The iPhone 15 Plus occupies a sweet spot in Apple’s lineup. It offers a large, beautiful display and powerful performance at a price tag that undercuts the Pro models. But are the compromises worth it? Let’s dive in.
Design: A Notch Above (or Rather, Below)
This year, the iPhone 15 Plus ditches the notch for the sleek Dynamic Island introduced on the iPhone 14 Pro models. This cutout houses the front camera and Face ID sensors, freeing up more screen real estate and providing a more modern look. The phone retains the same aluminum frame and glass back with a new matte black color option that feels premium and resists fingerprints well.
While the display size remains at 6.7 inches, Apple boasts a significant leap in brightness, making content even more vibrant outdoors. However, unlike the Pro models, the refresh rate is stuck at 60Hz. Scrolling and animations might feel a touch less smooth compared to the competition.
Performance: Blazing Fast, Battery Life Better
Apple equips the iPhone 15 Plus with the A16 Bionic chip, the same one found in the iPhone 14 Pro. This chip remains a powerhouse, handling everyday tasks and demanding games with ease. You won’t experience any lag or stutter, ensuring a smooth user experience.
Where the iPhone 15 Plus shines is battery life. Thanks to a larger battery and a more efficient chip, you can easily squeeze out a full day, even with moderate to heavy use. Some users report reaching close to 26 hours of video playback on a single charge. This is a significant improvement over previous Plus models and even rivals the endurance of some Pro models.
Camera: Big Upgrade, But Not Pro-Level
The camera system gets a nice bump with a new 48-megapixel main sensor. Photos are sharp, detailed, and capture excellent colors. It also boasts a 2x telephoto lens, offering a bit more zoom capability compared to the iPhone 14 Plus. However, it lacks the versatility of the Pro models’ triple-lens system, which includes a telephoto lens with a longer zoom range and a dedicated LiDAR scanner for improved depth effects.
Is It Worth the Upgrade?
The iPhone 15 Plus is a compelling option for users who prioritize a large screen and long battery life without needing the absolute top-of-the-line camera features. The A16 Bionic chip ensures smooth performance, and the switch to USB-C is a welcome change for wider accessory compatibility and faster charging.
However, if you’re a photography enthusiast who craves the best zoom capabilities and low-light performance, the iPhone 15 Pro might be worth the extra splurge. Additionally, if you’re coming from an iPhone 13 Plus or even a well-maintained 12 Pro Max, the upgrades might be less substantial.
Ultimately, the iPhone 15 Plus delivers a fantastic user experience at a more reasonable price point than its Pro siblings. It’s a phone that excels in everyday use and caters to users who value a big-screen phone without needing all the bells and whistles of the Pro line.
