Expert review Apple iPhone 15 and 15 Plus
Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus
- Easily control the 6.1-inch screen with 1 hand
- Apps open quickly and don't crash
- Multitask even faster thanks to Dynamic Island
- The battery doesn't last as long as that of the iPhone 15 Plus
- Apps open quickly and don't crash
- Multitask even faster thanks to Dynamic Island
- With average use, the battery lasts 1.5 days
- Due to its large size, it's difficult to control this iPhone with 1 hand if you have small hands.
First impression of the Apple iPhone 15
Unpacking a new smartphone is always fun, especially when it's an iPhone. In addition to the iPhone 15, the box contains a nylon USB-C cable and an insert with a few booklets, a SIM needle, and an Apple sticker in it. What strikes me is the nylon USB-C cable. This is the first iPhone with a USB-C port. Apple also used to include a plastic cable. The advantage of a nylon cable is that it's sturdier and more long-lasting than a plastic cable.
Less angular design and no more notch
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The screen with Dynamic Island
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The rounded sides
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The new USB-C port
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The back is made of matte glass
The design of the iPhone 15 has changed in comparison to the iPhone 14. The edges are more rounded and the notch at the top got replaced by a Dynamic Island. The device is also flatter. The back used to be shiny glass, but now it's matte glass. This makes the device look a bit more classy. Thanks to the more rounded edges, the devices feels better in your hand. I got the green version for this review. In real life, the color is lighter than on the pictures I saw earlier.
Fast photo editing and smooth gaming
The iPhone 15 has the same processor as the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max: the A16 Bionic chip. Thanks to this chip and the 6GB RAM, the controls are smooth. Apps open quickly and switching between them is fast. I can very quickly edit photos and videos, for example. The edits are processed in seconds. For this review, I played Sky: Children of the Light. The loading time is short and the app didn't slow down while I was playing.
Multitask quickly with Dynamic Island
In 2022, only the iPhone 14 Pro (Max) had this function. But now you can also find Dynamic Island on the 15 series starter models. This means the space at the top of the screen is way more functional now than compared to the notch of the iPhone 14 and older models. I can quickly control various apps and see notifications while I use other apps via Dynamic Island. This way, I can quickly answer a call, pause my music, or see the battery level of my AirPods when I connect them.
Main camera with 48 megapixels and extra zoom
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The wide-angle and ultra wide-angle lens
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Photo taken with the main camera
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The details remain sharp (zoomed in 2 times)
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Even with the wide-angle lens, photos remain sharp
The iPhone 15 has 2 cameras. The main camera has a wide-angle lens, and the secondary camera an ultra wide-angle lens. All photos I take are razor-sharp and the colors look exactly like how they do in real life. That's even the case in low light thanks to the night mode. The 48-megapixel main camera makes details look extra sharp. I only notice this when I zoom in on photos later. With the new zoom function, I can zoom in twice. These photos are also sharp. Zoomed-in photos on the iPhone 14 were grainy and often blurry.
The extra large iPhone 15 Plus
The iPhone 15 also comes in a larger, 6.8-inch size: the iPhone 15 Plus. In addition to a larger screen, this Plus model has a longer battery life. The difference in battery life with the smaller version is about half a day. The large screen is extra nice when I watch movies and series. A disadvantage is that it doesn't entirely fit in your pocket. The screen is also difficult to control with 1 hand if you have small hands.
Conclusion iPhone 15 review
The iPhone 15 is one of the fastest and best smartphones of this time. I can take sharp and detailed photos with the camera when there's a lot or very little light. The new zoom function is a nice addition as I can now zoom in without quality loss. On the large screen of the iPhone 15 Plus, I can see every details of movies and series. This device is a bit large for my hand and pockets, though.
Trade in your old iPhone for a discount
- Give your old iPhone a second life and get a discount on your new iPhone.
- You can trade in your old iPhone up to 30 days after purchase.
- You can trade it in in one of our Coolblue stores.
