iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 15 Pro Buyer's Guide: 35+ Differences Compared

[t0pher]

for me personally i really dont see the justification to pay $200 more for extra features i dont deem to make a whole lot of difference or matter to me. i dont like always on display so fine there. dont use transfer for the speed. could careless about titanium or action button. im also coming from an iphone x

Why upgrade from the x if there are no features on 15 of interest?

I went for the max as I wanted the higher optical zoom.

I’m upgrading from the x as I’m constantly re downloading apps and music as run out of space, I want the location capabilities from the u2 chip, iOS 17 also looks interesting which won’t support x.

Surely a 14 pro would be better than a basic 15 if you don’t need the extras and want to save some cash?

Basic 15 is essentially a 14s, 15 pro’s are the 15. 15 max will be next years basic 16.

Some sleight of hand here from apple in their makings etc.

 

[GuruZac]

Same, I’m on 14 Pro, and thinking 15 Plus. So in my thinking, I’m almost getting a 14 Pro but now with a bigger screen to try.

AOD, most wanted, but tbh, it shows the time constantly on mine.

ProMotion, not sure, can’t say I’ve noticed it really.

3x, yes is handy, but 15 now has 2x so not too bad.

What I am worried about is my 14 Pro had worst battery life, and the 15 has same A16.

I think the battery life will be significantly better for two big reasons:

1. Much larger battery in the 15 Plus
2. No always on display

 

[azentropy]

When do these phones have the greater weight?

Thursdays…

regular or plus for the 15
regular or max for the 15 Pro

 

[TVreporter]

It never ceases to amaze me how people can justify $200 saving on the standard 15, considering it's limitations and the lack of premium materials compared to the Pro's 🫨

In Canada, the Pro 256GB is $1,599 (+taxes) vs. the 15 256GB at $1,279 ( taxes) — over a $320 difference.

You can transfer that difference to and I'll grab the pro if it's an easy justification. #firstworldproblems

 

[stiligFox]

Wait the 15 doesn’t have LIDAR? That’s annoying… it’s been a thing since the iPhone 12. Was looking forward to being to 3D scan things!

 

[mansplains]

intransparent communication about which features the basic iPhone have or not - I cannot understand that anymore.

These comments just reinforce that Apple made the right product segmentation choices, mostly. One commenter absolutely requires the things another commenter doesn't care at all about. Seems like mostly a good fit for everyone.

The bifurcation between pro and non-pro models annoys me personally, I would like Apple to go back to releasing one model annually, or two with size being the only distinction. However, as CarAnalogy said, the segmentation not only gives us more choices, but ensures more sales for Apple. If Apple only released one model annually and 10% of potential buyers decide to skip it due to reasons another model would compensate for, Apple would rather release this second model for customer capture. Apple keeping older models around works similarly, I can buy the iPhone 13 or iPhone 15PM from them, why buy elsewhere if discounts are marginal.

 

[TVreporter]

Unless you’re printing them out, the difference doesn’t even matter. Most people upload them to social media and lose all of the benefits of the pro cameras.

This cannot be highlighted enough - the average consumer is posting to Instagram/TikTok/X/Facebook - they all compress videos and photos and the quality is lost. And unless you're printing monster posters, a 12MP 6x8 will be just as great as a 48MP photo.

Unless you're making a living, is the Pro model really needed or just a want for most?

 

[tuc]

Doesn't the non-pro iPhone 15 support DisplayPort external displays, the same as the 15 Pro?

I don't have any personal knowledge about this, but I read it on MacRumors: https://www.macrumors.com/2023/09/13/all-iphone-15-models-support-displayport/

 

[svish]

With the 120 Hz and the always on display, it is better to go for the Pro model

 

[mcled53]

I keep hearing and reading about “price [points]“ and “design [language].” What makes the price pointy? And can someone write a love poem in design language? These two terms drive me up the wall. Why can’t Apple products just have prices and designs? All the reviewers and YouTubers assume that we are thinking about upgrading from iPhone Y to iPhone Y+1. They are, but we aren’t. While I’m at it, it is perfectly legal to post a YouTube video in which you do not say, “without further ado.”

This is a job for AI:

On a smartphone with edges that curve,
In the hand, it does deftly swerve,
Round and smooth to the touch,
Like an embrace, oh so much,
A design that our senses observe.
-- chatgpt

 

[IPheela]

I've made the odd jump from the 13 mini to the 15 Pro Max. I love the size of the mini, but the battery life and camera are killing me. It's really the camera that was the final decision for me*; I want to be able to take shots of my kids' sports games and performances, and the zoom is just too much to pass up.

*Really my wife made the decision for me. She said if I don't like the size of the Max than she'll take it, and I can buy a new 15 Pro.

Try an SE the battery life is better than the mini

 

[WannaGoMac]

I tend to keep my phones until they aren’t supported anymore. While I think I’d be perfectly happy with the regular 15 (coming from the X), the extra memory and beefier chip makes me think it might be supported longer.

8gb ram is significant and will definitely be worth it if you dont upgrade every 2 years. Memory historically has had a singificant impact on iphones/iPads as they age in terms of usability.

 

[Le Big Mac]

iPhone X to 15 pro max.

I am wondering about the huge leap in size though.

also annoyed that the XS is still supported while my x is not, just hoping that the 15 won't get left behind in future & they place the limit as the 15 ultra.

Both will eventually not be supported, and it tends to be each year's models after 6-7 years. Of course, maybe the 15pro will be supported for an additional year than the 15 . . .but it's several years off regardless.

 

[satchmo]

Wait the 15 doesn’t have LIDAR? That’s annoying… it’s been a thing since the iPhone 12. Was looking forward to being to 3D scan things!

Only in the pro models... starting with iPhone 12 Pro.

Yeah I was surprised too as I'm looking at an iPhone15.

 

[Lakris]

I upgraded from the 14 to 15 pro and I really love having a pro for the first time. I started with the 7, then 11 before the 14 and 15 pro. The only thing is I thought the 15pro would have a better battery than 14, but it might be the aod taking more battery? I. dont't know, but I'm still happy with the phone since it lasts over one day, som times two.
My husband upgraded from the 12 mini, and that was a BIG upgrade.

 

[vakarpochui]

Me personally can't use anything that has regular display without promotion or whatever its called.