How Apple's iPhone 15 Lineup Compares With The iPhone 14 Series

Video screenshot via Apple

The iPhone 15 lineup has landed, and the eternal question pops up again: Should you make the upgrade?

As always, the devil is in the details. Read on to find out more.

iPhone 15 Pro VS iPhone 14 Pro

Image via Apple

Design and Build

The displays appear the same. However, if you get the chance to pick up both iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro models, you might notice a considerable difference in lightness. Credit goes to the iPhone 15 Pro’s aerospace-grade titanium build, a notable leap from the 14 Pro's surgical-grade stainless steel. This new premium alloy not only confers a higher strength-to-weight ratio but also makes the 15 Pro Apple’s lightest Pro model to date. In addition to weight, the design has been refreshed with contoured edges and a customizable Action Button, which replaces the simple ring/silent toggle, offering various quick-access features.

The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will arrive in black titanium, white titanium, blue titanium, and natural titanium finishes. Meanwhile, the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max come in space black, deep purple, silver, and gold.

iPhone 15 Pro (left) VS iPhone 14 Pro. Screenshot via Apple

iPhone 15 Pro (left) VS iPhone 14 Pro. Screenshot via Apple

Performance

The iPhone 15 Pro comes packed with the A17 Pro chip, an industry-first three-nanometer processor that claims to have the biggest GPU redesign in Apple's history. Compared to the iPhone 14 Pro’s A16 Bionic, you're looking at a CPU that’s up to 10% faster, and a Neural Engine that’s double the speed. These performance enhancements power features like autocorrect and Personal Voice in iOS 17, elevating the overall user experience.

iPhone 15 Pro (left) VS iPhone 14 Pro. Screenshot via Apple

Camera Systems

Both phones boast 48MP Main cameras, but the 15 Pro takes it a step further. It supports a new 24MP super-high-resolution default and even allows users to switch between three popular focal lengths: 24 mm, 28 mm, and 35 mm. The 15 Pro Max model additionally offers a 5x Telephoto camera, surpassing the 14 Pro’s 3x optical zoom. Interestingly, the 15 Pro Max's Telephoto lens has an innovative tetraprism design which, combined with advanced stabilization, can create strikingly clear images even from great distances. 

The iPhone 14 Pro had introduced Photonic Engine to enhance low-light photography, and the 15 Pro builds upon this with improved Night mode and Smart HDR, resulting in more vivid and sharper details. 

iPhone 15 Pro (left) VS iPhone 14 Pro. Screenshot via Apple

Optical zoom capabilities for iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro (left) VS iPhone 15 Pro Max (right). Screenshot via Apple

Connectivity and Other Features (a switch to USB-C!)

The iPhone 15 Pro finally makes the leap to the universally-accepted USB-C, enabling more accessible data transfers and allowing you to carry the same charging cable for your iPhone, Mac, iPad, and the updated second-generation AirPods Pro. The iPhone can also be used to charge your AirPods or Apple Watch via this connector. And, with USB 3 support, the iPhone 15 Pro now ensures faster data transfers of up to 10 gigabits per second—“up to 20X faster than before,” says Apple. This could be a game-changer for professionals who have been waiting to integrate their iPhones more seamlessly into their work environments.

Both phones offer 5G connectivity and robust water and dust resistance, ensuring they’re fit for the rigors of modern life. 

iPhone 15 Pro (left) VS iPhone 14 Pro. Screenshot via Apple

Price

Prices for the flagship iPhone 15 Pro start from US$999, with the iPhone 15 Pro Max going for US$1,199 and up.

With the announcement of the latest models, Apple has also removed the iPhone 14 Pro from its retail lineup.

iPhone 15 VS iPhone 14

Design and Build

iPhone 15 colors. Image via Apple

The mid-tier iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 both come in the same two sizes—6.1 inches and 6.7 inches (for the Plus version).

Starting with aesthetics, the iPhone 14 sports an aerospace-grade aluminum design available in a palate of midnight, blue, starlight, purple, and (PRODUCT)RED. The iPhone 15 counters this with a novel color-infused back glass featuring five new shades: pink, yellow, green, blue, and black. The texture? Think luxurious matte finish.

The display technology isn’t revolutionary between the two generations, but the iPhone 15 cranks up outdoor visibility with a peak brightness of 2000 nits, a solid leap from the iPhone 14’s 1200 nits. Both phones use Super Retina XDR displays, but the iPhone 15 now carries Dynamic Island, the interactive “notch replacer” introduced to the higher-end models from the previous generation.

iPhone 15 (left) VS iPhone 14 (right). Screenshot via Apple

Performance

Under the hood, both lineups are powerhouses, but the iPhone 15’s A16 Bionic chip edges out the A15 in the iPhone 14. While the cores remain the same, the A16 manages tasks more efficiently and uses 20% less power for high-performance cores.

iPhone 15 (left) VS iPhone 14 (right). Screenshot via Apple

Camera Systems

Camera systems on both phones are versatile, but the iPhone 15 raises the stakes with a 48MP Main camera and adds a new 2x Telephoto option, effectively giving users three optical zoom levels.

iPhone 15 (left) VS iPhone 14 (right). Screenshot via Apple

Connectivity and Other Features

Connectivity also got an overhaul. While both phones offer 5G, the iPhone 15 replaces the Lightning port with a USB-C connector and introduces Precision Finding for ‘Find My friends’—a feature that extends the range of location sharing among iPhone 15 users.

iPhone 15 (left) VS iPhone 14 (right). Screenshot via Apple

Price

The iPhone 15 starts at US$799 and the iPhone 15 retails from US$699. Comparing the Plus variants, the latest model costs US$899 while the previous generation will set you back just US$799.

So, there you have it. Whether the iPhone 15 models are worth the buy boils down to what matters to you: be it design, display brightness, computational power, camera capabilities, or added safety features. Some would make the upgrade just for the universal USB-C connectivity.

Preorders for the newer range open on Friday, September 15, with availability beginning on Friday, September 22.

[via Apple]