If you’re in the market for a smartphone that combines power, style, and pocket-friendliness, the iPhone 15 Pro is a compelling choice. Apple’s latest offering, despite living in the shadow of its bigger sibling, the Pro Max, holds its own as an exceptional device that caters to a wide range of user needs. In this review, we’ll dive into what makes the iPhone 15 Pro tick and why it’s a standout option in the ever-competitive smartphone market.
A More Affordable Pro
The iPhone 15 Pro presents a significant advantage over the Pro Max: its more pocketable size. With a starting price of £999 (€1,199/$999/A$1,849), the 15 Pro is £200 cheaper than the Pro Max, making it a more budget-friendly “Pro” option in Apple’s lineup. While it may not be classified as ‘cheap’ by any stretch of the imagination, its price tag aligns with competing high-end smartphones in 2023.
Redefined Design and Display
One of the notable upgrades with the iPhone 15 Pro is the shift from stainless steel sides to lighter and more durable titanium. This change shaves off 19g from the device’s weight, enhancing its portability. The device’s sleek design and compact form factor make it noticeably easier to handle and fit into your pocket, especially if you’re transitioning from older Pro models.
The 6.1-inch OLED screen is a standout feature of the 15 Pro. It offers a truly fantastic visual experience, surpassing similarly sized devices with ease. With an impressive 2,000nit peak brightness, the screen excels in outdoor settings, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright sunlight. The Face ID system, situated within the dynamic notch at the top of the screen, remains one of Apple’s signature features, ensuring secure and convenient device access.
Introducing the Action Button
The 15 Pro introduces an innovative addition in the form of the action button. This new feature replaces the mute switch found on previous iPhone models. What makes this button exciting is its versatility; it can be customized to launch various apps or perform specific tasks. For example, it can quickly activate the flashlight or switch focus modes, enhancing the device’s usability.
Key Specifications
Here’s a quick overview of the iPhone 15 Pro’s essential specifications:
- Screen: The device sports a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR (OLED) display with a pixel density of 460ppi.
- Processor: The powerful Apple A17 Pro chip ensures top-tier performance.
- RAM: 8GB of RAM for smooth multitasking.
- Storage: The device is available in multiple storage options, including 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and a whopping 1TB.
- Operating System: It runs on iOS 17, Apple’s latest mobile operating system.
- Camera: The 15 Pro boasts a 48MP primary camera, a 12MP ultrawide lens, a 12MP 3x optical zoom lens, and a 12MP front-facing camera.
- Connectivity: The device offers 5G capabilities, Wi-Fi 6E support, NFC, Bluetooth 5.3, Thread, USB-C compatibility, satellite communication, UWB (Ultra-Wideband), and GNSS for precise location services.
- Water Resistance: It’s rated at IP68, which means it can withstand submersion up to 6 meters for 30 minutes.
- Dimensions: The device measures 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.25mm.
- Weight: It tips the scales at 187g.
USB-C: Embracing Universality
Another significant upgrade with the iPhone 15 Pro is the shift from Apple’s proprietary Lightning port to the universally accepted USB-C. For most users upgrading from older iPhones, this means simply replacing their charging cable, with one included in the box. This transition opens up a world of possibilities. The 15 Pro can now charge from virtually any charger and use standard USB-C cables, which are widely used across various devices, including Android phones, PCs, Macs, iPads, and other tablets. This universal compatibility simplifies your charging needs and reduces the reliance on special Apple cables and adapters.
Furthermore, the USB-C port facilitates the connection of numerous accessories. You can now connect items like display cables, SD card readers, audio adapters, game controllers (like the popular Backbone One), and a host of other USB-C-equipped peripherals. This versatility transforms the iPhone 15 Pro into a multifunctional device, offering more than ever before.
Powerhouse Performance
Under the hood, the 15 Pro is powered by the Apple A17 Pro chip, ensuring rapid performance that rivals gaming consoles. The introduction of advanced ray tracing graphics capabilities, akin to those found in gaming consoles, elevates the gaming experience on the device. This level of performance ensures that the 15 Pro remains fast and responsive for years to come.
Battery Life That Keeps Up
Battery life is a crucial aspect of any smartphone, and the iPhone 15 Pro doesn’t disappoint. This is particularly impressive given its smaller form factor. In typical usage scenarios, the device delivers approximately 38 hours between charges, with up to five hours of active screen time. Even on the busiest days, involving tasks such as heavy 5G usage, GPS navigation, and frequent photography, the 15 Pro’s battery still manages to provide around 28 hours of use. While you may need to charge it nightly, the device’s reliable battery life ensures it will easily see you through a full day’s use.
Sustainability at Its Core
Apple places a strong emphasis on sustainability with the iPhone 15 Pro. The device’s battery is designed to withstand over 500 full-charge cycles while retaining at least 80% of its original capacity. Moreover, the battery can be replaced for £95, extending the device’s lifespan. For out-of-warranty screen repairs, Apple offers a service priced at £349. The 15 Pro follows the trend set by the iPhone 14, featuring an internally repair-friendly design. This commitment to repairability, however, is somewhat limited by software locks imposed by Apple.
