iPhone 15 review: Is the new iPhone on the block worth checking out?

The iPhone 15 is here and we’re digging it so far 

Following the Wonderlust event, the iPhone 15 is now available in stores. If you’re wondering how it fares as the standard entry in the latest lineup, we’ve got you covered with our honest thoughts and opinions below.

iPhone 15 design

The most obvious new feature of the iPhone 15 is its colour-infused back glass which comes with a textured, matte finish. The unique design is thanks to Apple’s ability to control colour saturation in the glass back through the use of metallic ions. Its beautiful appearance will leave you tempted not to use a phone case, especially with Apple’s promise about its industry-leading durability and IP68-certified water and dust-resistant design. The front of the phone is protected by ceramic glass and the body is composed of 75% recycled aluminium as part of Apple’s sustainability efforts.

In terms of dimensions, the Apple 15 is similar to the iPhone 14 (5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 in). The contoured edges give the phone a more ergonomic feel, and the newly available USB-C port is sure to be a welcome relief though using your past lightning cables may not work here. Thankfully the box does include a USB-C-to-USB-C cable with a woven covering.

Other new design updates that made a ton of waves: The Dynamic Island replaces the previous notch design and we’ll go more into this later. There’s also an all-new Action button replacing the ring/silent switch and it’s programmable according to your preference.

The available colors for the iPhone 15 are Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, and Pink. They come in pretty pastels and we’re pretty sure that the Barbie-reminiscent Pink model will be a surefire hit, especially amongst Gen Zers.

👉 Read more about the colours available in the new iPhone 15 series here: Introducing the new iPhone 15 colours

Image taken from https://www.apple.com/uk/newsroom/2023/09/apple-debuts-iphone-15-and-iphone-15-plus/

iPhone 15 display screen

Ah, the iPhone 15’s display has definitely seen a great upgrade. For one, we now get a Super Retina XDR display which means the iPhone 15 supports a wide colour gamut, along with an incredible range of contrast with its 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio. This makes for an undeniably stunning display. However, take note that the resolution, screen size, and refresh rate remain the same as the iPhone 14.

With the iPhone 15, there’s the addition of the Dynamic Island to look forward to; a pill-shaped area that displays all crucial info such as Apple Pay notifications, the music you’re playing, directions, AirDrop transfers, low battery warnings, and more. Though this was previously made available for the iPhone 14 Pro, all iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus users can enjoy them as well. Just a tap on the Dynamic Island is all you need to quickly access your info.

In terms of brightness, the display is now 2,000-nits which is a jump from the iPhone 14’s 1,200-nits of brightness. That said, the iPhone 15 doesn’t come with ProMotion technology, a feature that allows up to a 120Hz refresh rate than the standard 60Hz. The refresh rate for the iPhone 15 remains at 60Hz which is still relatively good enough. Unfortunately, if you’d like the ProMotion feature, you’d have to splurge on the Pro models instead.

Image taken from https://www.apple.com/uk/newsroom/2023/09/apple-debuts-iphone-15-and-iphone-15-plus/

iPhone 15 performance

The iPhone 15 runs on the A16 Bionic, a powerful processor that’s got a 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural engine, along with 6GB worth of RAM.

All new iPhone models come with iOS 17 installed. There are some nice new features such as the new and improved autocorrect, Contact Posters, redesigned iMessage menu, the “Bring Devices Together” and the “Check In” AirDrop features. You can leave a voicemail on FaceTime now too!

Apple claims battery life here can withstand up to 20 hours of playback. We’ve found that it generally lasts around 15 hours of regular use, which isn’t too bad. However, the iPhone 15 Pro claims to last 30% longer, so that may be worth looking into if you’re concerned about battery longevity.

iPhone 15 camera specs

When it comes to the iPhone 15’s camera specs, it’s a definite step up compared to previous models. There are two camera lenses at the back of the iPhone 15 and the main camera lens is 48MP, similar to the iPhone 14 Pro. This is a significant upgrade from the iPhone 14’s main camera lens of 12MP. All of the cameras on the iPhone 16 are also backed by the latest technology that comes with the A16 Bionic chip, so you can expect photonic engine and computational photography. With this, the model will utilize its hardware, machine learning, and software to boost your photos, especially those shot under bad lighting.

The Portrait mode on the iPhone 15 has also seen an upgrade. Now, any photo you’ve taken with the regular camera can be converted into portrait mode if the iPhone has identified enough info on it. You just have to press on the ‘Portrait f’ wording to transform your photos into nice-looking portraits. You can even edit the depth of field as you’re editing the photos, along with the areas of focus.

Unfortunately, the all-new powerful Telephoto capability which allows you to shoot from further away is only available on the Pro models. However, we do feel that the camera setup on the iPhone 15 is strong enough as it is.

In terms of video, you can look forward to shooting video up to 4k 60 fps which works out great if you’re looking to shoot TikTok/Reels content.

👉 Find out more about the iPhone 15 series camera capabilities here: iPhone 15 camera: what’s changed?

Image taken from https://www.apple.com/uk/newsroom/2023/09/apple-debuts-iphone-15-and-iphone-15-plus/

iPhone 15 Specs

Source: https://www.apple.com/iphone-15/specs/

iPhone 15 price and availability

The iPhone 15 is currently available in the Apple Store at £799 (128GB), £899 (256GB), and £1,099 (512GB) respectively. It’s not currently available on the Back Market site just yet (checked at 20/10/2023). That said, you can get a refurbished iPhone 14 Pro which has many features similar to the iPhone 15 starting from £655.46 (price checked on 20/10/2023). For one, they both run on the same chip and both have 48MP cameras. The price margin is also significant if you compare them to the brand new iPhones in the market.

Despite refurbished being initially second-hand, Back Market's products deliver the same level of performance as brand-new devices, without any compromises. Opting for reconditioned products not only guarantees their functionality but also contributes to the reduction of e-waste and helps minimise environmental impact.

When you make a purchase from Back Market, you benefit from a hassle-free return policy that lasts for up to 30 days. If you encounter any defects or issues, there's no need to worry, as all purchases are accompanied by a 1-year warranty, providing the same coverage as when buying a new phone. This ensures a risk-free buying experience for customers.

Overall verdict

The iPhone 15 is an all-around excellent phone that’s comparably as good as the flagship models. It’s got the Dynamic Island, a powerful camera setup, the USB-C port, a nice design, and is the most affordable option in the recent lineup. Admittedly, It’s a slight upgrade from the iPhone 14 Pro but it’s got just a few more bells and whistles which makes it a nice purchase. However, if you’re looking for something a lot more powerful for your gaming and camera needs, then the iPhone 15 Pro and above would be the way to go.

Read our other detailed product reviews of the iPhone 15 series here:

👉 iPhone 15 Plus review: introducing the Dynamic Island, USB-C, and more

👉 iPhone 15 Pro review: Mighty and made out of Titanium

👉 iPhone 15 Pro Max review: is Apple making a play for the Android crowd?