For more than a decade, the iPhone has been rolling out new models year after year. But lately, it feels like they’ve just been repackaging the same phone with minor tweaks.
Now, I’ll be honest—I’m one of the few who hasn’t been all that impressed with recent updates. But the iPhone 15 series? That one actually caught me off guard in a good way. I’ll do my best to keep my personal bias in check and give you nothing but 100% honesty—just like I always do. So, grab a snack or a coffee, and let’s dive in because, boy, do I have a lot to talk about.
Table of Contents
iPhone 15 vs iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: The Verdict
Different people want different things from their phones, so instead of giving you some vague “it depends” answer, I’m going to tell you straight up which phone wins in key categories:
Best for Camera: iPhone 15 Pro Max
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is a photography beast. The 5x telephoto zoom is a game changer, and the ProRAW features let you tweak your shots to perfection. If you love taking photos like me and want the best camera system, this is the one.
Best Battery Life: iPhone 15 Plus
Listen, I’ve tested them all, and the iPhone 15 Plus lasts the longest. Apple won’t admit it outright, but without ProMotion sucking up extra power, this phone just keeps going. You’ll easily get through a full day (and then some) on a single charge.
Best Value for Money: iPhone 15 Plus
You get a big display, long battery life, and flagship performance without paying the Pro tax. Unless you really need the Pro features, this one gives you the most bang for your buck.
Best for Power Users: iPhone 15 Pro
If you’re the type to push your phone to the limits—gaming, heavy multitasking, editing video on the go—the A17 Pro chip and 120Hz display on the iPhone 15 Pro make it the ideal pick.
Best for Compact Lovers: iPhone 15
Not everyone wants a massive phone. The iPhone 15 is small, light, and easy to use with one hand. Plus, you still get solid performance and great cameras without the bulk.
Still with me? Good. Now, let’s get into the more niche details.
iPhone 15 vs iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Detailed Comparison
| Feature | iPhone 15 | iPhone 15 Plus | iPhone 15 Pro | iPhone 15 Pro Max |
| Price | $799 | $899 | $999 | $1,199 |
| Display Size | 6.1 inches | 6.7 inches | 6.1 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | 120Hz (ProMotion) | 120Hz (ProMotion) |
| CPU | A16 Bionic | A16 Bionic | A17 Pro | A17 Pro |
| Base Storage | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 256GB |
| Rear Cameras | 48MP main, 12MP ultrawide | 48MP main, 12MP ultrawide | 48MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto (3x) | 48MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto (5x) |
| Front Camera | 12MP | 12MP | 12MP | 12MP |
| Charging Port | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C (with fast data transfer) | USB-C (with fast data transfer) |
| Weight | 171 g (6.02 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) | 187 g (6.6 oz) | 221 g (7.81 oz) |
| Dimensions | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm | 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.25 mm | 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25 mm |
| Battery Life | Moderate | Long-lasting | Good but affected by refresh rate | Great but high refresh rate drains faster |
| Build Material | Aluminum and glass | Aluminum and glass | Titanium | Titanium |
| Special Features | Dynamic Island | Dynamic Island | Action Button | Action Button |
Design & Build
All four models look similar at first glance, but the devil’s in the details.
- iPhone 15 & 15 Plus: These keep the aluminum frame and glass back. They’re lightweight, feel premium, and come in some actual colors for once (the pink is a vibe).
- iPhone 15 Pro & 15 Pro Max: These get the fancy titanium treatment, making them lighter but still feeling super solid. Also, the new Action Button replaces the mute switch, which is nice… if you actually use it.
Winner: iPhone 15 Pro Max (because titanium is flex-worthy, but the iPhone 15 Plus still looks great).
Display
- iPhone 15 & 15 Plus: 60Hz refresh rate… in 2024? Really, Apple? It’s still bright and pretty, but scrolling isn’t as smooth as the Pro models.
- iPhone 15 Pro & 15 Pro Max: 120Hz ProMotion display. It’s smoother, faster, and just better.
Winner: iPhone 15 Pro & Pro Max (because high refresh rate is life).
Battery Life
I don’t care what Apple says—the iPhone 15 Plus lasts the longest. I’ve tested it, and this thing just keeps going. The Pro Max is great too, but that high refresh rate eats battery.
Winner: iPhone 15 Plus (no contest).
