The typical iPhone model has at last received significant improvements.
Every couple of years, Apple introduces significant, meaningful changes to its hardware products. However, in the years without major changes, we often see amusing memes circulating. In 2023, the standard iPhone models are far from meme-worthy, as they bring excitement once again. We’ve witnessed this shift with some previous models, such as the iPhone 12, which marked the first non-Pro model to feature an OLED screen. This year, the iPhone 15 stands out as the most thrilling iPhone, as it finally receives substantial upgrades. Those who have been holding off for something better can now consider making the switch.
While the new model may not appear drastically different from the past two generations, it inherits some valuable additions from the previous year’s iPhone 14 Pro, making the iPhone 15 (and by extension, the 15 Plus) a compelling option. Here’s why.
Apple iPhone 15 Price in Nigeria
The iPhone 15 starts at the same price as the iPhone 14 did when it was launched, which is Rs. 79,900 for the 128GB variant. You can also choose from 256GB and 512GB variants, with each tier adding Rs. 10,000 to the price. The iPhone 15 comes in new pastel colors that are visually appealing, but unfortunately, there is no Product RED variant this time. Apple continues to officially sell the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13, starting at Rs. 69,900 and Rs. 59,900, respectively. The bundled accessories are still minimal, but this time, you’ll find a color-matched braided USB Type-C cable in the box, as all iPhones have transitioned away from Apple’s proprietary connector this year.
Apple provided us with the top-end blue variant, which carries an official price tag of Rs. 1,09,900. However, you’ll likely never pay the full sticker price due to the availability of bank and credit card offers when buying online.
Apple iPhone 15 Design
The iPhone 15 shares nearly identical dimensions with the iPhone 14, except for a slightly increased height. It is also slightly lighter at 171g, offering an excellent in-hand feel. The rounded edges and the smooth finish of the frame and glass back provide a soothing tactile experience. Coming from an iPhone 13 Pro Max, I initially found the size and weight of the iPhone 15 to be toy-like, but I quickly came to appreciate the smaller form factor.
The iPhone 15 features a 6.1-inch OLED panel, but it now boasts Apple’s Dynamic Island technology from the 14 Pro series. This enhancement gives the iPhone 15 a modern look, bringing it in line with Apple’s more expensive phones. Unfortunately, the 15 still lacks the ProMotion feature, so its display operates at 60Hz rather than 120Hz, and the always-on feature is exclusive to the Pro models. The iPhone 15’s display is brighter than the iPhone 14, with typical brightness of 1,000 nits and peak brightness of up to 2,000 nits when used outdoors in direct sunlight.
Apple iPhone 15 Specifications and Software
The iPhone 15 inherits a “Pro” feature in the form of its SoC (System on a Chip). It is equipped with Apple’s A16 Bionic, the same chip used in the iPhone 14 Pro models. While it retains the same number of CPU and GPU cores as the previous year’s iPhone 14, it benefits from a 4nm manufacturing process, as opposed to the 5nm process used in the iPhone 14. This allows it to pack in a billion more transistors within a similar surface area. The iPhone 15 also features the same 6GB of RAM as the iPhone 14. Other notable features include stereo speakers, an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, a second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip, and a TrueDepth camera in the display for Face ID.
The iPhone 15 ships with iOS 17 and is expected to receive new iOS versions for at least the next five years. iOS 17 is also available for many older iPhone models, offering a largely consistent user experience. Some of the new features include personalized Contact Posters for people in your phonebook, the ability to record and send messages over FaceTime if the recipient doesn’t answer, and various other enhancements. Apple has even released sub-version updates for iOS to address known overheating issues with the 15 Pro models and to introduce new features for AirDrop, as well as general bug fixes.
Apple iPhone 15 Performance and Battery Life
The daily performance of the iPhone 15 has been consistently excellent. Apps load swiftly, the display is vivid and vibrant, and I never felt any lack of power. Notifications clustered around the Dynamic Island feature are both entertaining and interactive. The iPhone 15 generally ran at a cool temperature, although there were moments when using wireless CarPlay caused the back to heat up. Gaming experiences were impressive, with games from Apple Arcade looking great and running smoothly.
