iPhone 15 Review: A Closer Look at Design, Battery Life, and Features
Initial Impressions: Sleek Design and Exciting Features
The iPhone 15 immediately captures attention with its sleek matte design. With convenient USB-C charging, easier multitasking thanks to the Dynamic Island, and a much-improved camera, this phone feels like a fresh upgrade. Even though some of these features were introduced in the previous iPhone 14 Pro, they still feel new and exciting, especially for someone transitioning from an iPhone 12.
A Month Later: Reliable Performance and Addressing Overheating Concerns
After a somewhat rocky launch with reports of iPhone 15 Pro models overheating, I personally only experienced my iPhone 15 feeling warm once. This leads me to believe that the overheating issue is not consistent. Additionally, Apple released a software update to fix the problem, reinforcing my positive view of the phone.
Now that I’ve had more time with the iPhone 15, I can confidently say that it delivers in terms of battery life, charging speeds, and overall performance. I also had the opportunity to try out the new Precision Finding feature, which allows users to pinpoint the location of their friends, but it requires both parties to have an iPhone 15.
A Closer Look at Battery Life and Charging
The standard 6.1-inch iPhone 15 impresses with its battery life, easily lasting through a full day on a single charge. During a busy day, which included attending a wedding and streaming music for several hours, the iPhone 15 still kept going, even with minimal charging. However, it’s important to note that new smartphones often have better battery life due to their fresh batteries.
iPhone 15 and 15 Plus Battery Life
| iPhone 15 | iPhone 15 Plus | |
| 45-minute test | From 100% to 95% | From 100% to 98% |
| Video streaming test | 1 hr: 97%; 2 hrs: 91%; 3 hrs: 85% (60Hz) | 1 hr: 99%; 2 hrs: 94%; 3 hrs: 89% (60Hz) |
Apple claims that the iPhone 15 can replenish 50% of its battery in 30 minutes using a 20W adapter, with the 15 Plus achieving the same in 35 minutes. In actual testing, the iPhone 15 charged from 20% to 73% and the iPhone 15 Plus went from 20% to 67% within the same time frame. Qi wireless charging at 7.5W and MagSafe charging at 15W are also supported, with faster charging results observed when using the latter method.
The iPhone 15 Makes It Easier to Find Your Friends
The iPhone 15 introduces Precision Finding for the Find My feature, which points users in the right direction to locate their friends. However, this feature is limited to iPhone 15 models due to the ultra wideband chip requirement. This limitation makes it less useful unless your friends and family have also upgraded their phones recently. Nevertheless, it’s a promising feature that may become more widespread in future iPhone models.
Camera, Dynamic Island, and Other Features
The new 48-megapixel camera on the iPhone 15 is a significant improvement compared to earlier models like the iPhone 12. The images captured by the iPhone 15 exhibit more contrast and detail. The Dynamic Island feature enhances multitasking capabilities, allowing users to keep essential apps open while performing other tasks. The switch to USB-C charging brings convenience, although some accessories still require a Lightning charger. The A16 Bionic processor ensures fast and snappy performance, scoring higher on benchmarks compared to the previous iPhone 14.
Geekbench 6
Higher scores are better.
3DMark Wild Life Extreme Overall Score
Higher scores are better.
3DMark Wild Life Extreme Frames Per Second
Higher scores are better.
Overall Thoughts: A Solid Upgrade
The iPhone 15 is a worthwhile upgrade for individuals using older phones. It catches up to Android in terms of multitasking with the Dynamic Island, offers a significantly improved camera, and boasts long-lasting battery life. While some desired features like an always-on display and wider compatibility for Precision Finding are still missing, the iPhone 15 remains an excellent choice for those committed to the iOS ecosystem, who are upgrading from older models, and don’t require all the bells and whistles of the iPhone 15 Pro.