Apple has dropped the curtain on its latest lineup of iPhones, and tech enthusiasts are scratching their heads about the iPhone 14 vs iPhone 15 comparison. The iPhone 15 series, comprising the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max, is accompanied by two sleek smartwatches: the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2.
But what sets the iPhone 15 apart from its predecessor, the iPhone 14? Let’s dive into the key changes and upgrades without the frills.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 15: Spec showdown
Let’s begin with how the newly introduced iPhone 15 stacks up against its predecessor, the iPhone 14:
- Display: Both models feature a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, providing crisp visuals and vibrant colors. The iPhone 15 steps up with a peak brightness of 2000 nits, offering an even more stunning visual experience compared to the iPhone 14.
- Storage: The iPhone 15 and iPhone 14 come with a base storage of 128GB. However, the iPhone 15 series expands its options further, with capacities ranging up to a generous 2TB, giving users more flexibility in choosing the storage size that suits them.
- CPU: Apple has introduced the A16 Bionic chipset in the iPhone 15, while the iPhone 14 runs on the A15 Bionic. The A16 promises a significant boost in performance, with improved GPU capabilities, higher display resolution support, and faster transfer speeds, setting it apart from the A15 found in the iPhone 14.
- Cameras: Both models come equipped with a powerful 48MP main camera, ensuring high-quality shots in various conditions. Additionally, they feature a 12MP ultra-wide lens and a 12MP telephoto lens. However, the iPhone 15’s camera system is further enhanced with a 2x Telephoto option, providing three optical-quality zoom levels, setting it apart from the iPhone 14.
- Battery: The iPhone 15 series introduces larger batteries, offering a substantial improvement in battery life compared to the iPhone 14. This means users can expect more stamina and usage time on a single charge, making it a significant upgrade for those prioritizing battery performance.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 15: Revamped design
The iPhone 15 introduces a striking design change by infusing colors into the back glass, creating a textured matte finish.
Its aerospace-grade aluminum frame features a contoured edge, and the front cover employs a Ceramic Shield for added durability.
The iPhone 15 is also water- and dust-resistant, enhancing its ruggedness.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 15: New color options
The iPhone 15 keeps the tradition of offering a variety of color choices, with two fresh additions: Pink and Green. However, it’s worth noting that the iPhone 14 expanded its color palette post-launch by introducing a Yellow option. The yellow variant of the iPhone 15 is lighter in hue compared to its predecessor.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 15: Dynamic island display
Dynamic Island, which made its debut in the iPhone 14 Pro models, now extends to the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. This innovative feature resides in the display’s notch area, housing not only camera hardware but also serving as a dynamic hub for key notifications. Additionally, the iPhone 15 boasts a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with a peak brightness of 2000 nits, twice as bright as the previous generation.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 15: Pricing remains steady
Starting with the price tag, the base model of the iPhone 15 maintains the same launch price as its predecessor, the iPhone 14. The 128GB variant of the iPhone 15 starts at Rs 79,990, aligning with the iPhone 14’s launch pricing. Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 Pro Max stands out as the only model with a higher price tag compared to last year’s lineup. Pre-orders for the iPhone 15 series commence on September 15, with shipping starting on September 22.
- iPhone 14: $799
- iPhone 15: $799
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 15: A16 Bionic chip
Under the hood, the iPhone 15 houses the powerful A16 Bionic chipset, a significant improvement over the A15 Bionic found in the iPhone 14. This 4nm-based processor offers enhanced performance, improved GPU capabilities, higher display resolution, and faster transfer speeds. Apple claims that the A16 Bionic chip consumes 20% less power and supports advanced machine learning features, such as Live Voicemail transcriptions in iOS 17.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 15: Enhanced camera capabilities
The iPhone 15 features a 48MP main camera, a feature previously exclusive to iPhone 14 Pro models. This camera boasts 100% Focus Pixels for rapid autofocus and leverages computational photography to deliver high-resolution 24MP photos. Night mode enhancements bring sharper details and richer colors, while Smart HDR promises improved rendering of skin tones and overall image quality.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 15: 2x Telephoto option
Another camera upgrade is the introduction of a 2x Telephoto option, providing three optical-quality zoom levels—0.5x, 1x, and 2x. This extends the optical zoom range to 4x, up from the iPhone 14’s 2x optical zoom.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 15: Size and weight
Although keeping the same total size, the iPhone 15 managed to weigh less than its predecessor.
iPhone 14:
- Size: 6.1 inches
- Weight: 6.07 oz (172.0 g)
iPhone 15:
- Size: 6.1 inches
- Weight: 6.03 oz (171.0 g)
The new model of the series has the upper hand in terms of portability, keeping in mind that it’s a slight change.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 15: Advanced Portrait mode
The iPhone 15 introduces advanced Portrait mode, eliminating the need to switch to a dedicated mode for portrait shots. It utilizes Focus and Depth Control to produce portraits with sharper detail, vibrant colors, and improved low-light performance. Depth information is captured automatically when people, pets, or objects are in the frame, offering greater flexibility for post-processing on other Apple devices.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 15: USB-C charging
A notable change is the adoption of USB-C connectors, a universal standard for charging and data transfer. This means you can use the same cable to charge your iPhone, Mac, iPad, updated AirPods Pro (2nd generation), and even Android devices. Additionally, you can charge AirPods or an Apple Watch directly from your iPhone using the USB-C connector. However, the iPhone 14 retains the classic Lightning port for charging and data transfers.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 15: 2nd-gen UWB chip
The iPhone 15 comes equipped with a second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip, extending its connectivity range threefold. This upgrade enables the use of Precision Finding with Find My to locate friends more accurately in crowded areas.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 15: eSIM only
One notable omission is the absence of a physical SIM slot in the iPhone 15, which now exclusively supports eSIM compatibility. However, 5G connectivity remains intact.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 15: iOS 17 out of the box
The iPhone 15 ships with iOS 17, while iPhone 14 and older models are still on iOS 16. iOS 17 brings a fresh Lock Screen layout, Live Voicemail, Journal, StanBy, and other new features, promising an upgraded user experience.
In summary, the iPhone 15 brings a host of noteworthy improvements to the table, including a powerful A16 Bionic chip, enhanced camera capabilities, and a sleek design with vibrant color options. iOS 17 offers a fresh software experience, and the shift to USB-C brings convenience for users with multiple Apple devices. While it’s a worthy upgrade, it’s essential to consider your specific needs and budget before making the jump from the iPhone 14.
Featured image credit: Apple