iPhone 15 vs. 15 Plus vs. 15 Pro vs. 15 Pro Max – Which one is more worthwhile?

After a waiting time that has seemed quite long, the iPhone 15 has finally arrived. And, as Apple has accustomed us to, it has done so with a super complete range made up of four models: iPhone 15 vs 15 Plus vs 15 Pro vs 15 Pro Max. Whenever there is a new release of this smartphone, we Apple-fans are crazy to see what improvements it has implemented and what the big news are. So that’s what we’re going to do in this article, in which we compare the most important differences between the four models in the iPhone 15 range.

At first glance, Apple wanted to give the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max a more premium look. To do this, they have been impregnated with a layer of titanium that is actually very sophisticated. In fact, it is the first iPhone to have a titanium design, according to the brand, “with aerospace quality.” As they claim, it is made with the same alloy used by spacecraft on missions to Mars.

Aesthetic issues aside, there are some key differences between the different iPhone 15 models. For example, the screen size. Although all of them have a Super Retina OLED screen, the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro have it at 6.1 inches, while the Plus and Pro Max models raise it to 6.7 inches. On the other hand, Apple updates the processor in the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, which have a more advanced version than the iPhone 15 chip. Of course, all of them have the iOS 17 operating system.

But, to check in detail what are all the differences that influence the purchasing decision, keep reading our complete review!

iPhone 15 vs 15 Plus vs 15 Pro vs 15 Pro Max – Comparison Table

In this table, we show you the characteristics of the four smartphones that are part of the new iPhone 15 range, so you can see their differences at a first glance.

(Swipe the table to see all the content)

A fun design versus a premium one

With this phrase we could summarize the two aesthetic appearances that we see among the iPhone 15 range smartphones. The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus have a more fun and cheerful appearance, in which bright colors such as yellow, green, pink or blue stand out. For their part , the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max have a more sophisticated appearance thanks to the titanium layer that covers them. This makes the design more metallic, giving them an apparently more professional appearance. In terms of dimensions and weight, titanium smartphones are somewhat heavier, but the truth is that they are not uncomfortable to the touch.

Screen: size and resolution

If we look at the iPhone screen, which is the main element, we see two groups. On the one hand, the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro have a 6.1-inch screen. On the other hand, the iPhone 15 Plus and 15 Pro Max, the advanced versions, have a 6.7-inch screen. The size is unquestionable, and at this point each person’s preference comes into play. Consequently, the resolution varies, and is higher in models that have a larger screen.

What they do share is the screen technology, which in all four cases is OLED Super Retina XDR. They also achieve the same performance in terms of brightness, with a maximum peak of 2000 nits, and have the Dynamic Island function. This is the way that Apple has chosen to name the new design that it has given to the upper strip in which the camera was previously visible, but in which, now, it is not perceived. It is there, but it is not visible to the naked eye.

Let’s analyze the cameras

Cameras are another of the key elements in a smartphone, and a hallmark of Apple. To be honest, we expected more changes in this aspect, but the brand has decided to maintain a fairly continuous line. In fact, all four models have a 12-megapixel True Depth front camera, and in all four it is possible to record at 4K. The small differences are in the rear cameras.

The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus have a dual camera consisting of a 48 MP main camera and a 12 MP ultra wide angle camera. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max have the same cameras, but add an additional telephoto lens. On the iPhone 15 Pro it has a x3 zoom, while on the iPhone 15 Pro Max the zoom is x5.

Basically, the difference comes down to the fact that, with the more complete iPhone cameras, the zoom quality is better and, therefore, the sensation of depth can be greater. Now, if we are honest, we have not noticed a huge difference between the photographic quality of the four iPhones.

Does iPhone improve the autonomy of use?

Battery life is another issue that worries users the most. Although this depends a lot on the use we make of the smartphone, the truth is that the total useful life they can reach is somewhat different. To compare them, we look, for example, at the maximum battery life when we play videos, which is the content we most frequently consume.

The iPhone 15 can run for 20 hours, which becomes 23 hours on the 15 Plus, 26 hours on the 15 Pro, and 29 hours on the 15 Pro Max. But, as we tell you, we cannot take this as an absolute truth, but rather it is an orientation. Of course, all iPhone 15 smartphones have fast charging and include the MagSafe charger.

Processor upgrade

The processor is the brain of smartphones, as we have told you on other occasions. In this sense, we see that Apple has updated the version of the chip in the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, which have the A17 Pro chip. For its part, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus have the A16 Bionic chip, the same one that had the iPhone 14 Pro.

The new version of Apple’s processor improves in some aspects such as the graphics processing unit, and the performance is somewhat higher. But we cannot say that the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus do not have excellent performance, so it is a rather theoretical difference. Above all, taking into account that all four models are based on the same operating system, iOS 17.

When it comes to storage, it should be noted that the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are available with 128, 256 or 512 GB memory. In the case of the iPhone 15 Pro, we also add the possibility of purchasing the 1 TB version. Finally, the iPhone 15 Pro Max only has the 256 or 512 GB options plus the 1 TB option, but, in this case, it does not have a 128 GB option.

Do they include new sensors?

Before moving to the final conclusion, let us tell you about the set of sensors that each smartphone has. The truth is that there are no big differences; In fact, the only one there is is that the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max have a LiDAR scanner that the other iPhone 15s do not have. For the rest, the four Apple phones have a facial recognition sensor, a barometer, a gyroscope and an accelerometer, among others. They are also compatible with NFC technology for contactless payments. What we miss the most is the fingerprint sensor, which is not on any of the four iPhones.

Which iPhone 15 seems most interesting to us?

The answer to this question depends on what your preferences and expectations are. Furthermore, whenever we compare various iPhone models we think that, in this specific brand, appearance has a lot to do with the final decision, perhaps more than in other brands. And that, as you know, is a totally subjective question. In this case, there are two clearly differentiated design lines: one more youthful and the other more luxurious. The dimensions and weights do not vary that much, although the titanium models weigh more than other smartphones.

When it comes to performance, it should be noted that the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max have an updated version of the processor (of course, they are more expensive for a reason). They also slightly improve battery life, and add a telephoto camera. But, in general, we cannot say that there is a very substantial difference between the four iPhone 15s for us to recommend, yes or yes, one of them.

Therefore, think about what your aesthetic preferences and limitations are when choosing which iPhone to keep. Perhaps, if you haven’t renewed it in a while, it’s worth opting for one of the more sophisticated models. But if you are one of those who changes the iPhone every time Apple launches a new one, we have more doubts, since the differences are not major. Ultimately, the final decision is up to you.