Apple iPhone 15 Pro might find itself somewhat in the shadow of its larger, fully loaded sibling this year. However, it retains a significant advantage: a more compact, pocket-friendly size. What sweetens the deal is that the iPhone 15 Pro has seen a price reduction of £100 compared to last year’s model, now starting at $999. This price cut has expanded the gap between the iPhone 15 Pro and the $1,199 Pro Max. While it’s still not what one might call affordable, it now falls more in line with the pricing of other high-end smartphones in 2023.
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro – A Lightweight and Premium Device
Similar to the Pro Max, the iPhone 15 Pro sheds its predecessor’s stainless steel sides in favor of titanium, resulting in a 19g weight reduction and a notably different feel. The device is now lightweight, making it easy to handle and slip into your pocket. This change is particularly evident if you’re transitioning from older Apple Pro phones.
The iPhone 15 Pro boasts a 6.1-inch OLED screen that’s genuinely outstanding, surpassing what you’d find on devices of similar size. It can achieve a remarkable 2,000nit peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright sunlight. The Face ID system, housed within the dynamic island at the screen’s top, continues to be one of Apple’s standout features.
An interesting addition to the device is the new action button, which replaces the mute switch found on previous iPhones. This button can be customized to launch various apps or perform tasks like activating the flashlight or switching focus modes, offering more versatility than just muting the phone.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro – Impressive Specifications
- Screen: The device features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen with a pixel density of 460ppi, offering a stunning visual experience.
- Processor: Powered by the Apple A17 Pro, the iPhone 15 Pro delivers robust and efficient performance for all your tasks.
- RAM: With 8GB of RAM, this device ensures smooth multitasking and speedy app performance.
- Storage: The iPhone 15 Pro is available in storage options of 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and a whopping 1TB, providing ample space for your files and media.
- Operating System: Running on iOS 17, the device offers the latest software features and updates.
- Camera: Equipped with a 48MP primary camera, a 12MP ultra-wide camera, a 12MP 3x zoom camera, and a 12MP front-facing camera, the iPhone 15 Pro captures stunning photos and videos.
- Connectivity: The device supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, NFC, Bluetooth 5.3, Thread, USB-C, Satellite communication, UWB (Ultra-Wideband), and GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), ensuring seamless connectivity.
- Water Resistance: The iPhone 15 Pro has an IP68 rating, making it water-resistant up to 6 meters for 30 minutes.
- Dimensions: With dimensions of 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.25mm, the device strikes a balance between a compact form factor and usability.
- Weight: Weighing just 187g, the iPhone 15 Pro is remarkably lightweight and easy to carry.
The iPhone 15 Pro’s impressive specifications make it a top-tier smartphone that can handle a wide range of tasks and deliver a superior user experience.
Upgraded Charging and Connectivity:
One notable upgrade is the shift from Lightning to USB-C. This transition allows the iPhone 15 Pro to be charged using widely available USB-C cables, eliminating the need for special Apple cables. Additionally, it opens up compatibility with a range of USB-C accessories, including display cables, SD card readers, audio adapters, and more.
A17 Pro Chip for Impressive Performance:
The new A17 Pro chip provides rapid and powerful performance, supporting advanced ray tracing graphics. This brings console-level gaming experiences to a mobile device, ensuring top-tier gaming performance. The device performs exceptionally well now and is future-proofed for years to come.
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Long Battery Life:
The iPhone 15 Pro offers excellent battery life for its size. It can last approximately 38 hours between charges with five hours of active screen usage. Even on the heaviest usage days, where 5G, maps, and photography are involved, the device can still last about 28 hours. This means you’ll typically need to charge it daily, but it reliably gets you through a full day of use.
These enhancements in charging, performance, and battery life contribute to a better user experience and flexibility for users of the iPhone 15 Pro.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro’s Battery and Repair Costs
Apple claims that the iPhone 15 Pro’s battery should last over 500 full-charge cycles while retaining at least 80% of its original capacity. If necessary, the battery can be replaced for a fee of £95. Screen repairs out of warranty are priced at £349. The internal design of the 15 Pro follows the same repair-friendly approach introduced with the iPhone 14. However, its repairability score is only four out of 10, according to iFixit, due to Apple’s use of software limitations that restrict third-party repair.
The iPhone 15 Pro incorporates various recycled materials, including aluminum, cobalt, copper, gold, plastic, rare earth elements, tin, and tungsten. Apple provides a detailed breakdown of the phone’s environmental impact in its report. The company also offers trade-in and free recycling programs, which extend to non-Apple products as well.
Camera Capabilities of the iPhone 15 Pro
The iPhone 15 Pro shares a similar camera setup with the 15 Pro Max, with the exception of the telephoto camera, which features a 3x optical zoom, a continuation of previous models.
The primary camera can capture 24-megapixel photos by default, offering the flexibility to shoot at three different focal lengths (24, 28, or 35mm) and the option to capture full 48MP photos in ProRaw or HEIF formats, catering to photography enthusiasts. Additionally, the camera retains the convenient 2x zoom mode introduced in the previous year. Notably, all three cameras are equipped to automatically capture portrait photos without requiring a dedicated mode, streamlining the photography experience.
The ultrawide, primary, and 3x telephoto cameras of the iPhone 15 Pro excel in their performance, delivering impressive image quality in various conditions with minimal post-processing required. The only drawback is the absence of the 5x optical zoom camera found in the Pro Max model.
Pricing Comparison of the iPhone 15 Pro and Competing Models
The iPhone 15 Pro is available starting at $999 and comes with 128GB of storage. To provide some context, here’s a price comparison with other smartphones in the market:
- iPhone 15 – $799
- iPhone 15 Pro Max – $1,199
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra – $1,199
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 – $999
- Google Pixel 7 Pro – $899
- Fairphone 5 – £649
These prices give consumers an overview of where the iPhone 15 Pro stands in relation to its competitors in terms of pricing.
Pros and Cons of iPhone 15 Pro
| No. | Pros | Cons |
| 1. | Lighter and more comfortable to hold | High price point |
| 2. | Impressive camera system | Limited to 3x optical zoom, lacking the 5x zoom of the Pro Max |
| 3. | Outstanding display | Repairable design constrained by software restrictions |
| 4. | Ideal size for one-handed use | |
| 5. | Adoption of USB-C | |
| 6. | Inclusion of a convenient action button | |
| 7. | Good battery life | |
| 8. | Excellent performance | |
| 9. | Prolonged software support | |
| 10. | Reliable Face ID for security |
The Verdict
For the first time in a couple of years, Apple’s top smartphone buyers face a more challenging decision for their next upgrade. The iPhone 15 Pro is unquestionably the best smaller phone available, albeit no longer possessing the best camera among iPhones.
While most of the hardware remains the same, the absence of the 5x optical zoom, a notable feature in the 15 Pro Max, is a crucial distinction. Nevertheless, the smaller 15 Pro is a substantial improvement over previous 6.1-inch iPhone Pros. It is notably lighter and features the convenience of USB-C and the addition of a handy action button.
Though the 15 Pro offers slightly shorter battery life compared to the Max, its more compact, lighter, and ergonomically friendly design may outweigh this factor. Additionally, the £200 savings, while still representing a considerable investment, make it an attractive option, especially for those willing to invest in a premium device.
