The latest iPhones always promise to be a much-improved version of their predecessors, and with the recent launch of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models, you’re probably wondering if it’s worth the upgrade or time to make a switch. While the biggest update is the change from the Lightning to USB-C charging port, the other shiny new features can leave you confused as to whether you should jump the gun or not.
Don’t worry—Next Upgrade is here to help. We break down the good and the bad of the new iPhones so you can arrive at a smart shopping decision and see if the purchase is worth it or not.
The good
From Apple Official Website
Apple’s standard iPhone (the 15 and 15 Plus) gets a lot of noteworthy upgrades vs the iPhone 14. The base models already come with the Dynamic Island, a 48-megapixel main camera, and are powered by the A16 Bionic chip—the same chip that powered the iPhone 14 Pro. Plus, it now comes in pink!
From Apple Official Website
The Pro models, on the other hand, are much lighter—specifically, 19 grams less—than their predecessors. It’s all thanks to the new titanium alloy used on the phone’s exterior compared to previous models’ stainless steel.
The Pros now have USB 3 capabilities, meaning you’ll get faster file transfer speeds vs the base iPhone 15. Internet is also faster as the Pro supports WiFi 6E, which runs at the 6GHz WiFi band. There’s also the addition of the Action button—replacing the previous models’ mute switch—which you can customize to mute and unmute your phone, turn the flashlight on, open the camera app, or turn on Focus mode, among other options.
One of the biggest updates is the A17 Pro chipset, which features an all-new GPU that enables hardware-based ray tracing. What this basically means is that the phone can make games run as if you were playing on a console. For the most part, the Pro’s camera remains unchanged, with the exception of the Pro Max having a 5x telephoto lens instead of the 3x zoom, with a combination of autofocus and sensor-shift stabilizer. The default output resolution is now up to 24 megapixels vs the old models’ 12 megapixels.
The bad
Since the new iPhone 15 models went on sale in the US, it has been plagued with issues. Users have claimed that their phones have been getting quite a lot hotter than expected, and Apple has finally acknowledged this by releasing a software update to iOS 17. This latest patch, 17.0.3, “addresses an issue that may cause the iPhone to run warmer than expected.”
The iPhone 15 Pro Max also went viral after YouTuber Zack Nelson of Jerry Rig Everything subjected it to his famous durability test and it failed miserably in one area. While previous iterations have survived his experiments—from the scratch test to lighting an open flame against the screen to bending the phone, the iPhone 15 Pro Max shattered almost immediately as soon as he tried to bend it. Fortunately, it seems to be an isolated incident as Consumer Reports—a US-based independent, nonprofit member organization trusted for its research and testing—shared that the iPhone 15 models they tested for durability passed with flying colors.
Should you buy an iPhone 15?
If you have an older iPhone, say the 12 and below, then the new leaps in technology may be worth the upgrade. However, if you’re still happy with your 13 or 14 models, then the upgrades in performance and camera quality won’t feel as monumental as updating from an older phone.
Of course, you can always look at it from the price points. On the Apple website, the new iPhone 15 starts at P56,990 and the 15 Pro at P70,990, while the iPhone 14 starts at P49,990. The 14 Pro is no longer available on the official website, but its SRP is at P60,990. If the price difference isn’t a big deal, then go ahead and take the plunge! Whatever you choose, make sure to power it up with a fiber-fast Internet connection like the PLDT Home Fiber Plus Plan so you can make the most out of its features!