Apple’s iPhone 15 is faster than the 14 Plus thanks to its A16 Bionic processor and 6GB RAM, as well as receiving software updates one year longer than the 14 Plus.
But is the iPhone 15 worth upgrading to? It comes in five distinct colors – Blue, Yellow, Purple Midnight Black Starlight and Product (RED). But is the upgrade worth your while?
Display
Apple iPhone 14 Plus and 15 Plus smartphones are very similar, yet each has some notable differences. One such difference is the screen brightness: on the iPhone 15 Plus it reaches 1,000 nits during regular use and up to 2,000 when watching HDR content compared with 800 for last year’s models. Furthermore, the latter also boasts faster processors and better cameras; whether upgrading depends on what features are important to you in a phone.
If you want a big screen and great battery life, the iPhone 14 Plus is an excellent choice. Powered by an A15 Bionic chip capable of handling most tasks quickly and 6GB RAM for easier switching between apps, its display boasts very bright and sharp images with resolution 2796×1290 pixels at 460 PPI pixel density; plus 60Hz refresh rate support as well as HDR.
If you want a new smartphone that can compete with Apple’s latest iPhone models, the 15 Plus may be your perfect pick. It features a larger, brighter display while using Apple’s A15 Bionic chip as found in iPhone 14. In addition, HDR compatibility and peak outdoor brightness of up to 4,000nits make this model standout from others on the market.
Apple recently removed the notch from all non-Pro iPhone models, including the 14 Plus. Instead, it uses a Dynamic Island feature similar to what can be found on Pro phones; its cutout provides system alerts as well as information such as flight delays. Furthermore, there may even be playful animations.
The iPhone 14 Plus is an economical yet capable option, perfect for those who do not require notched displays. With its 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display and HDR capabilities (capable of producing 2000 Nits brightness and HDR capabilities). Battery life is excellent and there is also a quick fingerprint sensor.
Camera
In terms of photography, the iPhone 15 represents an enormous improvement from its predecessor. Boasting a 48MP sensor and new features like Dynamic Island to take better low-light pictures while eliminating an unsightly notch seen on earlier models, its camera is truly exceptional compared to any of its rivals – although worth noting is that both models contain excellent cameras.
The iPhone 14 boasts dual 12MP cameras equipped with wide and ultrawide lenses to capture high-resolution images and videos, including selfies. The flash is powerful enough to illuminate dark scenes while also taking low-light selfies easily. Autofocus performance is quick and precise compared to its predecessor; in fact, its camera performance surpasses that of the iPhone 15. Overall, however, its predecessor cannot compare to what can be found on its successor: iPhone 15.
Definitely consider upgrading to an iPhone 15 if you’re in the market for one; its more powerful camera, USB-C connectivity, and better battery life make this model worth its additional costs. However, keep in mind that an iPhone 14 still serves most users well enough.
However, there are some drawbacks of the iPhone 15, including its higher price point and shorter battery life than previous models. Furthermore, some cases may not work with it due to the camera module having a different shape and size than previous phones – make sure any case you purchase fits around this feature before purchasing an iPhone 15.
The iPhone 15 is an upgrade over its predecessor, the 14 Plus, but isn’t necessarily the superior phone on offer. If you don’t need camera modifications, Dynamic Island support, or USB-C support then it might be best to opt for the 14 instead; otherwise the 16 may offer much greater value as an upgrade option.
Battery
The iPhone 14 and 15 are among the closest in Apple’s line-up, boasting nearly identical mAh capacities, battery life ratings and performance specs. Our battery test results revealed that our $1,199 non-Pro iPhone 14 easily achieved 13 hours 19 minutes of runtime over its equivalent iPhone 15 Pro Max that came just one hour behind.
The iPhone 15 features an OLED display which represents a significant upgrade over last year’s model, supporting much higher maximum brightness of 2000 nits as well as HDR 10 support and 60Hz refresh rate compared to just 1000 nits on normal use and 1600 on HDR content viewing on iPhone 14 Plus.
Another key distinction between the two models is that the iPhone 15 utilizes a faster A16 Bionic chip than on its predecessor, the A15 chip found on the iPhone 14. This ensures it feels much quicker and responsive when accessing apps or playing games.
Both the iPhone 15 and 14 can charge at lightning-fast speeds, reaching 80% in just 63 minutes when connected to a 20W USB-C charger, or more quickly through wireless charging. Furthermore, iPhone 15 includes a new fast-charge feature which brings it up to 50% in 30 minutes.
Both phones boast excellent battery health, with most customers reporting that their batteries retain approximately 80% of their original capacity after one year – one of the longest lasting battery lifespans seen across any phone manufacturer, including Android phones.
The iPhone 15 is ideal for users seeking an extended software support cycle than what was offered with its predecessor, but upgrades are relatively minor; just one year has passed since then and you should expect to receive additional iOS updates with security enhancements and performance enhancements, plus USB-C recharging/transfer abilities, which should make charging and data transfers simpler than before. Apple also made some minor aesthetic tweaks but otherwise this smartphone remains similar in design to its predecessor.
RAM
Although their sizes differ considerably, the iPhone 14 and 15 share similar internal components. Both phones use A15 Bionic chips with 6GB RAM to quickly handle tasks. Both phones also offer storage options of 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB and feature Crash Detection as well as satellite-powered Emergency SOS to keep users safe in case of emergency situations.
Short benchmark tests indicate that the 15 Plus has an edge over its vanilla 15 counterpart, though the difference may not be substantial. With its larger body that can maintain higher clock speeds for extended periods, however, the 15 Plus may perform better overall when applied to real world use.
If you plan to upgrade every year, the 15 may be the more economical choice. As it was released one year after 2027 and received more security and performance upgrades through iOS updates than its cheaper counterpart, Apple also introduced Dynamic Island and USB-C support that aren’t present on the 14 and this could play into your decision as to which iPhone to purchase.
