The Complete iPhone 15 Release Guide

The iPhone 15 lineup was announced on September 12, 2023, at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, with devices becoming available on September 22, 2023. Each year, Apple introduces the newest generation of iPhone alongside all the bells, whistles, widgets, and features enthusiasts could hope for. That year was no different, with the company announcing a grand total of four new smartphones and two watch models.

 

However, with so many options, which one do you choose? Do you go with the base model iPhone 15, starting at $799 and perfect for light use, calls, and texts? Or do you go for the iPhone 15 Pro Max at $1,199 and get your hands on one of the best smartphones of that generation? There’s also the iPhone 15 Plus at $899 and the iPhone 15 Pro at $999, each offering their own compelling mix of features and value.

 

We’re here to help you decide between Apple’s competitive flagship devices to get the best combination of form, function, and affordability.

The iPhone 15 Lineup

The 2023 Apple device lineup follows a familiar structure to previous years. On September 12, 2023, at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, Apple announced a total of four new smartphones: the standard iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, alongside the higher-end iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Pre-orders opened on September 15, 2023, with devices hitting shelves on September 22, 2023.

 

The iPhone 15 Pro made headlines as the first smartphone to feature Apple’s A17 Pro chip, built on an industry-first 3-nanometer process. The lineup also introduced a significant display upgrade, reaching up to 2,000 nits of brightness in direct sunlight – twice the capability of the iPhone 14. On the sustainability front, the base iPhone 15 was built with 100% recycled cobalt in the battery and 75% recycled aluminum in the frame.

 

As for pricing, the iPhone 15 started at $799, the iPhone 15 Plus at $899, the iPhone 15 Pro at $999, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max at $1,199. Apple also announced two new Apple Watch models alongside the iPhone lineup, making 2023 a strong year for the company’s wearable ecosystem as well. Let’s look a little closer at each model’s features, capabilities, and connectivity.

iPhone 15 and iPhone 15+

The iPhone 15 has several new features and improvements over the iPhone 14. Here are some of the highlights.

• The A16 Bionic chip is faster and more efficient than the A15 chip in the iPhone 14. Expect snappier performance, quicker response times, and faster loading both on WiFi and 5G networks.
• The iPhone 15 has a larger battery than the iPhone 14, providing longer battery life. This expanded battery means you can game, stream, call, or text longer than before without wearing your device down too quickly.
• The iPhone 15 includes the U2 ultra wideband chip for better location services, connectivity, and device finding. You’ll get better responses from the Find My application, and the iPhone 15 will provide both audio and haptic confirmation when you’re close to your devices.
• The iPhone 15 uses more advanced machine learning that prioritizes your voice. Combined with a better chip that can take advantage of the 5G network, you can expect crisper calls with fewer vocal distortions and dropped connections.
• The iPhone 15 has a Voice Isolation tool that filters out background noise, meaning clearer calls and less confusion.
• The display reaches up to 2,000 nits of brightness in direct sunlight — twice the brightness of the iPhone 14 — making it significantly easier to see your screen outdoors.
• Apple made meaningful strides in sustainability with the iPhone 15, incorporating 100% recycled cobalt in the battery and 75% recycled aluminum in the frame.

Overall, the iPhone 15 is a solid upgrade over the iPhone 14, offering faster performance, longer battery life, and improved features like the U2 ultra wideband chip, Voice Isolation, and a dramatically brighter display. The base iPhone 15 started at $799, with the iPhone 15 Plus starting at $899. If you’re looking for a capable iPhone at a more accessible price point, the iPhone 15 remains well worth considering.

iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max

The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max represent the higher-end, more powerful devices Apple showcases yearly. Alongside the company’s most advanced chip, the Pro and Pro Max generally also have higher build quality than their base model counterparts. This remains true of this generation, with a device that uses robust titanium, aluminum, and ceramic to create durable, stylish, and functional smartphones.

Naturally, the enhancements aren’t strictly physical, either. The Pro and Pro Max also have stronger cameras, quicker performance, and greater connectivity.

Here are some of the key features of the iPhone 15 Pro.

