iPhone 15 Pro vs. iPhone 15: Which Should You Buy

When deciding between the iPhone 15 Pro and the regular iPhone 15 model, one must carefully consider the options in order to make an informed choice. This decision becomes even more crucial now that the iPhone 15 has received enhancements in its camera system and the introduction of Dynamic Island, which have significantly reduced the gap between the two models. The primary question that arises is whether the distinctions between these phones hold any significant value, and if it is truly worth investing an additional $200 for the iPhone 15 Pro. To assist in answering this inquiry, we have compiled a detailed comparison between the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro that can provide valuable insights. As you decide on which to buy, don’t forget to also buy either an iPhone 15 phone case or an iPhone 15 Pro phone case for extra protection.

Now, let’s examine some of the key differences starting with the price.

Price And Availability

The iPhone 15 will have a starting price of $799 / £799 / AU$1,499, while the iPhone 15 Pro will start at $999 / £999 / AU$1,849. Both models will come with 128GB of storage, but users have the option to upgrade to 256GB or 512GB for an additional cost, the exact amount of which remains undisclosed. Additionally, the iPhone 15 Pro will also offer an impressive 1TB storage option. The highly anticipated iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro had pre-orders opened on September 15 and ended on 22. September 22 is the day the new iPhone 15 models will become available in physical retail locations.

Design And Display

In spite of the shared 6.1-inch screen, the iPhone 15 surpasses the iPhone 15 Pro in terms of size. The standard model measures 5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches, while the Pro variant is slightly smaller, measuring 5.77 x 2.78 x 0.32 inches. This minute disparity can be attributed to Apple’s efforts to slim down the bezel on the Pro model, allowing for a reduction in overall size while maintaining the expansive display. Both phones boast the use of Apple’s Ceramic Glass, renowned as the most robust display glass available in the market. Furthermore, these devices feature contoured edges, enhancing comfort and providing a better grip. Additionally, Apple has successfully reduced the weight of both models in this latest iteration. Notably, both phones have transitioned from the traditional Lightning port to USB-C, enabling users to utilize the same charger for all their devices. However, the Pro model holds an advantage with its USB 3.0 data transfer speeds of 10 GBps, surpassing the iPhone 15’s limitation to the previous Lightning speed of 480 Mbps.

Performance and Software

In terms of its processing power, the iPhone 15 Pro leaps ahead with its cutting-edge A17 Bionic chip, whereas the iPhone 15 relies on the slightly older A16 Bionic chip. The introduction of the A17 chip marks a significant advancement in technology. While chip enhancements are a common occurrence annually, it is not often that we witness a transition to a novel manufacturing process like the one employed in the A17 chip. This latest chip iteration embraces 3nm manufacturing, resulting in a noteworthy increase in transistor count, power capacity, and overall efficiency within the confines of the same compact di77 size. The new A17 Bionic chip may not be the sole reason to upgrade, as both the A17 and A16 chips are already quite speedy, but it is undeniably a highly appreciated and worthwhile upgrade. There is a specific group that will greatly benefit from the introduction of the new chip, and that is none other than gamers! With the inclusion of the advanced 6-core GPU in the A17, there are not only significant enhancements in terms of maximum speeds but also remarkable improvements in the chip’s ability to maintain high-performance levels over extended periods.

Camera

This year, the regular iPhone 15 is set to receive a significant boost in terms of its camera capabilities. The highlight of this upgrade is the inclusion of a remarkable 48-megapixel primary camera sensor, which brings forth a multitude of advantages. The regular model receives significant camera upgrades, while the 15 Pro also introduces a number of exciting new features. Those well-versed in the world of cameras are aware that one of the primary factors that make the 15 Pro a more favorable choice compared to the standard 15 model is its remarkable 3X zoom camera. This addition not only enhances the device’s zoom capabilities but also greatly contributes to the overall quality of portrait mode shots. In regards to the Pro version, it previously underwent an upgrade to a more advanced 48-megapixel sensor in the previous year. However, in the current year, it has adopted a 25% larger 48MP sensor, which brings about notable enhancements, particularly in the realm of low-light photography. Apple has come up with a fantastic innovation by enabling both phones to capture stunningly detailed photos with a 24-megapixel resolution. This advancement strikes an ideal balance between lower-detail 12MP images and incredibly detailed yet excessively large 48MP pictures. Kudos to Apple for this brilliant idea!

