iPhone 15 Pro Review: A Subtle but Impactful Evolution
The iPhone 15 Pro has arrived, and at first glance, it might seem like a minor upgrade. However, beneath the familiar exterior lies a host of improvements that have been on users’ wishlists for years.
In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve into the design changes, performance improvements, camera enhancements, and more to give you a detailed overview of what the iPhone 15 Pro has to offer. Check out the latest prices of iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro here.
- Related content:
- iPhone 15 Pro vs. iPhone 14 Pro:
- Nokia G42 5G Review:
- Huawei Mate X5 Review:
Design and Build Quality:
Apple’s design team, comprising over a thousand designers, spent a year refining the iPhone 15 Pro’s appearance. At first glance, it may resemble its predecessors – the 14 Pro, 13 Pro, 12 Pro, and 11 Pro – but experiencing it in hand reveals a world of difference. The frame’s slight curvature gives the device a thinner and more ergonomic feel, and it’s made of titanium, a material lighter and stronger than stainless steel. However, the camera element remains a dust and dirt magnet, a minor annoyance for an otherwise polished design.
One noteworthy improvement is the easier repairability of the back glass, which now stands alone without the need to remove the entire frame, benefiting both your wallet and the environment. Furthermore, both the iPhone 15 Pro and the Pro Max are 11 grams lighter, a subtle but noticeable difference. When you think about it, that’s over 7 kilograms less weight in a year, making a case for appreciating the reduction in weight.
Water resistance has also seen an upgrade, with the iPhone 15 Pro boasting an impressive 6-meter depth for 30 minutes, surpassing competitors like Pixel, Xiaomi, and Samsung. However, the color options this year – white, natural titanium, black, and dark blue – might be considered a bit uninspiring, although the natural titanium option stands out.
Display:
The iPhone 15 Pro’s display features thinner bezels, resulting in a sleek and symmetrical appearance. Surprisingly, Apple now outshines Samsung in terms of bezel thickness. The display itself maintains its excellence with accurate colors, deep contrast, high resolution, and an adaptive refresh rate ranging from 1 Hz to 120 Hz. The outdoor brightness remains impressive at 2000 nits, ensuring a stellar viewing experience even in bright sunlight.
The display’s top houses not only the selfie cameras but also Face ID, which continues to provide fast and reliable facial recognition, though it struggles with sunglasses. Additionally, the black hole on top serves as an Adaptive widget, a cool idea that offers practicality in certain scenarios.
Performance:
Under the hood, the iPhone 15 Pro houses the A17 Pro chip, the world’s first 3-nanometer chip. This technology allows for greater transistor density, leading to improved efficiency and performance. Apple claims up to a 10% CPU and 20% GPU boost compared to its predecessor. In benchmark tests, the A17 Pro outperforms even the fastest Android processor, the Snapdragon hn2, by a significant margin.
However, it’s essential to note that the A17 Pro experiences throttling, reducing performance by 30% during the 3DMark stress test and 50% after 20 minutes. In everyday use, the performance is on par with the iPhone 14 Pro, which was already known for its speed. The iPhone 15 Pro introduces exclusive games with console-level graphics, but they may not run in full resolution, and using a gamepad is often necessary for optimal gameplay.
The stereo speakers continue to impress, but it’s the promise of up to six years of software updates that makes the iPhone 15 Pro a future-proof investment. iOS 17 introduces several new features, including customizable lock screens, animated airdrop, interactive widgets, and the ability to create stickers from photos. Despite some lingering issues like keyboard autocorrect and notifications, iOS offers a unified and visually pleasing experience with playful animations. Check out the latest prices of iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro here.
- Our Shopping links:
- Get iPhone 15 here>>
- Get Samsung Galaxy S23 here>>
The Action Button:
A notable addition to the iPhone 15 Pro is the Action Button, replacing the traditional loud/silent switch. This customizable button offers a range of functions, from toggling silent mode to activating the flashlight or even summoning the Google Assistant. While it adds functionality, some users may have preferred a textured button for easier differentiation from the volume rocker.
Camera:
The iPhone 15 Pro features a camera system with three lenses – an ultra-wide, a large 48-megapixel main sensor, and a telephoto lens. While the camera bump remains prominent, there are notable improvements in photo quality. Standard photos are now 24 megapixels, offering sharper details, particularly noticeable in certain scenarios. The Max mode captures photos twice as large and even sharper, elevating the photography experience.
Night mode and portrait mode benefit from the Photonic Engine, resulting in brighter and sharper photos. Depth information is saved with every photo, allowing users to adjust the portrait effect after taking the shot, a feature long available on Google Pixel phones.
The introduction of 28 and 35 millimeter focal lengths complements the 24 millimeter option, catering to diverse photography styles. Additionally, the 15 Pro Max boasts a new five times telephoto camera with a larger sensor, offering improved sharpness compared to its predecessor.
Video enthusiasts will appreciate the ability to record in 4K 60fps ProRes to an external SSD via USB-C, along with the Lock color profile for easier color grading. While the iPhone 15 Pro’s camera system may not rival dedicated cinema cameras, it outperforms other smartphones, delivering impressive results across various shooting conditions.
Battery Life and Charging:
Despite the introduction of a 3-nanometer chip, the iPhone 15 Pro’s battery life remains similar to its predecessor. Users can expect around five and a half to six and a half hours of display use, with slight improvements in Wi-Fi and dark mode. While it doesn’t break records, it holds its own against competitors.
Charging has shifted to USB-C, a welcome change, and a step towards standardization. However, fast charging still lags behind Android counterparts, taking longer to reach full capacity.
MagSafe, the magnetic wireless charging system, continues to be a standout feature, with support for the G2 standard and compatibility with various accessories.
Conclusion:
The iPhone 15 Pro may appear as an incremental upgrade, but it manages to impress with its design, performance, camera enhancements, and a host of small but impactful details. While it’s not without its minor flaws – protruding cameras, limited minimum focus distance, and charging speed – it represents a solid choice for those looking to upgrade.
The price remains stable in the US and even sees reductions in Europe, making it a favorable time to invest in an iPhone. Ultimately, the iPhone 15 Pro continues to uphold Apple’s reputation for delivering a refined and reliable smartphone experience.
- Shop On Amazon Using Our Links To Support Us:
- Buy Garmin Venu 3 – Amazon under $25 – Buy Honor 90
- Amazon best sellers – Amazon most gifted – Corocs Pace 2