• A17 Pro chip: The Pro has some performance gains over the 15 and 15 Plus. The new generation includes the latest Apple Silicon, featuring the industry’s first three-nanometer chip, the A17 Pro. This chip allows for faster processing and better graphics, delivering up to 10% faster CPU performance and up to 30% faster GPU performance than the A16 Bionic chip. The chip also requires less power than previous iterations, leading to stronger battery life and better lifespan performance.
• Brighter display: The iPhone 15 Pro’s display reaches up to 2,000 nits of brightness in direct sunlight – twice what the iPhone 14 could manage – making it significantly easier to use outdoors in bright conditions.
• Triple-lens rear camera system: The triple-lens rear camera system includes a 48-megapixel main wide-angle lens, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 12-megapixel telephoto lens. The camera system also includes a LiDAR scanner for improved autofocus and AR capabilities. If you love smartphone photography and videography, the 15 Pro and Pro Max come with some of the best onboard cameras in the industry.
• Customizable action button: The action button can be customized to perform different tasks, such as launching the camera, starting a voice memo, or opening accessibility features. This gives you greater control over how you interact with your iPhone.
• USB-C connectivity: The iPhone 15 Pro features USB-C connectivity for faster data transfer and charging. You can now charge your device with any USB-C cable, making it more universally compatible with other devices and accessories.
• Sustainability: The iPhone 15 Pro incorporates 100% recycled cobalt in the battery and 75% recycled aluminum in the frame, reflecting Apple’s ongoing commitment to its environmental goals.
• Available in black titanium, white titanium, blue titanium, and natural titanium.

The iPhone 15 Pro starts at $999, while the Pro Max starts at $1,199. If you want the latest, greatest, and most innovative smartphones available, you’ll probably spend some time deciding between the two. Each has a compelling argument for a purchase, and the differences between them aren’t so stark that you’re liable to feel massive buyer’s remorse choosing one over the other.

The Designs

Overall, don’t expect anything too crazy regarding this lineup’s design changes. While there are visible cosmetic changes to several of the models, they don’t stand out enough to make or break a purchase decision unless you’re a big fan of razor-thin bezels.

 

The four primary handsets come in two sizes: 6.1″ for the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro, and 6.7″ for the iPhone 15 Plus and Pro Max. In general, Apple has tried to maximize viewable screen size this generation, trimming down margins and expanding the front screen to its fullest potential. The display also received a significant brightness upgrade, reaching up to 2,000 nits in direct sunlight – twice the capability of the iPhone 14.

 

The base models use aluminum frames made with 75% recycled aluminum, continuing Apple’s push toward more sustainable materials. The Pro and Pro Max, on the other hand, step things up with premium titanium alloy frames, giving those devices a noticeably more refined, high-quality feel compared to their predecessors.

 

Apple also made sustainability a focus beyond just the frames – the iPhone 15’s battery incorporates 100% recycled cobalt, a notable step forward for the company’s environmental commitments across the lineup.

The Displays

The iPhone 15 features the Dynamic Island, which displays live information such as flight updates, game scores, and more. It also works seamlessly with iOS 17, including the Standby feature that displays helpful information when your device is turned on its side while charging. Standby automatically initiates when charging, though you can toggle this setting on and off.

 

The iPhone 15 features a Super Retina XDR Display with OLED technology and Dolby Vision support. The iPhone 15 has a 6.1-inch screen, while the 15 Plus has a larger 6.7-inch screen. Both models received a significant brightness upgrade over their predecessors, with the display capable of reaching up to 2,000 nits of brightness in direct sunlight – twice what the iPhone 14 could manage.

 

Each device is polished with nano-crystalline particles and then etched to give it a smooth feel and superior sheen that users associate with Apple products. The Ceramic Shield front cover provides greater drop and shock resistance, and you can take steps to avoid a broken iPhone screen as well. The device also has robust water and dust resistance built in. The iPhone 15 includes a 48-megapixel main camera that can maximize image and video resolution and capture fine details even when zoomed in.

 

While the always-on display is an enticing feature for some, keep in mind that it is not available on the standard iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Plus. If you want to take advantage of always-on content, widgets, and certain app integrations, you’ll need to opt for the iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max models instead.

The Cameras

The latest iPhones use a blend of computational photography and sensor groups that cluster pixels together for better image captures. The phone’s built-in engine then optimizes the light capture and combines it with a high-resolution image for superior details, crisp shots, and stunning color recreation. This process creates a 24-megapixel photo that is beautiful without an inflated file size that’ll eat up your phone’s storage. If your storage is getting full, learn how to delete photos on your iPhone to free up space. The iPhone 15 also has a 12-megapixel camera that enables 2x telephoto zoom and image stabilization, leading to more precise, crisper images.

