The tech season is finally here. This year it started in August, with the launch of new Go Pro cameras. But everybody knows the real deal - the Techtember begins with the September Apple event. So Apple as usual started the season on 12th September with its iPhone event with the theme “Wonderlust”. Next, there are Microsoft and Google events. For nerds, this already feels like a festive season. So let’s begin with the iPhones. What’s new this year?
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iPhone 15 and 15+ |
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iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max |
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Design
This year more than the looks, you’ll feel the change when you actually hold the iPhone 15 in your hand. Unlike last year’s phone that had the iconic iPhone 4 style squared edges, this year they have slightly smoothed out the edges. You might have noticed that the edges can be sharp on your palm, especially if you like to use your iPhone without a case. So not a huge design change, but a little improvement.
This year more than looks, you'll feel the change when you actually hold the iPhone
There is a slight change in the back panel as well. For starters, they have used a new technique they call “colour-infused glass” which basically gives it a frosty look. However, it is again noticeable in the feel when you actually hold the non-Pro iPhones. Unlike the glossy finishes on prior models, this time it’s a matte finish. Some of the YouTubers also raised the concern of lesser grip as compared to the glossy finish which could be a concern. But hey people with loose grip should anyway use the case.
Coming to the materials used, for non-Pro iPhones, they have used the same aluminum chassis as always, so no change there. But a major change is done in Pro models. Like the Apple Watch Ultra, they have ditched the stainless steel and used Titanium. The titanium has a brushed metal finish, to hopefully better hide the micro scratches. But why Titanium? Because titanium is a lighter material than steel but has similar or sometimes more strength than steel. Hence oftentimes times it is also used in space crafts to reduce the lift of weight.
And that’s it for the design changes. Not many visual changes but more of a touch-and-feel change.
Camera
This year for non-Pro iPhones, we have the same lens that was used last year in the iPhone 14 Pro series. It seems like this is going to be the case going forward. Introducing a new lens with Pro models and using them next year for the non-Pro models. So lots of recycling there. But it also means this year we get a 48-megapixel primary lens from last year’s 14 Pro on this year’s non-Pro iPhone 15. And with that lens, comes the “2x Optical Zoom” Really? Nah, not really. Basically, the iPhone will capture 24-megapixel images with a 48-megapixel lens doing pixel binning. So 2x zoom basically means digitally zooming in 48 48-megapixel images without losing the picture quality. Although they have also increased the aperture from f/1.5 to f/1.6, so overall picture quality will be better than that of 14 for sure.
With 15 Pro Max, they have introduced a periscope-style telephoto lens, which enables you to zoom in optically up to 5x. But keep in mind that this is only available with the 15 Pro Max thanks to its bigger size to accommodate more camera components. The “regular” 15 Pro will get a similar 3x optical zoom as before. If we compare the zoom capability with that of S23 Ultra, yes Apple is clearly still lacking. But I like how smoothly the switching between 3 lenses happens.
I know, the distinction between iPhone models is getting more and more complicated every year. But hey, you know what has gotten less complicated? The portrait mode. With this year’s iPhones, you can finally take photos in normal mode and make them portrait later in the edit mode. Without having to worry about whether you’ve enabled the portrait mode or not. Basically an auto portrait mode. You simply take a photo and depending on the subject being a person or a pet (dogs and cats), the camera will automatically save the depth data separately. So if you want to turn a non-portrait picture into a portrait one, you can simply move the slider in the edit mode and voila! You get that same image as a portrait-mode photo.
Auto portrait mode will be the most underrated feature of iPhone 15
I don’t know about you, but for me, this underrated feature was much more exciting than the incremental lens updates. One last update about the camera is… Wait, before that let's see other major changes to the iPhones.
Features
I think the biggest feature, the biggest hype was about the charging port. Like finally!! Finally, Apple is moving on to a USB-C charging port. There is a caveat though. The non-Pro iPhones are sticking to USB 2.0 port meaning the transfer speeds are locked to 480 Mbps. The Pro models however will support up to 10 Gbps transfer speed. Many said a typical Apple move and I agree. But I think, anyway general, non-professional iPhone users will be fine with USB 2.0 speeds. Most of them will not even notice and will be happy to have a universal charging cable that works with their other devices and family and friends’ Android smartphones.
USB C port on iPhone is the most significant change on this year's iPhone
The professionals who use iPhones to record videos, especially in ProRes will love the 10 Gbps max transfer speeds. Adding to the benefits of USB c, 15 Pro now also supports recording and saving ProRes 60 fps videos directly on an external SSD. Although we were expecting a Thunderbolt port for Pro iPhones, that may be for next year’s upgrade.
Another more interesting feature has been added to the Pro iPhones: The action button. Just like how we have it on Apple Watch Ultra. So yes the good old alert slider is gone from the Pros. RIP! Replaced with a button. What’s more interesting, rather surprising is how much customizability Apple has given to us. You can use it to silence your phone as always. But you can map it to do even better actions like launching a camera. Not just launching, but you can specifically choose whether a selfie mode or a video mode. Apple giving us options! Along with the camera, you can also use the action button to launch the torchlight, change the focus modes, or start recording voice memos, or even better, use shortcuts to launch basically ANY app. Yes, even the Google Assistant or the Halide camera or the smart home automation. Basically whatever you want. Honestly, I was not expecting this level of customization, but I love it.
But if you ask me what is the most important but most underrated update of this year, it’s the introduction of Dynamic Island on non-Pro iPhones. Agreed, it is not particularly a “new” feature. But for the vast majority of people, who only opt for regular non-Pro iPhones(especially here in India where Pro models are absurdly priced), last year’s 14 was barely an upgrade. With this year’s inclusion of dynamic island, that feature has become more mainstream. So, last year if you held on to your iPhone 13 or older, first of all, kudos to you! We don’t need to upgrade our phones every year. But this year seems the perfect year to upgrade. You will feel more difference from 13 to 15 than that from 13 to 14.
This year iPhone 15 seems a better upgrade than what iPhone 14 was last year
Wrap up
So let’s wrap it up. There are even more under-the-hood updates which I didn’t mention, like the A17 Pro chip for Pro models, even slimmer borders on Pros, a voice isolation feature in calls and many more. But if you ask me, what are my favourite updates this year, those will be the dynamic island for regular iPhones and the action button for Pro iPhones. I was expecting a high refresh rate display for regular iPhones because come on Apple, a high refresh rate display isn’t the “Pro” feature anymore. Many budget androids provide it nowadays. Maybe next year, let’s hope so.
Overall I will say, that even though there was no new device introduction like the foldable iPhone, I loved what Apple brought to the table this year with their iPhones. What features did you like? What features you didn’t? What feature excited you the most or what disappointed you? Do let me know in the comments. Thanks for hanging out here. Cheers!
What did you like the most about this year's iPhones?
USB C
5x zoom on iPhone 15 Pro Max
Action button on Pro models
Dynamic island on regular models
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