HDR videos, especially those recorded in Dolby Vision, displayed impressive quality. The stereo speakers offer considerable volume and enjoyable sound quality. Benchmark results are robust, outperforming most Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Android phones. In AnTuTu, the iPhone 15 scored 13,77,284 points, and in Geekbench 6, it achieved 2,500 and 6,209 points in single and multicore CPU tests, respectively.
iPhones are known for delivering strong battery life, and the iPhone 15 lives up to that reputation. Apple promises up to 20 hours of video playback, and our HD video test came close to that figure, running for 16.5 hours. In everyday use, I consistently obtained a full day’s worth of battery life on a single charge, and sometimes even more with lighter usage. Fast charging is supported, but the charger must be purchased separately. Apple claims that with the optional 20W power adapter, the iPhone 15 can charge up to 50 percent in half an hour. Wireless charging is also available.
Apple iPhone 15 Cameras
The iPhone 15 retains its absence of a telephoto camera, and the ultra-wide camera lacks macro photo and video capabilities, which remain exclusive to the Pro models. However, the main camera now features a 48-megapixel sensor from the 14 Pro. It retains sensor-shift stabilization and, thanks to the higher resolution, the 2X zoom level is claimed to offer “optical” quality magnification by simply using a smaller crop of the sensor. The ultra-wide camera remains a 12-megapixel sensor, and the front-facing 12-megapixel camera remains the same. All cameras can record up to 4K 60fps videos in Dolby Vision, and there’s a new Smart HDR 5 photo processing engine for better shadow and highlight balance.
By default, the iPhone 15 captures 24-megapixel pixel-binned photos, but you can change this to 12 megapixels in the settings, similar to how many Android phones with 48-megapixel cameras operate. To shoot at the full 48 megapixels, you need to enable a toggle in the settings, which introduces some shutter lag, making rapid shooting less effective.
In daylight, image quality is very good, with ample details and balanced colors even in harsh sunlight. The ultra-wide camera performs competently in good lighting, offering decent details and minimal barrel distortion. The camera app can now recognize animals like dogs and cats, automatically suggesting the option to enable background blur. The Photos app can also detect previous images of pets and offer the option to convert them into portrait shots.
Images taken in low light with the main camera look very good, handling noise well, providing ample details, and displaying natural colors. However, image quality drops significantly when magnifying the image beyond 2X. The ultra-wide camera also performs decently in low light, although details are weaker compared to the main camera. The selfie camera does a commendable job in both daylight and low light.
iPhones have long been known for their high-quality video recording capabilities. The iPhone 15 captures stable footage in good lighting conditions, with no noticeable jitter and excellent detail. Slight jitter is visible when shooting under artificial lighting at night, especially when walking while recording.
Verdict
The main drawback of the iPhone 15 is its pricing in India, with the base model costing nearly Rs. 80,000, making it relatively expensive. Even with bank offers, the cost still exceeds Rs. 70,000 for the 256GB variant, which most people would opt for. However, if you are willing to invest in such a device, you won’t be disappointed. Unlike the iPhone 14, which offered minimal differences from the iPhone 13, the iPhone 15 takes a significant step forward by incorporating many advanced features from the 14 Pro models. While a high refresh rate and a telephoto camera are still awaited in the standard models, they are likely to arrive in the coming generations.
If you’re looking for some “Pro” features from the iPhone 14 Pro without the premium price, the iPhone 15 is a great choice. While Apple has officially discontinued last year’s Pro models, their prices in India remain high. If you’ve been waiting to upgrade from your iPhone 12 (or older), the iPhone 15 is a worthwhile choice. On the other hand, if you simply want an iPhone and don’t require the new features of the iPhone 15, this is a great time to purchase the iPhone 13 at a heavily discounted price during festive sales.