Apple’s long-awaited iPhone 15 and 15 Plus have finally made their debut, marking a significant shift for the tech giant. The headline-grabbing change is the adoption of the widely used USB-C port, a departure from Apple’s proprietary Lightning connector. This measure arises in response to the upcoming regulations of the European Union, and the iPhone 15 becomes the pioneer in this transition.
iPhone 15 launched with USB-C, Dynamic Island, 48 MP camera and more! (How does the action button for Pro work?)
Prices and availability
The iPhone 15 starts at a competitive $799 for the 128GB model, while the larger iPhone 15 Plus starts at $899 for its 128GB version. Pre-orders will begin this Friday, with the official release date scheduled for September 22.
Familiar design with some twists
While the addition of USB-C is monumental, those expecting a radical design overhaul might be slightly disappointed. The iPhone 15 series maintains the aesthetic model of its predecessor, with 6.1 and 6.7-inch screens for the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, respectively.
Dynamic island and impressive OLED screen
Dynamic Island expands its presence
All iPhone 15 models come equipped with Dynamic Island, a distinctive pill-shaped cutout that was first introduced on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. This feature offers a new way to view notifications and interact with applications, improving the user experience.
Visual brilliance with Super Retina OLED
The iPhone 15 features a Super Retina OLED display that supports Dolby Vision content and shines with an impressive 1,600 nits of brightness. In sunlight, it reaches a maximum brightness of 2000 nits, twice that of the iPhone 14.
Camera upgrade and powerful internal components
48 megapixel camera and improved features
One of the most notable improvements to the iPhone 15 is the camera system. The main camera now has a 48-megapixel sensor, a substantial improvement over the previous 12-megapixel version. Additionally, the 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens offers telephoto capabilities, while improvements to portrait mode eliminate the need to manually switch.
Night mode, Live Photos and action mode
Apple has also improved Night Mode, Live Photos, and Action Mode on the iPhone 15 camera. Selfie enthusiasts will appreciate the front camera’s autofocus and portrait lighting features.
Performance and battery life
Under the hood, the iPhone 15 houses the A16 chip, the same processor found in last year’s iPhone 14 Pro models. Apple promises “all-day battery life” thanks to a larger battery. The second-generation ultra-wideband chip, similar to the new Apple Watch Series 9, improves connectivity with other devices and enables precise search in Find My, making it easier to locate friends with the latest iPhone 15 models.
The new “action button”
Customizable action button
Apple introduces a revolutionary feature with the iPhone 15 Pro: the “Action Button.” This button, which replaces the ring/vibration switch, can be customized to activate specific functions. Similar to the functionality of the Apple Watch Ultra, the action button can activate the camera, flashlight, voice memo, open notes, change focus modes, or launch custom shortcuts. It also supports accessibility options like Magnifying Glass.
Subtle but significant
While the action button replaces the ringer/vibrate switch by default, maintaining core functionality, it also provides haptic feedback when switching between modes. Apple has kept the traditional physical switch on the regular iPhone 15 for those who prefer it. Although subtle, the action button represents one of the few visually notable changes to the iPhone’s exterior, along with the USB-C port on the bottom of the device.