Camera
- iPhone 15 & 15 Plus: 48MP main sensor—pretty solid. Night mode is good, and it’s a big upgrade if you’re coming from an older iPhone.
- iPhone 15 Pro: Basically the same as the 15, but with ProRAW and better processing.
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: The 5x zoom is insane. If you’re a camera nerd, this is the one to get. (check the next section for more camera details)
Winner: iPhone 15 Pro Max (if you care about zoom and pro features).
Performance & Chipset
- iPhone 15 & 15 Plus: A16 Bionic. Still fast, still smooth, but not the latest.
- iPhone 15 Pro & 15 Pro Max: A17 Pro. Marginally faster, but unless you’re gaming like a maniac, you won’t notice a huge difference.
Winner: iPhone 15 Pro & Pro Max (but barely).
Price & Value
- iPhone 15: The cheapest, but you get what you pay for.
- iPhone 15 Plus: Bigger screen, better battery, still cheaper than the Pros.
- iPhone 15 Pro: Expensive, but with ProMotion and better materials.
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: The priciest, but you get the best camera.
Winner: iPhone 15 Plus (because it gives you the best balance of features for the price).
Do We Actually Need the Zoom Camera?
Alright, let’s talk about this so-called must-have feature—zoom cameras. Sometimes, it feels like people believe they’re auditioning for National Geographic, thinking they need to capture a crystal-clear image of a bird’s eyelashes from 100 feet away.
Reality check: most of us are just zooming in on blurry concert videos or our pets doing something mildly funny.
Now, let’s compare what we actually get. The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus? Standard cameras, great for everyday photos, and honestly, that’s all most people need.
The Pro and Pro Max? Fancy periscope zoom on the Max and a bit of extra reach on the Pro.
Here are two examples of zoom pictures.
iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 15 Plus
Is there a difference in the room with us? Not sure.
Cool? Sure. Necessary? Debatable. The Pro Max gets 5x zoom, which is an improvement—if you’re really into taking close-ups of things far away. But let’s be real, for most daily photography (aka food pics and selfies), that zoom will collect digital dust.
In my opinion, the only real difference between the Pro models and the regular ones is that zoom. The sensors? Mostly the same. The image processing? Identical. If Apple ditched the zoom, would anyone actually care? Or are we just trained to think that bigger numbers = better? Because let’s be honest, most people just use the 1x and 0.5x ultra-wide anyway.
So, back to the question, do we actually need the zoom camera? If you’re a professional wildlife photographer, go for it. But for the rest of us? Maybe it’s time to stop pretending we’re shooting the next award-winning documentary and admit that a regular camera does just fine. Sue me.
Alternatives to the iPhone 15 Series
If the iPhone 15 lineup doesn’t quite hit the mark for you, here are some solid alternatives:
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra – The Ultimate Flagship
If you’re looking for the most powerful Android phone with cutting-edge camera technology, a built-in S Pen, and an ultra-smooth 1440p display, the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the one to watch. Samsung is taking mobile photography to the next level, refining its zoom capabilities to push beyond anything the iPhone 15 Pro Max offers. With upgraded AI-powered image processing and a sleek new design, it’s shaping up to be a true powerhouse. And the best part? You can pre-order it here and be one of the first to get your hands on it.
Google Pixel 8 Pro – The Camera King
If photography is your top priority but you’re not sold on Apple’s ecosystem, the Pixel 8 Pro is a no-brainer.
Google’s AI-powered image processing makes it almost impossible to take a bad photo, especially in low light.
Plus, it’s more affordable than the iPhone 15 Pro Max while still offering a smooth Android experience with guaranteed software updates for years.
OnePlus 11 – Best Bang for Your Buck
For those who want flagship-level performance without the Apple or Samsung price tag, the OnePlus 11 is an excellent choice.
It packs a 120Hz AMOLED display, a powerful Snapdragon chip, and insanely fast charging that puts iPhones to shame.
If you don’t care about iMessage or Apple’s walled garden, this phone is an absolute steal at its price point.
Conclusion
So, which one should you get? If you want “the absolute best iPhone,” the 15 Pro Max wins. But if you’re like me and care about battery, value, and a big screen without the Pro tax, the iPhone 15 Plus is the real MVP.
At the end of the day, all four are great, but let’s be honest—Apple just wants you to spend more money, so make sure to choose wisely.
Yours truly,
S, XOXO