In addition to all of the aforementioned benefits, the Pro model offers an impressive array of new focal lengths that are specifically designed to provide optical-grade quality. These include the 1.2X, also known as 28mm, and the 1.5X, also known as 35mm. These focal lengths are truly remarkable as they offer a significant increase in versatility compared to the standard options. At first glance, you may not fully grasp the magnitude of these upgrades, but rest assured, they will greatly enhance your photography experience. One additional video feature that is exclusively available on the Pro version is the Spatial Video, a unique functionality that offers a sense of depth and can be fully enjoyed through the immersive experience provided by the state-of-the-art Apple Reality Pro headset.

Battery Life and Charging

First of all, if you want a good battery life, then you should buy a reliable Magsafe charger for your iPhone. The iPhone 15 Pro and the regular iPhone 15 differ in terms of battery size, with the former featuring a slightly smaller 3,274 mAh battery and the latter boasting a 3,349 mAh battery. Despite this minor discrepancy, Apple claims that the iPhone 15 Pro actually outperforms the regular iPhone 15 in terms of battery life when it comes to video streaming. On the other hand, the regular iPhone 15 manages to last a little longer when it comes to audio playback.

See all battery life information below.

	iPhone 15 Pro	iPhone 15
Battery Size	3,274 mAh	3,349 mAh
Video Playback	23	20
Video Streaming	20	16
Audio Playback	75	80

iPhone 15‌ Pro and iPhone 15 Differences Compared

‌iPhone 15 Pro	‌iPhone 15
Titanium and glass design	Aluminum and glass design
Slightly smaller due to slimmer borders around the display
Weighs 187g or 221g	Weighs 171g or 201g
Action button	Ring/Silent switch
ProMotion with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz
Always-on display	A16 Bionic chip (5nm)
A17 Pro chip (3nm)
6-core CPU (up to 10% faster)	6-core CPU
6-core GPU with hardware-accelerated ray tracing (up to 20% faster)	5-core GPU
16-core Neural Engine (up to 2x faster)	16-core Neural Engine
Dedicated AV1 decoder
8GB memory	6GB memory
“Pro” triple camera system	“Advanced” dual-camera system
48-megapixel Main camera with ƒ/1.78 aperture and larger sensor	48-megapixel Main camera with ƒ/1.6 aperture
12-megapixel Ultra Wide camera with ƒ/2.2 aperture	12-megapixel Ultra Wide camera with ƒ/2.4 aperture
12-megapixel Telephoto camera with ƒ/2.8 aperture (unit with a larger sensor, folded tetra prism design, and autofocus 3D sensor-shift module on Pro Max model only)
0.5x, 1x, 2x, 3x, and 5x optical zoom (5x on Pro Max only, no 3x)	0.5x, 1x, and 2x optical zoom
Second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization	Sensor-shift optical image stabilization
Adaptive True Tone flash	True Tone flash
LiDAR scanner
Night mode portraits
Macro photography
Apple ProRAW
Shoot and instantly transfer 48-megapixel ProRAW images to Mac via USB 3
Record video directly to an external drive
ProRes video recording up to 4K at 30 fps (60 fps with external recording)
Macro video recording, including slo‑mo and time‑lapse
Log video recording
Academy Color Encoding System
Record spatial video for Apple Vision Pro
USB 3 transfer speeds (up to 10Gb/s, 20x faster)	USB 2 transfer speeds (up to 480Mb/s)
DisplayPort support for up to 4K HDR video output
Wi‑Fi 6E connectivity	Wi‑Fi 6 connectivity
Thread networking technology
23- or 29-hour battery life	20- or 26-hour battery life
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options (no 128GB on Pro Max)	128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage options
Natural Titanium, Blue Titanium, White Titanium, and Black Titanium color options	Yellow, Blue, Pink, Green, and Black color options
Starts at $999	Starts at $799

Conclusion

When it comes down to it, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 have become increasingly similar, making it harder to choose between the two. The iPhone 15 Pro offers advantages such as speed, smooth scrolling, a slightly longer battery life, and a wider zoom range. It also includes a new button and some Pro features that cater to specific needs. If these aspects are important to you, then the iPhone 15 Pro is worth considering. On the other hand, the iPhone 15 now boasts a significantly improved camera, the addition of Dynamic Island, a slightly lighter weight, and a wider range of vibrant color options. In all likelihood, you’ll still be perfectly satisfied with the iPhone 15, as it offers plenty of capabilities too. So, the choice is yours, enjoy!