Is the iPhone 15 Pro Worth the Upgrade? A Detailed Breakdown

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It seems like there’s a new version of the most popular smartphones released every year. Right now it’s Apple’s turn with the release of the iPhone 15 Pro. Each new iPhone model includes various upgrades, but if you currently have an older version, is it worth upgrading to the iPhone 15 Pro?

This article takes a closer look at this new iPhone, so you can make an informed decision about whether upgrading is right for you.

• iPhone 15 Pro versus iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro versus iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro versus iPhone 12 Pro
• More iPhone 15 Pro positives
• iPhone 15 Pro negatives

See our comprehensive analysis of the iPhone 15 Pro, comparing it to previous models like the iPhone 14 Pro and others. Read on to discover more about this latest model and what you stand to gain or lose by upgrading.

iPhone 15 Pro versus iPhone 14 Pro

• One of the most notable differences is the lighter titanium build on the iPhone 15 Pro.
• There is also an Action button for programming shortcuts.
• The new A17 Pro processor can run console-grade games, and the camera boasts 24 megapixel resolution by default and up to 48 megapixels.
• Mobile photographers and filmmakers will enjoy shooting in log video format. This makes it easy to match footage shot on different cameras and devices. If you opt for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, you get 5x telephoto zoom for closer shots, as compared to the 3x option on the iPhone 14 Pro.
• You can easily pinpoint another user’s location in the Find My Phone app due to the second generation ultra wideband chip. However, since this requires Apple’s new hardware, this feature only works with other iPhone 15 owners.

If your main focus is on camera quality and functionality, unless you’re a filmmaker, there’s really no advantage to upgrading from the iPhone 14 Pro to the iPhone 15 Pro. Also, some of the new features on the 15 Pro will likely improve over time, so it might be worth waiting a while.

iPhone 15 Pro versus iPhone 13 Pro

• As the iPhone 13 Pro is only two years old, chances are battery life is still adequate. This model also features recent camera and processor technology, so it’s hardly outdated.
• While the iPhone 15 Pro boasts some new features for photo and video and higher image resolution, once again, unless you’re a filmmaker, there is very little advantage in upgrading if your main concern is image quality.
• One advantage the iPhone 15 Pro has over the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 is the combination of the Action button, Dynamic Island and always-on display. This makes multitasking easier as you won’t always have to jump between apps.

If you’re still happy with your iPhone 13 Pro, don’t rush to upgrade to the iPhone 15 Pro just yet. Having said that, there are many new features on the 15 Pro compared to the 13 Pro.

iPhone 15 Pro versus iPhone 12 Pro

Both the iPhone 12 Pro and 13 Pro are very similar, so the comparison with the 15 and 13 Pro also applies to the 12 Pro. Having said that, as the processor in the iPhone 12 Pro is older, it might be worth the upgrade to the iPhone 15 Pro.

• As the 12 Pro is now three years old, battery life will be starting to suffer. This is another argument that supports the upgrade.
• You’ll enjoy a brighter display on Apple’s latest iPhone, making it easier to see the screen outside in bright sunlight.
• With ProMotion, which the iPhone 12 Pro lacks, the iPhone 15 Pro provides superior and smoother scrolling, due to a faster screen refresh rate.
• Photographic Styles and macro mode are also missing from the iPhone 12 Pro, along with cinematic mode for capturing footage with a shallow depth of field.

If you currently own an iPhone 12 Pro, you’ll enjoy numerous positives if you make the leap to the new iPhone 15 Pro.

More iPhone 15 Pro positives

While there are no standout major changes in this model, there are quite a few great smaller changes.

• The new titanium frame that replaces the gleaming stainless steel chassis of earlier models is both more robust and lightweight. This weight reduction makes the phone a little easier to carry all day. The blue hue of the titanium frame also looks very attractive.
• Thinner bezels mean the glass screen stretches more closely towards the curved corners. It’s not a major change, but it does offer you slightly more screen space and improves the aesthetics.
• All iPhones now officially support USB-C. However, the iPhone 15 Pro has 10 gigabit transfer speeds. This enables much faster data transfer rates and you can back up the phone in rapid time. Additionally, USB-C means you can mirror what’s on the screen to a TV with the addition of a DisplayPort cable.
• Apple has bumped up the RAM in the iPhone 15 Pro from the previous standard of 6GB to 8GB. This boost in RAM, in combination with the A17 Pro chip, creates a computer-like performance regarding speed, rendering and smooth operation.
• Playing video games on the 15 Pro is a joy, thanks to Apple’s amazing GPU performance in this phone model. Everything runs silky smooth, so if gaming on your phone is a priority, the iPhone 15 Pro just might be the phone for you.

iPhone 15 Pro negatives

Battery life hasn’t improved on the iPhone 15 Pro, which is disappointing. It’s very much the same battery life as the 14 Pro. Being 100% optimised for performance, none of the new technology in this phone goes towards improving battery life. Expect about 10 to 12 hours of use before it needs charging.

The new focal lengths on the iPhone 15 Pro’s cameras are merely software adjustments, where software zooms in on the photo and crops the edges. It’s really just a pseudo zoom function.

The new Action button, while it sounds like a cool innovation, is rather disappointing. It’s just another button that can only be mapped to a single function at a time.

Expecting massive improvements each year with every new iPhone release just isn’t realistic, and many people are disappointed that the iPhone 15 Pro honestly isn’t all that innovative.