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Apple iOS 17 Released Sep 2023 Discontinued

Apple iPhone 15

8.4 / 10
Compass Score
Based on 58 critic reviews

Where to buy

Checked Oct 23
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iOS 17 Operating system
6.1" Screen size
48MP f/1.6 Main camera
A16 Bionic (4 nm) Hexa-core Processor
128/256/ 512 GB Storage
3,349 mAh Battery

Verdict

The phone offers useful features and solid cameras, but its display may feel dated next to competitors.

+
What's good
+ Dynamic Island feature
+ Improved main camera
+ USB-C charging
+ Comfortable in-hand feel
+ Decent battery life
−
What's not
− 60Hz display
− Lacks telephoto camera
− No always-on display
− USB 2.0 speeds
− Color options pale
By category

Key specs

What critics say

Critic consensus

Cnet · Editors' Choice · 2023
Compass Score
58 reviews
weighted by credibility
PC Magazine
PC Magazine
8

“The iPhone 15 is the most sensible pick in Apple's lineup, delivering good everyday performance and all of the features you expect for a reasonable price.”

GSMArena
GSMArena
8.2

“In our view, Apple has again managed to strike the delicate balance between familiarity and meaningful innovation - enough to justify an upgrade to the iPhone 15 from an older vanilla iPhone model. And as usual, the Android realm has better hardware and overall value to offer, though that almost seems irrelevant and beside the point.”

Ars Technica
Ars Technica

“These are excellent smartphones, but they already were. If you have an iPhone from at least three years ago, or maybe even longer, you might notice a difference, and it might be worth upgrading. If you have a more recent one, you’re probably good with what you’ve got unless you're committed to being on the bleeding edge of mobile photography.”

Macworld
Macworld
8

“The iPhone 15 isn’t an exciting product, thanks to its old-fashioned design and similarity to last generation’s iPhone 14. But it is a very solid smartphone with a strong feature set at (by Apple’s standards) an affordable price.”

Third-party data

Testing & benchmarks

AnTuTu v11 · Performance
1,633,177
DxOMark v5 · Camera
145
Photo 147 · Video 153
#52 globally
Performance in context · AnTuTu v11
Apple iPhone 15
1.63M
1.58M
Video reviews

Watch before you decide

Reviews
iPhone 15 – Real Day In The Life (Battery, Camera, USB-C)
Nikias Molina
iPhone 15 Review: Welcome to the Club!
Marques Brownlee
Apple iPhone 15 full review
GSMArena Official
Long-term
iPhone 15 Long Term Review – One of the Best!!
JSL Review
iPhone 15: A Photographer’s Review
Tyler Stalman
Comparisons
iPhone 15 vs. 15 Plus vs. 15 Pro vs. 15 Pro Max Battery Test
PhoneBuff
Long-term
iPhone 15 vs iPhone 16 in 2026: Why I Recommend the iPhone 15 Over the 16
TECH TITANS
iPhone 17e Battery Life Drain Test 🔋📉 – 17e vs 16e vs 16 vs 15 vs 14 vs 13!
SimplyPops
S24 vs. Pixel 8 vs. iPhone 15: Which Should You Buy?
Mark Spurrell
Long-term
Galaxy S24 vs iPhone 15 – 6 Months Later
Nick Ackerman
Samsung Galaxy S24 vs iPhone 15 – Choose Wisely!
Matthew Moniz
iPhone 17e vs iPhone 15 – Should You Upgrade? (Camera Test, Speed, Speakers & Design)
Matthews Tech
Samsung Galaxy A55 vs iPhone 15 Camera Test Comparison
Quick unbox 101
Google Pixel 9 VS iPhone 15 Camera Test Comparison
DrTech
Camera tests
New iPhone 15 Blue: First Look and Camera Test
Steven Divish
Long-term
iPhone 15 Camera Test in 2026🔥| Best Camera Phone in Apple History
Sharii Tech

In Depth

Design

The iPhone 15 design takes subtle leaps to improve comfort. Reviewers note its slightly softer edges are more comfortable in hand compared to previous models. These changes create a more forgiving grip, reducing sharpness and adding elegance without altering the signature flat edges.

