Review of iPhone 15 Pro: Improved, but lacking in excitement.
Macworld
Expert’s Rating
Pros
- USB-C
- Lighter weight
-
Some great enhancements to the camera
- Action button
Cons
- .
The iPhone 14 Pro has a comparable battery life.
- Very expensive
-
Pro Max has a special reserved feature of 5x zoom.
Our Verdict
The newest iPhone 15 Pro offers some expected and secure enhancements compared to the previous year’s model. However, none of these features are particularly thrilling. This would be a satisfactory upgrade for those with phones that are over three years old, but those with newer phones can hold off until next year.
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The newest iPhone Pro from Apple boasts increased speed, an improved camera, and some convenient features. While there may not be groundbreaking innovation, there are noticeable enhancements that follow expected patterns.
The phone is made lighter by its titanium frame, Apple has caught up to five-year-old standards with the addition of USB-C, and the new Action Button is a practical substitute for the traditional mute switch. The camera hardware seems to be the same as last year’s iPhone 14 Pro, but image processing has been enhanced, with a new 24MP default setting and three “1x” crop choices. Additionally, there are professional video features such as Log color.
To get a full understanding of the iPhone 15 Pro, take a look at our evaluation of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, where we thoroughly explore all the modifications and functions. Apart from its size, the iPhone 15 Pro is the same, except for three aspects: its battery life is shorter (as is typical with smaller iPhones), it lacks the new 5x telephoto camera, and it can be purchased with 128GB of storage (compared to the Pro Max’s starting storage of 256GB). This assessment will concentrate solely on these discrepancies.
Comparison between a 3x telephoto lens and a 5x telephoto lens.
The sensors and lenses on the iPhone 15 Pro seem to be identical to those on the iPhone 14 Pro. However, Apple claims that there are new coatings on the lens that can minimize glare (although glare is still an issue on all iPhones, regardless of the coating). The main camera now has a default size of 24MP, providing more detail without excessive sharpening. However, Apple’s image processing system still tends to produce overly vibrant, saturated, and smoothed images.
Apple continues to dominate in terms of video quality, and the recently added feature of shooting in a Log color space (unfortunately limited to ProRes) will be highly appreciated by professionals and enthusiasts who wish to color grade their own footage for optimal outcomes.
The iPhone 15 Pro has a 3x zoom on the left, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max has a 5x zoom on the right.
The main contrast between the 15 Pro Max and 15 Pro lies in the addition of a 5x periscope camera on the larger phone, whereas the smaller Pro retains the same 3x zoom as the previous year. There is no indication that the 5x zoom requires significantly more internal space, making it possible for Apple to incorporate it into the smaller Pro model. It seems like a deliberate choice to encourage users to opt for the larger model, and it would be surprising if the smaller model did not have the 5x periscope zoom in the future.
Unfortunately, the iPhone 15 Pro from Apple continues to have one of the top cameras in the industry. For those who prioritize video quality above all else, it could even be considered the best. However, it is disappointing that in order to have a 5x telephoto camera, you must purchase the larger and more costly iPhone 15 Pro Max.
are important factors in a smartphone’s overall quality.
The overall quality of a smartphone is greatly influenced by its performance and battery life.
The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max have similar specifications, except for the presence of a telephoto camera on the latter. We found that both phones have the same level of performance, with a 10% faster CPU and 20% faster graphics.
A smaller phone typically has a smaller battery, so it is likely that the iPhone 15 Pro will have a shorter battery life compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This is because larger iPhones generally have a longer battery life.
However, the iPhone 15 Pro is just as capable as other 6.1-inch phones. According to our Geekbench rundown test, it has a slightly longer battery life than the iPhone 14 Pro Max. In day-to-day use, you’ll notice there isn’t much of a difference- Apple has similar battery life specifications for both the iPhone 14 Pro and 15 Pro, and they are met as expected.
Is it advisable to purchase the iPhone 15 Pro?
To obtain the top-performing iPhone, opt for the most recent “Pro” model. Then, select between the Pro or Pro Max based on your preferred size and ease of use. While the Pro Max offers a longer battery life, this may not be relevant if you dislike its bulky size or two-handed operation.
Unfortunately, if you are not a fan of large phones, you will miss out on the enjoyable 5x telephoto camera. However, there is a silver lining – you can opt for the smaller model at a price of $999 instead of the starting price of $1,199 for the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Although the iPhone 15 Pro is considered the top-performing iPhone, it falls behind the Pro Max due to its telephoto camera. However, the upgrades are not significant enough to cause jealousy for those who have older models. The improvements, such as a lighter weight, improved camera, and a different button for muting, may go unnoticed by most users. Additionally, the switch to USB-C has been a standard for many years, including on other Apple products.
While not necessarily negative, it lacks excitement, making the iPhone 15 Pro a great choice for those with an iPhone 12 or older. However, it may not entice those with newer models to wait and see what Cupertino releases next year.