 

You can frame scenes using the 4K Cinematic Mode, which includes enhanced portrait photography capabilities. The iPhone 15 uses machine learning to recognize when there is a subject in the shot and automatically introduces rich depth touches to the finished images. That way, you never have to worry about forgetting to turn on Portrait Mode. You can also switch the focus in images even after taking a picture, making it simpler to capture the perfect shot every single time.

 

Night Mode provides better dark scene lighting and true-to-life colors than ever before. The iPhone 15 uses Smart HDR technology to provide brighter highlights and richer deep tones without compromising the image’s overall quality. If you’re curious how Night Mode stacks up against the competition, check out our iPhone 14 vs. Galaxy S23 night photography comparison. You can take stunning photos and videos daily with the iPhone 15’s multiple cameras.

 

For the Pro and Pro Max, the camera is another big draw. It blends multiple lenses, computational power, and strong hardware to create a device with the equivalent of seven camera lenses. Like other models, it uses a 48-megapixel main camera but also includes a larger sensor for stronger Night Mode photos and better light capture.

 

The device can shoot high-definition photos in 24, 28, and 35mm and also includes stronger focus and depth control alongside macro photography options with up to 5x optical zoom on the Pro Max for a powerful, multipurpose camera. The Pro models also benefit from the A17 Pro chip — the industry’s first 3-nanometer chip — which significantly boosts computational photography performance, enabling faster processing, improved low-light rendering, and more accurate color science across all shooting modes.

The Specs

The iPhone 15 lineup consists of four different handsets, each with differing specifications that could tip you toward one model over another. The base iPhone 15 has three storage options: 128, 256, and 512GB, each with 6GB onboard RAM. Not sure how much storage you need? The iPhone 15+ comes with the same storage and RAM options available, though where the iPhone 15 has a Li-Ion 3349 mAh battery built in, the 15+ has a Li-Ion 4383 mAh, which offers some noticeable battery improvements.

 

Moving on to the iPhone 15 Pro, there are four storage options: 128, 256, and 512GB, as well as 1TB. Each option includes 8GB onboard RAM for snappier performance and computation. The 15 Pro is powered by Apple’s A17 Pro chip – the industry’s first 3-nanometer chip at the time of its release – delivering a meaningful performance leap over its predecessor. The 15 Pro’s battery is a Li-Ion 3274 mAh, a slight compromise for the increased performance.

 

As for the Pro Max, there are only three storage options, as Apple has forgone the 128GB selection for this model. Instead, there are 256 and 512GB options alongside 1TB. Like the Pro, the Pro Max has 8GB onboard RAM in each model and is also powered by the A17 Pro chip. The Pro Max has the most robust battery of all four models, using a Li-Ion 4422 mAh.

 

In terms of pricing at launch, the base iPhone 15 started at $799, the iPhone 15 Plus at $899, the iPhone 15 Pro at $999, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max at $1,199. It’s also worth noting that Apple made a sustainability push with this lineup, incorporating 100% recycled cobalt in the battery and 75% recycled aluminum in the frame of the base models.

Launch Dates and Prices

The iPhone 15 lineup was announced on September 12, 2023, at an Apple Event held at Apple Park in Cupertino, California. Pre-orders opened just three days later on September 15, 2023, with all models becoming available for purchase – both online and in-store – on September 22, 2023.

 

Pricing across the lineup reflects the different tiers and capabilities of each model. The iPhone 15 started at $799, the iPhone 15 Plus at $899, the iPhone 15 Pro at $999, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max at $1,199, with the Pro models starting at 256 GB of storage. These prices were consistent with the previous generation, making the upgrade a relatively straightforward value proposition for those comparing iPhone costs coming from older devices.

 

Naturally, different carriers will have varying trade-in offers, specials, and discounts, but these often come at the cost of higher monthly bills, extended service contracts, or installment loans. When you’re ready to find your next smartphone or handset, try shopping with Gazelle.

Trade in and Upgrade with Gazelle 

Gazelle is a great place to buy and sell Apple products. Whether you’re looking to upgrade to a newer model or find a great deal on a recent release, we’ve got you covered. Take advantage of our wide selection of lightly used iPhones, including models from the iPhone 15 lineup – which starts at $799 new for the base model – at significantly reduced prices. We offer a wide variety of products, and our prices are very competitive. You can also trade in your old device, which can save you a lot of money on your new purchase. Not sure which iPhone is right for you? Check out our 2024 holiday gift guide to help you decide. Visit our site to learn about Gazelle’s rental phone program and start saving today!

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