Experts highlight that the rear glass now sports a smooth, frosted matte texture. This choice over clear glass aesthetics makes the phone less grippy, yet somehow easier to handle one-handed. This thoughtful design tweak also sidesteps fingerprints, maintaining a clean look throughout use.

Display(s)

The display shines bright outdoors at 2000 nits, making it easy to view even in direct sunlight. This means you can see more detail in bright light. Thanks to this display, you’ll enjoy watching videos and playing games with vivid clarity.

The lack of a 120Hz refresh rate like the Pro models might be noticeable if you appreciate smoother scrolling. As “experts have pointed out, ‘The iPhone 15 screen keeps the refresh rate at 60Hz, making it feel dated’ in a world of faster displays,” reports Insider.

Despite this setback, the Dynamic Island enriches the experience with dynamic notifications, adding value to this appealing screen.

Performance

The heart of the iPhone 15’s performance is its A16 Bionic chip, initially found in last year’s Pro models. With a 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU, it seamlessly handles demanding apps and games, providing a high-speed user experience that modern smartphone users appreciate.

Despite being a year behind the latest Pro models, the iPhone 15’s processing power holds up well even for intensive tasks, making it a future-proof choice for everyday use. On this, experts have observed that it “outperforms far pricier Android phones,” showcasing its excellent value.

Even in real-world scenarios like switching between apps or editing photos, you’ll find its operations fluid and responsive. Overall, the iPhone 15 is built to last and performs consistently, ensuring satisfaction for years ahead.

Software & Storage

The iPhone 15 introduces the Dynamic Island, transforming the notch into an interactive feature that displays notifications and status updates seamlessly.

This smarter interface allows you to handle music playback or check a timer without switching apps, making multitasking more intuitive and efficient.

The interface remains user-friendly, providing a more accessible experience for those familiar with Apple’s straightforward design while adding new interactive capabilities as highlighted by multiple reviews. According to one source, “The Dynamic Island is a stepping stone to a clearer, all-screen experience,” making it a key attraction for those upgrading from older models.

Cameras

The iPhone 15’s camera brings a 48MP main sensor, a major upgrade from the 12MP in previous models. It captures more detail and delivers rich, accurate colors in varying light conditions. Expert reviewers highlight the phone’s ability to turn regular photos into Portrait mode images post-capture, adding an artistic touch.

The camera’s low light performance is notably better than its predecessors, thanks to the improved sensor. You can achieve optical-quality 2x zoom without having a dedicated telephoto lens, broadening your photo-taking possibilities. While it’s missing some features found in the Pro model, the iPhone 15’s camera setup provides a versatile and satisfying experience for everyday photography.

Battery

The battery life of the iPhone 15 remains solid, similar to what you expect from previous models, comfortably lasting through a busy day with mixed usage. If you’re familiar with the battery capabilities of phones with a similar size, this won’t be much different.

Perhaps the most noticeable change is the new USB-C charging port, replacing the older Lightning connector, a move towards standardization. This shift means easier cable management, as many gadgets now incorporate USB-C. Charging times are more or less similar, reaching 50% in around 30 minutes with a 20W charger, though some may wish for faster speeds.

“While it’s a necessary evolution,” as experts highlight, “Apple’s inclusion of USB-C doesn’t significantly enhance charging speed when compared with previous Lightning port standards.” Wireless charging and MagSafe support continue to offer versatile charging options.

Audio

Experts praise the iPhone 15 for its exceptional audio quality, especially when streaming movies or playing games. The speakers deliver clear and rich sound, making watching your favorite shows a delight.

For calls, the precise microphones ensure your voice is heard clearly, even in bustling environments. Reviewers from Insider note,”When making calls, the iPhone 15’s microphones pick up your voice clearly,” which enhances everyday communication.

Whether for entertainment or essential conversations, the audio improvements create a better, more engaging audio experience.

The Bottom Line

This phone brings good value by incorporating some features from premium models, like the improved 48MP camera and Dynamic Island. Reviewers appreciated the move to USB-C, simplified notifications with Dynamic Island, and a matte finish that resists fingerprints.

As others have noted, its 60Hz screen lags behind competitors’ screens and lacks always-on functionality, potential drawbacks if smooth visuals matter to you.

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