Initial thoughts on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max: Incremental improvements, but consistent.
Macworld
The latest iPhone models from Apple will be available for purchase in a few days. If you haven’t preordered, it may be difficult to get one as the delivery date has already been pushed back to October and beyond since they were released last week. With the arrival of the first reviews, there will likely be a surge in demand for the iPhones.
iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max: Design
According to Allison Johnson’s article on The Verge, the recently developed titanium alloy has made a significant impact on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, making it feel like a traditional phone rather than a bulky paperweight. Additionally, she mentions that the slight curvature of the design adds to the phones’ comfort when held in the hand.
According to Patrick Holland of CNET, the iPhone 15 Pro has a less bulky design compared to the 12, 13, and 14 series with its straight edges. He also mentions that the buttons on this model have a springier feel compared to previous stainless steel Pro models.
Joanna Stern of The Wall Street Journal notes that the new models are noticeably lighter than the previous stainless-steel versions, which is immediately evident when holding them. However, during her review, she accidentally caused a minor dent on the side of the frame.
charging
The latest models of the iPhone, the 15 Pro and Pro Max, now have the capability of charging through a USB-C port.
The updated port on the iPhones has greatly influenced all reviewers. Johnson praised it as “fantastic” and “amazing.” Stern admitted to facing difficulties with the change, as she has a surplus of Lightning cables that now need to be replaced.
Matthew Panzarino from TechCrunch also noted that those who were quick to embrace new technology may accidentally attempt to use a Lightning cable in their USB-C slot, especially as older devices are passed down or disposed of.
The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max both feature an action button.
The iPhone 15 Pro has replaced the mute switch with an Action button, receiving universal praise from reviewers. Panzarino commends the new button as a fantastic quality of life improvement that has the potential to significantly impact workflows. While Holland from CNET also approves of it, they question whether Apple will allow for multiple presses and taps to activate various presets.
The camera on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
The 5X zoom feature of the iPhone 15 Pro Max was highly praised in initial reviews, and for good reason. Holland conducted a comparison between the 5X zoom of the iPhone, Pixel 7 Pro, and Galaxy S23 Ultra and concluded that the iPhone’s performance was superior, even in challenging situations.
Johnson was not particularly impressed, describing the results as “acceptable” and noting that noise levels increase quickly even in moderate lighting.
Panzarino was the most impressed, calling the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s camera “a beast” with “noticeably better and more subtle color handling” compared to the iPhone 14 Pro Max. He loved the telephoto camera as well, calling it “probably the best camera Apple has ever made.”
The review for the iPhone 15 Pro from Macworld will be available soon, so keep an eye out for our thoughts.