The device incorporates a range of recycled materials, including aluminium, cobalt, copper, gold, plastic, rare earth elements, tin, and tungsten. Apple’s dedication to sustainability is reflected in its comprehensive trade-in and recycling programs, which extend to non-Apple products. This holistic approach minimizes the environmental impact of the device, reinforcing Apple’s commitment to responsible consumer electronics.
Camera Excellence
The 15 Pro shares its camera system with the 15 Pro Max, with one key difference: the telephoto camera on the 15 Pro offers a 3x optical zoom, similar to previous iPhone models. The main camera boasts 24-megapixel default photo capture and provides three different focal lengths (24mm, 28mm, and 35mm). It can also capture full 48MP photos in either ProRaw or HEIF formats, catering to photography enthusiasts. Another noteworthy feature is the 2x zoom mode, which adds versatility to your photography options. Additionally, all three cameras now automatically capture portrait photos without requiring a dedicated mode. This enhancement streamlines the photography experience and results in better portrait shots.
Overall, the 15 Pro’s ultrawide, main, and 3x optical zoom cameras excel in various conditions, requiring minimal effort to produce outstanding images. While it doesn’t match the 5x optical zoom camera of the Pro Max, it remains a formidable choice for mobile photography.
Pricing
The iPhone 15 Pro is competitively priced, starting at £999 for the 128GB storage variant. Its affordability, combined with its robust feature set, makes it a strong contender in the high-end smartphone category.
Verdict: The Best Compact Phone
The iPhone 15 Pro presents an intriguing choice for those seeking a smaller, more manageable device without sacrificing performance and functionality. While it may lack the 5x optical zoom of the Pro Max, it compensates with a more lightweight and ergonomic design, embracing USB-C for enhanced connectivity, and offering an action button that enhances usability. Its battery life, though requiring nightly charging, ensures a full day of use even under demanding conditions. Apple’s dedication to sustainability adds another layer of appeal, along with its exceptional camera system. In 2023, users have a more challenging decision to make when choosing their next smartphone, and the iPhone 15 Pro stands out as one of the best compact phones available.
Pros:
- Lightweight and comfortable to hold.
- Exceptional camera capabilities.
- Stunning display quality.
- Compact form factor.
- Universal USB-C support.
- Versatile action button.
- Strong battery life.
- Top-tier performance.
- Long-term software support.
- Reliable Face ID for security.
Cons:
- Relatively high price.
- Limited to a 3x optical zoom.
- Repairability is constrained by software restrictions.
With the iPhone 15 Pro, Apple offers a high-quality smartphone that combines style and performance without breaking the bank. Its lightweight design, versatile USB-C support, action button, and exceptional camera capabilities make it a strong contender in the world of smartphones. While not without its drawbacks, the iPhone 15 Pro provides a robust user experience that caters to a wide range of users, ensuring its place as one of the best compact phones of 2023.
FAQs for the iPhone 15 Pro:
- How much does the iPhone 15 Pro cost?The iPhone 15 Pro starts at £999 (€1,199/$999/A$1,849) for the base model with 128GB of storage.
- What is the main advantage of the iPhone 15 Pro over the Pro Max?The iPhone 15 Pro offers a more pocketable size compared to the Pro Max, making it easier to handle and carry.
- How does the screen of the iPhone 15 Pro perform in bright sunlight?The iPhone 15 Pro features a 6.1-inch OLED screen with a very bright 2,000nit peak, ensuring excellent visibility outdoors in sunlight.
- What are the major design changes in the iPhone 15 Pro?The iPhone 15 Pro has swapped its predecessor’s stainless steel sides for titanium, resulting in a lighter and more comfortable design.
- Tell me about the new action button in the iPhone 15 Pro.The new action button replaces the mute switch and can be customized to perform various functions, such as launching apps or changing settings.
- What are the key specifications of the iPhone 15 Pro?The iPhone 15 Pro features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen, an Apple A17 Pro processor, 8GB of RAM, storage options ranging from 128GB to 1TB, and a 48MP main camera.
- Can you describe the battery life of the iPhone 15 Pro?The iPhone 15 Pro offers good battery life, lasting up to 38 hours with moderate use. Even on heavy usage days, it can last around 28 hours.
- Is the iPhone 15 Pro sustainable and repairable?The iPhone 15 Pro incorporates recycled materials and offers internal repair-friendly design. The battery can be replaced for £95. However, it has received a repairability score of four out of 10 due to some software restrictions.
- How does the camera performance of the iPhone 15 Pro compare to the Pro Max?The iPhone 15 Pro’s camera is similar to the Pro Max, except for the telephoto camera, which offers a 3x optical zoom instead of the Pro Max’s 5x zoom.
- What are the pros and cons of choosing the iPhone 15 Pro over other Apple phones?Pros of the iPhone 15 Pro include its lighter design, fantastic screen, USB-C compatibility, action button, good battery life, top performance, long software support, and Face ID. On the downside, it’s relatively expensive, offers a 3x optical zoom (compared to the Pro Max’s 5x), and has some repairability restrictions due to software locks.
