Island on the iPhone 15. Instead of a notch at the top of the screen, there is now a pill-shaped cutout that houses the Face ID sensors. Not only does it look better, but it also includes features for a better user experience. The screen is protected by Apple’s ceramic shield, as in previous years.
Both smartphones feature a 6.1-inch True Tone OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate. While this is disappointing, the good news is that the iPhone 15 can reach a maximum brightness of 2,000 nits versus the iPhone 14’s 1,200 nits. The new iPhone will be easier to use in sunlight.
iPhone 15 comes in five color options: pink, yellow, green, blue and black. There is no Red Product this year. Similarly, the iPhone 14 was launched in five color options but with different shades and the yellow variant was launched earlier this year.
Both devices feature the same silent ring switch as the new action button is only available on the iPhone 15 Pro series. Plus, iPhone 15 retains MagSafe functionality, so all your magnetic accessories from iPhone 12, iPhone 13, and iPhone 14 will be compatible. with a new phone.
iPhone 15 includes a design and screen upgrade with Dynamic Island, increased brightness, and a glass back in a variety of colors. This may not be a revolutionary update, but it is a very welcome change.
iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 14: performance, battery life and charging
The iPhone 15 doesn’t stop with Dynamic Island and a brighter display when it comes to borrowing elements from last year’s iPhone Pro series. It’s also powered by the A16 Bionic chipset, which offers a 50% more powerful GPU than before, which should deliver smoother graphics for watching videos and gaming.
The new processor is also 20% more efficient, but it remains to be seen how it will perform in real-world conditions, especially since Apple cites identical battery life figures for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 14.
Both iPhones come in three storage options: 128GB, 256GB and 512GB. Wireless connectivity options include Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6 and 5G. One of the most anticipated iPhone changes that will finally arrive on the iPhone 15 is the replacement of the Lightning port with USB-C. However, it does not take advantage of the port in terms of speed. It is still limited to USB 2, unlike the iPhone 15 Pro series which supports USB 3.
iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 14: cameras
Regular iPhones have stuck with a 12MP main camera for years, but that’s finally changing with the iPhone 15, which features an updated 48MP lens and the same 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens as before. On the front, there’s the same 12MP TrueDepth camera, but with improved HDR.
The new sensor on the back also adds new software features. iPhone 15 offers improved 2x zoom and a next-generation Portrait mode that lets you adjust focus for different subjects based on depth. You also won’t need to switch to portrait mode to take portrait photos. iPhone 15 captures depth information in every photo, so you can turn an ordinary photo into a portrait using the Photos app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Plus, you get improved HDR on the new iPhone.
Video recording remains the same, with the ability to capture 4K video at 24 frames per second (fps), 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps, as well as 1080p HD video at 25 fps. 30 fps or 60 fps. All other features are still present, including Cinema mode, Action mode, HDR video recording with Dolby Vision, and support for 1080p slow-motion video at 120 or 240 fps.
Upgrading the iPhone 15 camera is an important feature when you are thinking about whether to upgrade or not. We’re hoping Apple has fixed HDR processing with the new HDR 5 for photos (up from HDR 4 for photos on the iPhone 14), although we’ll have to use the iPhone 15 before we can confirm the latter.
iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 14: Software and Updates
The iPhone 14 comes with iOS 16 out of the box, but can be upgraded to iOS 17, which the iPhone 15 already ships with.
In terms of updates, the iPhone 15 will likely be supported for a year longer than the previous generation product. However, Apple has a tendency to release software updates for its devices for about six years now, so this shouldn’t be an issue.
iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 14: features
Both iPhone 15 and iPhone 14 have satellite emergency assistance in case you get lost in an area without network, as well as accident detection and satellite roadside assistance.
The iPhone 15 features an updated second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip, which will be useful for more accurately positioning the iPhone when trying to find it through the Find My app. In the US, you won’t see a SIM tray and will be limited to using an eSIM.
iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 14: price and availability
Despite the updates, Apple hasn’t raised the price of its iPhone 15. It still starts at $799, with the 256GB and 512GB models costing $899 and $1,099, respectively. Apple’s new iPhone will be available for pre-order starting September 15th and will officially go on sale on September 22nd.
The iPhone 14 remains in Apple’s iPhone lineup and now has a reduced starting price of $699 (128GB of internal storage). You can also pay $799 for 256GB of storage or $999 for 512GB.
iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 14: is it worth changing?
The iPhone 15 announcement at Apple’s September 2023 event was a pleasant surprise as the company added more features to the iPhone 15 than we expected. There have been rumors that the iPhone 15 will have Dynamic Island, a faster processor than the iPhone 14 Pro, and USB-C with some kind of camera upgrade. However, things like a 48-megapixel sensor, HDR portrait enhancements, and a brighter screen were pleasant surprises, making the iPhone 15 the biggest non-Pro iPhone upgrade in years. Of course, we would have liked a USB-C 3 port to allow for both data transfer and faster charging.
So is it worth buying an iPhone 15 if you already have an iPhone 14? We can’t deny that if you do this, there are a lot of things waiting for you. Dynamic Island adds a completely new element of interaction to the phone. A more powerful camera should be a noticeable improvement, a brighter screen will probably help, and it’s hard to complain about a faster and more efficient processor.
The iPhone 15 isn’t a significant upgrade for iPhone 14 owners, but if you have the extra cash and like what you see, it’s one of the best annual upgrades we’ve seen in a long time.
Source: Digital Trends